Rick Jones (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} rickj) wrote,@ 2003-11-28 19:44:00 |
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And Now A Word From The Chief
Over dinner, I commented to Heather that I felt bad that I couldn't even spare enough benefit of the doubt that the Bush visit to Iraq might just be for the benefit of the troops, and wasn't just another campaign commercial in the making.
Heather, USAF 1991-1997, set me straight. I now turn the proverbial mike over to her...
After being stationed in Las Vegas for three years, I can spot a dog and pony show a mile way. So, Bush took a few hours out to have lunch with the troops in Iraq to raise morale. I think a one-way ticket home would have been better, but hey.
First, let me say these little photo opportunities do nothing in raising the morale level. The people who Bush dined with were most assuredly hand selected. Most likely known by their peers as brown-nosers. Here is how it goes. Commander to First Sergeant, "I need five bodies from our unit to dine with a VIP." First Sergeant goes to the other senior enlisted and selects only those individuals that are as gung-ho enough. Did you hear the "whoops" as Bush was addressing the troops? These people never had low morale to begin with. Most likely, they are selected from career soldiers or people who just reenlisted. Now, did you notice their uniforms? Everyone looked they just got it back from the dry cleaners. Not your average Joe who has been turning a wrench on a Hum-Vee the past 12 hours. Also, everyone had their sleeves pulled down. After all, we want everyone to look the same for the photo. I can't tell you how many times we had VIPs visit in Las Vegas and we all had to have our sleeves down. It did not matter if it was 120 degrees, and believe me it often was. You also did not see people who looked like they may be pushing their max weight restriction. That does not make for good photos either. Nobody wants the president taking pictures with a big, fat slob.
As the morale for the others who were not selected... not so good. While these folks are eating turkey with Bush, you get something a little less palatable. Since the work does not go away, you have to perform their job too while they are munching away.
It reminds me of his last big photo op with the troops aboard the aircraft carrier. The ship had to extend its time at sea just so Bush could land. I am not sure but I think it was a week or two. Now if you had not seen your family in 6 or 9 months, what would be more important? Donning your best uniform, polishing your boots and cleaning every last inch of your ship, just in case The President of The United States decides to crawl on his belly to inspect the backside of a boiler or seeing your family. Most people I know would pick the latter.
I am not bitter, I have been on both sides of the coin. I just have little tolerance for the BS. Let's just call a photo op what it really is: a chance to boost his image.
I rant, therefore I am
Heather
Correction: The President's landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln delayed the ship's arrival by a day. The confusion appears to be because the Lincoln was scheduled to return in early 2003 from it's 6 month deployment in the Gulf. However, the war in Iraq caused a change in orders, keeping the Lincoln in the Persian Gulf until it docked on May 6 (Info on the Lincoln's return)
Over dinner, I commented to Heather that I felt bad that I couldn't even spare enough benefit of the doubt that the Bush visit to Iraq might just be for the benefit of the troops, and wasn't just another campaign commercial in the making.
Heather, USAF 1991-1997, set me straight. I now turn the proverbial mike over to her...
After being stationed in Las Vegas for three years, I can spot a dog and pony show a mile way. So, Bush took a few hours out to have lunch with the troops in Iraq to raise morale. I think a one-way ticket home would have been better, but hey.
First, let me say these little photo opportunities do nothing in raising the morale level. The people who Bush dined with were most assuredly hand selected. Most likely known by their peers as brown-nosers. Here is how it goes. Commander to First Sergeant, "I need five bodies from our unit to dine with a VIP." First Sergeant goes to the other senior enlisted and selects only those individuals that are as gung-ho enough. Did you hear the "whoops" as Bush was addressing the troops? These people never had low morale to begin with. Most likely, they are selected from career soldiers or people who just reenlisted. Now, did you notice their uniforms? Everyone looked they just got it back from the dry cleaners. Not your average Joe who has been turning a wrench on a Hum-Vee the past 12 hours. Also, everyone had their sleeves pulled down. After all, we want everyone to look the same for the photo. I can't tell you how many times we had VIPs visit in Las Vegas and we all had to have our sleeves down. It did not matter if it was 120 degrees, and believe me it often was. You also did not see people who looked like they may be pushing their max weight restriction. That does not make for good photos either. Nobody wants the president taking pictures with a big, fat slob.
As the morale for the others who were not selected... not so good. While these folks are eating turkey with Bush, you get something a little less palatable. Since the work does not go away, you have to perform their job too while they are munching away.
It reminds me of his last big photo op with the troops aboard the aircraft carrier. The ship had to extend its time at sea just so Bush could land. I am not sure but I think it was a week or two. Now if you had not seen your family in 6 or 9 months, what would be more important? Donning your best uniform, polishing your boots and cleaning every last inch of your ship, just in case The President of The United States decides to crawl on his belly to inspect the backside of a boiler or seeing your family. Most people I know would pick the latter.
I am not bitter, I have been on both sides of the coin. I just have little tolerance for the BS. Let's just call a photo op what it really is: a chance to boost his image.
I rant, therefore I am
Heather
Correction: The President's landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln delayed the ship's arrival by a day. The confusion appears to be because the Lincoln was scheduled to return in early 2003 from it's 6 month deployment in the Gulf. However, the war in Iraq caused a change in orders, keeping the Lincoln in the Persian Gulf until it docked on May 6 (Info on the Lincoln's return)
