An American in Normandy
Bill Whalen ·
Jun 6, 2011 at 12:48pm
On the 67th anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe, President Reagan's speech commemorating his nation's sacrifice on the cliffs of Ponte du Hoc . . .
At the risk of delving in partisanship on this solemn day, one cringes at the thought of a re-elected Barack Obama visiting the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 2014 -- the 70th anniversary of the triumph of freedom over tyranny and, as such, perhaps the last visit to France for many an aging G.I. -- and delivering an address with just enough Eurocentrism and apologia in it to elevate your blood pressure (that, and somehow finding a way to weave the first-person singular into an event that has nothing to do with his cult of personality) . . .
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Nov '10
Re: An American in Normandy
I am not much of a listener, but I can hear out the Gipper.
Obama's appearing and speaking where so many brave men fought and died would be a travesty. I fervently hope that he never does.
But, how much has changed. The Soviet Union poses no longer the threat that President Reagan described; and, our former allies have used up a very substantial portion of our money and goodwill. They grow fat while our taxpayers pay for their defense, and their pitiable efforts in Libya show that they cannot nowadays fight their own way out of even a tough barroom.
I hope and believe that President Reagan, were he still in the White House, would make short shrift of NATO's sapping our financial and military strength and send that crowd packing.
Apr '11
Re: An American in Normandy
This is one of the few speeches that can always move me to tears. To "Boys of Point de Huc" I owe you a debt I'll never be able to repay. To the Gipper I miss your wit, eloquence, and leadership. I thank god my country has been blessed by both your services. May he see fit to grant us another's service in our time of need.
Jan '11
Re: An American in Normandy
"I am here to commemorate those Americans who died in a war I didn't start and which I probably wouldn't have approved of, because I'm more sophisticated than they were and can appreciate the more nuanced position of the French in that war, but I believe that as Commander-in-Chief I have a duty to sound as if I support the military even if I can't think of anything good they've done apart from helping Me when I decided to take out Osama bin Laden."
Nov '10
Re: An American in Normandy
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us not doubt in our hearts -- that World War II was the fault of my predecessor, George W Bush".
"...And Sarah Palin just wants to start another one like it"
Sep '10
Re: An American in Normandy
May the spirit of the Gipper find its way into the heart of one of our leaders.