PHOTOS Chilly reception for the President at the Naval Academy

[Jackeens]

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Midshipman graduate Michael David Aragon, of Tucson, Arizona, reacts after shaking hands with President Barack Obama

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Midshipman graduate Christopher Nicolet, of Lakeside, Arizona, reacts after shaking hands with President Barack Obama

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President Barack Obama hugs John Sidney McCain IV, son of Arizona Senator John McCain

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A Midshipman graduate reacts after receiving his diploma and shaking hands with President Barack Obama

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Photos (and captions) from www.daylife.com

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[ShortnFiery]

1. I bet Dick Cheney is eating what's left of his dark heart out?

:evilgrin:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Those are some very happy, very proud kids. :^)

[TahitiNut]

13. "kids"? Officers in the Navy ... with life and death responsibilities.

Believe me, they don't graduate from Annapolis as "kids." These are extensively trained and vetted people. Yes, there're always a few assholes ... but they're sure not "kids" anymore. As a fellow who'll be 66 next month, I'd be one of the most likely to regard someone who's 21 or 22 as a "kid" ... but as a guy who spent two years at the Coast Guard Academy, I have a deep appreciation for the rigor and demands of becoming an Academy graduate.

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. No disrespect to them. I am surrounded by midshipmen where I live. But living next door to many

over the years I can tell you they are still very young in many ways, training notwithstanding.

But as you say this is Annapolis we were talking about and not my local regimental Maritime Academy NROTC students so there's probably some difference there. ;) (Although I am sure my neighbors would tell you they are just as ready, willing, and able to serve.)

[bertman]

58. TahitiNut, I appreciate your sentiment, but no training at any academy readies you for

the realities of command, and especially not for command in combat. What that training does is give you the template to work off of--teaches you about your resources and options and how to react rationally under intense pressure.

What turns these 21 and 22 year old kids into adults is what they go through AFTER they graduate. There's a reason it's called the crucible of combat.

But that's just my opinion based on my experience with several Annapolis and West Point graduates who were commanding units in Vietnam.

[AnnieBW]

59. I think they meant John and Cindy McCain

Those crazy kids...

[SeattleGirl]

3. Love the fist bumps and the reactions of those who just shook Obama's

hand!

[Happyhippychick]

4. Is it so much to ask for a warning?? I can't believe that lack of respect and outright hostility I

just witnessed!!

Oh, forgot this:

:sarcasm:

[LaurenG]

5. Great Photos!

k&r

[blueclown]

6. Not shown: McLame crying in his cheerios off-camera.

[lapfog_1]

7. That's a lot of terrorist fist jabbing going on!!! - n/t

[UrbScotty]

8. Well he is cool, so of course he's gonna get a chilly reception (nt)

[democracy1st]

9. K & R i've got to see a video

[babylonsister]

10. Love, love, love these, Jackeens! Thank you! nt

[FrenchieCat]

11. That last photo is the one that takes the cake.....

oh no...sorry, that's just Cindy McCain looking like a cake. :rofl:








Besides that, the exuberance of the newly graduated is quite telling.

[Blue_Roses]

12. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe....those made me tear up...

especially this one:


and this one:



Awesome pics! :bounce:

[lamp_shade]

14. #4 says it all for me. Thanks again Jackeens.

[PatSeg]

26. That's my favorite!

What a great shot.

[MoonRiver]

15. Jackeens, you're such a tease!

But I'm starting to learn your ways, lol! Great pics, btw! :bounce:

[Jackeens]

18. ** evil chuckle **

:hi:

[MoonRiver]

20. ...

:hi:

[Scurrilous]

16. K & R

:thumbsup:

[cooolandrew]

17. After the malarky in the GE I real get a good giggle every time I see a fist bump.

[Beaverhausen]

19. I might be wrong, but has any other president been hugged the way Obama has?

that amazes me.

[StrongBad]

21. Yeah, I was just thinking about how open he is to physical contact and embracing people like that.

Clinton did this a lot on the campaign trail, but while in office I don't think so (Ms. Lewinsky aside).

[Captain Hilts]

30. I remember GWB exchanging chest bumps. nt

[TahitiNut]

29. The embraces are remarkable. The chest bumps ... not so much.

Believe me, there's NOTHING in Academy training and indoctrination that nurtures the inclination to warmly embrace the Commander in Chief. Nothing. The chest bumps -- well, they did that with the Smirking narcissist. That's superficial. But feeling the desire to HUG a President ... well, that's a whole 'nother thing. Lots of discipline and military protocol has to be held in abeyance to do that ... and then the person has to see it'd be welcomed, in very unambiguous subliminal ways.

I can gnash my teeth and bang my head with the best of them regarding some of the decisions Obama is making ... no matter how much I appreciate the complexities and difficulties. But I can also appreciate that, no matter how I might find disagreement with him, that he's a genuine and emotionally healthy human being ... WORTH a hug.

If I EVER got the chance to hug him, I sure as hell would. I've NEVER felt that way about any President .. even JFK (who I "met"). It's only as an ex-President that I feel that way about Carter.

[PopSixSquish]

56. As a Military Ex-Wife, I Agree with You

My ex-husband is also a graduate of a military college and you do not "hug" the CIC. You salute and shake hands if the CIC offers you his/her hand.

The fact that these graduates were so excited to hug President Obama is a fitting Memorial Day tribute to both. And as for the "kids" part, some of them look so young but will carry such great repsonsibility that I find myself tearing up when I think about it...Godspeed...

[CTyankee]

22. It's awful that Cheney's speech has so damaged the President!

It's obvious that Cheney is now more popular than Obama. And Obama just can't go anywhere any more because now everybody is disgusted with him!

[firedupdem]

24. What sour faces!!!! LOL!!

Holy Shit!

[alsame]

25. Wonderful pics as always, Jackeens! Congrats to all the

grads and TIA for their service.

:patriot:

[Terran]

27. Great pics! The reactions to shaking his hand

made me laugh out loud.

And I bet Ol' John McC. is pretty happy to be sitting where he is, actually. I cannot see a man his age handling these responsibilities the way Barack does, nor do I think he ever really wanted to.

[NatBurner]

28. OMG THE MILITARY WILL NEVER ACCEPT THIS PRETENDER AS THEIR CIC!!!

THEY HATE THIS ARROGANT KENYAN MUSLIN, YOU CAN SEE IT ALL OVER THEIR FACES!!!11!

i'm loving #4 btw

[Bankhead_ATL]

31. nice pics yo

[Number23]

32. Jackeens, you have warmed my heart!

I love ALL of these but this one takes the cake

Happy to rec! And LOVE the sour faces of the McCains! Choke on it, John! :rofl:

[Cha]

33. Love the Warm Warm Warm Warm

Hearted Reception at the Naval Academy! Was this all over American tv today?

3rd of the Season..our Prez is one busy guy.

[eppur_se_muova]

34. You can see the distrust in their eyes.

Well ... maybe wingnuts can. But it's only a reflection.

[Clio the Leo]

35. Thanks for the thread full o'hotness!!!

All we needed was Joe up in there and it would have been perfect!

[Jackeens]

36. Here's your fix Clio.....

:hi:

[Clio the Leo]

37. woohoo! Thanky!

how many years do you think he's spent looking in the mirror working on that smile? ;)

[csziggy]

47. I think Biden and Obama's smiles are totally genuine

No practice needed and they are not vain or shallow enough to have to. Those smiles come from their hearts - Michelle's too.

Thanks Jackeens!

[Wednesdays]

38. K&R

:kick:

[jillan]

39. What will faux say about the Navy giving the CIF a terrorist fist bump?

hahaha-

While I may not agree with everything Obama says or does, I am SOOOOOOOOO happy he is our President.

[Fire1]

40. Jackeens you are TOO MUCH!!! I even love the one with

McCain and the Mrs. That man does me proud.:fistbump:

[Mopar151]

52. The McCain's are looking well

Cindy was looking really bleak last fall - this is the first pic of her I've seen where she does'nt look ill.And the Old Soldier finally looks content.

[JNelson6563]

41. I love your smart ass thread titles

almost as much as I love all the photos you post. Rock on.

Julie

[Jackeens]

42. LOL, luv ya too JNelson6563!

:toast:

[EquallyExhausted]

43. i think that's my friend in #4

at least that looks like the back of his head!

and what on earth is cindy mccain wearing? that ruffled flower thing at the neckline is not working for her.

[CoffeeCat]

46. It doesn't even look like clothing...

...it looks like she's wearing a really gawdy cake that's been over frosted!

[csziggy]

48. That is some kind of weird knit thing going on.

I think it is a knit dress with a sort of shell shaped knitting at the neck with a boleo jacket thing almost completely made of of fancy knitting. And it is all in the same nasty pick color. Probably some expensive designer job.

[livefreest]

44. after all he's been through in the last few days, Obama deserved a little relaxation

[tilsammans]

45. Jackeens, you are too MUCKIN' FUCH!!!

Once again, you made me smile . . . AND tear up. :yourock:

THANK YOU!!!

[Uzybone]

49. Great pics Jackeens

I love this one

[Island Blue]

61. That is one happy Naval officer!

:bounce:

[Political Tiger]

50. Cindy McCain has gained some weight

Hopefully she's off the drugs again!

[Jennicut]

51. The fistbumping is adorable. I think the Prez started a trend.

LOL.

[Adelante]

53. What a joyful collection

Thank you, Jackeens :loveya:

[mod mom]

54. Ah Oh # 10 shows President corrupting a Naval graduate w a terrorist bump!

[Botany]

55. I love my President .....

And so does the military

[meow mix]

57. oh noes the secret-muslin fist bump..

were doomed!!

[graywarrior]

60. I never thought I'd see the day when a president would make me smile.

Those pictures are so awesome.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

62. thank you SOOOO much for posting these beatiful pics

thanks!

[cwydro]

63. Wait! Are those terrorist fist-bumps!!??

[Manifestor_of_Light]

64. That's some gnarly pink knit trim on that dress Cindy is wearing.