Flashback video: Obama on “sacred trust”
posted at 2:05 pm on March 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Our friend Jim Geraghty reminds us that all of Barack Obama’s pledges come with expiration dates — all of them. Wounded veterans have now discovered this in a most unpleasant way. Barack Obama wants to shove off the cost of medical care for injuries and illnesses sustained in combat in order to find $560 million in fresh revenue streams. This amounts to just over half of what Obama just gave Hamas in Gaza to rebuild after their disastrous war with Israel this winter, and about 1/300th of what the government gave AIG in a bailout.
Obama sang a much different tune during the campaign. In June 2008, Obama appeared at a Sioux Falls pancake breakfast to lambaste the Bush administration and John McCain for opposing Jim Webb’s GI Bill. During that speech, given from a rostrum with the slogan “A Sacred Trust — Support Our Veterans”, Obama had this to say about caring for our wounded once back at home:
We all know that the sacred trust does not end when the uniform comes off. That’s why it’s time to build a 21st-century VA. No more red tape. It’s time to give every service member electronic copies of their medical records and service records upon discharge so that they can immediately get the services that they’ve earned. No more shortfalls. We’ll fully fund VA health care. No more delays. We’ll pass on-time budgets. No more means testing. It’s time to allow every veteran into the VA system.
How can Obama reconcile that with this?
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance. …
No official proposal to create such a program has been announced publicly, but veterans groups wrote a pre-emptive letter last week to President Obama voicing their opposition to the idea after hearing the plan was under consideration.
The groups also cited an increase in “third-party collections” estimated in the 2010 budget proposal — something they said could be achieved only if the Veterans Administration started billing for service-related injuries.
Asked about the proposal, Shinseki said it was under “consideration.”
“A final decision hasn’t been made yet,” he said.
It’s just another expiration date, as American Legion Commander David Rehbein discovered yesterday.
“Sacred trust”? Words. Just words.
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Don’t pay any attention to that man behind the curtain.
OhEssYouCowboys on March 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
He’s only lying when his lips are moving.
Hope and change we can believe in. If we’re a bunch of naive idiots.
kingsjester on March 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Obama is a rat bastard
skree on March 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Lying liar.
Vashta.Nerada on March 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
He can’t and he doesn’t care. He is a despicable liar without integrity. Never have I seen a time of such open, blatant and easily proved lying.
INC on March 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Pay no attention to that little blogger behind the curtain, uh when I ah say I can’t insure veterans you better believe I can insure 300 million Americans….
-Bambi
sven10077 on March 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
This administration has definietly passed its sell-by date.
AubieJon on March 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
The thing is, those words were typed into a teleprompter.
He never believed any of them or felt any sense of honor about them.
myrenovations on March 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Where ***is*** that RESET BUTTON?
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
He’ll never have to. That’s what his fluffers in the MSM are for.
Kent18 on March 17, 2009 at 2:10 PM
My dog’s feces could do a better job than this
mantwit and has twice the honor.What a loooooong 4 years this is going to be.
WashJeff on March 17, 2009 at 2:11 PM
“It’s time to give every service member electronic copies of their medical records and service records upon discharge so that they can immediately “get” (should be GUT) the services that they’ve earned. ”
Telepromter mistake makes 0Bama sound like Presidente Pinnochio!
By the way how do you put a line through the words to write another?
dhunter on March 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
This is too FRAGALISCIOUS. Wait ’till the guys over in The Sandbox get a loada THIS.
How will the 77% of black uniformed service members who voted for that lying bastard feel about their ***wasted*** votes NOW?
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Can this really be happening? Did we really elect this idiot to be our leader?
petunia on March 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Obama? Lie? I’m shocked. SHOCKED, I say!
I was with an old friend this weekend who claims to be a republican (although I know better) and yet is an ardent Obama supporter. He still gives The One(tm) a high approval rating. When I told him stories of the dissing of the British prime minister and other tales of lies and deceipt by this Administration, his face went blank. He had not heard about any of it.
He just isn’t paying attention, and/or he’s sadly misinformed. That’s what happens when you get your news from SNL and The View.
UltimateBob on March 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
I wonder if Michelle is okay with this?
deidre on March 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
this is an outrage of the highest order. This should make the Walter Reed circus into the lie it was. I have not much good to say about Bush and his father but at least they treated the troops with the HONOR and RESPECT they deserved.
unseen on March 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Can’t wait to see our resident trolls try to spin THIS one.
Either Obama was lying during the campaign or he is lying now. You cannot reconcile the two positions.
rockmom on March 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Refer to the US Constitution, Amendment #2.
UltimateBob on March 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Only 3 years and 10 months ’til I can stop using the MUTE button on my TV when the POTUS is on so I don’t scream “Shut the F–K up!” in front of my children.
gsherin on March 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
How will the 77% of black uniformed service members who voted for that lying bastard feel about their ***wasted*** votes NOW?
Black will vote black hear anything from powell
dhunter on March 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
“I’m going to make sure that every American gets covered by nationalized medical care (unless they serve in the military, want prompt treatment, have current coverage, or have any savings put away)”*
* text in parentheses in very, very small text at the bottom of the page.
Vashta.Nerada on March 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
EASY NOW.
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Jimmy Carter: “Thank God for Barack Obama; now, I will not be known as the worst president in modern history.”
Bill Clinton: “Thank God for Barack Obama; now, I will not be known as the most dishonest president in modern history.”
carbon_footprint on March 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
So…he wants to get veterans off of “government run healthcare” while at the same time proposing “government run healthcare” for everyone else??!!??
Kind of makes my head spin…hope I’m covered!!!!!!
120pages on March 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Oh that is awesome.
The guy who can’t insure our veterans is going to guarantee quality care to 300 million americans.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
rockmom on March 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Didn’t you see getaclue’s post on the Veteran thread? He says that Obama is increasing the VA budget and all this information given by Ed and others is a lie.
kingsjester on March 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
I was at the doctor’s the other day, and my usually very low blood pressure was through the roof – to the point where my doctor started talking medication (in addition to diet/stress). I have been more stressed in the last few months than I have been in years, and that includes some very rough family ordeals.
I just hope Obama keeps enough money in the military healthcare system to treat the hypertension that his administration has inflicted upon me. I served my country with pride, and even though I’m eligable, I do not use the VA hospitals because I do not have to (AD spouse). I hope I never have to – but if I do, I’ve earned it, and Obama has no right to be mucking around with something we veterans have painfully earned. His contempt of the military (and of ordinary, patriotic citizens in general) quite literally makes me ill.
A pox upon his house.
Anna on March 17, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I’m an automatic muter too. Excuse me while I go sharpen my pitchfork.
BuckeyeSam on March 17, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Wam, Bam; you’re on fire today Captain Ed. One might think you got lucky last night; um or something… What ever the cause, keep it up!
Keemo on March 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Is being a birth certificate truther the only way out of this? If so, let’s change our minds and pursue it to its Supreme Court conclusion.
And perhaps another sign for the 4/15 Tea Parties: Support our veterans not Hamas!
Christian Conservative on March 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Yes, Petunia, there is an uniformed citizenry.
myrenovations on March 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
People do not believe your own eyes and ears. Believe He Who Is Him….. Reminds me of that old Carly Simon song that goes like this: “…..whoever you want is exactly who I’m more than willing to be…”
bloggless on March 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I thought the Clintons were the most horrible people elected the way they treated the military, but this bho is beyond belief. When I saw this about making our military pay for their medical service, I made a comment to hubby I can not repeat here. My husband is a retired Navy twenty years service to our Republic. I wonder what the Joint Chiefs think about this?
L
letget on March 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
THINK ABOUT THIS FOLKS:
The economy is in the shitter.
When the economy is bad, military enlistment GOES UP.
He is doing this NOW because if he did it in the sunshine of peace, his recuitment would be in the toilet>>>>but NOW?
Who is going to stop him when he points to the “net zero” effect this will have on recruitment numbers.
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Gsherin I thought I was the only one. I can’t look at the creep nor do I want to hear his voice. This veteran thing is the last straw for me. There is no way this thug will ever be able to reconcile himself to me. How the heck do we get out of this mess? I love my country and I am almost in mourning for her, seriously. I feel so sad and dismayed by these events.
UnEasyRider on March 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Obama is feeding Hamas with hearty meals, but there aren’t even any crumbs from the Kings table to be given to our injured veterans.
Maxx on March 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
DRAT!!!! Fooled again!!!!!!
bloggless on March 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Please, Mister President, PLEASE push forward with this, and attempt to get it passed! I beg of you!
(Because once you do, no amount of nuance or spinning will undo the damage, and you will be DONE!)
JamesLee on March 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Only 3 years and 10 months ’til I can stop using the MUTE button on my TV when the POTUS is on so I don’t scream “Shut the F–K up!” in front of my children.
gsherin on March 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
I don’t watch TV anyomore and not only because of Obama. all the talking heads are idiots that couldn’t understand economics if they took a 4 year college degree in them. The present crisis can be traced back to FDIC and the stupid FDR policy of taking risk away from citizens. Yet not one person has brought that up. No one questions that Social security changed the way Americians thought about savings and money. No one mentions that FDIC fundementally changed the banking industry from one of risk aviodence to one of risk takers.
Not many see that CRA was bad policy that did to the housing industry what the FDIC did to the banking industry.
Every problem we have in the present crisis can be directly traced to governmental meddeling in the economy to “help” the citizens.
You can not make a law that outlaws risk. You can not make laws that go against basic human nature.
the federal gov is the problem not the solution
unseen on March 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
geeesh pander much….
alexraye on March 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Christian Conservative on March 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Meanwhile, back at the whitehouse!!!! It’s Paaaaaarty time!
bloggless on March 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I truly hate that man.
What’s the link for the remaining days of our “sentence”?
ladyingray on March 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
A couple of weeks ago, didn’t he accuse Ed of misrepresenting the CBO analysis of the 10-year effect of the stimulus package? For day, even MSM reporters mumbled under their breath the same point from the CBO report as Ed did, but for days, he (or some other tool) kept calling Ed a liar.
BuckeyeSam on March 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Maybe Ed can tell you how to say it Irish.
AubieJon on March 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Barack Obama: Thank me for me.
whitetop on March 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Did I say something untrue or upsetting? This IS the reason that the second amendment is in our constitution: to give the citizens the right to bear arms as a protection against tyranny.
Contrary to what Bill Clinton will tell you, the second amendment is NOT about hunting.
UltimateBob on March 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Just speeches.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
and then we have this which for some reason: cough (AIG bailouts getting all the news:)
from NRO:
Obama’s First Appellate Court Nominee: Hard Left [Wendy Long]
As reported by the New York Times this morning, the first Obama federal Circuit Court of Appeals nominee is “moderate” David Hamilton of Indiana, to be nominated this week to the 7th Circuit.
It’s interesting that this is what Obama and the New York Times call a “moderate”: Hamilton has a history as a hard-left political activist, and his choice signals that Obama does intend to push extreme liberals onto the bench and politicize the courts as we’ve never seen before.
Hamilton was a fundraiser for ACORN (nice ACORN payback, Mr. President) and served as vice president for litigation and a board member of the Indiana ACLU. In 1994, when President Clinton nominated him to the district court, the ABA rated him as ‘not qualified,’ apparently because of his almost purely political (as opposed to legal and judicial) experience.
Interestingly, he is also the brother-in-law of perhaps the hardest left radical Obama nominee to the Department of Justice, Dawn Johnsen.
Beginning to notice a pattern here?
unseen on March 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
I swear…the two girls I know whose husbands “work around him”, lets say….. should just quit and go work for HOME DEPOT selling washing machines.
No way would I let MY husband take a bullet for that P.O.S.
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Yep, saw the pattern during the campaign. Pity 54% of the voting populace didn’t.
myrenovations on March 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Just excrement flowing from a different oriface.
Anna on March 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
And just where the #$%#$%#@ does obama expect these wounded veterans to even get insurance for their obviously pre-existing conditions? And what insurance company in their right minds (excluding AIG…) could possibly offer an affordable policy knowing full well, they will be paying out more than they take in?
And how will the veterans afford the insurance? They are probably just getting by on their disability checks.
rbb on March 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
He can’t, because he has no idea what it is he’s said from one teleprompted speech to the next. He doesn’t think about what he’s reading. He just reads it. Unplug the teleprompters, ask him what he REALLY believes, and you’ll get a litany of “uh” and “um” and “well”, because he doesn’t really believe anything, except that telling people what they want to hear will shut them up.
uncivilized on March 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Remember the way he respected our Flag? Telling.
bloggless on March 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
I change the channel. Don’t even want to look at his ugly face.
Wethal on March 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM
He’s just reading. He has no idea what he’s saying. The teleprompter is his bible.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM
I hate that man. And Michelle is out meeting the military family’s? They should spit at her.
ctmom on March 17, 2009 at 2:25 PM
<blockquoteObama is feeding Hamas with hearty meals, but there aren’t even any crumbs from the Kings table to be given to our injured veterans.
Maxx on March 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
To Obama:
Hamas => Freedom Fighters
Our Military => Oppressors
WashJeff on March 17, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Hopefully the veterans will be joining the tea parties taking place around the country or starting some of their own.
gsherin on March 17, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Happens at our house too.
ctmom on March 17, 2009 at 2:25 PM
That kind of report is sickening. Michelle O can have her nice emotional PR meetup with military families while her husband is knifing them in the back.
I bet MO doesn’t care. If she did, she’d stick it to Barry about this.
INC on March 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
rbb on March 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Here’s the other problem. All Major Medical and Supplemental Insure Policies have an “Act of War” Exclusion written into them. They do not pay for injuries suffered during a war. How does Obama propose to force Insurance Companies to change their policies?
kingsjester on March 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Betcha David Frum will find some way to do so. Betcha a dollar.
Kent18 on March 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Facts, SCHmaaaacts. Why so …LITERAL????
//////////sarc
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I can’t stand this vicious man. Our brave men and women who serve to protect our freedoms and us, don’t deserve such a despicable commander-in-chief.
jencab on March 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Maybe we can offer rides to the tea parties to our disabled vets.
bloggless on March 17, 2009 at 2:27 PM
It seems like he might be aiming specifically for the reservists, who presumably have jobs with insurance and such. You know, the kind of men and women who made it possible for us to fight on two fronts.
myrenovations on March 17, 2009 at 2:27 PM
That got me to think how nice it would be to see Obama giving a speech at a military base and have those standing behind Obama turn their back on Obama.
WashJeff on March 17, 2009 at 2:28 PM
That is okay; Biden says Obama’s job is harder than what FDR had to go though. There is a reason for this!
deidre on March 17, 2009 at 2:28 PM
He’s just reading. He has no idea what he’s saying. The teleprompter is his bible.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM
He uses a telepromter because he is afraid his core beliefs will come out if he speaks off the cuff see Joe the plumber for an example. See a crisis is a terrible thing to waste. therefore to aviod this problem Obama has a telepromter to say the approved poll tested message.
the problem with this approach is that public opioion from day to day changes so one thing that gets votes one day will get your fired on the next and Obama has nothing to draw on from his mind and gets confused…
unseen on March 17, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Now thats a better explaination for all the meat head SS types who read this site….
Just coverin’ your butt, dude.
You know I am RIGHT. THERE. WITH. YOU. Bob! ;)
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I don’t think Tea parties, as much as I’m in favor of them, are enough of a statement on this issue.
I’m not a vet, but I’ll gladly volunteer to march on Washington over this. Where does the line start?
hawksruleva on March 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Consider it done…I’ll bring this to the Orlando rally this Saturday.
Rockygold on March 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
I truly thought Obama might have “gotten it” when I first saw he got his hand salute to out military down pat….now, it’s officially appeasement. And now the boys over at Blackfive are pissed! This is getting good.
LadinPlaid on March 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
……”white man’s greed in a world of need”….. just HIS words
Ris4victory on March 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Here’s the other problem. All Major Medical and Supplemental Insure Policies have an “Act of War” Exclusion written into them. They do not pay for injuries suffered during a war. How does Obama propose to force Insurance Companies to change their policies?
kingsjester on March 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
hmm. pay attention…it is called national healthcare.
unseen on March 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
No plan has been released or been part of a budget, but we’re already claiming Obama is lying? The only thing that has been released is a budget proposal for an increase in VA benefits. This just doesn’t check out Ed.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
…yeah…Junior has learned a new phrase at my house too.
I just solved it by NEVER TURNING ON THE TELEVISION.
Try it.
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Alright!!! It is time to put a video montage together to finally see what the shelf life of an Obama campaign statement is.
The date of the original statement and when it expired.
lwssdd on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
He will fully fund the VA. First by raising revenue from private insurance companies, then when that dries up use this debacle to help expand govt. healthcare. Those eeeevil private insurers won’t cover everything, you see, so the govt. must be able to cover everything & everybody… right?
cs89 on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Yep…And you can thank the Republican party for floating Capt’n amnesty as the opposition. People knew Obama was a product of Chicago politics, including Rev Wright and the bomber. If you can climb the greasy pole of Chicago politics, you are a rat and liar to be sure.
saiga on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Too angry to say anything but this.
Countdown until Obama leaves Office
1404 Days, 23 Hours, 27 Minutes, 55 Seconds.
canditaylor68 on March 17, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Even in that eventuality, consider the future implications.(I know, Obama doesn’t, why should we?). Insurance companies will begin screening out folks who volunteer for service in the National Guard or reserves, to avoid the expensive treatment of war injuries. At best, they’ll raise rates on those part-time volunteers. At worst, they’ll deny coverage to folks likely to see action.
What sort of incentive to join the NG is losing your health coverage? A negative one.
hawksruleva on March 17, 2009 at 2:32 PM
The explanation is weighed down with nuance, so my tiny conservative brain won’t be able to glean the genius of The Uh-Bama.
emerson7 on March 17, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Hehe! I am going to keep that in a seperate window on my desktop!
JamesLee on March 17, 2009 at 2:33 PM
I think you’re right, to a certain extent. Even the Democrat majority – or at least most of them – know which side their bread is buttered on. They may be as left-leaning as Granny Nanny is, but they do understand that they have to run for re-election at some point. And, while they may personally feel that this is a great “revenue stream”, they also know that they have constituents with sons, daughters, husbands, and wives who are overseas, in harm’s way, serving their country. My husband is a retired Marine; I have a daughter who is an Army Reservist. I spent four years in the Air Force. I know the promise that was made to me, my husband, and my daughter when we signed on the dotted line – and, even though that promise is quite different than the one given to my father and grandfather, it’s one that I, my family, and the other families of American service members expect to see honored.
uncivilized on March 17, 2009 at 2:33 PM
I would guess that Obama’s staff is sending out feelers on this topic to see how it would go over before making a formal announcement. The feelers will not (and are not) going to do well, and it will never become a formal proposal (i.e., one that Obama himself speeks of publically).
WashJeff on March 17, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Hey folks, just remember, “We won”.
GarandFan on March 17, 2009 at 2:34 PM
I learned my lesson the hard way – I was watching a speech, and yelled out “you filthy liar!” at the tv. A few days later, my daughter reports that she had a ‘talk’ with the teacher about how it’s wrong to call others a “filthy liar,” especially if said person is our President. I choke down my verbal insults now, at least when the kids are around! : )
Anna on March 17, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Umm, the head of the American Legion met with a certain Barack Obama today, and after that meeting, had the following quote:
That’s pretty clear first-hand knowledge of the President’s position, isn’t it? I can understand your incredulity, though.
hawksruleva on March 17, 2009 at 2:35 PM
This just doesn’t check out Ed.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
you doubting the word of the leader of the American Legion?
The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization says he is “deeply disappointed and concerned” after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.
unseen on March 17, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Aww Im pleased to help-My soldier husband leaves next month to fight Obama’s war, this happens to be his 5th tour there. Twenty-three years of loyal service to this country-you have no idea how angry I am right now…
canditaylor68 on March 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM
BS. You can thank people like you who helped drive down conservative turnout just because John McCain had flaws as a candidate.
funky chicken on March 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM
seejanemom on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Well I do try to watch sports a lot to avoid him, although escaping him was impossible even on inauguration day and not long after since apparently it was media orgy day everywhere. I watch Glenn Beck and sometimes Bill O’Reilly and that’s it for political type TV.
gsherin on March 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM
It doesn’t matter. He won.
CookeyD on March 17, 2009 at 2:37 PM
That this is even being considered in the first place is crossing a line that cannot be uncrossed. Any administration that even considers this should be made to resign immediately in disgrace.
ZERO TOLERANCE.
Christien on March 17, 2009 at 2:38 PM
DeathToMediaHacks on March 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Axelrod’s talking points of the day have arrived. Evil scumbag.
funky chicken on March 17, 2009 at 2:38 PM
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