I admit, I voted for Obama. It was too bad he didn't make this ball to pay his respects, but to say he completely doesn't care about the military is untrue. Go to Thisamericanlife.org, and download the free mp3 of last week's show. They had interviews with people all over the country about what they thought about Obama. Some were for him and some were against him. However, they did an interview with a guy from a veteran's organization. He described himself as a conservative, not necessarily an Obama supporter. He went on to say that the transition team had been contacting the veteran groups asking their opinions about appointments and policies. This surprised him because no one from Bush's office had done that in the last eight years. He was still taking a wait and see attitude but was impressed with the incoming administration.

It's easy to get nit picky over the little things. And in the big picture, this isn't a major deal.

Hey, I'm impressed that the first day he ordered more open access to government records which allows for a more transparent government. Just because something can be made secret doesn't mean it has to be. I'm impressed that he suspended the Guantanomo (I'm unsure about the spelling?) Bay hearings. There was a culture of torture and sham hearings. He is continuing Bush's no warrant wire tapping and that bothers me, but hey, I think our country's policies are already improving with just these two items.

I don't think he's the Messiah, but I do believe he was the best choice for this country in this election. You can disagree, and I respect that. If you are still griping about how he's a secret Muslim not really born in Hawaii, then you are a fool and don't deserve the discourse.

Just my two cents. Give Obama 100 days before you start mad dogging him. He has inherited a Bush's failed culture of an expensive, questionable war and a failing economy. Let's see what he he'll do.

It is sad to see so many people so worried about what can not be undone. Reguardless of whether you voted for him or not he is what we are left with. The priorities of our CinC will show themselves quickly and we will see that the "Freedoms" we are left with will be humbling.

I am VERY thankful for our men and women who risk everything to defend our way of life. I sure hope that they are fighting in the right region of the world.

IF YOU WON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, THEN STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!

http://www.heroball.org/

This is so funny ! The comment above about the draft coming back to those
liberals who successfully (so they think) got OBAMA elected.

The single greatest contributor to the success of this election was "W" himself.

This time in the draft they will include young women as well. Makes sense to me.

Sgt Jack Herman USMC 1966-69

God damn you people are worse then a hen house.

Wow, why are so many of you calling each other names and insulting one another?! If the MoH ball only had 50 or so honorees in attendance, and the schedule was so tight, why were they not special invitees/honorees at the CinC's ball?

I didn't vote for O-Man, but I knew he would win. Pendulum always swings away from our discontented lives. Good Lord, O-Man has only been in office a couple days. Not to worry, discontents. We hang all our presidents for what we don't like about our lives.

Nancy

I wonder hou long it will be before we see bumper stickers OBAMA: We Told You So!

This entire "article," with no quotes or attribution other than to a first name ("Julie")--entirely sourced by a serious of blogs, with no attempt to contact the White House information officer for a response, is only a half-truth at best. As the Defense News site makes clear. The American Legion "STH" ball is a privately sponsored, unofficial event, and not part of the official inauguration festivities.

http://tinyurl.com/dgbdbo

There is no evidence it featured currently wounded vets in 2005, and was just a political speech event for Mr. Bush. Mr. Obama instead chose to honor 300 currently wounded veterans this year instead by initiating a *NEW* tradition, the official Commander In Chief Ball. By not mentioning these facts, the Cleveland Leader has surrendered any credibility, and now I understand why "Julie" (if she actually exists at all) did not attempt to get a response from the White House. She might have felt ethically compelled to publish it. The Cleveland Leader is now ethically compelled to issue a correction to this "article" if not retract it entirely. No one credible will take them seriously otherwise. More actual journalistically verifiable information follows.

http://tinyurl.com/cwryks

"But at the Commander-In-Chief’s Ball, hundreds of military men and women and their dates held their positions for hours, waiting anxiously for the biggest star of the day: President Barack Obama.

When the president emerged waving from a giant backdrop lit with stars and stripes, the troops, including 300 invited wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and their families, erupted in jubilation. Obama shook hands with the senior enlisted advisers of the five services before taking the podium, pledging to work hard for the military and their families, while continuing his call for national unity and service."

I would have put more credence in this article had it provided a quote from someone at the American Legion. Here is a copy of a letter from them, I found it on another blog. Good Bad or Ugly I want all the facts!
Good afternoon,Mr. xxxxxx,
In answer to your inquiry:
The American Legion, as it has on every inauguration evening since 1953, hosted the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Banquet & Ballon January 20th. The quadrennial event is co-sponsored with fourteen veterans service and military service organizations and honors recipients of the Medal of Honor. Forty-seven of these heroes attended this year’s event which was held in the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel.
President Obama was invited but did not attend. Vice-President Joe Biden did appear, however, and was very warmly received. The new President’s absence was understandable considering the unprecedented logistical challenges presented by the vastly increased number of visitors to this inauguration and the necessary attendant security measures. The American Legion, as an organization, does not feel offended or “snubbed.”
Thank you,
Craig
Craig Roberts
Media Relations Manager
The American Legion
1608 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202.263.2982 (direct)

"I wonder hou long it will be before we see bumper stickers OBAMA: We Told You So!"

My next bumper sticker will say, "1-20-2013: Change We REALLY Can Believe In!!

I may be the only one that is not surprised that he missed the the BALL to Honor
our Bravest. The rest of you should have seen this coming.You might be wondering WHY I could fore see this happening? The Police Officers Asso. of Michigan Published a Letter and placed it on Numerous web sites. I will paraphrase as best as my old memory will allow: "We were told by the Seceret Service that 'All Officers in Unioniform', including All MILITARY Personnel were to be behind the Obama bus, out of site of the TV cameras and there would be would be NO PHOTO OPS for these people. If you willl remember there were no personnel in Uniform seen on HIS campiegn trail and the S.S. was not that close either.

So, why are so many of you that surprised about HIM not showing up to Honor OUR FINEST at the BALL. In 6 months he will have signed a BILL to cut 60% of the MIlitary spending. And give it to all those LAZY Couch Ptatoes that would not work if their very life depended on it. Then give the rest to Hamas or Hezbullah so they could continue the War against the US & Israel. The RAG HEADS are counting on HIM to do just that.......................SHALOM......................Suckers. Be Careful What You Wish For!!!!!!! JWV

I believe that college students were the main reason for this election... being a college student myself... i have heard the opinions and views of many of my classmates and all they wanted was something beside Bush! That being a fairly just cause they went for the most likeable of the two main choices.
With what my generation has seen is way more than what others have, and be it fair or not, that is what we have to deal with.
In lieu of this article; it is not fair to many American heroes who i, and many others know would have felt deeply honored to have the gratitude of our new Commander in Cheif, even for a seemingly unimportant occasion such as a ball.
I beileve that this election decision was in fact the lesser of two evils, but more so just an accomidation we had to make for ourselves. I am a 20 year old white male. I did not vote for Mccain or Obama, not for racial reasons or political reasons, but because I did not see where either of the two parties really felt their grounds were really based. Everything seemed to be meerly a populatity battle between some old white guy who may have known some things but lacked the ability to adjust to issues pending here and now, a fairly young "black"- or not- man with the ability to communicate and relate his words to that of the young American people, or Mrs. Clinton... i don't even know where to start with her. Throughout many of the discussions between myself and many of my peers and my professors it was recognized by all that there was no vote on who we wanted to be our next president, but simply a choice we had to make in hopes for the best.
Really none of us know the actual reason for his absence at this event and for that should not be so quick to judge in either favor. We are all fed by what we are told and our stubborn beliefs of who or what we have to be as Americans.
All this said (sorry for the lengthy comment) this article does deliver some discouraging news to many people, but what can we logically do now..?? Absolutely nothing! What's done is done. There is no way to go in reverse and change minds. All of the opinions and arguments are great but would also be more useful and more than likely taken more seriously in a matter that actually affects our rights and freedoms.

where the only celebrities were men and women in uniform. But, don't addle your head with the facts!

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/21/article-1125102-0320522E000005DC-806_468x347.jpg

No one on this blog knows for sure the facts on this matter. This is SOUR GRAPES on right wingers part. Get with the program, & maybe you'll win in 4. Till then, do what you can to get this country out of the mess we're in because of failed Republican leadership.

The U.S. is getting what it wanted just as Israel did 1000's of years ago. Israel didn't want to be led by God and asked for a king instead. God gave them one; an evil one that taxed them into the stone age and displayed his irreverence for all things holy. Now the liberals are at it once again. These morons didn't learn from history with Johnson, Carter or Clinton. Now we get this baby murdering, America hating, medal of honor snubbing scumbag. It is my hope that all who voted for this piece of work receive their full consequence while the rest of us sit back and smile at their continued, unending and unabated ignorance. After all, no matter how hard we try, we just can't fix stupid!

First, Justice Roberts flubbed the oath, not Obama, get your news right. Second, the comments on this message board from both the hard right and left is numbing my brain. You're all bigots. Too much O'Reilly and Olbermann for all of you.

How much of an idiot does one have to be say someone else is an idiot?

Likewise, how much hatred does it take to accuse another of hatred or how much of a racist must someone be to say it to another?

Fact is, the man should have enough love for the land he has sworn to serve to make every attempt to be at such a historic event. And we should love our land enough to ask for an apology and restitution. There are many ways the man can make up for a mistake. LEt him know he did one and lets see what he does.

If he doesn't. . . well . . then he must suffer the consequences for his decision.

I did hear a talk show host who attended the Medal of Honor ball say that there was a lot of disappointment when Obama did not show up, but it was not defiantly planned that he would attend. I think it does show a basic lack of appreciation for those have served with great distinction. It reminds me of his skipping the military hospital visit in Germany when he couldn't make it into photo op.

There weren't any big name celebs at this ball, so the heroes are forgotten by both Hollywood and Washington this year.
They only count when you need them I guess.

You now have a man in the white house that: Will not pledge allegence to the flag, will not salute the flag becauses it offends some people, wants to make his number one priority to take away our rights to free speech, our rights to bear arms, wants to implement a civilian security force (check your history-HITLER), why on God's earth would you think this man would attend a function that would honor our military in any way shape or form. Just wait, you wanted change, you will have change......but not the change you thought you would get.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ! God Bless all our military men and women who have served and died for all the rights and freedoms we are about to lose....God help us all!

of the Bible? Is no one listening to the Holy Spirit? Does anyone know what's going on with this gigantic political change? It is really sad in my humble opinion, that very few of you actually know that the events happening now, were prophesied over two thousand years ago...playing out like a movie to a script. The blind will lead the blind into the ditch....that is how it has always been. You don't have to pick on Obama for missing that ball....he has shown his disrespect for our military history and our patriotism in many other ways, also. Quit bashing one another, and spend a little time finding out what God wants for your life....it might just save you when the crap hits the fan. God bless.

A very dark day for this Nation. The president of the United States didn't not even make a showing at the Metal of Homor Recipients Ball. These national Heros deserve much more than that. Without military people like them we would be speaking some foreign language for sure. But you know i would not expect anything else from a liberal. I will say this: You people that wanted and voted for him and his "change" , LIVE WITH IT NOW!
It would be one of the greatest honors for me to even shake the hand of A Metal Of Honor Recipient. I thank God for them.
I do believe we can look forward to other things like this happening from the Oval Office in these next four years.

What Obama is dishing out will come full circle. In other words as he enters the presidency with over confidence he's already doomed. Pride before the down fall, as well as, all the policy changes so quickly. This will happen to him when he leaves office. Be careful of judgement. I know I do. Bless this nation, this administration, but most of all the humble American people who work hard everyday of their life and expect only the returns of their own hands..... Gotta love them. Obama started as nothing and so he will return......

I doubt the celebs will leave there well preserved lifestyles to protect the prez's behind like those honorees have done and will comtinue to do as they are sworn and are honored to do.

When the ball is over and the country is forever changed will it be an honor to serve in the US Military? What happens when it is no longer a nation under God? No longer a nation which supports LIFE? No longer a nation which supports LIBERTY for all not just for a few eliitests who are popular thinkers? What happens then? A Draft?

America has gotten its desire; it shall now reap its reward.

Do you want some cheese with that whine, Julie?

The ball wasn't held this year.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/military_vetsball_missingorganizer_011909w/

Suggest you check your facts.

The ball did go on, my father and other family members went (I was there 4 years ago).

The Salute to Heroes ball is unofficial, but the Presidents have always gone - Bush made it his first stop, I think other Presidents may have also. I am sure it was still a wonderful evening. My father said that Biden eventually made it much later in the evening.

Not surprised. President Obama is showing the change we CAN believe in and I think most Americans will realize this and hopefully this will only be a four year term.

>>Obama snubs Medal of Honor Inaugual Ball

The ball wasn't held this year.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/military_vetsball_missingorganizer_011909w/

Suggest you check your facts.<<

That is NOT the same ball.

Salute to Heroes is put on by the American Legion. It was held at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel. Joe Biden made an appearance late in the evening, and 47 or 48 Medal of Honor winners attended. It is not to be confused with the "veterans ball".

The lead suggests that Obama blundered the oath of office and uses that as springboard for a purported gaff at not attending the Salute To Heroes. Stars and Stripes reported an entirely different scenario replete with pix of MOH recipients at the Commander-in-Chief's ball and an article indicating attendance by more than 300 invited wounded warriors. I suspect we are still in the throes of unworthy campaign rhetoric. US Army Master Sergeant (Retired)

IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME AT ALL THAT OUR PRESIDENT DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS OCCATION. HE CANNOT AND WILL NOT SHOW RESPECT TO OUR TROOPS BECAUSE HE NEVER HAS BEEN ONE AND
CANNOT APPRECIATE WHAT IT TAKES TO OFFER ONES LIFE FOR THIS COUNTRY.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, I'M SURE
GA

I'm no great fan of Obama, but looks like this one is false, guys. See this site: http://www.stripes.com/articlephoto.asp?section=104&article=60160&photo=4&count=5

yes there was a ball. lets face it he dont give a dam about our vets and our heros.get ready hell ride a coming four years long.and its not about race as long as they dont make it that way

i think our troops past and present should always be recognized. the race card doesnt matter. He is not african american. He is an american because he was born here. I may be mistaken but his mother was half african american. i wish people would see past his dark skin. everybody says the first african american president. I think it should be the first president that is not a white male. but in all honesty he may have gotten into office that way but he cant hold that card up forever. people will see if he is a good or bad president. and to some he will be horrible. and to others he will be amazing. i just hope people realize what is going on when it happens. good or bad.

I don't think his choice was a good one, but it was his choice and he made it. He broke a longstanding presidential tradition, but isn't our first black (well, half whote/half black) president a break in a longstanding tradition anyway?

I'm not defending him, I'm just not surprised, and don't expect to be too surprised by any of the questionable choices he will make.

It does appear that they attended this ball. I don't like Obama as I do consider him a fraud. But these findings are based on the facts I know about him, not falsisms and lies. This article is very poor journalism thus pathetic as it was not accurately investigated to verify the facts.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52743

They did NOT attend this ball. My father and other family members were there, as well as some friends.

This is absolutely true that they did not attend the ball that all the other presidents have. I took photos of Bush at the 2005 Salute to Heroes ball (Cheney also was there). Biden showed up late, that was it - Obama did not attend. The veterans ball that was supposedly set to go was not the same ball. This is Salute to Heroes, an unofficial ball that traditionally hosts the President.

How many balls do you think one man can attend in one night? Both Barack Obama and Joe Biden attended the Commander-in-Chief Ball, which honors veterans. While there they made a live satellite address to US soldiers abroad. Obama spoke to the veterans, saying "It is wonderful to be surrounded by some of the very best and bravest Americans," Obama said. "Your courage, your grace and your patriotism inspire us all."

The American Legion issued a press release about Obama's inability to make it to the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball, stating "President Obama was invited but did not attend. Vice-President Joe Biden did appear, however, and was very warmly received. The new President's absence was understandable considering the unprecedented logistical challenges presented by the vastly increased number of visitors to this inauguration and the necessary attendant security measures. The American Legion, as an organization, does not feel offended or 'snubbed.'"

So I think that if the American Legion can get over it, so can all of you.

there's bunches of other balls. Now you kids quit your crying over the black man being president and commander in chief of the military - it's gonna be a long 4 years for you miscreants. EH?

get this so obama is taking the bowling lanes out of the white house and putting in a basketball court. i never would have guessed that one lol. Whats next a KFC and a night club. by the way he's not the first black president he's the first half black half white president wat happen to him claiming that part? dont accuse each other being racist accuse him...hope he does well for our sake at least.

As a military retiree, I have finally realized I am a minority in this country. At present there are around 540,000 active duty Army and less in each of the other services. So lets just say around 1.5 million active duty Army, Navy, Air force, Marines, and Coast Guard, and around 1.5 million military retirees. You do the math. 3 million divided by 30 million.
I'm glad I've done my part and served this great nation of ours. Men and women have died so you have the right to sit at home and arm chair quarterback the world. If more of you would get off you lazy butts for a couple of years and do some service for this great country, maybe we would have a little more respect for one another. This service doesn't even have to be in the armed services. Take a good deep look at yourself, when was the last time you did something for someone else, without expecting anything in return?

THIS GUY KNOWS WHERE THE LIBERAL PROPRAGANDA MACHINE IS AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW, IT'S IN HOLLYWOOD.

AMERICA IS IN TROUBLE BECAUSE THIS NUT GOT ELECTED AND WE ALL ARE GOING TO PAY DEARLY FOR IT.

OBAMA, WHERE IS YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
I BET YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE BECAUSE KENYA DID NOT ISSUE THEM WHEN YOU WERE BORN.

WHAT IS YOUR CITIZENSHIP?

I BET IT IS INDONESIAN BECAUSE OF YOUR STEP-DADDY.

WHAT DID YOU USE FOR A PASSPORT WHEN YOU "TOURED THE WORLD" AFTER "GRADUATION"? WAS IT INDONESIAN? I UNDERSTAND YOU HAD NO AMERICAN PASSPORT UNTIL YOU GOT ELECTED AS A STATE SENATOR...

THERE IS MORE ABOUT THIS GUY THAN NOT ATTENDING THIS BALL THEN WE ARE LET TO KNOW.

EVERY MILITARY VETERANS ORGANIZATION SHOULD HAVE A "WANTED" POSTER ON THEIR HALL WALL, WHICH STATES "WANTED, OBAMA OUT OF OFFICE".

That was a disgusting oversight on Obama's part. It was surely meant to demean the military. I never trusted him and think a lot less of him now.

This story is misleading. The MOH recipients were invited to the American Legion’s Heroes Ball and to Obama’s Commander-in-Chief Ball. Biden greeted the MOH recipients at the heroes Ball, Obama greeted them at the Commander-in-Chief Ball. Check out “Stars and Stripes”.

This does not surprise me. He's in office now, so these are not on his list to impress. He sure didn't miss rubbing elbows with the "elite" that night though, did he?

It's all a matter of what his priorities are now. Vets are not that high up on his list anymore. But this will be downplayed by the MSM as will anything else negative about him.

All I can say is wait till we truly become a socialist country, under a King with peasant rights, then the Demo's will see what they could not see from the beginning. I am just sorry we are all going to suffer from it. Who would have thought that our Commander and Chief would want the hard core terrorist who want to kill Americans to have Miranda rights. I am sure all of the previous Presidents he tries to align with are turning in their graves. I guess it will be open season on Americans all over the world. Just wait and see! Yet, all these out of touch elitest leaders are going to do is want to talk to them, while they take away our individual rights(second and then first Amendments). And guess what? We already lost the White House to Moslem sympathizers with out a shot. How about that! Don't you just feel real warm in side about electing the right man for our security and safety. Now you will know that he is truly a Moslem and not Christian by his actions. All those that wanted CHANGE you are going to get it, but, no thanks to dragging us down with your miss guided beliefs.

Let me say this, I am a 24 year Navy man, my Mother in Law, Father in Law, wife, daughter, Brother and Sister were all Navy. Have 2 cousins that have served in the Middle East, one still there for a second tour. I come from a strong Military background and am 100% behind those that have served and currently serving. I am ashamed to have a Commander in Chief that has never served his Country. In my opinion, he wouldn't understand the Military and how we operate. Now we have someone just like the last liberal President that has no respect or understanding the sacrifice these men and women have given. Saying you understand, saying you have respect only goes so far. As my Father would tell me, actions speak louder than words. So many have served and paid for your freedom to vote, to speak how you wish, to believe what ever you wish. Respect them, show them what they have given has not be in vain and not forgotten. Most Veterans never ask for anything for their service except what was promised to them. They don't demand to be shown respect, but if you enjoy your freedom, then thank them and that should start at the highest level. If the Commander in Chief cannot do that, then how would we expect anyone else to do so. I see all the previous post, some really not so nice name calling. This country is divided politically and as soon as we are attacked again, so many will be expecting our Military men and women to stand as a shield. This President wil call upon them to fight, he should understand what he is asking. I could go on and on, however I think I made my point. The President needs to show our Servicemen and Women respect, not just words.

Obama and his staff of "college-boy changers" need some Military History indoctrination to get their priorities straight. No one, but NO ONE should snub our Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. It was an inexcusable disgrace!!!