<p>President Barack Obama will deliver Tuesday's address on Afghanistan policy at 8 p.m. Eastern time from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the White House said Wednesday. </p>
<p>The setting allows the commander in chief to talk directly to future officers as he announces a troop buildup in the eight-year war.</p>
<p>Barack</a> Obama plans Afghanistan speech at West Point - Mike Allen and Kendra Marr - POLITICO.com</p>
<p>While I know our cadets will show complete respect for President Obama, I wonder how they really feel about the situation in Afghanistan, and how they feel about this president. I would prefer to watch the faces of the cadets during the speech than Obama’s; he’s so well controlled.</p>
<p>I nearly broke my neck getting home in time to watch President Obama’s speech and I’m glad I did because it was a memorable address to the Corps of Cadets and distinguished guests. After his speech, it was thrilling to see the CIC interacting and shaking hands with the enthusiastic firsties; many were having their pictures taken with POTUS. I found that interesting because President Obama was the honored speaker at my mid’s graduation last May and the graduates were prohibited from wearing sunglasses and carrying cell phones/digital cameras. Maybe things are looser at USMA than the United States Naval Academy! Frankly, I was shocked to see the digital cameras because that would be a no-no in Annapolis. Quite a contrast to mids sleeping during GWB’s unremarkable address to the Brigade of Midshipmen in 2006. Zzzzzz…</p>
<p>Come on, mom. You know that the mids, being the time management experts that they are, were only catching a few ZZZZZs BEFORE the speech. I think they had to be in place in Alumni Hall some ungodly amount of time early.</p>
<p>I too thought last night was fantastic. Good speech. Great setting. Amazing publicity for the academies. I am sure that, if he did not initially have their undivided attention, he did so after his remark that some of them would be over there. Where better to do it? And I think it is great to drive home to the American people that it is just not the poor kid from across the railroad tracks who is being placed in harm’s way but also our ‘best and brightest’.</p>
<p>Deleted. Duplicate post. Either my finger or my computer ‘stuttered’.</p>
<p>Per a message from my cadet last night - they went through security approximately 3 hours before the speech. They were allowed to bring a book to kill some time while waiting. I am sure some of the cadets took a nap too but I didn’t see any sleeping during the speech. :D</p>
<p>I am relatively certain that the last ‘photo op’ just prior to President Obama departing, the one where the female mid came over the seat back and Obama placed his arm around her, was the Rhodes Scholar soccer player. Can any cadets confirm? I wonder if it was planned because she seemed a tad hesitant.</p>
<p>I was watching CBS and there were a couple who were trying valiantly, with not to great success, to keep their eyes open. One was a plebe.</p>
<p>This is so darn funny:
US ARMY CHAIN OF COMMAND</p>
<p><a href=“The Colbert Report - TV Series | Comedy Central US”>The Colbert Report - TV Series | Comedy Central US;
<p>“Fox News chief military haircut, Glenn Beck…”</p>
<p>One news outlet today criticized cadets for sleeping during Obama’s speech. The anchor of the hour, who evidently has a son at WP, came to their defense and talked about how hard they work, up early, at it hard all day, and the fact that they were there 4 hours before POTUS scheduled to speak. I think it is a wonder they didn’t all sleep!</p>
<p>For my money, I’d take George Bush’s speech any day…</p>
<p>mombee - yes that female CADET (not mid ;-)) was the Rhodes Scholar/soccer player from my fine state of WA - Elizabeth Betterbed. I spotted her a couple of times during the speech when they showed the crowd. Didn’t see my son but at least I spotted Liz! I didn’t see her hesitate but if she did it may have been about climbing over the barrier.</p>
<p>I can understand if a few cadets nodded off. They never get enough sleep and then you put them in a comfy seat 2-4 hours and they will most likely fall asleep.</p>
<p>re: Colbert: Who Does Obama Think He Is? </p>
<p>I love Stephen Colbert - he is so funny! :D</p>
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<p>OK, now I understand. </p>
<p>Mids sleep during President Bush speech = unremarkable speech, Mids not tired just bored.</p>
<p>Cadets sleep during President Obama speech = thrilling speech, Cadets not bored just tired. </p>
<p>:rolleyes:</p>
<p>Wow Luigi - I love how you take comments from two different people and compare them. Did I say anything about Bush’s speech to the midshipmen? NO I DID NOT!</p>
<p>My opinion is that if the mids nodded off during Bush’s speech then it was probably because they were tired just like the cadets are. </p>
<p>Don’t you have something better to do than try to stir up trouble where there is none?</p>
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<p>CADET??? I thought it was an awfully ugly uniform for a mid to be wearing. Of course I was napping and missed most of it.</p>
<p>Last year President Bush spoke to the entire Corps. I heard from several cadets that he was very enthusiastically received. After the speech, he spent quite a bit of time with the Firsties. No notes, cameras or press - just plain talk with those who would soon be in the trenches. The feedback I received was that even the Cadets who were not fans, gained an appreciation due to his candor and willingness to spend time with them. </p>
<p>I’m certain that any cadets/mids are thrilled to have a President of the United States speak to them. I’m also certain that with the schedules these students have, there will always be a few sleeping, no matter who the speaker might be.</p>
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<p>Funny!!!</p>