Laura Ingraham Press Guests to Criticize Obama

Ah, Fox. Ingraham is so biased that H-A-T-E is written on her face.

Returning Soldier Wanted to Meet Obama

Ian Walz wanted to meet Obama, his fiance said. Sadly, Ian came home in one of those flag-draped caskets.

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Obama Thinks of Troops and Families Every Day

Last night, in a chapel, Obama met with families of fallen soldiers. He also honored the soldiers who came home to Dover AFB in flag-draped caskets.

On a clear fall night, the president zipped to Dover in about 40 minutes. He immediately spoke privately in a chapel with all the family members.

The solemn process of transferring remains of 15 soldiers and three Drug Enforcement Agency agents unfolded in four separate movements. Obama took part in all of them. A chaplain offered prayers for the fallen, the crews that brought them home, the families who lost a loved one, and a nation embroiled in war.

By 4:45 a.m., the president had touched back down on the South Lawn, where even an active White House was sleepy.

He walked inside, alone. NPR

This can't be underestimated. Obama's presence with the grieving families gives him more empathy and more perspective as Commander in Chief.

I really admire what Obama's done in regards to rethinking Afghanistan.

Obama Meets Flag Draped Caskets in the Night

President Obama traveled overnight to meet the flag-draped caskets of 18 Americans killed in military service this week, the height of the bloodiest month for the U.S. in the war in Afghanistan.

In an unannounced trip in the middle of the night, the president went to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware by Marine helicopter to be present for the arrival of the bodies of the fallen troops.

The solemn visit was the first of its kind for Obama, and comes as he is withdrawing troops from Iraq but contemplating a troop increase in Afghanistan. Earlier this week, Obama spoke to sailors and aviators at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida, where he promised that he would count the full cost of war before deciding to send more military into harm's way. Swamp

Ban Lifted on Photos of Soldier Caskets

The argument for lifting the ban is that it lets people see the soldiers' sacrifice. I, for one, don't need to see a photo to know the sacrifice. I'm on the fence on this one. But it looks like photos can be taken only if the family agrees, which is respectful. Robert Gates is expected to announce the new policy at 2 pm eastern. 

AP: News organizations will be allowed to photograph the homecomings of America's war dead under a new Pentagon policy, defense and congressional officials said Thursday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided to allow photos of flag-draped caskets at Dover Air Force Base, Del., if the families of the fallen troops agree, the officials told The Associated Press.
Gates planned to announce his decision later Thursday, they said. The current ban was put in place in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush.

Update: