President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Friday, a visit that was shrouded in secrecy for security reasons. Few on the White House staff and only a small group of reporters were advised of the trip. The President left the White House secretly on Thursday night and flew overnight to the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, landing in the early morning darkness.
The President’s spokesman said that the main purpose of the trip, which was expected to last only hours, was to give the President an opportunity to personally meet with U.S. commanders and personally thank U.S. troops for their service during the holiday season. The President also expects to visit wounded soldiers at the sprawling base, which is the headquarters for U.S. operations in Afghanistan. He also plans to address troops on a hanger at the base as well as visit civilian US embassy workers.
His visit to thank troops and civilian workers came ahead of an upcoming full review of his war plan later this month. He planned to visit embassy workers and wounded soldiers and speak to troops at a hangar here. On the flight, the White House said Obama’s war review would include no major policy changes.
Although a meeting with President Hamid Karzai was planned the meeting was cancelled because White House officials determined security concerns as well as a helicopter trip in high winds, dust and poor visibility made a trip to Kabul unwise. It is anticipated that the President will speak to the Afghanistan President via phone.
National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters accompanying the trip that the President told aides that he wanted to go to Afghanistan between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the trip had been in the works for a month. “It’s always tough to serve in harm’s way but when you’re away from loved ones in the holiday season it’s particularly hard, and the president wanted the ability to come out and have some time with them,” Rhodes said.
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Thank you for noting the actual authors. Cats rule!
Michael – shame on you for making Franklin and Eleanor work the night shift so you could sneak in a cat nap! I didn’t realize that you were capable of being that catty. I guess in the long run is was to be expected that F & E would get the late night assignments for breaking news as although the name of your site is MICMN.com, no one can be expected to keep at it 24/7 without taking a paws. Please relate my thanks to F & E for burning the midnight oil and keeping us apprised of the late breaking news, they did a wonderful job filling in for you and there communication of the current events was just purrfect.
SJ
I regret to report to you that two thirds of the Boston Bureau of MICMN.com seem to have gotten into the catnip and thus are unable to perform their duties. It is a purrfectly shocking record of purr performance, but little can be done.
I therefore think that the Boston Bureau of MICMN.com will have to muddle through on a greatly reduced staff. We will survive
As president of the Amalgamated Paw Workers of America, I wish to point out that the authors of this article are covered by a collective bargaining agreement reached with Michael Colliss. Under the Pawed Union Reporting Requirement (PURR), the use of feline labor to work outside the normal working hours of paw enabled workers, compensation in the form of 5 times normal cat treats are required. This requirement has not been met.
White the authors of this article reported accurately and completely we have declared a lie down, nap strike, effective immediately and %##*&%ACK (Sorry, fur ball) and will not longer provide editorial content for this site until the requirements of the PURR provisions of the Pawed Workers Unified Contract Agreement are met.
Leo T. Feline
President
Amalgamated Paw Workers of America
‘Franklin & Eleanor’ – President Obama makes one of his BEST choices to honor those American troops who serve ‘in harms way’! Too bad Michael wasn’t able to scoop this!
Seriously, I deeply appreciate his choices in regard to the danger involved in these visits. Actions do speak louder than words!
My parents met in WWII so I wouldn’t be here without their service! Dad and his three brothers ALL served and returned safely, praise God. Mom’s older brother was a Marine who was lost in battle in England, his body never recovered. My grandmother, thus a ‘Gold Star Mother’ wore his wrist watch the rest of her life! Mom was an Army WAC, a sergent and outranked my Dad (she never let him forget it! lol). She was a disabled veteran and suffered various effects of her service for the thirty years contributing to her death at age 54…
My husband served in the Army and had three brothers and two brothers-in-law serve in WWII, Korean, and Vietnam era wars and ALL returned safely, praise God. I just wanted to share this to clearly state ‘I know who America and Americans ARE!’ Peace and give my regards to Michael…
PS – Tell Michael I recommend an extra serving of tuna for you both!
I will pass on your comments as soon as they wake up from their nap
Michael…Thank you for letting them sleep. I know you’re unfamiliar with this human need.
Hey Staci…at my age more and more I find myself following their example with little catnaps. Do not fear I have not gotten tot he point (yet) of taking baths like they do.
Michael
You truly made me LOL with your bath comment. Your relatives sleep AND bathe too? They’re wasting valuable time when they could be researching and writing! I am glad YOU realize YOU don’t have time for both! :)
Staci my good friend…
Perhaps I should clear something up. I meant to say that I do not take baths in the same manner as the other staff of the Boston Bureau of MICMN.com. I do bathe, though not like they do
Glad we could straighten that out. I must admit that after a really good meal I do lick the back of my hand and rub behind my ears, but that is probably way too much information
Michael