New York Times story-headline of November 25th trumpeted:

“Obama Will Use West Point as Backdrop to Present Afghan Strategy.”

Amy De Rosa writes at American Thinker:

The operative word here is “use.” Yes, Obama will use–as in exploit and manipulate–the United States Military Academy and its future 2nd Lieutenants in order to promote the illusion that he is a president who can identify with the soldiers of whom he is Commander-In-Chief, and that he understands their mission.

Bing West pointed out in an article in National Review back in April of 2009, Obama has a problem when it comes to understanding the warrior ethos.

Another reason President Obama is off to an inauspicious start is that he doesn’t understand the nature of warriors. He recently flew to North Carolina to address the Marines he is sending to Afghanistan. His subject was withdrawing from Iraq, and his remarks and tone might have been appropriate for, say, the Council on Foreign Relations. He told the troops they “got the job done” by removing Saddam Hussein and establishing a sovereign government. He then dwelled on the theme of loss. He said the Marines had “endured tour after tour,” “bled for your best friends,” and “borne an enormous burden.” He used the word “sacrifice” repeatedly, portraying the warriors as victims rather than as the strongest tribe. He concluded by saying, “Thanks to the sacrifices of those who have served, we have forged hard-earned progress.”

Progress? Our troops won in Iraq, al-Qaeda lost, and a democratic government emerged. That merits more than a nod toward “progress.” The Marines respectfully listening were primed for the fight; they intend to kill Taliban, not to be killed. Warriors want to be praised for winning, not consoled for being battered.

Obama is “using” the West Point Cadets because they are “user-friendly” and is being “used” precisely for political gain that out of concern for a mission is touting with an “exit strategy” not using the word “victory” or phrase “war on terror” because Obama in uncomfortable with those words.

Obama will bash George W. Bush and his administration during his speech; he will continue the blame-game because he is uncomfortable in a military setting and must satisfy his Leftist base who wants nothing to do with Afghanistan or the US Armed Forces.

Yes, Obama will use his teleprompter to exploit and manipulate the American public while using the West Point Cadets instead of the Oval Office as his backdrop for personal gain. Nothing in Obama’s speech should be reassuring because the requests of the hand-picked commander are not being fulfilled.

Obama strategy is smoke, mirrors, deceit and exit. To hell with the US Military unless you may use it and abuse it. Indeed!