I don't begrudge Biden a few minutes with his son in the course of his official trip ... regardless of who paid for breakfast ... and I appreciate and respect his son's service.
Biden presides as troops in Iraq become U.S. citizens
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden celebrated American patriotism and mocked the ghost of Saddam Hussein during a Fourth of July visit to Iraq on Saturday.
He presided at a naturalization ceremony at one of Hussein's former palaces, where 237 U.S. service members were sworn in to become American citizens.
"We did it in Saddam's palace and I can think of nothing better. That S.O.B. is rolling over in his grave right now," Biden said of the former Iraqi dictator, who was toppled by a U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and executed by the Iraqi government in 2006.
Standing in the shadow of a 50-foot American flag, the service members recited the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance in the rotunda of the Al-Faw Palace, now part of the U.S.'s Camp Victory complex in Baghdad.
Originally posted by IHAWKER: Biden presides as troops in Iraq become U.S. citizens
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden celebrated American patriotism and mocked the ghost of Saddam Hussein during a Fourth of July visit to Iraq on Saturday.
He presided at a naturalization ceremony at one of Hussein's former palaces, where 237 U.S. service members were sworn in to become American citizens.
"We did it in Saddam's palace and I can think of nothing better. That S.O.B. is rolling over in his grave right now," Biden said of the former Iraqi dictator, who was toppled by a U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and executed by the Iraqi government in 2006.
Standing in the shadow of a 50-foot American flag, the service members recited the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance in the rotunda of the Al-Faw Palace, now part of the U.S.'s Camp Victory complex in Baghdad.
If Saddam's rolling around down there, somebody might want to dig him up and dispose of the corpse. He 'put the wind up' America enough when he was alive. To have him revivified could cause some real discomfort.
Every year in Iraq saps America a little more. Despite an influx of 'new' citizen soldiers. Pontius cracked wise about the Jews. The Romans are long gone, the Jews are still here.
I'm glad he got breakfast with his son. Life is uncertain, in a combat zone, or out of it. My old man didn't live to see me back in civilian life. I regret that I didn't get to see/take more time to see him when I was in the Army. I thought I'd have more time later on... We can never know how much time we have left.
I find it interesting that among the new citizens there were 12 Iraqis.
quote:
Summary: 237 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen were sworn in to become American citizens. They are from 59 countries, mostly Mexico, Phillipines and – interestingly – Iraq. (There were 12 Iraqis) Biden gave an emotional talk about diversity and pledged that the United States is ‘'on track'' to withdraw all troops by 2011. He said caring for troops abroad and at home is the only ‘'sacred obligation'' the United States has. And he mentioned the numbers of the war, citing figures for deaths, wounded and critically injured. (see below) “As corny as it sounds,'' he told the troops, "Damn I'm proud to be an American'' The ceremony was the largest naturalization ceremony ever conducted in Iraq, military officials say. Customs and immigration officials came from Rome, Ghana and Frankfurt came here to process the applications. The military says that with this ceremony, roughly 3000 service members will have become naturalized citizens.
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