Good argument.
Seriously, I understand what you are saying, however for that day the news of was the fact that our President put himself in a position of subserviance on the national stage lower than that of the Saudi's. You may not consider that a big thing ... but as an active duty man for the last 19 years (scheduled to retire next year), we have gone through some real issues in the Middle East (which before anyone jumps began with Clinton's inability to lead nationally), and so, I know the underlying tone. The Saudi's love us in public, but get them in private and we are infidels who do not deserve to breathe. Trust me on this one, I have witnessed it. They love that we protected them from Sadaam, but outside of that we are good for nothing else than giving them our money.
And so my friend, on a national stage, Obama did us no favors with this "its not a big deal" gesture. Seriously.
As far as the pirates .... they have boats and M16s. We have pilots and F16s. Seriously. We should have blown them to bits years ago when they attempted to capture a cruise ship. The fact that no one has taken them to the woodshed is more disturbing than anything else. But then again, when nation's are too busy ensuring their big business is funded, why would we pay attention to what else is going on.
Let me say this again because I feel it is worth it. I am active duty. Way underpaid and asked to give my life so that people like yourself can have whatever opinion suits you. However, to see our leader put himself in a position of sub-serviance is offending, and degrading.
Next year I will have O's signature on my retirement certificate and I have already made plans to burn it. I dont want it. His name and his "thanks" for my service are empty, completely devoid of meaning, and not worth the paper it will be printed on. And that's the bottom line.
Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.