The Patriot Post® · Obama Gladly Takes Another Unearned Medal

On January 4, Barack Obama was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service by Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The eligibility and criteria for consideration of the award is that one must have “demonstrated distinguished or meritorious service of significance to DOD or Army; personal sacrifice and inconvenience in the performance or assistance of such service; and motivation by patriotism, good citizenship, and a sense of public responsibility.”

If you’re left scratching your head wondering how Obama met the criteria, then join the crowd. Set aside the silly optics of Obama receiving an award from an underling and the connotations of him having awarded himself. After all, George W. Bush likewise received the award. But he earned it.

Consider that under Obama’s leadership, the military has suffered serious budget cuts all while being used as a social engineering guinea pig. That’s gutted morale. Obama’s also responsible for the rise of the Islamic State due to his feckless leadership in the Middle East. And he’s failed to truly challenge Vladimir Putin’s aggression in eastern Europe or China’s flouting of international law in seeking to assert control over the South China Sea.

Where was the personal sacrifice when he was more often found on the golf course than in the Oval Office? Where is the evidence of patriotism, when Obama went around the world apologizing for American exceptionalism and blaming the U.S. for inequity in the world? And don’t forget the powerful displays of his “good citizenship” by blaming everyone but himself for the failures of his own agenda. Besides, just about the only “compliment” Obama ever gave the military was for how much he likes riding on Air Force One.

This medal fits right in with Obama’s phony Nobel Peace Prize — it’s awarded based upon participation rather than accomplishment. In other words, it has become yet another example of more meaningless elitist class grandstanding.