Michael Gaynor
Give credit when credit is due...and share it when that's the right thing to do
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By Michael Gaynor
May 5, 2011

BHO's decision to send in the Navy Seals to deal with OBL was the right one. But his reluctance to share credit and acknowledge the benefit of waterboarding was petty and foolish.

When John F. Kennedy (JFK) was inaugurated, he set the goal of putting an American on the moon by the end of the decade.

It happened, but JFK's presidency ended in 1963.

His vice president, Lyndon B, Johnson (LBJ), continued the quest.

Johnson's presidency ended in 1969.

His successor, Richard M. Nixon (RMN), finished the quest.

JFK, LBJ and RMN all deserve credit for the accomplishment.

Osama bin Laden (OBL) is dead.

President George W. Bush (GWB) set the goal of tracking down OBL, dead of alive.

GWB's presidency ended in 2009.

President Barack Hussein Obama (BHO) succeeded GWB and continued to pursue the goal.

On May 1, 2010, the goal was fulfilled.

Credit for completing the mission is due to BHO, just as credit for completing the moon project was due to RMN.

Credit is also due to GWB, just as credit was due to LBJ and RMN.

Credit is also due to "enhanced interrogation techniques," including waterboarding.

American soldiers are waterboarded as part of training.

The notions that all the credit belongs to BHO and waterboarding did not help are politically driven nonsense.

BHO had a chance to be gracious — and let it pass.

BHO's decision to send in the Navy Seals to deal with OBL was the right one. But his reluctance to share credit and acknowledge the benefit of waterboarding was petty and foolish.

© Michael Gaynor

 

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Michael Gaynor

Michael J. Gaynor has been practicing law in New York since 1973. A former partner at Fulton, Duncombe & Rowe and Gaynor & Bass, he is a solo practitioner admitted to practice in New York state and federal courts and an Association of the Bar of the City of New York member... (more)

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