Answers now: President's visit to North Carolina should be watched closely

President Barack Obama is scheduled to be in North Carolina this week to speak to the 96th annual national convention of the American Legion at the Charlotte Convention Center.

No details have been announced about what he will say or if he will speak to reporters before or after, but it is safe to assume that the president's remarks will likely center around the ongoing veterans health care controversy.

It is expected that he will speak to the concerns raised by many veterans -- and some political opportunists in his own party -- about the snail's pace by which the problems with the Veterans Administration health care system have been addressed.

Hopefully the president will have some pretty good answers for how he plans to take a leadership role in making sure the care of the nation's heroes stays on the front burner.

But there are other issues, too. Ones that might not directly affect some of the veterans who will hear the president's remarks Tuesday, but that are critical for anyone who cares about the defense of this nation and its standing in the world.

What would be good to hear is more than just a passing comment from the president about the continuing issues in the Middle East.

It would be reassuring to hear an articulated policy about handling the threat of ISIL in that region and potentially here at home.

It would be good to hear a plan of action for continued airstrikes and a renewed enthusiasm for protecting this nation by securing its borders.

It would refreshing to hear a stern rebuke for the Islamic extremists and a president standing firmly and resolutely behind the men and women who defend this country.

All of that probably will not happen. The president likely will have another agenda.

But wouldn't be nice, just this once, to see a commander in chief?

We can only hope.

Published in Editorials on August 24, 2014 12:02 AM