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CHARLOTTE, NC- While President Obama will be in Charlotte Tuesday to address Veteran Affairs, the visit comes in the midst of multiple controversies, from racial tensions in Ferguson to the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
In just the past week, a videotaped execution of an American journalist questioned the broader threat the ISIS extremist group could pose to the U.S.
Also in the last week, the President addressed racial tensions over the deadly shooting of Ferguson, Missouri teen Michael Brown.
“Giving in to that anger by looting or carrying guns, and even attacking the police, only serves to raise tensions and stir chaos,” said Obama.
Front and center in Charlotte will be the state of Veterans Affairs following the VA waiting line controversy.
“I think we’re going to hear a lot of political BS, we’re going to hear his excuses,” said Stew Koontz, a member of the American Legion.
American Legion leaders told WCCB they want to hear the President’s plans to improve the VA system.
“We’re hopeful that things are going to get better. Veterans deserve that!” said Verna Jones, the American Legion’s Director of Veteran Affairs.
President Obama signed a VA overhaul bill into law earlier this month. The $16 million measure will build more VA medical facilities, hire more doctors, and allow veterans facing long delays to get care outside the VA System.
“Tomorrow, a lot of people want to hear what’s next, what’s going to happen moving forward with the VA?” said Jones.
The President is scheduled to speak at the Charlotte Convention Center at noon. Fortunately, that means the morning and afternoon commutes near Uptown Charlotte should not be impacted.
For security reasons, the exact route President Obama will take to and from the convention center is not public. CMPD says roads around the convention center will be closed between 11am and 1pm.
Some roads between Uptown and the airport will also be temporarily shut down around lunchtime.
