Should OYE Leave Oberlin Alone?
I'm starting to reconsider my invitation to Mr. Jonathan Bruno, President of the Oberlin College Republicans, to consider military service. While hate mail is far outside the positive spirit of Operation Yellow Elephant, I think that, in truth, Mr. Bruno really can't handle candid comments from the blogosphere, and I'm not certain he'll be able to hack it in basic training, much less on the ground in Iraq. Maybe he should just stick to care packages.
Please check out the 13th and 14th comments on the original posting, written by military veterans, and see for yourself. I don't think there's anything really beyond the pale, especially considering each comment as a whole; what do you think? I forwarded them to Mr. Bruno to consider responding in the comments. Here's what I got back:
Dear Mr. Olson,
Thank you for alerting me to these comments. While I am grateful for the military service of the two commentators whose messages you forwarded, I was again disappointed to see that they both relied on personal insults to express their views. "Mat" [Comment 13 07:53 a.m.] calls the members of our student organization "loudmouth assholes," and "Anonymous" [Comment 14 10:20 a.m.] makes reference to "[JB's] cowardly ass."
I have never stooped to this degenerate level of public discourse in my life, and I am not about to start now. I refuse to engage in a shouting match and to start mudslinging with your commentators: the fact is, such postings (because of their incivility and their reliance on childish insults) don't merit serious debate. When one of OYE's commentators has a thoughtful response to my message that leaves out the acrimony and personal attacks, then I will give it the consideration it deserves.
Question: Am I wrong here, or is he demonstrating unrealistic sensitivity?
posted by Karl @ 3/24/2006 06:41:00 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Just thought you guys would like to know... I got this resolution passed today at the Democratic Convention of Senatorial District 10 in Texas:
Whereas the President has stated his intent to keep our troops in Iraq through 2009; and whereas declines in enlistment put our current troops under extreme duress as that war continues; and whereas the leadership of the Republican Party and its mouthpieces in the media have consistently and shameless exploited the war for their own partisan purposes; we reaffirm the right of any able-bodied Republican pundit of appropriate age to enlist in the armed forces at his or her nearest opportunity.
I figure getting a plank like this on the Democratic platform is a worthy psyops operation...
-- chris, of Southpaw
I think the lad has it backwards. He is saying, in effect, "stop calling me a baby and I'll quit being one." But the burden of proof is on him.
He stands guilty as charged -- chicken hawk, yellow elephant and a whiny titty baby to boot.
Chris, of Southpaw-
You forgot 'appropriate' sexual orientation.
Granted, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was passed by a Democratic Congress (including Democratic Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia) and signed by a Democratic President, but . . .
Even the Pentagon is no longer defending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on whatever merits it may have had. They just say that they are 'enforcing' a law that Congress enacted.
Our governing party controls both Houses of Congress as well as the White House; President Bush has yet to veto a single bill.
Responsibility for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" therefore lies with our governing party, especially as repeal legislation, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, has been introduced in the House with 100+ co-sponsors of both parties.
As usual, I think you're being far too judgmental of a College Republican.
Since young Jonathan can't bear being criticized in plain language ("selfish chickenshit coward") by a military veteran, he may not be up to the rigors of basic military training.
Perhaps his current position in the Ohio Bubble Brigade of the 101st Fighting Keyboardists truly is the most he can contribute.
Plus, he has these fallen arches.
One thing that JB is forgetting (again...) is that a care package doesn't mean squat to a reservist or national guardsman who lost their house because they were activated, and had to step down from their $50000 a year job to a much lower pay rate because Bush lied us into a war.
Where is the support for the homeless veterans coming back scarred and shaking? (Iraqi and Vietnam veterans)
Where is the support for families of veterans who now live with their parents because the bills got too high, while the primary bread earner is entering his/her third rotation?
Oh yeah, a stupid care package. Nothing says ‘We support you’ like a cheap wicker basket filled with fruit.
Maybe the homeless veterans can pay their bills with that.
JB, if you wish to support the veterans real support, then work with us to get us out of a war based on lies.
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