Dialogue with Bubblehead
Bubblehead commented on our suggestions to pro-war conservatives:
Interesting post; I'm a retiree -- I served on active duty in the Navy (submarines) for 21 years and couldn't stay in longer because of a medical disability, and my son is planning on going to the Naval Academy. I volunteered to go to Iraq, but they didn't need any submariners, so I got sent TAD to CENTCOM HQ instead, where I worked with the Coalition Coordination Center for Iraq (mostly with the Poles). I support the Global War on Terror, and the concept of extending it to Iraq, but don't like how it's been executed. How's that? Does my opinion count as much to you as an anti-war veteran?
Bubblehead-
You should know that this blog hasn't taken a position on the war itself.
Given ongoing military recruiting challenges, part of how the war has been carried out is the national leadership responsibility of the future leaders of our governing party, if eligible, to set a good example for the rest of us by considering volunteering for military service.
For those in our national political establishment not personally eligible to serve, they still have the national leadership responsibility to encourage their eligible relatives and friends, their circles of influence, to consider military service.
We welcome your comments.
posted by Karl @ 4/21/2006 06:54:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Sorry -- I had figured that this site was just a snarky attempt to spin the "chickenhawk" argument that only those who have actually served in combat are allowed to support wars, while everyone is allowed to oppose them, and use this argument to say that regular citizens shouldn't be able to support the war. Since it turns out you have no opinion on the war (which puts you in about the 5% of the population that hasn't made up their mind) I'll have to come up with some other arguments. Here's one: If only those who have served, or who have family who're serving, are allowed to support war, and if we accept the premise that sometimes war is necessary, wouldn't that mean that we should restrict public office to those who have served or have family serving? Otherwise, we couldn't have a real vote on whether or not to go to war, unless everyone is allowed to vote "yes" if needed.
Also, does the same argument apply to law enforcement? Can only those who are or were cops, or have family members who are cops, support various law enforcement initiatives?
I think people who support abortion should either have an abortion themselves or encourage their family and friends to have abortions.
bubblehead-
I don't think you're reading this blog closely enough.
We think everyone is "allowed" to support or oppose anything they want, or to have no opinion at all.
Voters can vote for or against any candidate they want who appears on the ballot, write in someone else, or just leave it blank.
That's called freedom in America. I don't think we'll make much progress if that's where we have to start.
'All the best.
I like this blog because it tries to reveal the cowardice of the empty, talking heads in the right wing. You can say you support the war, you can say you support the troops, but are you ballsy enough to step up to the challenge yourself?
In WWII many people enlisted because they believed, rightfully, that it was a just cause and that the war was necessary. Japan bombed American soil? Sign me up! I'll bomb 'em right back, and twice as hard.
Personally, I believe the recent low recruitment numbers are directly related to the low support for attacking Iraq. When we were attacking Afghanistan in retaliation for the 9/11 attacks, we had plenty of people signing up. People knew we were doing the right thing, and they wanted to retaliate - personally. But with Iraq, no one is motivated to sign on because there really aren't any good reasons for us to be there, when compared with all the good reasons to go fight in Afghanistan. What are we righteously retaliating against in Iraq?
I am glad this blog keeps it neutral with a simple message: The best way to show your support for the war, our troops, our president, and our country is to enlist yourself. Talk is cheap, but action is priceless.
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