Dialogue with Operation Yellow Jackass
It seems that Paul Beard at A Crank's Progress thinks that Operation Yellow Jackass is appropriately named. Please click here and see for yourself.We love the inspiring, manly poster [above] just posted on Operation Yellow Jackass. We have just one question:
Given the well-documented - on this blog - reluctance of significant numbers of Our President's strongest supporters, the College and Young Republicans, to Be A Man! Enlist!, What do you mean by "We"?
posted by OYE @ 7/14/2007 07:37:00 PM
48 comments
48 Comments:
Just a guess here, but I think the "jackass" part means you guys. At least there is finally a site to counter the lies in this site!
From Mr. X:
Its about time you heard my call for logical equality and started acknowledging young Dems who support the war on terror but don't fight.
I watched you get tossed from CRNC. It was delightful to say the least. Despite your antics, I'd like to chat over the phone if you're willing. Let me know.
What's with the anonymous comments, my brave young fellows? Are you really that frightened of being called upon to defend your beliefs? Perhaps it's best you don't enlist, but who knows, the experience maight make a man out of you.
Mr. X-
Thank you. We can chat over the phone, but why not start via e-mail?
Just open up an account anywhere and send a message to operationyellowelephant at gmail dot com.
We'll even provide a no-strings-attached gmail invitation.
Thanks.
Anonymous (14 July, 2007 20:15)-
Thank you. We know that the symbol of the Democratic Party is a donkey, AKA jackass, just as the elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party.
And we welcome OYJ's participation in the great American tradition of robust, uninhibited debate.
So, the poster says "We will Protect America." Who, exactly, is "We"?
Why won't OYE members show their military records showing the were not allowed in for "medical reasons." Repeated requests have been made, yet they continue to go unanswered. This leads one to believe that OYE is lying about their "attempts" to serve this country.
It's a shame that OYE feels it is appropriate to criticize others when they are unwilling to Be A Man and Serve!
OYJ-
A Real American patriot rejected from military service for medical reasons, or any others, is not necessarily given any "military records" to that effect. I myself wasn't formally rejected; they just weren't interested.
Once the recruiter realizes that the applicant is not qualified [and a waiver is not available], or the recruiter isn't interested, the process simply stops. So there's nothing to show.
If you don't want to believe us, you don't have to; it's your decision. But you may want to visit your local recruiting station to see what they do now.
At the rate things are going, we'll probably see a new Maximum Age of 47-and-under, in which case, why don't you come to the recruiting station with me?
PS. Start getting/staying in shape, OK?
OYJ-
When you refer to the members of OYE that have medical conditions that prohibit them from serving I assume you mean me, as, to my knowledge, I'm the only one of our contributors that has stated this. My rejection came from a simple phone call. Nothing more. This was after I had met with my recruiter on 3 occasions and had taken the ASVAB. It wasn't until after my test scores came back was I asked to fill out the medical form (I was up front with my recruiter. I explained to him that I had a heart condition during our first meeting. But it is not his job to reject me for medical conditions, that duty falls on the Army doctors that reviewed my form.). I wasn't even given an opportunity to apply for a waiver, I was determined to not be suitable for service.
As far as offering any type of "proof" of my medical conditon- I believe last time I told you where to stick it. My file is between my cardiologist and me. It will not be sent to someone that manages a "knock off" blog nor will it be publically displayed on OYE. When we, at OYE, contact Yellow Elephants we take their word for it if they inform us they are unable to serve due to a medical condition. We then do not do a post on them or seek to contact them again in the future. We show more class than to demand "proof" of conditions that should remain private to that individual.
To get a better understanding of how the enlistment process works I suggest you go to www.goarmy.com and find a recruiter near you.
Yeah the pillow biting liberal heiny thumping guys here at operation yellow elephant can just make claims without proof...Then demand answers from the other side! How pathetic...Its like the bigoted goose stepping religiophobic gay rights movement slamming religions but then demandinf acceptance! The left of the deomocratic party has destroyed its credibility... Im actually going to vote republican for the first time in my life! 20 odd years of democratic voting for what? A bunch of heiny humping bigots who are all upset because I decided to start treating them like they treat others? LOL Forget about it,,,BIBLE THUMPERS VS HEINYHUMPERS...IM GOING WITH THE ONES WHO KNOW TOLERANCE...THE BIBLE GUYS!
Actually, as someone who was REALLY rejected for medical reasons, you DO receive a statement of why you were rejected. I still have mine from 15 years ago. You guys are nothing but a bunch of chicken-doves who engage in hypocrisy.
I am assuming that the "wek" who claims to have the "heart condition" is Erik Wekerle? The interesting thing about Mr. Wekerle is he participates in duathlons (consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg in a format bearing some resemblance to triathlons.)
This is the same guy on tape "claiming" to have a heart condition preventing him from joining the military.
In my opinion, anyone with half a brain can figure out that if you can compete in duathlons you can pass a military physical.
This will be a breaking story on a web site sometime in the next couple weeks. There are addition interesting things that have been uncovered about supporters of OYE.
Karl, don't worry, you will not be left out! We have some VERY interesting information about you. However, unlike this site, we want to thoroughly investigate the facts before they are posted.
Thank you. We must be having some effect, I guess.
zucca-
Yeah the pillow biting liberal heiny thumping guys here at operation yellow elephant can just make claims without proof...Then demand answers from the other side!
Actually, you've got that wrong. We do ask questions of the subjects of our interest, and generally take at face value their responses. This includes a statement that one is ineligible to serve [and we neither ask for medical details nor request documentary proof].
By the way, you should know that "heiny thumping guys" are ineligible to serve under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," so the Log Cabin Republicans are off the hook with Operation Yellow Elephant.
We're beginning to suspect that Operation Yellow Jackass is actually a snarky Democrat front operation, trying to sabotage the war effort from 'within.'
Why else would they discourage polite invitations to healthy heterosexual young men, who support the war, to consider volunteering for military service?
anonymous (17 July, 2007, 00:22)-
Thank you for stepping forward 15 years ago. We appreciate your desire to serve our nation and hope that you have been able to contribute in some capacity.
We're certainly not saying that you didn't receive some paperwork then, but we can say it doesn't always happen, and there's really no way, now, of proving anything. [None of us is running for President.]
In any event, if you don't believe these specific claims, you don't have to. You may wish to consider joining Operation Yellow Jackass.
Anon 17 July, 2007 00:35-
I wasn't expecting my name to be a secret. I had to register at the YRNC and wear a name badge around my neck that read "Erik Wekerle". It should come as no surprise to OYE's readers that I participated in a duathlon (I mentioned it in a post in May). Actually, my race time should probably show you I do have heart disease- I did terribly having finished 2nd to last in my age group! Regardless, I am still proud of my accomplishment. If you would like more "gotcha" info for your expose maybe you can catch me playing in the hoops league I participate in.
I see that your ignorance tells you that heart disease only effects old folks and makes one grab their chest like Fred Sanford, but it's not the truth, HD can effect even infants. Also, I'm encouraged by my cardiologist to remain active. Sitting around doing nothing would drastically increase my chances for a short life.
Looking forward to your "breaking story". Please alert us when it's up.
anonymous (17 July, 2007, 00:35)-
And please also contact a military recruiter who can get a 46-year-old without prior service an age waiver.
This anonymous guy is pretty prolific: funny he doesn't sign his name to anything. Also strange that anyone can comment at OYE not only "team members" have the privilege at OYJ.
Kudos to the OYE team to keeping cool heads in the face of all the name calling and veiled threats. I expect their exposé to be just as informative and meaningful as their work so far.
That's it. They can't serve because they MUST do oppo research (like a Google search of a name on an ID badge - that'll keep 'em busy for a while) to prevent OYE from connecting those most likely to volunteer for military service with military recruiters looking for volunteers. This is important to the "war effort".
Must keep our priorities straight . . .
.s
++++
anonymous (17 July, 2007 00:35)-
In my opinion, anyone with half a brain can figure out that if you can compete in duathlons you can pass a military physical.
Please ask your high-powered contacts in the Administration to ask U.S. Army Recruiting Command and whoever establishes entrance medical standards to take your concerns into account.
Integrity is one of many essential qualities that make our military great. If you think that the medical standards, as applied to people who tell the truth, should be changed, maybe they should be. But nobody should lie on a medical exam; that's just not right.
If you are successful, then you should ask your local military recruiter to contact Wek via this blog.
We appreciate your help.
The problem with people like Erik and Karl is they criticize others for not serving, but they have never served themselves. They have never even taken a military physical. Basically, they both claim they went to a military recruiter and said "hey, I'd love to serve, but I am not healthy enough to serve. Okay, now I can go around and challenge others to serve and call them chickens if they don't."
If either of you were serious about serving, you would have taken the physical, and if you failed the physical, you would have requested a waiver. Until you stand up and Be A Man yourself, you should not attack others.
Erik, how do you know the YRs you taped didn't serve? How do you know they don't have "heart conditions?" How do you know they weren't active military not in uniform? If you would have spent that time you spent video taping them on taking a military physical, maybe you'd have room to talk.
How can you criticize anyone for not joining when both of you were too afraid to serve yourself?
It's funny that you guys claim to be "fair" but I have never seen you guys at a College Democrat or Young Democrat meeting. If it were not for a lot of Democrats, we would not be in Iraq right now! Why do you not go after everyone responsible for this war.
I do not believe this is an honest anti-war site, this is an anti-Republican site, and they have every right to challenge you hypocrisy.
I challenge Erik to attempt a military physical. If he fails, he then would request a waiver. If that is denied, then he can say what he wants. If he refuses, he should shut the f up, and admit that he's a pansy.
This Erik guy is full of crap. If you have a serious heart condition you would not be pushing it. I remember this guy from the convention. When he registered he had just come from the gym. I am willing to bet anything he's never step foot in a recruiter's office, unless it was to criticize someone.
anonymous (18 July, 2007 16:35)-
I have never seen you guys at a College Democrat or Young Democrat meeting.
YRNC2007 was the first event we attended. We started with the Republican Party in 2005 because, at the time, it ran our country, controlling both Houses of Congress as well as the White House; until recently, President Bush vetoed only one bill (not on our topic). With the powers of leadership comes responsibility.
By the way, this blog has not taken a position on the war, so the rest of your comments are off-topic.
There is a heart condition that will cause military recruiters to discourage you from taking the physical. I am guessing that both Erik and Karl have very severe conditions. It's called:
P-ulmonary
U-tilization
S-taphylococcus
S-yndrome
Y-atter
If your not man enough to defend this country, I am glad the recruiters are turning you away!
What this site really is has become very clear. It is guys who were unwilling to join the military criticizing other guys who are unwilling to join the military.
anonymous (18 July, 2007 16:19)-
The problem with people like Erik and Karl is they criticize others for not serving, but they have never served themselves. They have never even taken a military physical. Basically, they both claim they went to a military recruiter and said "hey, I'd love to serve, but I am not healthy enough to serve. Okay, now I can go around and challenge others to serve and call them chickens if they don't."
If either of you were serious about serving, you would have taken the physical, and if you failed the physical, you would have requested a waiver. Until you stand up and Be A Man yourself, you should not attack others.
Actually, I did take the physical in Spring 1982 somewhere in Brooklyn, New York. And I passed. As I've stated elsewhere on this blog, the recruiters with whom I worked still weren't interested, a situation unlikely to happen today.
When interest in military service returned in the late 1990s, I was too old. [Had today's maximum age of 41-and-under been in effect then, I would have been eligible.]
They don't do the physical if they know you are ineligible [e.g., too old]. They only do it if you pass the initial screening.
How can you criticize anyone for not joining when both of you were too afraid to serve yourself?
Please see OYE 101 in the upper right-hand corner. We ask those who appear eligible to serve who support the war to consider volunteering for military service. If a particular patriot is not accepted for enlistment, Your Country Thanks You for stepping forward.
Both Erik and I have seen the inside of a recruiting station. How about You?
anonymous (18 July, 2007 17:25)-
That's great! Very funny.
Are You Man Enough to contact a recruiter?
anonymous (18 July, 2007 17:28)-
What this site really is has become very clear. It is guys who were unwilling to join the military criticizing other guys who are unwilling to join the military. [emphasis added.]
With a major difference: Now, we're at war.
And we both were and are willing, if they'll take us.
How about You?
Karl said..."Are You Man Enough to contact a recruiter?"
I served in the USAF 4 years active and 4 years reserves. I was stationed at RAF Croughton (England) during the Gulf war in the 422nd Air Base Wing.
I have the right to criticize you and Erik. I am a MAN, I have served. You two have not!
I would gladly serve now if I could. However, I am too old, fat and out of shape nowadays.
A source has let me know that Erik W. is 35 years old. I have just talked with a friend in the U.S. Marines. The recruiting office in Tampa can be reached at (813) 985-2496. Erik, if you are truly a MAN, call them tomorrow and make sure you do not chicken out before the physical this time. We will be following your activities on this.
I am going to guess he's not man enough to follow through!
anonymous (18 July, 2007 19:06)-
Thank you for your service, and for considering volunteering at this time.
That's more than many College and Young Republicans who, in theory, support the war have done.
And, thank you for your criticism. Assuming you support the war, are you encouraging those eligible to serve who agree with you to consider military service?
By the way, it would help if our anonymous commenters could at least use some sort of blog name, even in the text. That helps us tell you apart.
"I challenge Erik to attempt a military physical."- john kempert
John, you definitely never have spoken to a recruiter because if you had you'd know that in order to get to the physical you must first fill out the medical form. If approved by the Army doctors you are then asked to take the physical. I was not approved.
"If you have a serious heart condition you would not be pushing it. I remember this guy from the convention. When he registered he had just come from the gym.I am willing to bet anything he's never step foot in a recruiter's office"-18 July, 2007 17:11
Does this anonymous happen to be R.N.?? Anyway, it appears you are doing a Senator Frist analysis by judging from what you see on the outside and drawing conclusions from there. If you're really "willing to bet anything" then please send me an E-mail and we can discuss. I'd really enjoy owning a new Yamaha R1 on your tab.
"I have just talked with a friend in the U.S. Marines. The recruiting office in Tampa can be reached at..." -roger phillips.
Roger, you're really naive. If you know that I'm 35 you'd know should know that I'm too old to become a Marine even if I was determined to be healthy. I found this out because I contacted them as well as the Army in 2004. Contact a recruiter on behalf of yourself and find out.
Thank you to everyone that has joined in on this discussion.
Not sure if I get the logic that people who oppose the war need to enlist for military service before they criticize people who support the war but will not enlist to participate in it... Isn't the basic support the INCONSISTENCY.HYPOCRISY of one position? and i gotta say, threatening the people who started this quite wonderful site with exposing personal data that is harmful... man, do you guys not even stop and think what that looks like? It's a character question: if you politically support a war and are of military age and yet choose to avoid serving in it, then you're either a hypocrite or coward. If you oppose the war, why would you enlist, and why should you?
And, just for the record, I opposed the war in Vietnam but was drafted in 1969 and served.
Dear "wek":
Why don't you be honest? You do NOT need something from your doctor to take a physical. You simply go to your recruiter, fill out about a thousand forms, take the ASVAB, and take your physical. I have been serving in the military for 12 years, so you may be able to fool some people, but your p*ssy a$$ isn't fooling me!
If you want to give other people hell for not joining, you should join yourself, or shut up!
To whomever posted on 19 July, 2007 15:21:
This coming from another person who is to afraid to serve, I am sure. However, you are right, but saying that, it is okay not to serve and to support the war. As I stated above, I am career military, but there are things I support that I am unwilling to do. I support having a fire department, but I rather not run into a burning building. I support having my trashed picked up, but I am unwilling to be a trash man.
You guys have no business tell people they have to be in the military to support the war. I have been overseas in a combat zone. I think everyone should be supporting our troops. In my opinion, people like Karl and "wek" are traders to our country. They are the worst sort of scum.
Erik - You are lucky, the Marines have recently changed their age requirements. It used to be Army and Navy 35, Air Force 28, and the Marine Corps 29; however, they have all bumped up their age limits to either 41 or 42. You should be fine.
If you want to use the 35 as an excuse, I am sure someone will provide you with the number for an Army recruiter!
Come on Erik, BE A MAN!
I am a US Army National Guard Recruiter in Bartow, FL. It's a bit of a drive for you Eric (maybe 45 minutes), but we can work with you. Please call me tomorrow at (863) 534-7148.
btw - I am also a YR, so there goes your theory!
"You do NOT need something from your doctor to take a physical. You simply go to your recruiter, fill out about a thousand forms, take the ASVAB, and take your physical." "-anon 19 July, 2007 19:50
Obviously you don't need a "doctor's note" to take the physical. But because I made my recruiter aware of my health condition he asked me to get my medical records from my cardiologist so he may submit them with my medical form. In the meantime I took the ASVAB. After I took the ASVAB I brought my medical records to my recruiter and filled out the medical form. This was the last time I'd speak to my recruiter in person as the Army doctors didn't like what they saw.
"people like Karl and "wek" are traders" anon 19 July, 2007 19:55
Yes, we're 'traders'. I once traded Karl my Tim Couch rookie card for his Peyton Manning (he's such a sucker).
"Come on Erik, BE A MAN!"-Anon 19 July, 2007 20:03
Just curious, but are you suggesting I waste our recruiters' time? The first time I went I didn't waste their time on purpose, but if I went again and handed them even more records showing I wasn't miraculously cured they probably would be less-than-happy with me. Maybe it's your turn to Be A Man! Enlist!
"I am a US Army National Guard Recruiter in Bartow, FL. It's a bit of a drive for you Eric (maybe 45 minutes), but we can work with you."
Actually, I have a great idea- since you're a recruiter you should have access to my records (My full name was listed above by some anonymous person). Why don't you take a peek at them and let these fine folks know if I'm eligible or not. (of course, I expect you to keep the details between me, you and my cardiologist). I went to the recruiting station on Dale Mabry so you can check with them. I believe I began the process in the May-July months of 2004.
Thanks for your help in advance.
anonymous (19 July, 2007 20:37)-
You're just the person I'm looking for. I'm 46, in good [not perfect] health and the Florida National Guard didn't respond to my message I left on whatever recruiting site I found.
Please send e-mail to operationyellowelephant at gmail dot com
I have no desire to waste your time, so I'm being up front with you. Thank you for your service, and for letting me know.
Unlike other people on this site, on both sides, I do not wish to question anyone's intentions nor do I think the name calling accomplishes anything. But I do have a sincere questions for Karl and Erik:
you have both stated that you have attempted to join the military but could not. You had an opportunity to explain your situations. Why do neither of you give other people the same opportunity?
Erik, you shot a video and mentioned how YRs were playing volleyball and were not in Iraq. Did you ask any of them if they have served? If they were currently serving? Did you ask them if they had medical conditions preventing them from serving? I guess my point is I don't get how everyone is supposed to take what you say on face value, but you are willing to smear people you know nothing about.
Karl,
Thanks for your interest.
In 2006, congress increased the age to 42 years old. However, DOD policy allows the individual services to specify the maximum age of enlistment based upon their own unique requirements. The Army is currently accepting non-prior service enlistments up to the age of 42, and the Army National Guard until 39. It is possible to receive an "age waiver." This has been traditionally used by individuals with prior military service. I have not received any requests for an age waiver by non-prior service enlistees, so I cannot speak on the likelihood of receiving one.
There are other service related opportunities that bypass traditional requirements. You should contact your local National Guard or Army Reserve recruiter.
Shane, thank you for your question. We do in fact give those we contact a chance to explain their situation (with the exception of Yellow Elephants publically admitting never stepping up. i.e. Chris Vucovich). What we ask in each E-mail we send is the following:
"First, are you a veteran? [If so, thank you for your service.] Are you in ROTC/OCS/something similar? [If so, thank you for your commitment.] Have you previously contacted a recruiter, but were not accepted for enlistment? [If so, thank you for stepping forward.] Do you know that you are not eligible to serve in our military, and therefore don't want to waste a recruiter's time? [If so, please let us know and we won't seek to contact you again.]"
In regards to my video: the entire 'mission' of my trip was to see how much interest the YR's had in Enlisting. I had plans of video taping the Recruiter's booth and tape those that interacted with the men in uniform or those that looked the other way when they passed by. Since you listened to my tape you heard the Recruiters pretty much say they had wasted their time and they left early. So my 'mission' was pretty much shot before it got started.
I was actually embarrassed for the YR's at one point and I wished I mentioned it on tape- while everyone, including most of the folks working the booths, were enjoying lunch with Congressman Hunter, they left the Recruiters outside the venue to rot. No one offered them their seats, nor did any of the organizers ask the hotel to set up a table for them. When I noticed the recruiters gone I poked my head into the "lunch room" and didn't see them anywhere. Yeah, way to support the troops.
Wek said "Since you listened to my tape you heard the Recruiters pretty much say they had wasted their time and they left early. So my 'mission' was pretty much shot before it got started."
This is NOT true. If you want to make a case tell the truth. You asked them if they had any luck yet. They said "not yet." What you FAIL to tell people is this conversation took place just a few minutes after they arrived. They arrived minutes before the lunch started, and they left before it was completed. YRNC 2007 has records of when vendor passes were given out and when they were turned in to prove this.
And they were offered to come into the lunch, in fact, they were asked if they would lead us in the pledge, but they COULD NOT because they were in uniform.
You completely trash your credibility by lying about this. This dishonest puts even a bigger light on the fact that you were too cowardly to serve your country. How are we to believe your story when you are clearly lying about this!
Hey wek, have you tried for that waiver yet? Be A Man Wek!
Anonymous 23:43
Did you listen to Erik's video? what do you expect? He has the vocabulary of a high school drop out.
I have to give Karl some credit for at least coming across like he has some intelligence. Erik is a lost cause.
OYE would be more effective if they cut the bs and start approaching things honestly.
anonymous (19 July, 2007 21:52)-
Thank you for your info. Here's what I can report:
I confirmed quite some time ago that the "maximum age of 42" means that non-prior-service enlistees must be under 42 [i.e., 41 and under] to enlist. This really means that the maximum age is 41 years 364 days, which is why we say "41-and-under."
As you mentioned, age waivers basically allow prior service to be taken into account. The reason you've never seen a non-prior-service age waiver for someone 42 or over is probably because they don't exist.
If you have any specific suggestions or ideas, or regulations, or whatever, to mention to the Army Reserve/National Guard recruiter, please send me an e-mail at operationyellowelephant at gmail dot com.
Otherwise, I expect to be told, again, that I'm too old. And I don't want to waste any more of their time unless I can give them someting specific.
Thank you.
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