What the Democrats really think of the troops

[Jonathan Randall]

I wonder what the troops thought he meant...​

That photo sums it up, IMO - kudos to those troops who made it. His words were (Senator Kerry's) condescending, inappropriate and unkind. No other way to spin it.

 

[michaeledward]

That photo sums it up, IMO - kudos to those troops who made it. His words were (Senator Kerry's) condescending, inappropriate and unkind. No other way to spin it.

I find it hard to believe that you actually think Senator Kerry meant what you are accusing him of. It seems exceedingly disingenous. What Kerry meant to say has been published. The intention was published. You just want to lie about what he said for a political points or to justify your own intolerant point of view.

Of course, the troops don't have access to unbiased news sources. As many of that which some call 'liberal' are blocked by access.

Use it for your fundraiser. Use it to drive voter turnout.

But, to insinuate that a decorated veteran is condescending or unkind to the military is lying to yourself. It must be getting pretty desperate in Republican land ... having to re-live the '04 fight.


I suppose it beats talking about the Iraqi Prime Minister giving orders to the American military.

 

[Carol]

That photo sums it up, IMO - kudos to those troops who made it. His words were (Senator Kerry's) condescending, inappropriate and unkind. No other way to spin it.

As one of Senator Kerry's constituents, that is my reaction as well. I'm not at all happy that my senator did this.

 

[Hand Sword]

Agreed. He let his personal politics get out of control. IMO, to answer the post's question, The Dems feel like all of us, we love them and want them safe. They are sons and daughters, relatives, neighbors, etc.. of all of us. None of us want them insulted, hurt, maimed or killed. It's just sad that election time always gets down to these things for all sides involved.

God bless the troops and keep them well. :asian:

 

[Jonathan Randall]

I find it hard to believe that you actually think Senator Kerry meant what you are accusing him of. It seems exceedingly disingenous. What Kerry meant to say has been published. The intention was published. You just want to lie about what he said for a political points or to justify your own intolerant point of view.

Of course, the troops don't have access to unbiased news sources. As many of that which some call 'liberal' are blocked by access.

Use it for your fundraiser. Use it to drive voter turnout.

But, to insinuate that a decorated veteran is condescending or unkind to the military is lying to yourself. It must be getting pretty desperate in Republican land ... having to re-live the '04 fight.


I suppose it beats talking about the Iraqi Prime Minister giving orders to the American military.

I just voted straight Democratic by absentee ballot (first time in my life that I've voted straight ticket for any party), so I don't have any idea where you're coming from. Nothing to do with "intolerance" or "misunderstanding", it has to do with appropriateness and common sense. He blundered. Case closed.

 

[Carol]

Agreed. He let his personal politics get out of control. IMO, to answer the post's question, The Dems feel like all of us, we love them and want them safe. They are sons and daughters, relatives, neighbors, etc.. of all of us. None of us want them insulted, hurt, maimed or killed. It's just sad that election time always gets down to these things for all sides involved.

God bless the troops and keep them well. :asian:

I agree. I don't agree with a lot of what the Democrats, or the Republicans are putting out there...but...the blue team as a whole doesn't deserve to take a hit for this.

There are many other Democrats that were upset with Senator Kerry and his comments.

 

[Hand Sword]

Absolutely true Carol! Unfortunately it's the "game" of politcs, and all the forces of each side get the individual's stupidity to represent the party affiliated. Truly stupid. It's should be about the real ideas and issues.

 

[Cryozombie]

I find it hard to believe that you actually think Senator Kerry meant what you are accusing him of.

Mike, While I am pretty sure he blundered at a chance to make a funny on King George, remember that politics has become little more than marketing, and there is one big truth in marketing...

Perception = Reality.

 

[michaeledward]

I just voted straight Democratic by absentee ballot (first time in my life that I've voted straight ticket for any party), so I don't have any idea where you're coming from. Nothing to do with "intolerance" or "misunderstanding", it has to do with appropriateness and common sense. He blundered. Case closed.

I guess I can't see a 'blunder' as being 'condescending'.

the blue team as a whole doesn't deserve to take a hit for this.

One needs to be careful with a reference like this. For instance ... http://www.steeleformaryland.com/
You might not guess that this candidate plays for the 'red team'. (Gee I wonder why he's so blue?)

remember that politics has become little more than marketing, and there is one big truth in marketing...

I guess that is the mind set that bothers me so much. I don't believe politics is marketing. I believe politics is the most important thing in our society. It directly impacts each and everyone of our lives. It indirectly impacts all of our daily activities.

I suppose, if I allowed myself to downgrade politics to marketing ... e.g. what kind of laundry detergent will clean my shirts best ... then such a gaffe becomes relevant. But, because I see signficance behind the sound and fury, intent becomes relevant. And human foibles are forgivable; not substance or distraction.

 

[Makalakumu]

I guess that is the mind set that bothers me so much. I don't believe politics is marketing. I believe politics is the most important thing in our society. It directly impacts each and everyone of our lives. It indirectly impacts all of our daily activities.

Mike, as a guy who has worked for several campaigns and has seen a little of inside workings, I can say that what Cryo says is true. Local politics aren't as bad as people are more informed, but, from what I've noticed, it becomes increasingly superficial.

It is really sad because politics ARE everything you believe they are. Yet, over the last 40 years, the electorate has changed and the candidates have changed in response.

If you don't believe me, look and listen to the politicians of old and listen to their words. We have NOTHING like that now. All of the issues have been compressed to soundbytes and real debates on issues do not exist.

Further, modern American election managers are well trained in psychological techniques of manipulation. The voter is "conditioned" to a message, not swayed by reason. This is why candidates repeat their slogans again and again.

How does this apply to what John Kerry said? It applies because his words have been repackaged and recast as an anti-slogan.

And, anyway, I'll say it again, for the heck of it, maybe there is a little truth to those words...

 

[Lisa]

Moderator Note:

Please keep the conversation polite and respectful.

Lisa Deneka
MartialTalk Super Moderator

 

[Cryozombie]

I guess that is the mind set that bothers me so much. I don't believe politics is marketing. I believe politics is the most important thing in our society. It directly impacts each and everyone of our lives. It indirectly impacts all of our daily activities.

I agree thats what it SHOULD be... its a shame it no longer is.

 

[Blotan Hunka]

http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda06-09.cfm

 

[Blotan Hunka]

Stupid Soldiers: Central to the Left's Worldview

The average American enlistee is more educated—not less—than the average young civilian. Wartime recruits also come from wealthier neighborhoods than their civilian counterparts, on average. And the force has been trending towards wealthier troops and smarter troops since the war in Iraq began in 2003.

The Facts About Today’s Soldiers

The average reading level of new soldiers is roughly a full grade level higher than their civilian peers’.

Enlistees’ high school graduation rate was 97 percent in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The civilian graduation rate is seventeen percentage points lower.

The wealthiest 40 percent of neighborhoods in America are the home of 45.6 percent of 2005 enlistees. For every two U.S. recruits from the poorest neighborhoods, three come from the richest.

There is no statistical evidence to support the claim that minorities are being targeted or exploited for military service. The 100 zip codes with the highest proportions of African-Americans were actually under-represented among military enlistees in 2005.

Every U.S. military recruit of the last 33 years has been a volunteer.

Antiwar criticism has morphed into a patronizing attitude toward GIs, by way of questioning the quality of the men and women who volunteer to serve. Perhaps it is easier for the antiwar Left to believe that soldiers are unintelligent than to believe that they are taking risks willingly because they actually believe in the war’s purpose.

Its also a convenient way for the typical "non-military" college graduate liberal to feel better about himself for never having served. "Hey I was smarter than those dopes". While deep down I believe he feels less of a man for having not done so.

 

[Blotan Hunka]

LOL!

 

[mrhnau]

Its also a convenient way for the typical "non-military" college graduate liberal to feel better about himself for never having served. "Hey I was smarter than those dopes". While deep down I believe he feels less of a man for having not done so.

Not sure if thats the case, but this was a nice find...

 

[jazkiljok]

Stupid Soldiers: Central to the Left's Worldview





Its also a convenient way for the typical "non-military" college graduate liberal to feel better about himself for never having served. "Hey I was smarter than those dopes". While deep down I believe he feels less of a man for having not done so.

1) i agree that some of the smartest folks we got are in the military-- some of my friends, family served over the years-- each had their reasons, each as bright and engaging an individual you could meet.

2) the news story is the recent possibility of having to go lower on the IQ pole to get enough recruits... which means that since we have had a volunteer military, that it's been THE OPPOSITE. that we have a highly educated military.

3) you have to keep in mind that the left has been energized recently by returning vets-- very smart folks who've seen and fought in the mess that is iraq, seen the ineptitude of so-called civilian leadership and realize the incredibly ridiculous expectations placed on the military. having our troops be focused killing machines fighting a vicious war against a very determine insurgency, the switch that off on a moment's notice and become culturally sensitive experts in the traditions of shias and sunnis and kurds, then wander the streets in enemy territory to act as a benevolent police force, bring good cheer to school kids while battling those same kids relatives later that day...

i also believe the next generation of leaders for this country will come out of this war. and they'll probably all be democrats- and better politicians than John "funnyman" Kerry.

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24093

 

[mrhnau]

1
i also believe the next generation of leaders for this country will come out of this war. and they'll probably all be democrats- and better politicians than John "funnyman" Kerry.

1)next generation of leaders: yep!
2) all democrats: nope! Go poll the military. they overwhelmingly vote Republican. Wonder why Gore was desperate to not get the overseas military vote in Florida counted? He knows the statistics.
3) better than Kerry? Hard to be much worse, at least IMHO.

 

[heretic888]

Not sure if thats the case, but this was a nice find...

Considering all his data came from the Heritage Foundation, I would take it all with a grain of salt. It's like getting your science information from the Discovery Institute.

Laterz.

 

[heretic888]

2) all democrats: nope! Go poll the military. they overwhelmingly vote Republican. Wonder why Gore was desperate to not get the overseas military vote in Florida counted? He knows the statistics.

Be that as it may, the veterans returning from Iraq that are running for office have almost universally run as Democrats.

That tells us something, I think.