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January 31, 2007
Freedom of Speech, Even For Soldiers
OK... it's been a long day, and I'm tired.
That makes me a little cranky, OK? So, cut me a little slack, here.
Mr. William M. Arkin, of the Washington Post, has put together a little screed (HERE) knocking NBC (see the video HERE) for daring to report how those young enlisted types who are actually serving in the Sand Box feel about "Support the troops, 'Diss the mission".
Actually, the illustrious, industrious Mr. Arkin just 'disses the troops, with a kind of a side-swipe at the mission.
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I'm all for everyone expressing their opinion, even those who wear the uniform of the United States Army. But I also hope that military commanders took the soldiers aside after the story and explained to them why it wasn't for them to disapprove of the American people. |
You mean to tell me that our soldiers aren't allowed to have their own opinions of people like you? And they're not supposed to say anything contrary to your notion of the will of the American People?
"Oh, the Horror of it All! I'm being contradicted by Enlisted Swine!"
And this:
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So, we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every possible way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and responsibilities to speak up because they are above society? |
"Decent" wage. "Vast social support systems". "Above society".
Sure.
Annnnnnd....here's the capper:
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But it is the United States and instead this NBC report is just an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary - oops sorry, volunteer - force that thinks it is doing the dirty work. |
"Mercenary".
Mr. Arkin, YOU get paid (probably by the word) for what you do. Does that make you a "Mercenary Writer"?
Well, does it?
These young men and women are not "mercenary soldiers". They are in the organized and Constitutionally mandated armed forces of their own country. They have indeed volunteered. Yes, they get paid. So do you.
There is one big difference between you and them. They stick their physical necks out. You just stick your literary neck out.
And by the way, from 1969 through 1973 I was in the Armed Forces of the US. Judging from your photo, you and I are contemporaries. Where were you, in '72?
Hmmmm?
Posted by ward at January 31, 2007 11:31 PM