Explanation for Memo to Troops

Published on October 21, 2004 By stevendedalus In Politics

Let me explain my rather harsh peek into the psychology of the troops in Iraq. It was motivated by the arrogance of Republicans on this blog site taking for granted that it is the duty of troops to support and vote for their incumbent commander in chief. Obviously these bloggers are suffering from amnesia when it was perfectly okay for the military to hate Clinton, and the military absentee votes showed this both times he ran. Even Powell during the first term was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and did not hide his contempt for Clinton. Often these fair-minded bloggers comment that the troops are overwhelmingly for Bush without acknowledging that the millitary is also overwhelmingly Republican, and as a result loyalty to the commander in chief is irrelevant. In ‘96 the military had no difficulty preferring Dole, not only that he was a Republican but, ironically a veteran of combat, which now, because of the vicious attacks on Kerry’s war record, the military does not consider him a proud veteran.

What our friendly opponents on this blog site don’t seem to realize is that as citizens, members of the military are entitled to hear the other side and vote as they sees fit and in a democracy has nothing whatever to do with disloyalty should they choose another.

For a blogger to interpret my blog as sedition is shameful. Even a loyal, honorable soldier has the right to fire or retain his commander in chief when up for election.

http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com

Comments (Page 3)

stevendedalus

on Oct 23, 2004

he mocked your service in the Pacific by having a group of hippies raise an American Flag upside down in reminiscent of your follow Marines that sacrificed their lives on Iwo Jima.

I'm sure the image was not mocking Iwo, but the inversion symbolized how far the nation had distanced itself from the noble and heroic intent of war. That said, it was indiscreet to reference the honor of the original icon of such a solemn and heroic battle for political gain, lest it be misconstrued as you indeed have proven. I agree with you, though on different grounds.

I say you are a Marine is because once a Marine always a Marine

Absolutely.

A right is something that I can do without asking.

On dangerous soil here without freedom under law.Were I you I would relax; "communities make a lot of dough from hunting licenses and would not forgo the revenue.

suppose he did come out and say "I was wrong, and I'm sorry." Would that change your opinion of the man?

I rather doubt it; to admit to wrong is a non-issue because it is foreign to their side.

stevendedalus

on Oct 23, 2004

No change. If he would have said that soon after he made those bogus statements in order to win political office.

He lost his very first run for office so he did not gain anything from it. Moreover, usually people tend to forgive what was said in the fires of youth. True, Kerry never apologized out of principle bred in a hairy time; however, he did admit to Tim Russert that with the wisdom of age he would have phrased it differently.

Dysmas

on Oct 24, 2004

Actually every unit recieves many complimentary copies of Army Times.
Yes the poll was conducted primarily through email but snail mail entries were also added.
And no, the inital forces in Iraq had, in the beginning, little acces to the internet. But when I left there were "internet cafes" all over the place and most units made thier own. Now im quite sure that the vast majority of service members have regular acces to the internet.
BTW the poll was sent out to us via our AKO email address's.

stevendedalus:
regardles of how he would have "phrased it differently" his actions spoke louder than words. And from the soldiers ive talked to it really wasnt that he was against the war, most troops were, it that he dishonored the soldiers who fought and died, who returned disabled, and anyone else involeved in vietnam, by throwing away his medals. Soldiers fight hard for those cheap little tokens of national gratitude. To throw them away underscores the sacrifice made by others, either by life or limb

Texas Wahine

on Oct 24, 2004

BTW the poll was sent out to us via our AKO email address

My husband got his in our verizon email inbox . . .

drmiler

on Oct 24, 2004

Reply #33 By: Dysmas - 10/24/2004 2:17:25 AM
stevendedalus:
regardles of how he would have "phrased it differently" his actions spoke louder than words. And from the soldiers ive talked to it really wasnt that he was against the war, most troops were, it that he dishonored the soldiers who fought and died, who returned disabled, and anyone else involeved in vietnam, by throwing away his medals. Soldiers fight hard for those cheap little tokens of national gratitude. To throw them away underscores the sacrifice made by others, either by life or limb

Hear, Hear! Well and truly spoken! I have not said anything bad about Kerry's service record. I think that ANYONE who serves deserves at least a thank you. My main gripe with Kerry has always been about what he said and did after he returned home. And BTW before I forget..... "Dysmas" Thank you for your service to your country!

Dysmas

on Oct 24, 2004

Thanks drimmler. I, of course, agree with ya on this.

Yeah, I guess it sounded like it was the only way it was delivered. Sorry, I guess my point was that Army Times did it's best to poll as many soldiers as it could

Texas Wahine

on Oct 24, 2004

Yeah, I guess it sounded like it was the only way it was delivered. Sorry, I guess my point was that Army Times did it's best to poll as many soldiers as it could

I'm sure that's true.

Lee1776

on Oct 24, 2004

My husband got his in our verizon email inbox . . .

Texas Wahine

I'm Not sure about the AF (I think your husband is that branch, Sorry if not). I regulary forward my email to my AKO (Army Knowledge of On-line) when I travel. It is fast, easy, and always available. Three years ago was the first time I had seen the internet in the field. It realy made the soldiers day to feel that they are still part of the world. (Some older soldiers would prefer to keep the isolation effect)

Of the Companies and friends I have over there now they regularly email day to day things like work questions and jokes. I heard of one keeping in contact with his D&D gaming group too.

I'm not saying every body has it, but any of base larger then 100 personnel will have an MWR tent or orderly room that has a internet connection, if not a conction to the section laptop or computer.

That's My Two Cents

Texas Wahine

on Oct 24, 2004

Lee: He's Army.

I regulary forward my email to my AKO (Army Knowledge of On-line) when I travel. It is fast, easy, and always available.

He has an AKO account, but he doesn't use it for email purposes. He does have a yahoo account, and he is able to check our verizon account online.

Three years ago was the first time I had seen the internet in the field. It realy made the soldiers day to feel that they are still part of the world. (Some older soldiers would prefer to keep the isolation effect)

My husband has MWR internet access, but rarely uses it. At work he uses a laptop for his job and for finishing up his correspondence courses that he needs for his promotion (almost finished, BTW!

), and he is able to use it to send and receive email, watch the South Park episodes and other things on the server, etc. It is really a blessing for him to have ready internet access like that.

I'm not saying every body has it, but any of base larger then 100 personnel will have an MWR tent or orderly room that has a internet connection, if not a conction to the section laptop or computer.

I'm sure that's true with stationary troops. Of course, the soldier to computer ratio is not always such that a soldier can go online often. Still a good thing, though.

Lee1776

on Oct 24, 2004

At work he uses a laptop for his job and for finishing up his correspondence courses that he needs for his promotion (almost finished, BTW! ),

Good, I know how tough it is to keep up with class work in the field.

Sorry, I got the Branch wrong.

watch the South Park episodes and other things on the server

God I know how it feels missing the good episodes. When I lived in Germany the first few years of the Simpson it was maddening to not get them on the Armed forces network. They showed them only as pre-shows at the movie theators before the main feature. I know some poeple that would go in to a movie just to see the Simpson takes.

That's My Two Cents

stevendedalus

on Oct 25, 2004

Soldiers fight hard for those cheap little tokens of national gratitude. To throw them away underscores the sacrifice made by others, either by life or limb

You have a point but the gratitude wasn't diminished; rather, it was a protest against the gross civilian mismanagement of the war.

Dysmas

on Oct 26, 2004

I understand that you disagree, as do I. Thats alright, I am aware that there are more than one side to a story, but there are a few situations where its hard for me to objectivly view an issue. My family, my faith, my service.
As for it being a protest against civillian mismanagement, i dont know. civillans dont award you medals, civillans dont commit war crimes and so on. And, given the time period, wether or not there even was real mismanagement, the soldiers who fought during Nam fought as all soldiers do, bravely. They were under extreme situations, a nation that is against the war and administration but expressed it and blamed it mostly on the soldiers. Those service members did a great job and the only reason I think we "lost" the war is because there wasn't only no support at home, there were protests to go along with it. Some of the most dis-heartining things at those anti war protests were; the buring of the American flag, burning of draft cards ( yes the draft was bad but it was in place at the time.)
and lastly anti-government ( no problem) and anti-war ( soldiers fight wars for thier bretheren, so they can stay alive and see their familys again, not just because they belive in a cause or not, they are sent and want nothing but to accomplish the mission, that means they can go home.) returning veterans. Those veterans lashed out at any aspect of the war, from top to bottom, including throwing away military decorations. military decorations, not civillan decorations. Hence casting a shadow on the military, the service members, and, as I said, dishonoring everyone who wore, is wearing, and will wear a military uniform.
This man should not be our president, if he apologized I could say "well ok........" but not only hasn't he, he continues to deflect and distort his actions at that time. Kerry should face it, if your running for CIC, you better damn well not have done anything to actually protest soldiers or dishonor thier service.

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