GOP Senate Leader McConnell Appears To Belittle Deaths Of American Troops
Uh oh -- looks like GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell has got a problem on his hands. Check out what he said about the death of American troops in Iraq in a meeting with constituents this week, according to Kentucky's Grayson County News-Gazette:
“Unfortunately, most of our friends on the other isle are having a hard time admitting things are getting better; some days I almost think the critics of this war don't want us to win. Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers."
It's hard to read this as anything but belittling the importance of the deaths of troops because they're "professional soldiers." What McConnell is basically saying here is, "hey, they signed up for this."
Maybe someone should get clarification from McConnell on this.
Comments (97)
Anonymous wrote on December 7, 2007 10:27 AM:this is ridiculous. how dare the republican majority leader be so insensitive towards the brave men and women who have sacrificed for this war. democrats and republicans ought to be outraged at his audacity.
Jane wrote on December 7, 2007 10:33 AM:I'm confused .... I keep hearing about reservists who keep getting their tours extended beyond belief.
Hey, it's okay ..... we just drafted only the folks who volunteered in the first place....
Pete wrote on December 7, 2007 10:41 AM:Aside from the fact that this is obviously wrong--many of those who have lost their lives have been reservists, not full-time professional soldiers--perhaps McConnell could explain what difference it makes that these people weren't drafted? Does it matter to the children who will grow up not knowing their father or mother? Does it matter to the spouses who have been left behind? Does it matter to the parents who have to suffer through the tragedy of outliving their child? Are lives of those who sign up for military service somehow less valuable than the rest of ours? Does McConnell think those who volunteer for military service are suckers who deserve to die? I can't imagine why anyone would say something like this.
r€nato wrote on December 7, 2007 10:42 AM:What McConnell is basically saying here is, "hey, they signed up for this."
well, yeah he is saying that. Look, I am no Republican-lover (far from it), but I understand what he is saying. If you enlist in the military, you know (or should know) that one of the risks is death in battle.
This is no excuse of course for being callous or careless about the lives of our soldiers.
Sorry, I can't get outraged over this one.
Michael A wrote on December 7, 2007 10:43 AM:Let's send this traitor to gitmo with the rest of the republicans in congress who are anti-american and could care less about our troops and our country. Bring the troops home now. Cut off funding.
SeeDee wrote on December 7, 2007 10:44 AM:Mitch McConnell...the typical cowardly, chickens..t chickenhawk.
Such denigration of the worth of troops sacrifices (whether those deaths are of volunteers or draftees or whatever) is imbecilic, at least, and treasonous, at worst.
But it DOES reveal the mind-set of those who engineered this needless, illegal war in Iraq.
AnnaCatherine wrote on December 7, 2007 10:47 AM:Clarification? We spend too much time explaining what people "really meant". They should get it right the first time. McConnell said exactly what he meant. He simply wishes he hadn't.
cha cha cha wrote on December 7, 2007 10:48 AM:shorter mitch:
'did you see the way they were dressed? they were asking for it!'
gcs wrote on December 7, 2007 10:49 AM:So basically what this fat coward is saying is that since they signed up for the military, the political dumbasses in DC can do with them whatever they like. In other words, they're cannon fodder. Nice.
heir ball wrote on December 7, 2007 10:49 AM:Nobody'll do anything about it. The Democratic leadership is clueless. I just got a call from the Democratic Party asking for money and I told them I'll give them nothing until they get serious about impeachment or some real oversight or investigations. The lady soliciting money from me assured me that I was fairly unusual and Nancy Pelosi isn't hearing the support for impeachment (etc.) from ordinary Democrats. I said if you aren't hearing this type of things from other people that you call, then who in the heck are you calling? I'm writing a check to Moveon.
Expect this to spread like wildfire through the DC punditocracy. You know how quick they are to jump on GOP gaffes. (Not.)
biff diggerence wrote on December 7, 2007 10:51 AM:I had the misfortune of visiting Senator McConnell's shithole of a state in September. My son was graduating at Fort Knox, as a Cavalry Scout.
Trust me Senator, I value his life more than yours.
"these are full-time professional soldiers."
National Guard? full time? professional soldiers?
Reserve: full time? professional soldiers?
Of course, full time is not the issue here. But first he gets the facts wrong. Next his opinion isn't much better than his grasp of the facts. Probably worse.
OxyCon wrote on December 7, 2007 10:53 AM:Repub Congressional leaders sure do seem to think lowly of the troops. Remember John Boner's trashing of the troops?
BOEHNER: "I think General Petraeus outlined it pretty clearly. We’re making success. We need to firm up those successes. We need to continue our effort here because, Wolf, long term, the investment that we’re making today will be a small price if we’re able to stop al Qaeda here, if we’re able to stabilize the Middle East, it’s not only going to be a small price for the near future, but think about the future for our kids and their kids."
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/horsesmouth/2007/09/gop_leader_boeh.php
thomas wrote on December 7, 2007 10:54 AM:this is a perfect illustration of the 'cannon fodder' attitude of the ruling elite. it is unchanged from middle-ages to today. soldiers are only pawns to be sacrificed for the enrichment of the king/capitalist
OxyCon wrote on December 7, 2007 10:57 AM:Trashing the troops so near Pearl Harbor Day. Tsk, tsk, tsk, Mitchie Poo.
I guess it was O.K. that the Japanese slaughtered all of the troops stationed at Pearl Harbor because they were "not draftees, they were full time, professional soldiers".
They have their own GOP connected cadaver shop in Florida. Where you see a dead body, McConnell and Bush see nothing but dollar signs. I'm suprised that they're not selling their own mothers on ebay.
Paul Dirks wrote on December 7, 2007 10:59 AM:So how many of those "full time professional soldiers" were signing up for one weekend a month in the Reserves or National Guard duty when they were recruited?
It seems like a natural question.
My wingnut friends have parroted a variation of that phrase for years, even though they know my own stepson is a Marine. "Well, they knew (or should have known) what they were signing up for." Actually, he signed up when Clinton was president and no one dreamed we'd be invading sovereign countries for fun and profit. And he planned on defending OUR country and OUR constitution.
McConnell and his ilk need to be riding Humvees outside the Green Zone every day.
steve duncan wrote on December 7, 2007 11:00 AM:What he meant to say was "I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"
warren terra wrote on December 7, 2007 11:06 AM:Hear that, kids? You're expendable. We'd care more if you were an embryo in a freezer, but you joined the army by choice, so suck it up.
Let's see how much recruitment is off after this.
Join the mil for education benefits? Don't count on it. The brass have ways to keep you from getting it. Just discharge 'em 1 day before their required service is up, then poof!, no college funds for you.
Get a leg shot off and get discharged early? Give back your signing bonus. We run a tight ship here. We can't afford you and your injury. We have other financial obligations, like paying Blackwater phony soldiers 10x what we pay the enlistees. Halliburton has to be paid for meals undelivered.
It's the era of personal responsibility. You should have been more careful when walking past that IED.
James @ 11:00 AM:
I'm in awe of my son's bravery, but we've talked quite a bit about what may in store for him. I told him I had no problems with his enlistment, but that Iraq is a shit mission.
bp wrote on December 7, 2007 11:09 AM:I would agree that our soldiers, even National Guards, know that going to war means they put their lives at risk. I think the soldiers themselves will be the first to know this. But when we are involved in a war built on lies soldiers and their families have every right to ask: why are we making these sacrifices for a war which is based on lies, distortions and deception. If we want our men and women to go to war to defend us then they must know that they have given up their lives, or suffered wounds, for a just cause.
navan.ghee wrote on December 7, 2007 11:10 AM:r€nato:
I can. McConnel's saying these soldiers volunteered to die. Say what you will about accepting the dangers of military service, no-one signs up to die.
With a few words this man has not only devalued the status of soldiers as human beings, he has cheapened & further obfuscated the so-called purpose of an extremely idiotic war-- behavior that I would call the very definition of belittling.
Here's hoping Mitch gets indicted for a scandal involving unnatural acts with a piece of farm equipment. What a rude, stupid bastard.
Lt Col Fred Seamon wrote on December 7, 2007 11:10 AM:I am/was a professional soldier. (I retired over 20 years ago.) During oneof my tours in Vietnam, in 1967-68, while Bush, McConnell and the rest of the Republican chickenhawks were dodging the draft, several of my professional soldier comrades were killed in action.
I still think of them 40 years later and sorrow over all killed or maimed in war, military and civilian, professional soldiers and draftees. They are all human beings.
Perhaps if warmongering bastards like McConnell had experienced war, they might appreciate how horrible it is and be more devoted to diplomacy, rather than bombs.
nitpicker wrote on December 7, 2007 11:10 AM:Isle? Shouldn't that be aisle? Or has Congress truly become an island?
lucky wrote on December 7, 2007 11:16 AM:let his comment be saved as an all-time classic forever. yeah, after all, they may be serving, but they ARE getting paid, right? mconnell. you. sick. f-ing. bastard.
scuseme wrote on December 7, 2007 11:20 AM:Did our troops volunteer to be held hostage by Bush and the Iraqi government? Nope, they volunteered to defend our country, not Bush's legacy, nor to buy time for Bush to get out of office without dealing with this mess.
eli wrote on December 7, 2007 11:22 AM:The only way to get the "liberal bias" MSM to pay any attention to this is for some prominent Dem to repeat McConnell's statement, verbatim, but without attribution. The right wing noise machine will crank into high gear. Limbaugh et al will express their shock and outrage at this gross disrespect to Our Brave Fighting Men and Women (tm). Only once the New York Times sees fit to cover the story should the Dem point out that he was only repeating what McConnell had already said.
Of course, then Limbaugh will reframe the story to one of "Democrat plagiarism".
KuhWaver wrote on December 7, 2007 11:22 AM:Perhaps now might be a good time to review the unusual circumstances in which McConnell was discharged from his Guard duty.
navan.ghee wrote on December 7, 2007 11:32 AM:Hat tip to KuhWaver: I hadn't known about that, but a quick search brings up a half-dozen references to it.
"McConnell served briefly in the United States Army Reserve during the Vietnam War-era but was discharged for unknown reasons."
Like paying off the right people, perhaps. Guess ol' Mitch didn't sign up to die, like some idjits...
the weather wrote on December 7, 2007 11:34 AM:Good idea, KuhWaver. But Mitch is only a part-time cocksucker. Much of the time he has his mouth open to utter outrages like this.
paulie wrote on December 7, 2007 11:34 AM:McConnell typifies the type of "leaders" we have in DC, on both sides of the "isle". Totally spineless and cowardly, no principles, not an ounce of integrity. HE should be on the front line. Wanker!
CornBred wrote on December 7, 2007 11:35 AM:Methinks Mr. McConnell is about to find himself in a DEEP shitstorm. That comment is just morally disgusting and almost unbelievable. This guy's "compass" is long gone.
Is this not worse than Trent Lott's "Strom Thurmond" comments of a few years ago? I'm gonna be calling my Republican Senator and asking him if he is he's going to speak up on this one...after all...McConnell is his "majority leader", right?
grenadine wrote on December 7, 2007 11:41 AM:Thanks, nitpicker. That drove me nuts too.
I was also wondering if the "other isle" (presumably meant to be "the other side of the aisle") was Mitch's mistake or the reporter's. Or perhaps one man IS an island, after all?
Liam wrote on December 7, 2007 11:46 AM:Fire fighters and Police force members also sign up for their jobs, but we do not belittle their service or deaths just because they were not drafted. The Republicans have this Master over Indentured Servant mentality. That is why they even oppose raising the minimum wage levels to sub starvation levels.
McConnell is typical of the Republican elitist belief system which looks down on all who are willing to do the actual heavy lifting, and the real fighting and dying.
It is no coincidence that the vast majority of Chicken Hawk Fantasy Warriors reside in the Republican party.
gregariousred wrote on December 7, 2007 12:00 PM:"I had the misfortune of visiting Senator McConnell's shithole of a state in September." Damn...Mitch sucks but Kentucky is not a shithole. I love my new home. Errr
dennissmirl wrote on December 7, 2007 12:08 PM:What would Senator McConnell know about the military, anyway? Like the rest of his CHICKENHAWK friends, he never served this country in uniform. He's all for war, and for people dying for this nation, just as long as it isn't him!
whidbeygrl wrote on December 7, 2007 12:15 PM:Bush simply created a sub-rosa draft, much like Britain's use of impressment in the 18th century.
I don't know the numbers and percentages of regular military versus National Guard folks now serving in Iraq
( anyone here know ?)
but hopefully the publicity surrounding McConnell's stunningly callous remarks will not only serve to highlight the forced service of our National guard, but also to help folks see clearly that the average American is nothing but a pawn to be used in the service of Republican imperialism.
Yes. They are professional soldiers. They are soldiers of the United States government. They are NOT mercenaries. They all took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. They are there to serve their country.
They are Americans. Each and every one of their deaths is to be mourned as a tragic loss.
McConnell must be confusing American soldiers with the mercenaries hired by Blackwater, et al. Those mercenaries are in it for the money - not to serve their country.
Andy wrote on December 7, 2007 12:17 PM:My two sons in the Wisconsin National Guard just got notified that they will be deployed for a second tour. Guess they should have known that their 6 year Guard hitch would include 2 years in Iraq plus another 6 month getting crappy training in preparation. Of course, once they get home, it is a parade and then they get dumped on the street. Outraged? Take a guess.
dennissmirl wrote on December 7, 2007 12:18 PM:If you are totally incensed by McConnell's comments--as was I--go to his website and leave a message. Tell him exactly what you think of CHICKENHAWKS!
gcs wrote on December 7, 2007 12:19 PM:Let's face it folks. The so-called pro-life conservative belief that all human life is sacred and therefore deserving of legal rights and protections may begin with conception, but it ends at birth
Anonymous wrote on December 7, 2007 12:29 PM:gregariousred @ 12:00 PM:
Please forgive the Yankee arrogance.
The area around Fort Knox 'is' a shithole.
I found Louisville quite friendly.
Jim the cynic wrote on December 7, 2007 12:32 PM:McConnell is an ass.
No one serving in the United States military signs up to die.
The business model for attracting volunteers is to provide an opportunity to serve in the best led, best equipped military in the world. Unfortunately, McConnell, like the rest of his republican ilk, has forgotten the bit about proper leadership. Our soldiers are dying in Iraq due to the criminal, gross incompetence of our government perpetrated by Little Georgie and the Big Dick. McConnell spouts off such offensive inanities because he can't countenance the thought that he is a willing co-conspirator in waging such a useless, criminal endeavor.
Anonymous wrote on December 7, 2007 12:33 PM:""some days I almost think the critics of this war don't want us to win"""
No, he does not think that at all. He wants you to think that.
Things are not getting better in Iraq. The Troop Increase employed by Bush suppresses violence but does nothing to squelch the cause of it. Bush recognized this factor when in justifying the Troop Increase he said it was intended to suppress the violence and allow for a Political Solution that would provide long term security. This has not happened. In fact the Iraqi parliament just took another month off.
DoD has become the Muscle for Bush/Cheney Incorporated. Button men in uniform.
In the service of The Global Wise Guys.
nellieh wrote on December 7, 2007 12:39 PM:Don't you just love it when gutless mf'ers make stupid comments like that. He seems to think there is a difference between a volunteer death and a non-volunteer death.It reminds me of a co-worker complaining about another who got a handicap parking place because he was legless below the knees."He didn't have to volunteer to go back to Vietnam" That's when the trip wire got him. The thousands of Iraqis didn't volunteer. I hope the people of Tennessee vote him out of the Senate this year and maybe some of the obstructionism will disappear. Then he can take his old lady with him. Gad, the way these people hustle their old ladies for high paying jobs in government. Talk about the public dole. Which brings me to Liddy Dole when her old man was in the Senate. It goes on and on.
Clifford Rachal wrote on December 7, 2007 12:43 PM:The National guard is trying to increase enlistments. McConnell is not helping.
Lahcar
dalloway wrote on December 7, 2007 1:26 PM:This is a common attitude among conservative republicans, including some in my family: these soldiers volunteered to serve and if our dear leaders want to feed them to a pointless meat-grinder, well, that's what they signed up for. What really needs discussion is the utter evil of "sacrificing" lives to feed political ambition. Bush invaded Iraq to bolster himself politically and killed 4,000 American soldiers to do it. But hey, it's not like he got a blow job in the Oval Office or anything.
prediction predilection wrote on December 7, 2007 1:30 PM:Does my heart good when one of these idiots (and my doesn't it seem there's a bumper crop of them)opens their mouth and the truth spills out like kitty litter
Example: Tom Delay was quoted to the effect ' We are witnessing the criminalization of politics'. This from a bona fide expert on the actuation of his trade
Mitch McConnel (Asshole-KY) ... delineated translation: 'This "war" has nothing to do with the defense of our country, but rather it is an employment opportunity for the rank and file, and a real money maker for the CEO's.
And he has the nerve to accuse others (the said "other isle" sic) of not wanting to "win" it. The Republicans (his aisle) Clearly have never wanted to win it, from the stack of baloney start, to the miserable beginning of a 5th year, of unconscionable incompetence in directing what they have full control of.
Sid Schwab wrote on December 7, 2007 1:33 PM:Republicans love the idea of heroic death. They support the troops to the extent that they love the narrative of war as patriotism. That there are actually human beings doing the dying, well, that's just the fine print. Details. Not worth mentioning. War, though, that's viagra for their heads.
sniflheim wrote on December 7, 2007 1:34 PM:so... bye Mitch? What do locals predict?
Yeah, those 18-20 year olds are capable of contemplating their possible death in future foreign occupations, but too irresponsible to drink a beer.
Frank Wright wrote on December 7, 2007 1:51 PM:My problem with the "they signed up for it, they knew the risks argument" is that it is not true for anyone who volunteered before the change in the National Security Strategy to permit pre-emptive war. The original risk was: if the US is attacked, your butt is on the line. Now its: if the president for any reason decides to go to war, your butt is on the line. That is a significant change in the original contract. Shouldn't everyone who signed up before that change be provided the opportunity to opt in or opt out without prejudice?
unpoetaloco wrote on December 7, 2007 2:07 PM:This coming from the man who doesn't have the courage to admit/accept his own sexuality and who uses a woman to hide it from his constituents. When is someone going to bring this spineless twit down?
glennpdx wrote on December 7, 2007 2:24 PM:Hey, Mitch said it. Makes sense: if we have an all 'voluntary' military, they are just asking to die. May as well go to war...
Love it when Republicans are honest for a change. Refreshing to hear what they really think...
Stu wrote on December 7, 2007 2:29 PM:Getting personal - have you ever noticed the gobbler flubber that swings from McConnel's chin. This is proof enough that he is a chicken. I wish Bob Dole weren't in LA getting a butt tuck because he would show up on Capitol Hill and clean him a dinner chicken.
Scotsw wrote on December 7, 2007 2:38 PM:Well, I don't know what McConnell is trying to say, exactly. Greg Sargent's interpretation is certainly one possible interpretation, though certainly among the least charitable. Saying McConnell "belittled" the troops is a matter of interpretation and inference, and VERY subjective. You might also believe that his point was along the lines of, "Our soliders have volunteered for service, and understand the dangers. While we do not want any of them to die, should they die they are heroes, not victims. We should not run from this mission because we fear exposing our military to danger."
Now, I don't know if THAT's what he meant, either. But it's an equally plausible explanation for what he meant. And an argument like that sure sounds more in line with the conservative line of thinking in this country. Look, I think McConnell's a weasel, but aren't we progressives supposed to be the group that thinks rationally? I think Greg Sargent's partisanship is infecting his writing a bit too much. This item doesn't read like a well-reported story, it reads like a campaign attack. I think we get enough of that from the candidates.
Let TPM stick to tough-but-fair criticisms of the GOPers. There's plenty of material for that without sticking words in another man's mouth.
Nobody Knows wrote on December 7, 2007 2:48 PM:My stepbrother did 200missions in Iraq. Blown up twice. Killed a number of insurgents while planting IEDs and in firefights. Ran fuel and water resupplies through hostile territory, etc.. Got a bronze star for it.
And he is a National Guardsman for the Montana National Guard. In his true Profession he is a pharmacist, has three daughters and a wife, a mortgage...
not to mention impaired hearing as a war-related injury and PTSD.
Mr. McConnel doesn't know what he is talking about, like most of the Republicans out there. Built a castle in the air and then moved in.
Persona non grata wrote on December 7, 2007 2:48 PM:What sacrifices has Mitch Mcconnell made for his nation?
Mitch McConnell
Senator, Kentucky
Age 62
Born Tuscumbia, Alabama, February 20, 1942
Military service Army Reserves, dismissed after serving five weeks in 1967
Reason Eye condition; student deferments (University of Louisville 1964; University of Kentucky Law 1967).
Mitch Mcconnell is a war mongering "chicken Hawk".
Benny wrote on December 7, 2007 2:52 PM:We are about to send our boy to Iraq in January. I am going to try hard not to mention this to him before he leaves. Unless, that is, Mitch gets his scrotum stretched over his head by a group of recently discharged vets slightly upset over the comment. I have been out of Vietnam for 40 years and THIS war is giving me PTSD.
TJ wrote on December 7, 2007 3:23 PM:Hey Mr fascist McConnell was only for a rare minute speaking out w/o any scripting or w/o any of the usual notes given to him by the repug media attack & disinformation machine.
This is the same as what happened to Allen when he blurted the 'macaka' line - he had no idea he was being taped & was at the time speaking freely & showing what a fascist he really is, bout time it was discovered.
If we could only catch these guys more often at times like this maybe more of the public would really get to know who/what they are!
SarahWest wrote on December 7, 2007 4:30 PM:TPM Friends, I urge you to send a letter to your Republican Senator (if you've got a Republican Senator) if you are sickened by Mitch McConnell's comments. Blog posts are good, but some things are so morally repugnant that you have to take it further. Here's my email to mine, Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon.
=====================================
Senator Gordon Smith,
Mitch McConnell made some remarks to a Kentucky newspaper that you need to know about. He said:
"“Unfortunately, most of our friends on the other isle [sic] are having a hard time admitting things are getting better; some days I almost think the critics of this war don't want us to win. Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers."
Here's the link: http://www.gcnewsgazette.com/articles/2007/12/06/local_news/news86.txt
Senator Smith, given the numbers of Oregon National Guard troops (and US Army and Marines) we've lost in Iraq and Afghanistan since '02, these comments by your Majority Leader are irresponsible at best, and morally disgusting at worst.
As you know, the US Army, Marines and The Oregon National Guard are not exactly having the easiest time recruiting right now. Your Senate Majority Leader is NOT helping that effort with these kinds of comments.
Senator, I am an Independent voter in Portland who has profound respect for you and have voted for you twice. I think you are one of the most decent guys in all of Oregon. I have long thought the way you reached out to the gay community a few years ago may have brought you more silent respect that you ever imagined.
That said, there is no way I will continue to support you if you will not take a serious stand against these comments from your Majority Leader.
Regards,
XXXXX XXXXXXXXX
Additional link:
The remark is outrageous, insensitive and unfortunatey how many of the men serving in the Armed Forces see the government that they serve. I know, I am the mother of one of those "full-time professional soldiers." These are not the "Soldiers of Fortune" crowd, many joined to earn money for college, to learn trades, to do patriotic service. They feel ill-used and suspect that the government regards them as disposable. Well, it appears that they are right.
slb wrote on December 7, 2007 6:33 PM:What difference should it make whether they are draftees or professional soldiers? The president and the Congress still have a solemn duty not to ask them to sacrifice their lives needlessly. That is their end of the bargain in this, and they are not honoring it.
I cannot watch the daily litany of American dead at the end of the News Hour on PBS without wanting to weep. All those young lives, with their hopes and dreams, lost. The parents who will not see their child again, the children who will grow up without one of their parents -- I don't care how those soldiers happened to end up there, their loss is tragic. How can McConnell not feel that? Of course, he is probably among those who see honoring the war dead by reading their names as a traitorous act. Might get people to thinking hard about what it is we are doing over there.
slb wrote on December 7, 2007 6:44 PM:Isle? Shouldn't that be aisle? Or has Congress truly become an island?
Two islands, apparently, one for Republicans and one for Democrats, as the text says, "our friends on the other isle". I think I know which one Gilligan and the Skipper are on...
William kennedy wrote on December 7, 2007 7:24 PM:Hey Mitch, part of the deal of being a pro is that you expect a little respect, you maggot. So far as I can see you guys have betrayed us in spades. I want to puke when I think of young kids fighting old mens wars because they too cowardly to do it themselves. Semper Fi
PS I'm no kid, just an old Marine.
rudy wrote on December 7, 2007 10:34 PM:and there...there you have it. "We never asked you to sacrifice for this war, and btw no one goes who doesn't want to." The main difference in the anti war attitude in this country compared to Vietnam. Pacification at the home front and insulation from the reality of the meat grinder. Just when you think you've freakin' heard it all...
God help us... and Mitch....may that quote be looping in your I-pod as you slither through the fires of hell.
McConnell is a Freaking PIG!
Danichi Vam Phyere wrote on December 8, 2007 1:03 AM:Don’t ask, don’t care…
By Danichi Vam Phyere an ex-professional idiot
I did not ask to languish in a toxic desert war zone for months on end with no hope of survival but I did that anyway. Later, I did not ask to watch helplessly as my friends, and fellow soldiers became too sick to stay on active duty, from service related unknown medical reasons. I did not ask to become a veteran with nightmares and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) flash backs of combat so horrifying vivid that sleeping soundly became a thing of the past, for 17 years. I did not ask my family to weep for me because I just can’t seem to get the right medical treatment needed to overcome the painful nerve damage I suffered in the Gulf War. I did not ask to witness the appalling scenes of veterans left alone stumbling on street corners reduced to begging for change, food or a warm home to sleep in. No human being should have to live like that.
I did not ask my fellow veterans to over the years kill themselves due to apathetic responses from the public and politicians concerning our declining mental health care system. I did not ask to be denied the right to even voice my concerns about my health, housing and financial downfall at the hands of a cold and indifferent bureaucracy that blames me for their failures at administrating the appropriate course of action upon request. I did not ask to witness death, and destruction on a massive scale, only to be eventually medically sedated long enough to forget who I am or was as a human being. I did not ask to be lied to by a government I swore to protect.
Fact: As I write this comment, somewhere in America a US soldier or veteran is minutes away from suicide, but don’t worry about it. Christmas is right around the corner, then, you can happily open your gifts knowing you asked us to defend your lives; obviously we do our job well despite the unseen consequences of war.
As for me, even after all I have experienced, it will always be an honor to have served in the United States military, and despite the inexcusable way the politicians treat us soldiers and veterans, we keep you, America and the world protected from our enemies every time YOU ask us.
McConnell, if you even have tear ducts to form an emotional response simulating crying, I hope you know you’re just another politician in a long line of Americans that hurt us all with your words.
Semper Fidelis
--
p.s. tell him I said if he (McConnell) or anyone else has a remark about anything I said in this comment to please send me an email at: usveteran8404@hotmail.com
For some reason today I just decided to stop taking insults for volunteering to serve in the military. I used to keep silent out of fear of retribution from the government, but I don’t care anymore because nothing I said here was in anger; I made these comments in the hope that you understand soldiers and veterans need your help, and compassion, not words of insult or acts of cruelty.
Take Care
--
From: Danichi V
Formerly, Field Medical Technician – United States Navy/ Marine Corps
Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Restore Hope – Somalia
Operation Restore Calm – Los Angeles Riots
Katrina Hurricane Relief – First Responder
You know, John Kerry makes a botched joke and the mainstream media is all over it. Yet Mitch McConnell makes this infinitely more heinous comment and they don't bat an eyelash. And they say there's a liberal bias.
Anonymous wrote on December 8, 2007 3:14 PM:THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY ARE TIRED OF BITCH MCCONNELL AND THE ALZHIMERS JIM BUNNING WHO TOOK TO MANY BASEBALLS TO THE HEAD THEY HAVE TO GO!!
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There are at least two ways to read this:
1) Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers so fu#k 'em and their families!.
2)Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers, and they chose this line of work, knowing the risks, and we should respect that.
3)
4)
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WhiteyWard wrote on December 9, 2007 6:03 AM:My three tours of Viet Nam taught me that the republikkkns are the weak link in this great country of ours. We should seek these people out and remove them from our government, our states and our neighborhoods. Never should a citizen mention the form of service an honorable discharged member served under. In the end we are all dupes of the republikkkins in this war. Bring the troops home now, remove the republikkkins from our lives and let them die...after all they are not drafted.
Nick wrote on December 9, 2007 3:35 PM:For those that can't get upset about this, All murder should bother everyone, I could see if this war was about fighting against someone that attacked us or we had to use military action to defend us. This was a war based on lies by these morons. They did not volunteer to be lied into a war.
Danny wrote on December 9, 2007 7:25 PM:In a movie trailer at the multiplex today there was a lengthy recruiting promo for the National Guard. In the piece they implied that the National Guard was on the Normandy beaches in France in WWII. My impression is that the National Guard at the time was at home doing what they do best, and not on Normandy beaches in Europe. Or did the National Guard even exist then? Am I wrong?
SeriousBlack wrote on December 9, 2007 9:29 PM:Methinks "BeadyEyes" McConnell has our troops confused with Blackwater mercenaries (i.e., "professional soldiers"). What a cretin.
soldiers' Aunt wrote on December 9, 2007 9:58 PM:I AGREE WITH MOST OF THE COMMENTS, EXCEPT
" r€nato ".
THESE MEN & WOMEN ARE IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY. THEY MAY HAVE ENLISTD FOR DIFFERENT REASONS INCLUDING JUST GOING TO COLLEGE & PROTECTING THEIR OWN COUNTRY & FAMILIES. (NATURAL DISASTERS, ETC) THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR LIVES 'WASTED' OR 'THROWN AWAY' LIKE YESTERDAY'S NEWSPAPER...AT THE WHIM OF SOME ARROGANT PRESIDENT & HIS ENABLERS.
MITCH MCCONNELL DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE A U.S. SENATOR! HE SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY! DOES HE EVEN KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD 'SHAME'?
No republican would get mad at the draft dodgers like McConnell, Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft, Rush, Rove and the other repubican chicken hawk a..h...s making that statement.
Just as long as someone else goes and not them the chicken hawk.
They act all big, brave, patroitic waving their fake flags and putting their hands on their fake bibles taking an oathe which they have broken on a daily basis, sending others to die for their illegal war so they can steal oil from the middle east, because they were too d... chicken s... to go and serve when it was there turn to serve.
Plus the American tax payers are paying over $2 billion dollars a day to create military bases in the middle east for the multi billion dollar oil companies and their protect while the steal the middle east's oil.
Exxon, Halliburton and the others benefiting by the deaths and destruction of our military have even located their businesses overseas and off shore to even stop paying any money in taxes to our country which they have bankrupted.
Why is the h... is our senate and House letting these crooks and criminals off the hook?
They are either with their citizens or they are with our deciders, they can't have it both ways.
It is time to make them take action and replace them with true Americans, which will work for Americans and not for corporations and foreign nations.
All American soldiers and their families do you listen to that GOP logic? To be killed that is what you ask for. They use tax money as their money to pay you. They are now hold on the positions. That means they can show you a road to be killed and don't complain. That is the way they tell everyone "Support the troops". They will take care your family next the same way. This is the real meaning of GOP supporting troops. My Lord! Anyway, God tell GOP to do that, right or wrong? Troopers, can you tell us?
Two Creeks wrote on December 10, 2007 11:10 AM:Hi All - was one of the draftees in '70 - we need to change a system that has made the military a viable career/health/tech training/EMPLOYMENT path for many who see no option to join the real world with any real chance for success (won't digress on "success" during the "biggest shopping period" of the year:) - okay, SO!
Yes the personnel did, more or less, volunteer (parse THAT!) but don't blame them - don't say it's "okay" that they are sacrificed - blame the whores of Congress who have sold their souls and "best offices" to the "surging" wave of corporate interests and the D.C. community that lives symbiotically with them.
Merry Christmas (50% off at ---MART)
CONTACT THE SENATOR AT HIS CONTACT WEB PAGE...
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD...
(the site is slow to respond - maybe many of the "expendables" are visiting there too...
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact.cfm
THERE'S that dang url
Operators at the Senator's website are standing b[u]y
You know, it seems like members of Congress (Both GOP AND Dems) just haven't figured out yet that we all have developed "bullsh*t" detectors. They all think we are as stupid (their thoughts) as we were 7 years ago. I think they are both in for a surprise come 2008.
Sanford Cook wrote on December 10, 2007 12:57 PM:Standing alone, his statement is callous and insensitive -pure Mitch McConnell.
Part of our strength is that we purport to consider all human lives are precious.
Following the administration's lies to get us into this war, his comments are a window into the mind of the warmongers and chicken hawks. They look on soldiers, professional or part-time, as their political playthings. That is where the real shame lies.
MS wrote on December 10, 2007 3:56 PM:It is true that people who volunteer for the military, even for the reserves, are--or certainly should be--aware of the risks. I suspect that that is actually the point MM is trying to make, however ungraciously. However, people volunteering for military service should be also able to count on not being sent into harm's way for any but the most pressing necessity, not for the personal vainglory of "leaders" who have never served, and certainly not to profit companies run by the cronies of those self-same "leaders."
They should also be able to count on the finest training and equipment available, competent leadership, the finest medical care (including psychological) if they need it, and reasonable support beyond their enlistment (educational benefits, continuing health care for service-related problems, etc.). None of that has been the case in the Iraq debacle, and MM is one of the worst offendors, consistently enabling Mr. Bush's worse excesses and continually voting against the troops' interests. I am proud to say that I have voted against him every time I could during my years in Kentucky and sinceerely hope this next time we succeed in throwing the bum out (like my district finally did with Anne Northup).
Typical Republicanism. Is anyone really surprised?
Dad of Army Iraq War Veterans wrote on December 12, 2007 2:31 AM:What is a Neo-Con supposed to do? They can't help themselves! I wonder if his family members are joining up anytime soon? I doubt it very seriously!
20 years ago I joined the Marine Reserve. I did it out of a sense of patriotism and duty to our country.
I'm sure most of the young men and women who are currently in the armed forces joined for the same reasons.
McConnell's comments are a slap in the face to all those who are serving or have served in the military.
Where's all the false indignation and talk about hurting the morale of the troops on this one?
Oregon Guy wrote on December 13, 2007 1:24 PM:
Danny -
The National Guard is the oldest part of the US Military, dating its origins to the Continental Militia in 1636.
During times of full mobilization (such as World War II) the Guard is called upon to deploy with the regular Army. The most-decorated regiment in the Army, the 441st Regimental Combat Team (Go for Broke!) from Hawaii is a National Guard unit.
Kenji wrote on December 14, 2007 10:24 AM:"...our friends on the other isle"
Um, on the other side of the aisle?
Who actually said this, McTraitor or some benighted McScriber?
john d sotherden wrote on January 28, 2008 8:06 PM:I'm a disabled NAVY vet ('68-'72),read one vet saying he's going to write MoveOn.org, please do .... there are many patriotic groups out there, those who truly do support the troops and remember VETERANS ARE TROOPS, I'm proud to work for the VA, in the homeless program. This McConnell isn't worth the angst and response. RESPOND with force, vote, know what the issues are, talk w/neighbors, get something to wear for impeachment, support the troops AND THEIR FAMILIES ..... you're awake, 'now is the time that try men's souls' (Thomas Paine, COMMON SENSE)it's time to come together, peacefully demonstrate, hang out w/your 'billboard' on at the local supermarket, church service, walk around the neighborhood.....connect w/others, the time to take back our democracy is NOW, not wait for someone ...pitch in do a part ...
think: there are many more of us than them, do the math, they just spew more ..
in oneness w/you, peace is ours....
nephew died iniraq from ied he was getting out after forcefu;lly being deployed to iraq for a second time , my nest friends died in vietnam who were drafted by lbj and congress as me , dont know what me being a draftee and doing my duty and taking my oath to uphokd and defend this country means as adraftee i did my duty and have lived with the fcat that the vietcong didnt ask you if you were adfratee or regular army we all bled died and cried and got wounded blow to hell to come back to this country tolive with the likes of mitch mcconnell i fromtexas mitch you chickenhawks are adisgrace to this country i call home we suffered a lot cuase of being drafteed to fight the vietnam war maybe if you had served invietnam when this nationneeded the cheneys bushes and mcconnells in vietnam they chose to dodge the draft and get educated wedidnt have rich families and dads ingovernment to hide behind and avoid combat we went may be if you had goner as adraftee you would know that being asoldier doesnt require to be professional or drafted we were all told to learn everything we teach ya your going to vietnam i,m a mexican american and my family lost soldiers in vietnam and iraq you best be apoligizing dude cause you as arepublican have done us veterans of war an injustice maybe you should resign you are the one always shooting down the redeployment resolutions down trying to keep troops in iraq may be you should resign and stop obstructing our kids coming home from iraq , i hope kentucky is embarresed enough to boot your rear out in ovember america has no need for war profiteers and war monger thank you
eh wrote on January 28, 2008 8:39 PM:i,m so gd tired of the mofos in the senate who think they are above the law that sorry chicken hawk should resign what good is he for absolutly nothing vietnam combat draftee vet 66-67 9th inf div, drafted not rejected to be elected and avoided being drafted caus he got educated and deflected the drafted to get educated
Joseph Schmitz wrote on January 29, 2008 9:44 PM:Mitch Mc Connellis is one of reasons that a majority of American citizens have a low esteem of Congress. This man thinks that he has so much power that he can do and say what he wants. His shady backroom dealings and his wasteful earmarks and now his disrespectfull remarks about fallen solders makes him the number one on my hated politicans list. This man has no integrity and needs to be removed from the Senate.
