Thank you Patriot Boy. I lived in NY and had been in the WTC many times in my life. My best friend was 3 blocks away when the planes hit and he thought there was a full fledged attack. He scrambled into the underground train station, watching the people riding uptown who were clueless around him. Operation Yellow Elephant will continue. Karl Rove made the biggest mistake in his life. Your humble Colonel.
C&L | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 3:15 am | #

Beautiful, PatriotBoy.

Fucking beautiful.

The truth always is.

And I gotta tell you --- Karl's idiocy, hatred, and lowlife profiteering, hate-mongering IGNORANCE and ARROGANCE --- well, I find myself at a loss for expletives. I don't think that words exist in the English language to properly describe what a piece of shit that fat boy truly is. Plus, if I described the things that should happen to a dung-beetle like Karl Rove, I'd probably be in Gitmo tomorrow.

But well done, Sir. Very well done. Forward!
Anntichrist S. Coulter | 06.24.05 - 3:17 am | #

Permission to speak freely, Sir? You are one huuuge heart walking around on two legs. Thank you for all that you do.
jus' sayin' | 06.24.05 - 3:29 am | #

Thank you. Well written. Good Luck w/ OYE.
Homer | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 3:32 am | #

I know what you are saying here. I have been hearing the horror stories too. It is just like Vietnam. PTSD
Alma | 06.24.05 - 3:41 am | #

Great post, General.

Of course those folks with money won't bother enlisting, what's the point? What else does our nation offer those who enlist aside from money? If you've already got the money, there's no reason to face the sand flies and IEDs.

I think I need a drink...
(US Navy 1983 - 1991)
Grumble | 06.24.05 - 3:43 am | #

"It offends me that these children of privilege--I'm referring to their most visible leadership--are so gung ho for a war they refuse to fight. It's as if they believe that the fighting should be left to the inferior lesser classes while they perform the intellectual heavy lifting--it's there birthright."


read the article

http:// www.informationclearingho...article5010.htm

or

http://www.lacosapizza.com/shorris.html
dD | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 6:08 am | #

Patriotboy;

I think the term "intellectual heavylifting" doesn't accurately describe being a loudmouthed chickenhearted chancre on the manhood of America (or a venereal wart--there are at least two Reptilicoward women of privilege who won't be putting on any combat uniform). I just saw on the morning news where Prince William has graduated College and will be doing his year abroad in the Queen's service and then, most probably, a stint in the British Armed Forces. Now, however you might feel about royalty, the Windsors have for the most part done military service including the gals. Would that our pseudeo royalty had the gravitas, or the sand, to do the same.
democommie | 06.24.05 - 6:22 am | #

General,

I wish you'd keep that guy behind the third wall. When he speaks the truth like that, it messes with me, kind of makes me sad. I don't like it. I really prefer the world where everything is just and we're incapable of horrifically stupid acts with devastating, far-reaching, and long-lasting consequences.
The Venerable Ed | 06.24.05 - 6:34 am | #

Dear General,

Rove isn't saying anything different than the mass of Limbaugh worshiping Morons believe in the depths of their little black hearts.

Karl and his minions are trying to ratchet up the hate level. I quess that even the Democrat's near complete surender of the "compromise" on judges that derailed Frist's nuclear option was upsetting to the fascists.

Dean is correct. Republicans don't deserve to be considered the loyal opposition.
Capability Jones | 06.24.05 - 6:41 am | #

patriotboy,

Thank you for all you have done. I don't know about anybody else, but I feel that OYE has given me a voice with which to express my outrage creatively.
Andy T. | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 7:55 am | #

You only got one thing wrong, patriotboy. They entered the war to steal the oil. There are many trillions of dollars of oil under that sand. That was what it was about from the very beginning. Contractors were paid with dufflebags full of cash. That's what it was about. They sent those boys and girls over there so that they could steal. Don't let anyone forget it. Follow the money is still the answer.
G. D. Frogsdong | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 8:15 am | #

Breaking the fourth wall has proved itself as an effective dramatic device, as you have proven here.

My inner frenchwoman's heart is aching for your "sons" and their comrades.

Thank you, sir.
Vicki | 06.24.05 - 8:17 am | #

Perhaps I'm too cynical, but Rove's comments haven't stirred me a bit. Five years ago, he noticed a demographic swing in his favor. For five years he's been driving a wedge into the middle of the country. Polarization has worked for the neocons - as orgnanized in the electoral college - but recent polls have shown a sudden surge in like-mindedness among many Americans. Rove simply reinserted his wedge. It was to be expected.
Jeff | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 8:18 am | #

General,

Support for the war tanking: Check

Terrorists "going to school" in Iraq: Check

Enlistments in the Army down: Check

Unable to destroy Social Security:
Check

China eating our lunch on trade: Check

Budget deficits exploding: Check

Oil prices rising daily: Check

No jobs being created: Check

Vacation in Crawford rapidly approaching: Check


LIBERAL! LIBERAL! LIBERAL! LIBERAL
DEMOCRAT! DEMOCRAT! DEMOCRAT! DEMOCRAT!
TRAITOR! TRAITOR! TRAITOR! TRAITOR!

I remain,
Undercover amongst the French,

Dread
Lt. Col. Dread | 06.24.05 - 8:29 am | #

Thank you for your perceptive words about the effects of the War.

Last night I was privileged to attend a program in Dallas sponsored by the group Partners for Peace called "Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision." A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jewish woman from Jerusalem and Bethlehem told why the end of the Israeli Occupation is the only hope for peace in the Middle East. When asked if the War in Iraq was having any effect on the situation in Israel/Palestine, the women gave two answers. First, they said, any country will be psychologically affected by a war---especially a war of occupation---in a country virtually next door to it. Second, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, they pointed out that the U.S., supposedly the “peace broker” in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, has completely squandered its moral authority because a country that is carrying on a war of occupation cannot be trusted to bring an end to a military occupation in another place. And this, as they pointed out---and all thinking people know---results in continuation of the situation that does more than any other one situation to raise hatred toward the West in Muslim nations around the world. We will not have peace until the U.S. reclaims the moral authority to be the peace maker.
Harold
Harold | 06.24.05 - 8:38 am | #

'tis a sad day when i have to thank you for making me sad. but your inner frenchman's piece was a wonderful counterpoint to the loud barrage of four letter words heard both inside my head and across the blogosphere.

Unlike the GOP'ers, our reaction has to be driven not by hatred of "them" but of compassion for the ones who are suffering right now: the troops in Iraq (and, yes, the civilians there as well), the ultimate chess pieces in Rove's cynical powerplay.
thingwarbler | 06.24.05 - 8:42 am | #

patriotboy,

You know I am your loyal soldier, ready to serve at any time.

(You'd think after enlisting in '69, I would have learned my lesson, but apparently not.)

Keep up the good work. Your army is growing.
cosmic grappler | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 9:00 am | #

I'm probably one of those that Karl Rove would call "liberal". I certainly think this war was the greatest mis-use of the military since selling arms to Iran to fund Nicaraguan fascists.

And being that my brother is currently in the sands in Iraq fighting in the Marine Engineering Battalion, I'm very, very much pro-troops.
Royale | 06.24.05 - 9:21 am | #

I haven't heard insightful words like yours since I last spoke to my PTSD brothers. My heart sunk when we went into this war and a few weeks later I stopped going to my PTSD meetings. I quit because I could not bare to witness a whole new generation of broken young men. The pain inside my soul for their future is like a dagger. My personal feeling of Rage for these arrogant cowards who brazenly proclaim heros traitors is unspeakable.
Sgt ED Beckmann Viet Vet Ret. | 06.24.05 - 9:23 am | #

What do you expect people to think when liberals are talking down the war, sticking up for terrorists at GTMO, and not fighting back against terror when they had the chance (USS Cole, Mogadishu, 1st WTC attack, African embassy bombings, etc)
billybob | 06.24.05 - 9:24 am | #

I must also say I have experienced the most insightful, intelligent, humorous, snarky and most of all enlightened commenters on the Blogoshere right here on Your blog.
Thankyou all
Sir General (and your inner frenchman too),
Sir General Sir
I remain
Sgt Ed Beckmann Disabled Vietnam Vet 1966-68. Victim Friendly fire Siagon 1968.
Sgt ED Beckmann Viet Vet Ret. | 06.24.05 - 9:35 am | #

Sir general Sir
I wish to respond to BILLYBAB from a Frenchie point of view.
Billyboob It was your Misleader who was responsible for the 9/11 attack. He had been warned and failed to take the appropriate action to prevent it. The lost souls of over 3000 lives rest exclusively on the the backs of Repiglicans, the administration and their Incompent Criminal mileader Bushbag. Put that in your little troll mind and eat it.
respectfully yours
Sgt ED Beckmann Vietnam Vet RET.
Sgt ED Beckmann Viet Vet Ret. | 06.24.05 - 9:49 am | #

billybob,

You don't go back far enough.
How about the Marine barracks in Lebanon?

Dread.
Lt. Col. Dread | 06.24.05 - 9:56 am | #

Quick, look over there! Another missing white woman!
MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, FOXX | 06.24.05 - 10:05 am | #

Yea, what is going on with the missing white woman?
Richard | 06.24.05 - 10:11 am | #

Amen indeed.
Gardenho | 06.24.05 - 10:13 am | #

General,

I work at a Teen Shelter. I’d like to tell you about one of the boys I work with, his name is Mike. Mike is a 16 year old boy, who has been shit on, fucked and screwed his entire life – he lives at a fucking shelter. Please excuse my French.

Mike is a boy who would give you the shirt off his back and it’s his only shirt. Last winter after a particularly bad snow storm Mike was the one who organized the other kids to shovel out the Shelters’ elderly neighbors. That evening I was sitting on the couch with Mike watching a foot ball game when I noticed his socks were rather grimy, I said, “Mike change your socks they are disgusting.” Mike replied, “Randy, they are they are the only ones I have.” I left the room and cried (in a manly way of course), composed myself and took him shopping. Mike gives of himself 100% and never asks for anything in return.

Mike’s dream is to become a Marine.

I agree with you when you say, “It offends me that these children of privilege – I’m referring to their most visible leadership – are so gung ho for a war that they refuse to fight. It’s as if they believe that the fighting should be left to the inferior classes while they perform the intellectual heavy lifting – it’s their birthright.”

Mike, will probably never go to college but he is in no way inferior to these children of privilege. If you were in Iraq who would you want covering your back Mike or a College Republican?

I fear for Mike’s safety while he defends our nation but I can think of no better man to do the job. And it 30 or so years when the choice is between Mike for President or a College Republican for President you know who has my vote.
randy | 06.24.05 - 10:14 am | #

Bullseye General!
doubledeuce | 06.24.05 - 10:18 am | #

patriotboy,

great post. Thanks. Last year, I met a young officer who had just come back from Iraq and who was engaged to a friend's daughter, a young woman I know well. His brother was an officer. His father was an officer who had served in Kosovo. When I asked if he was going to make the military his career, he told me that "I always wanted to, but I joined to defend my country, not build an empire." You could tell it really hurt him to have to say that.
crixus | 06.24.05 - 10:34 am | #

With the recent surge in support for the Anti-Flag burning
amendment in Congress, and with the 4th of July holiday
coming up, we must be vigilant in sniffing out acts of
flag desecration. Be on the lookout for Frechmen using the
flag, in the form of napkins, to wipe BBQ sauce and Heinz ketchup
off their jowls. Be sure to look out for unAmerican liberals
who have used pieces of the flag to make a shirt, hat or
tote bag and are flaunting their disrespect on our Most Holy
of Days, July 4th. If you see a flag cut into a bandanna and
tied around the head of a traitorous, leather clad
motorcycle hooligan, be sure to contact the local Republican
Party and see if they can't send over a "Secret Service Agent"
to set that evil-doer straight.

Only through your direct suppression of Free Speech can Liberty
and Democracy survive.

Remember: A Republican Idea challenged is an American Tragedy.
ccw | 06.24.05 - 10:40 am | #

Sir,
I respect your opinions and I have linked to Operation Yellow Elephant on my blog.

I hate to be the downer of the group, but do you really think you are going to change anyone's mind at the convention ??

These are outwardly republican college kids. Huh ?? I never even met a out-of-the-closet republican in college. I am predicting that they scoff at you as a liberal jokesters and obstructionists. When you are privileged, you don't even have the capacity to understand the point you are making. It's good to rally the troops, but thinking you are going to reason with republicans in absurd at best.

The rich will always settles their disputes using the poor. That is the they way is always has been and that is the way it always will be. That is like a line from 'Platoon'.

Faithfully Yours,
ScottW | 06.24.05 - 10:45 am | #

Billybob;

Mogadishu--brought to us by Bush the Elder (not wiser) as a house warming president for Billy C.

The 1st WTC attack (handled as a crime--not as an attack on the country by a foreign nation--that actually wasn't involved)

USS Cole--See WTC

Talking down the war: Indeed we were--long before it started. We ain't blaming the troops, bonehead, we're blaming the armchair commanders.

Sticking up for 'terrorists' at GITMO--well, you got me the...oh, wait a minnit, them boys ain't been charged, tried or convicted. Wrong again, Billybobbity.

If you went over and fought in one of these wars you're so fond of--thanks. And if you're still of sound mind and body please go back and do some more of whatever it was you did then--so's somebody else that hasn't any interest won't have to. If you haven't served, shame on you, shame, shame, shame.
democommie | 06.24.05 - 10:48 am | #

If it is not a calculated strategy to turn us into scapegoats, it is surely a calculated strategy to get us to accept the draft and go willingly off to slaughter.
Parsed comments from a former female medic in Iraq:
To date, 36 female troops have died in Iraq; more than 280 have been
wounded.

The latest death was Spc. Carrie French, a guardswoman from Idaho, age 19,
killed June 5 when a bomb exploded in front of her convoy vehicle.

Mostly Thibault [former medic] avoids talking about the war. She can't stand to watch TV
news about it. "It's getting worse, and I still have friends over there,"
says the soldier. "It reminds me of Rwanda -- the Tutsis and the Hutus, the
genocide. I'm afraid that us being over there is trying to delay the
inevitable."

Since coming home, she has visited middle- and high-school classrooms,
advising students to bone up on Islamic culture. "I apologize to them for my
generation. I tell them, 'We basically are going to dump our problems on
you. We're throwing rocks at a hornet's nest, turning moderates into
religious fanatics, and you're going to inherit the problem. ...'

"It kind of sucks when you piss off the whole world."
Overseas recruit | 06.24.05 - 10:56 am | #

Now, boys, be nice and don't make me intervene in your little tiff.

Can't you see I'm busy knitting blankies for our terrorist friends? Nanny, how's that apple pie for Osama coming? Did you get his new cave address yet from Porter?
Sue | 06.24.05 - 11:03 am | #

Well said Patriot Boy!

I know this is long, but I found it interesting prior to the election. It's even more important now and supports the argument regarding the yellow elephant movement a bit more when you actually compare the two parties in terms of who served and who did not.

Recognizing who served
This could be the last election where military service in Vietnam has any political currency. But just for the record, it's worth noting who really served among the heavyweights in each of the major political parties. There are some surprises here. Be sure to check out the bottom, where the military credentials of those who spend their time chattering about military service (particularly the TV pundits) are listed.

Democrats
* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
* Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
* Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army Journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
* Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam. on account of psor
* Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-'47; Medal of Honor, WII.
* John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V Purple Hearts.
* John Edwards: did not serve.
* Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
* Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam.
* Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-1953.
* Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
* Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII, receiving the Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
* Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars, and Soldier's Medal.
* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and Legion of Merit.
*Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
* Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze Star with Combat V.
* Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
* Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
* Chuck Robb: Vietnam
* Howell Heflin: Silver Star
* George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
* Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but received # 311.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
* Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
* John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and Air Medal with 18 Clusters.
* Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul Wallenberg.
* Wesley Clark: U.S. Army, 1966-2000, West Point, Vietnam, Purple Heart, Silver Star. Retired 4-star general.
* John Dingell: WWII vet
* John Conyers: Army 1950-57, Korea

Republicans
* Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
* Tom Delay: did not serve.
* House Whiip Roy Blunt: did not serve.
* Bill Frist: did not serve.
* Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
* George Pataki: did not serve.
* Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
* Rick Santorum: did not serve.
* Trent Lott: did not serve.
* Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last via marriage.
* John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
* Jeb Bush: did not serve.
* Karl Rove: did not serve.
* Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." (The man who attacked Max Cleland's patriotism)
* Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
* Vin Weber: did not serve.
* Richard Perle: did not serve.
* Douglas Feith: did not serve.
* Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
* Richard Shelby: did not serve.
* Jon Kyl: did not serve.
* Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
* Christopher Cox: did not serve.
* Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
* Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as aviator and flight instructor.
* George W. Bush: six-year Nat'l Guard commitment (in four).
* Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non-combat role making movies.
* Gerald Ford: Navy, WWII
* Phil Gramm: did not serve.
* John McCain: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Bob Dole: an honorable veteran.
* Chuck Hagel: two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, Vietnam.
* Duke Cunningham: nominated for Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Stars, Air Medals, Purple Hearts.
* Jeff Sessions: Army Reserves, 1973-1986
* JC Watts: did not serve.
* Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
* G.H.W. Bush: Pilot in WWII. Shot down by the Japanese.
* Tom Ridge: Bronze Star for Valor in Vietnam.
* Antonin Scalia: did not serve.
* Clarence Thomas: did not serve

Pundits & Preachers
* Sean Hannity: did not serve.
* Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.')
* Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.
* Michael Savage: did not serve.
* George Will: did not serve.
* Chris Matthews: did not serve.
* Paul Gigot: did not serve.
* Bill Bennett: did not serve.
* Pat Buchanan: did not serve.
* Bill Kristol: did not serve.
* Kenneth Starr: did not serve.
* Michael Medved: did not serve.
Yankee Transplant | 06.24.05 - 11:12 am | #

I've got Osama's address for you. He's in a sweet little air-conditioned compound in Saudi Arabia, with house-slaves to fetch him Turkish coffee while he types manifestos on his ibook. He's got the US government propaganda channel, Fox News, running in the background to give him a chuckle every now and then.

So long as Bush Inc., and by extension the US military, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi royal family, he's got no worries. You can hang onto that pie for a while, Sue.
Sadie B. | 06.24.05 - 11:16 am | #

General,

outstanding, simply outstanding. We have always been waiting for such a 'Rovian' moment, and you rose to the challenge and showed this latent Fascism for what it is.


BillyBob- life can be tough on the stupid, so don’t expect an easy ride here. Had you actually read the post, you might have gain some small insight into the fact that what we ‘liberals’ despise is the transparent lack of justice, not, as you put is “sticking up for terrorists at GTMO”. If they are terrorists, convict and punish them accordingly. It’s a complex legal concept for someone of you limited grasp, I’m sure, but if you cannot fathom this on your own, don’t bother posting to people who can. Exhibitions of stupidity may be fun to watch at first, but are becoming so tiresome now you wingnuts feel you have to trawl any sewer to justify your actions- and post the results for all to find.

You just tap out another lie on your computer and think this makes you a proud a honourable patriot. It makes you a fool, and doubly so as you wish to advertise the fact. Go sign up and defend the very liberties this administration seeks to erode. Frankly, we are all tired of your type- all mouth and no action- all bravado, ultimately all cowards who expect someone else to fight the wars you are
The war is a mess, and the planning, laughable- if you wanted to hand the terrorists a victory, then this example is just what they wanted- and fortunate for them, they have ‘willing executioners’ like you to insure they receive it day after day. It’s not force that makes a country strong- it is knowing when and how to use it. A lesson that seems to have passed you, by. Grow up.
Lyagushka | 06.24.05 - 11:17 am | #

ScottW-

If the White House knows what's good for President Bush, they will join WITH US to encourage Young Republicans to enlist.

If our efforts are unsuccessful, then at least the American people will know how credible their 'leadership' is.
-
And so it goes . . . | 06.24.05 - 11:22 am | #

Some of them also say that Liberals want to see their kids dead. Liberals don't want ANYONE dead. Conservatives who are willing to send others to their deaths, but unwilling to go themselves are beyond contempt, however.

Hell no, they won't go - we know it and they need to know we know it.

Thanks, patriotboy.
doe | 06.24.05 - 11:25 am | #

the empty threats and emptier rhetoric is bubbling to the surface, and the response is that of your garden variety bully flailing to regain control of the playground. Cheney channels Dean's mother, Rove throws rocks and draws a line in the sandbox.

it sure is a nuisance, but the desperation they can no longer hide is delicious to witness. like Dean said last night on the Daily Show - just keep calling them on their bullshit. LOUD AND OFTEN.

to Cheney and Rove: your mother wears army boots! too bad no one else will.

thanks for all you do, General! seriously.
shmee | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 11:35 am | #

General,
Thanks for your brilliant words.

About the upcoming evil college repuke convention:
I live in Las Vegas and will be on hand to greet the young GOP vampires when they arrive at Mandalay Bay. I hope other like-minded citizens will join me in this rude welcoming op.
DL | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 11:36 am | #

I live in Las Vegas and will be on hand to greet the young GOP vampires when they arrive at Mandalay Bay

man, i sure wouldn't like to see a few of those Young Republicans accidentally get locked into the lion habitat at the MGM Grand. i suuure wouldn't. :P
shmee | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 11:39 am | #

Sadie B,

Are you sure Osama is in Saudi Arabia?
I heard he is at the ranch in Crawford.

Dread.
Lt. Col. Dread | 06.24.05 - 11:41 am | #

General, wonderful post. I will be a foot soldier in your Army of Righteousness any day sir.
Red State Blues | 06.24.05 - 11:45 am | #

oh, and by the way, DL - don't you just admire the honorable way these able-bodied patriots serve their country - by HITTING THE SLOTS IN SIN CITY?
shmee | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 11:45 am | #

Porter just got back to Nanny. Osama is in Crawford, Texas. Funny, I seem to remember someone else in politics who lives there, too.

Oh, Heavens to Betsy, Porter says to send a date pie instead.
Sue | 06.24.05 - 11:48 am | #

Damn it, man, can't these youngsters interning at the Moonie Heritage Foundation be shot for declaring that lobbying for Big Pharma is more important that dying for the flag, apple pie, and Mom?

Summery justice!
Mock Apple Pie | 06.24.05 - 11:48 am | #

I hate to be the downer of the group, but do you really think you are going to change anyone's mind at the convention ??

I doubt anyone believes that.
Gen. JC Christian, patriot | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 11:48 am | #

Sir, General, Sir,

My utmost respect and heartfelt thanks for the post. Operation Yellow Elephant is a stroke of fucking genius. Perhaps America's Fifth Column, the Rethuglican Party, and its betrayal of the Constitutuion, national security, the economy and labor can also be tied to the elephant's tail like a 55 gal drum the way Karl Geobbels is trying to do to thinking, participating citizens. That CS'er isn't going to get away with calling Americans traitors.

I sense things are starting to happen. The MSM has reported that the Chi-coms enjoy more respect than the United States worldwide and it is being carried. Sorry times.

It also gives me thought that if the Rethugs' patron saint Ayn Ryand is read with a Swiftian twist all the snivelers, criers for level playing fields and the rest of the GOP creed yappers are very accurrately portray- ed. Perhaps someone can run with this. I think its worth pursuing. I am just not coming up with anything right now.

Don't forget to thank a Republican.

Buzz Meeks
Buzz Meeks | 06.24.05 - 11:50 am | #

Hi, General. Would you like a fresh baked apple pie?

P.S. You can't change the stupid's mind - because, well, logic dictates that there is no mind to change.
Sue | 06.24.05 - 11:56 am | #

Dear HaloScan...one of these days, and you won't know when, I'm gonna git ya.

OK

John Kerry was big crying coward hiding in the rushes while his men were turning the Mekong red with their blood....I read Unfit For Command...so it must be true.

Al Gore, while in the Nam, was hanging around kootchie bars taking pictures of luscious Asian babes while death stalked and found the regular grunts...somebody told me.

Max Cleland partied like animal and was totally wasted when he stepped on that mine and lost most of his limbs...I heard that when he was running for Senator.

John McCain turned psycho while in the Hanoi Hilton those seven years...this finally came to light when he was in the primaries against W....I read all about it.

Jane Fonda fucked 1000 VietCong, spit on our POWs and then wiped herself with the stars and stripes....You didn't know about that?

I have had a peace sticker on my car for well over twenty years...so I have been fomenting the downfall of America for decades.

I am a Liberal.

The Who sang "won't get fooled again..." Ask your Mamas if they want to get fooled again. Ask your Daddy too.
.
stinkeye | 06.24.05 - 11:56 am | #

Hey Yankee:

That was a great post about who served and who didn't...would you mind if I posted it over at AmericaBlog? Or, if you would? I think the readers over there would find it interesting.

Jim Olson
revjj@bu.edu
Jim Olson | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 12:01 pm | #

OUR LEADER IS ON NATIONAL TV (no, not you General, the other Leader).
There's Condi (love your boots, Honey), Our Leader is wearing visible earphones (finally) and he's coping with a double question. It's hard work. Fortunately he doesn't answer either one.
However, there will be no timetable - perhaps I should send him my egg timer - it's always worked for me.
Sue | 06.24.05 - 12:03 pm | #

before the egg totally blows - kaboom!
Sue | 06.24.05 - 12:18 pm | #

Thanks Patriotboy, and thanks General. I laughed; I cried; I almost died. All who post here on a regular basis never fail to amuse, enlighten and amaze me. Thank you all.
bootdw | 06.24.05 - 12:23 pm | #

Dear General

Thank you. I doubt we can change many Republican Rove wannabes' minds trying to get them to enlist. But even if we get just one to sign up he/she will take the place of one All American or class clown who would otherwise come home with a damaged soul and heart if he/she came home at all. And who knows, these CRNC kids already have their preconceptions, they already have the view that someone, even if it's not them, should crush Bush's opponents like ants. Maybe if they had to do the crushing themselves some of them would come home with a change of heart for the better. Probably way too optimistic of me. But what the hell, it's worth a try. Chanting "REPUBLICANS ENLIST NOW!" beats chanting "ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, WE DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKIN WAR" again next year when they reinstitute the draft.
Mark Garrity | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 12:26 pm | #

Yankee Transplant -

In all fairness to Pat Buchanan, he's been an outspoken critic of the war; he can hardly be classified a chicken hawk.
Jeff | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 12:30 pm | #

It's time for liberals to unleash FURY on Karl Rove and the Republicans. We have been quiet for too long. When we do speak up (Durbin, Dean, etc.) we get blasted by the Republican echo chamber. We must not give up. We must perservere beyond their hollow lies.

Thank you General.
Agitprop | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 12:30 pm | #

Well all right. It may be Crawford, but I think I got the house slaves and the Fox News part right. I guess he still gets plenty of chances to visit with his friends and family in Crawford, too.
Sadie B. | 06.24.05 - 12:34 pm | #

Jim:

Go for it~

Thanks for asking.
Yankee Transplant | 06.24.05 - 12:38 pm | #

General,

Thanks... this moved me, and frustrates me.

I wish it was easy to take our country back.
Adam | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 12:58 pm | #

"I hate to be the downer of the group, but do you really think you are going to change anyone's mind at the convention ??"
I get your point But..... Someone has got to tell those young repiglicans - THEIR EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES.
Sgt ED Beckmann Viet Vet Ret. | 06.24.05 - 12:58 pm | #

Don't these poor young fools realize what they're doing? In elections 30 years from now, there will be no Swift Boat Veteran equivalents to discredit the opposition's service records.

Who will write "Unfit for Command: Reloaded"?

*sniff*
doe | 06.24.05 - 12:59 pm | #

Checking in from Keesler AFB, myself, and I've gotta say that you're a fine piece of work, General. Your sentiments are shared by quite a few of the enlisteds, down here, even by a good chunk of those who support the war. I'm finding it ironic, though, that most of those who aren't big Bush supporters are in the active duty, while the rah-rah types are Guard and Reservists.
PantherWill | 06.24.05 - 1:06 pm | #

As usual, patriotboy, you cut right to the heart of things, more eloquently than most of us ever could. Thanks, and much sympathy and love and many tears and hugs for you and your family. We shall overcome... someday.
filkertom | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 1:06 pm | #

the point of OYE is not to change YR minds; it is to shame them and call public attention to their hypocrisy.
renato | 06.24.05 - 1:10 pm | #

Sadie B. & Sue,
I think this will clear up the confusion re: Where is Osama?

He "winters" in Saudi Arabia, and "summers" in Crawford.
Cooler, you know.

Dread.
Lt. Col. Dread | 06.24.05 - 1:14 pm | #

That's precisely what's going on, General. They're going to blame "us" for their failures. They haven't taken responsibility for any of their lies and mistakes so far, they won't start now.



Commander Jeff Huber, US Navy (Retired)
Jeff Huber | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 1:14 pm | #

It appears, however, that it was something more than loose words uttered at a weak moment: it's part of a calculated strategy to turn those of us who opposed the war into scapegoats for its failure. It's reminiscent of the scapegoating of Jews by German nationalists after WWW I.

Your inner Frenchman knows some history. Please let him speak more often.
thehim | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 1:17 pm | #

Amen and amen.

Can I get a witness!?!??
Fred Woolsey | 06.24.05 - 2:04 pm | #

General, sir,

You are a true man in every sense of the word.

Thank you.
Charlotte Smith (nee Beavers) | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 2:25 pm | #

Hey Yankee Transplant,

I'd like to link to your comment here as well. Is that ok with you?
Morrigan | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 2:31 pm | #

Dear Patriotboy - Thank the General for letting you speak.

Asking young people to kill in my name is a serious business that should not be taken lightly. Asking young people to kill and LIVE in my name is something even more serious. I weep for your young people who are suffering, and all of those who have suffered in this unnecessary war, and for those who will suffer. All are trustingly doing what they have been asked to do. The only thing we seem to have learned from Viet Nam is that the troops are not the problem. And thank God we learned that.
Karl Rove is an evil, nasty man whose ignorance is profound. He did this on purpose, with the approval of his boss, and all the Republicans will support him. We must never forget this.
Donutd1967 | 06.24.05 - 2:32 pm | #

"Checking in from Keesler AFB, myself, and I've gotta say that you're a fine piece of work, General. Your sentiments are shared by quite a few of the enlisteds, down here, even by a good chunk of those who support the war. I'm finding it ironic, though, that most of those who aren't big Bush supporters are in the active duty, while the rah-rah types are Guard and Reservists."

Hold on a second Pantherwill. Are you implying that if your in the Guard or Reserve that you ain't going to war? Check out the CNN link at the bottom and count how many Guard and Reserve dead (35 on the first page alone). The fact of the matter is if you wear a uniform the chances are that you will be going to Iraq or Afghanistan are high. I'm in the Army National Guard. I have not been deployed yet but my unit has. I expect to be deploy with in a year or 2 and I will go because it is my duty. I enlisted 2 years ago.I'm 32 have a beautiful wife and 2 great kids. I don't need the money and I'm not going back to school. The reason I joined is because America has been good to me, and now America needs me so I volunteered to pull my shift.

General, I commend what you are doing. Shaming these chickenhawks. Unless you are in a wheelchair there is no excuse for those hypocrites not to step up and put there money where there mouth is. Don't misunderstand me. I am not a Bush fan and I think invading Iraq was a huge military blunder. They call Guard members Citizen Soldiers. As a soldier it is my duty to go where ever I'm ordered. As a citizen I will voice my opinion and vote against the GOP whenever I get the chance.
Anonymous | 06.24.05 - 2:33 pm | #

Sorry, I forgot to put the CNN link for the above post.

www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/
Jason | 06.24.05 - 2:37 pm | #

General,

May this be the end of the Chickenhawk Free Pass Society. It's one thing to play with the house's flesh, it is another thing entirely to risk your own. No more disconnect allowed.

Thank you for your efforts, your humor and your basic decency. I'd hug you but I'm out of lotion.

Tres Quatros

+++
MJS | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 2:40 pm | #

Jesus told me he wishes to comment:

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.


"My sake.." What Would Jesus Say About This War?
basilbeast | 06.24.05 - 3:26 pm | #

I was not implying that at all, Anon. I was merely noting something I happen to find interesting and perhaps using a bad choice of words in doing so.
PantherWill | 06.24.05 - 3:26 pm | #

It's nearly impossible to shame the shameless, but it is possible to affect those around them.

Keep at them, patriotboy.
watertiger | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 3:30 pm | #

O the horror. The horror!!!

The Heart of Darkness is the Heartland, and the Meadowlands, and California, from sea to shining sea.

We cannot plug the dikes with our children. We cannot let them do this to our children. We cannot rape our children's future anymore.
Dorothy | 06.24.05 - 3:41 pm | #

This piece of prose belongs with Twain's "War Prayer." I have identical reactions to both pieces--tears, chills, and a rekindled desire to actively resist the forces driving the BushCo culture of death.

http://www.commondreams.org/view...s02/1110- 04.htm

Patriotboy's piece needs wider circulation. This is masterful, powerful writing. I hope writing teachers around the country use it as an example of simple eloquence.
aginghippie | 06.24.05 - 4:14 pm | #

Stinkeye, honey, you know I love you like a sister, but I gotta argue with the Jane thing. As young (?) as I am, I've had a few Viet Vet friends, and let me tell you, her "apology" (conveniently timed to coincide with the release of her "book") was taken about as seriously as veterans take Dumbya in his Commander Codpiece flight suit. Jane was not then, nor is she now, concerned with the American veterans of the VietNam war. She is, as she has always been, a shallow, meaningless shill, in it purely for the publicity and the profit. She can "apologize" until she is blue in her surgically-stretched face, it still won't mean a fucking thing.

And I'd also like to issue some hearty and ringing "AMEN!!!"s to Agitprop, St. ED, and Commander Jeff. Well said, direct hits.

We all know that I've never served. Wanted to, had great ASVAB scores, rejected on physical.

My 2nd niece, the blonde one, recently graduated from Basic for the Louisiana National Guard. While in S.C. for her training, she met and apparently fell in love with a fellow Guardsman, a nice Italian boy from NY.

We just found out that he ships for Iraq in December. And we haven't even gotten to meet the boy yet.

The majority of war hawks feel no guilt or compunction whatsoever for killing our soldiers, sailors and Marines because they aren't anybody that these privileged bastard ever WOULD meet, except maybe if they go "slumming" in a working-class bar. These people aren't "real" to them, they are simply "the servant class," easily disposable and easily replaced.

That's why I believe so much in OYE --- because SOMEBODY has to introduce these arrogant little motherfuckers to the REALITY OF WHAT THEIR GREED HAS PRODUCED. And I'm not talking about billions of barrels of sweet crude.

My niece accepted the marriage proposal of that boy from NY, and proudly wears his ring. What sucks is, because both of them believe that they are doing the right thing in serving their country, they may never even see each other again. And even though he has not yet been "legally" made a part of our family, if he dies for Dick Cheney's greed and Donald Rumsfeld's incompetence, if he dies so that fat, smug, illiterate cocksuckers like Karl Rove can continue to prosper --- D.C. had better watch OUT.

'Cause those Beltway Bastards ain't seen SHIT, 'til they've had a bunch of pissed-off Louisiana women UP IN THEIR FACES AND SWINGING POWER TOOLS.

Thankfully, my niece has not yet received orders to ship overseas. YET. But may all of heaven and earth have mercy on Dick Cheney's ass if and when she does, and anything happens to her, is all I'm saying.
Anntichrist S. Coulter | 06.24.05 - 4:25 pm | #

Sorry, Sgt. ED. Didn't MEAN to nominate you for cannonization, but what the hell, it still works, even if it was a typo.
Anntichrist S. Coulter | 06.24.05 - 4:26 pm | #

Thank you, Patriotboy. You said it well.
Peter | 06.24.05 - 4:28 pm | #

Thanks Randy, great story till the part about wanting to join the marines. He probably doesn't have many options. Sad!
madashell | 06.24.05 - 4:40 pm | #

Thank you General.

I'm a mother of an 11 yr old boy,and I hope that someday,his girlfriend has a dad with a heart as big as yours.

I have family members who served in Vietnam who came home broken forever.The war killed them after they came home.PTSD is an insideous thing.

I have a cousin in Iraq,we have not heard from him in 7 weeks,we have no idea where he is or if he's ok.

Bless you General,for all you do.Thank you.
An Angry Old Broad | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 5:37 pm | #

Poor old Stinkeye is way glum about her busted up pelvis. Her reputation as a rabblerouser is well founded and she is straining at the bit.


A very last minute thought. Taking the OYE theme on another tangent...I'm thinking of you all as the yellow jackets...

"Float like a butterfly...sting like a bee."

Have an excellent adventure and inflict as much psychic pain as you possibly can. Humiliate and shame and embarrass....these are a few of my favorite things.

We armchair warriors salute you and await your dispatches from the front.
.
stinkeye | 06.24.05 - 5:47 pm | #

Annti well said. Good luck to your niece and her beau. You're probably right about most of the young Repubs being scions of wealthy families but look at the challenger for the CRNC chairmanship from CA. Son of a single mother. Doesn't sound like he's loaded. Just sounds like he's got serious "man of the family" issues.
Mark Garrity | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 6:14 pm | #

For those who haven't seen it, take a look at this post on Kos' blog:

Pissed as hell at Rove


It seems to me that the best way to hit
these children (and let's face it, they're a bunch of spoiled children) would be to get as many active duty soldiers/Iraq veterans as possible to join in this event. It would be even better if they came in full uniform.




Gods, I'd love to see that.
AZ_Squeegee | 06.24.05 - 6:26 pm | #

Lovely post, General's Inner Frenchman. Not to name-drop or anything, but Julia Child has been raving about my fabulous desserts. And the kitchen Up Here is ginormous. And Las Vegas in the summer reminds me of my childhood home. And I can look really conservative if I absolutely have to. So if you need someone to woman the Bake Sale booth at the YR convention...Annti, honey, are you up for a road trip?
Mistress Magdalene | 06.24.05 - 6:43 pm | #

General-
Good luck with those new returning vets.

One hopes that Dante "forgot" to write about a really shitty level of hell reserved for chickenhawk cocksuckers like Rove, Limbaugh, etc..

Viet Era Vet '69-76
West Point '73
OZinWisconsin | 06.24.05 - 7:23 pm | #

General, I love your inner Frenchman. That was a truly beautiful thing you wrote.

Thanks to Randy too for your story. I'm sharing both of these testaments to peace and decency with all my friends.

Peace.

-Speedy
Speedy | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 9:09 pm | #

Excellent post.

Instead of Augustus, I probably would have used his uncle as the example though. Octavian wasn't a good person by any stretch of the imagination, but the wars of expansion did pretty much stop under him. Julius Caesar, on the other hand, was by and large the first Roman general to throw out their paper thin justifications for conquest. He didn't even bother to disguise the fact the he invaded Gaul and Britain for no greater reason than his own glory.
pansauce | Homepage | 06.24.05 - 10:37 pm | #

Mistress Magdalene, honey, if I can swing the gas money, we are THERE!

Do ya think that the stickers on the GMC will skeer 'em off prematurely, or will I just have a hard time with valet parking?
Anntichrist S. Coulter | 06.24.05 - 10:48 pm | #

Pure poetry, General, as the truth always is. It's been said that everyone in America either knows or knows of someone who's serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. A childhood friend of my oldest son, now 21, was our connection to Iraq. He was always a funny, fun-loving kid but after he came back from Iraq from a brief furlough, this funny, fun-loving kid was now a Marine who was wholeheartedly supporting the war, something he'd never allow himself to do if the Marines didn't squeeze their fingerprints into his brain.

We saw this with Vietnam now we're seeing it with Iraq. These kids are young, impressionable, untrained... and unchecked.

The Repugs are always brushing off the Democrats' requests for justice, for accountability, saying that we shouldn;t "rehash the past", but this is precisely what Rove has done. Taking point in attacking Durbin for something for which he'd already apologized (with tears in his eyes- it was one of the most pathetic things I'd ever seen on CSPAN) and blaming the Democrats for any future deaths of GI's is one way the Administration has of doing the Pontius Pilate thing.

And, after these rats have left the warehouse and the bodies are moldering and the stories start coming out, they'll say the same thing in their dotage: "Let's not rehash the past." And who will hold the redundant accountable in the future?
jurassicpork | Homepage | 06.25.05 - 12:12 am | #

General,

Thank you so much for this post and for all you do. I'll be praying for your "boys" and for all those caught up in the meat grinder that is Iraq.
celticgirl | 06.25.05 - 1:10 am | #

Annti;

YOU, rawk like a mofo! (excuse me for using your phrase)

I think Mark G. is right about one thing; not all YR's children of privilege--but they've all been to the top of the the mountain and when Satan offered them the world, they said, "Oh, yes, fuck yes!"

I hate to even think about what will happen when I start asking the gung-hos that I know what plans their sons and daughters have after high school.

A coward is not just a man who won't fight because of his fear. A coward is a man who wants to watch a fight without joining in.
democommie | 06.25.05 - 6:25 am | #

DemoCom, honey, right back atcha. But I'll tell ya, I've met a helluva lot more spoiled-rotten, hands-as-soft-as-a-baby's-ass, button-down, alcoholic FRAT BOY republicunts than I've ever met of PO'BOY republicunts.

Granted, Reagan The Evil Emperor did manage to horseshit a big chunk of the working class (they called them "Reagan Democrats" --- HA! Them ain't no democrats!) into believing that the Billionaire Boys' Club gave a fuck about them --- and their spawn are still hanging onto that dream --- but of all the states that I've visited, and all of the folks I've met, Private School Folk outnumber the Po' But Righteous crowd, 4-to-1.
Anntichrist S. Coulter | 06.26.05 - 1:25 am | #

Compelling patriotboy. The one thing I take issue with is your assertation that both Lincoln and FDR were "great men". They both fell into the same political shit heel category that GWB falls in, they just had better luck lying to the masses and spinning it in a favorable light.
lowdown | 06.27.05 - 6:31 pm | #

Well said, patriotboy.
DanM | 06.27.05 - 10:10 pm | #

Damn you, Anntichrist! I've just been busted reading the General's blog at work. Your snark about the Commander Codpiece flight suit made me guffaw so loudly, my hearing-impaired office mate turned around to stare.

Yip.
Salt | 06.28.05 - 5:24 pm | #

Hey, Salt... (my favorite seasoning) Sorry if I "got you busted," but you know the rules, kiddo --- you gotta laugh through the nose and fake it off as an allergy attack, if you're going to blog at work.

But hey, always glad to be of service, I suppose... heh heh heh...
Anntichrist S. Coulter | 06.29.05 - 12:17 am | #

thank you, j.g.'s inner frenchman. wish i'd read this a week ago, so i'd have been soothed instead of screaming for an apology.
Jami | Homepage | 06.30.05 - 9:18 pm | #

Well said sir
starbork | 08.08.05 - 3:34 pm | #

Fuck you. You piece of shit. You'll get yours one day, God will be sure of that. You think we're misusing our armed forces? More people died on 9/11 than Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor caused the U.S. to enter World War 2, and your bitchin over war with Iraq? God forbid, we lose what, 2 guys a day? You need to get your shit straight. I'm in college and I plan to go straight to the Marines after I get my associate degree. But when I think of people like you, I start second guessing if I would want to put my life on the line for assholes like you. You have no respect for America's armed forces. Yes, there are other alternatives than war, with the exception of this one. Thousands of people died on 9/11 and you think it was bad judgement to go to war? You want all those lives to go in vain?! If we stopped this war now or if we had never even entered this war than that would send a message to every other terrorists on the planet; "America is pussy, they will not fight". If Bush hadn't entered this war, I would hope that he'd be impeached.
Patriot | 12.12.05 - 4:08 pm | #