I learned something ineteresting this morning about the men who are pushing the "war" against terror and operations in Afghanistan and declaring dissent to be "unpatriotic". Very few of them seem to have deigned serve in the U.S. military. The data was collected at www.awolbush.com. Here's the info on Prominent Republicans (other than General Colin Powell, current Secretary of State).
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* Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert - avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Majority Leader Dick Armey- avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Majority Whip Tom Delay - avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott - avoided the draft, did not serve.
* President George W. Bush - served four years of a six-year Air National Guard commitment.
* VP Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense- several deferments (4), followed by a paternity deferment, did not serve "had other priorities than military service"
* Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft - deferment to teach Business at SW Missouri State
* Karl Rove - avoided the draft, did not serve
* Former Speaker Newt Gingrich - avoided the draft, did not serve (also a former military dependent -- like me)
* Former President Ronald Reagan - served in a noncombat role.
* Bob Dornan - avoided Korean War combat duty by enrolling in college acting classes
* Senator John McCain - Former POW during Vietnam. Honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Former Senator Bob Dole Second lieutenant in the Army's 10th Mountain Division. Two Purple Hearts for his injuries, and the Bronze Star Medal. While trying to assist a downed radio man, Dole was hit by Nazi machine gun fire in the upper right back and his right arm was so damaged that it was unrecognizable. Dole was immediately given morphine by an Army field medic to alleviate the pain, and his forehead was marked with an "M" in his own blood to alert medics. He was not expected to live.
* Chuck Hagel - two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, Vietnam
* Duke Cunningham - nominated for the Medal of Honor, received the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart.
Notice how the men most responsible for putting troops in the line of fire, did not serve. This doesn't mean they can't make sound decisions, but would think it would keep them from being able to claim any special expertise. SO how do leading Democrats stack up?
* House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt - Served his country in uniform, 1965-71
* House Minority Whip David Bonior - Served his country in uniform, 1968-72
* Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle - Served his country in uniform, 1969-72
* Former Vice President Al Gore - Served his country in uniform, 1969-71; recipient of Vietnam Service Medal
* Bob Kerrey Congressional Medal of Honor, Vietnam
* Daniel Inouye Congressional Medal of Honor, World War Two
* John Kerry Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam
* Charles Range Bronze Star, Korea
* Max Cleland Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam
* Howell Heflin Silver Star
* Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA) - two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier's Medal.
* Ambassador "Pete" Peterson, Air Force Captain, POW, Democratic congressman, Ambassador to Viet Nam, and recipient of the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit
* Rep. Mike Thompson, D-CA: U.S. Army staff sergeantwith the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Purple Heart.
Even Hillary Clinton attempted to join the Marines, but was turned down (they told her that she "couldn't see, was too old, why don't you try the dogs (Army)"). So who is best qualified when it comes to military matters, and who best knows what war is about? Not the rich kids who used daddy's money to avoid service.
Posted by Chris at March 5, 2002 03:34 PMTo Chris:
you are defending the undefensible, i.e. Clinton's DRAFT DODGING. The fact that many Republicans, and not a small amount of Democrats, avoided going to Vietnam, does NOT justify the fact that our ex-COMMANDEER IN CHIEF did everything in his power not to serve 1 single minute in any branch of the armed forces.
Your are childish and simply cherry picking to what you perceive may be your advantage (obviously you are a liberal Democrat), for there are as many Republicans and Democrats in Congess who served in the Armed Forces as REpublicans and Democrats who did NOT serve. Chris, using that argument you are merely "DEFINING DOWN DEVIANCY".
But the above notwithstanding, be aware that knowing WHEN to engage in armed conflict to DEFEND one's country is a matter of LEADERSHIP, JUDGEMENT and PRINCIPLES - notions that you are obviously and painfully lacking. The fact that someone may or may have not served in the Armed Forces does not and should not preclude him/her from doing what is RIGHT and HONORABLE (look up the definition of that last word. It will help you in your future endeavors).
Rick,
A few points in response to your comments of March 10th, 2004:
1. I posted this article two years ago, and you're responding now? Please.
2. I'm not defending Bill Clinton's draft dodging. I was as pissed about it as anyone else. I'm merely illustrating the fact that those who claim to be such staunch defenders of the United States and experts on military affairs performed little more service than the former President. This is not "defining down deviance", this is demonstrating the hypocrisy of those who are leading the nation. These guys criticizing Bill Clinton or Al Gore or John Kerry or Max Cleland on defense issues is, to use your word, indefensible.
3. George W. Bush, current President of these United States, has not yet, nor is likely to in the forseeable future, defend this nation against anything. Rather, he has led us into a military conflict that has increased the likelyhood of terrorist attacks against us and our allies. He has also done so under false pretenses. No WMDs, no links between Iraq and al-Qaeda, no prrof that Saddam Hussein had anything to do with acts of terrorism against the United States, no Iraqi capability for attacking the U.S., no Iraqi capability for developing WMDs. The simple fact is that he lied to us, and to Congress. Leadership, judgement, and principles are sadly lacking in this Administration.
4. You must use a different definition of the word honorable than I do. The American Heritage Dictionary (4th edition) defines it this way: "1. Deserving or winning honor and respect: led an honorable life. 2. Bringing distinction or recognition: honorable service to one's nation. 3. Possessing and characterized by honor: an honorable person. 4. Consistent with honor or good name: followed the only honorable course of action. 5. Distinguished; illustrious: this honorable gathering of scholars. 6. Attended by marks of recognition and honor: received an honorable burial. "
The same dictionary defines the word honor as "1. High respect, as that shown for special merit; esteem: the honor shown to a Nobel laureate. 2a. Good name; reputation. b. A source or cause of credit: was an honor to the profession. 3a. Glory or recognition; distinction. b. A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction: the place of honor at the table. c. A military decoration. d. A title conferred for achievement. 4. High rank. 5. The dignity accorded to position: awed by the honor of his office. 6. Great privilege: I have the honor to present the governor. 7. Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and mayors: Her Honor the Mayor. 8a. Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity. b. A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms."
Neither of these definitions fit the character of the President or Vice President, as shown by their penchant for lying to the American people on pretty much every occasion they want to justify a policy. Want examples: The war in Iraq. The tax-cut, which goes primarily to the top 1% of Americans, but was sold as middle-class tax relief. The budget deficit, which the President blames on Sept. 11th and the war, but of which 34% is due to the tax cut. Pledges of support for the military while cutting benefits for active-duty personnel and veterans. The attack ads that came out yesterday that distort the voting record of John Kerry. The use of Sept. 11th as a backdrop for campaign ads after the President told the survivors and families that he would not do so. The AWOL issue.
Do I really need to go on?
As far as you personal attack on me by calling me childish, as far as I'm concerned, it invalidates any point you might have had. It completely violates the spirit of reasoned debate that our democracy is founded on.
As to the "liberal Democrat" charge, think again. Until 1998, I was a registered Republican, now I'm registered non-partisan. I will admit that the policies of the current Administration have radicalized me and my views. not because I am not in the mainstream, but because they are not. My main concern is the maintenance of American Republican Democracy, which relies on certain freedoms and responsibilities for the citizenry. The current Administration has repeatedly attack those freedoms. Take a close look at the USA PAtriot Act and think about how it could be used against those who don't agree with the powers that be, if you doubt that.
Chris
Posted by: Chris on March 12, 2004 11:15 AMi,am 65 yrs old.i was drafted in 1962,in my home town the rich kids all got deferments,their daddys put them in collage and let us middle class put on a uniform.over the years as i have watched what has happened to this country and in the world i look back with pride at the choice i made. drafted,volenteered for the airborne,served in the 101st.for better or for worse i did not run away from or try to hide my duty as a american. i can say with pride to the president and all his buddys that hid ,I WAS THERE,WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU.MY FRIENDS GAVE THEIR LIVES,DID YOURS? IN THE BAND OF BROTHERS YOU MR PRESIDENT DO NOT BELONG
Posted by: richard markusen on May 7, 2004 10:05 AM