Right-wing bloggers feign outrage at Kerry comment

[Richard Tafoya]

The right-wing base is apparently only active when they're whipped up into a froth attacking veterans over fake controversies.

John Cole at Balloon Juice lends some perspective:
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=7550

See- you just have to vote Republican now (http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006237.htm):
John Kerry said what?! By Michelle Malkin · October 31, 2006 12:32 AM
***10/31 7:35am updated with more reax below…
...909am update San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Pasadena Star News reports on the Angelides campaign event at Pasadena City College where Kerry trashed the troops…”Kerry then told the students that if they were able to navigate the education system, they could get comfortable jobs – “If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq,” he said to a mixture of laughter and gasps.”***
A general rule of thumb regarding controversies like this is to count how many posts Michelle Malkin has about the issue, and to note that there is a positive correlation to how trivial the matter is and how many posts she has about it. At my last count, she had four on her site, two on her spin-off site Hot Air (http://hotair.com/) (who I still think ripped their name off from me). That would tell me that this issue would be somewhere between Cindy Sheehan and crescent-shaped 9/11 memorials and Terri Schaivo in importance, but the possibility is there for a new record.

Predictably, lamentably, the right-wing blogosphere is grievously insulted and has put the grass-roots outrage machine in high gear. (http://www.memeorandum.com/061031/p75#a061031p75) Expect record levels of umbrage from all corners.

I wish Kerry had not made the remark (even though he was trying to insult the President and not the troops), but I do find it a little amusing that the people who are ‘upset’ about this remark managed (if my memory is correct) to remain completely silent about this:
http://www.balloon-juice.com/managed-images/pheart.jpg
I am sure we all remember the Bush supporters wearing fake purple heart stickers at the 2004 RNC to mock Kerry’s service. Additionally, I note that Malkin and company have not yet moved to condemn the treatment Vietnam war hero Jim Webb is getting at the hands of Red State, where he has been compared to John Mark Karr (http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=7539) and today called a pervert (http://redstate.com/stories/elections/2006/a_note_to_campaigns).

[James Dean]

I'm glad he didn't apologize, he's speaking for many.

[tiger_rascal]

I dont really care what anyone else thinks, I think his comment was very offensive, and I dont think it just came out wrong, he knew what he was saying and he owes the troops and their families an apology, not sure if they will get one though.

[Annoyedlistner]

what kerry said is without a doubt true......its sad but it is....kids that do not do that great in school many times end up in the military because they really have no place else to turn.

[tiger_rascal]

That is an over-generalization.

[pinky]

A poor education does, in fact, limit a person's career options, as well as the chance to go to college. The military provides both.

Not all of our military personnel are undereducated. But a good percentage of the troops out on the front lines are. Kerry's comment was clumsy at best; however, as someone who actually served in the military during a period when it WAS largely the poor, undereducated, and economically disadvantaged who were serving, I rather doubt that he meant it as an insult to the troops, but as a criticism of Bush's policy.

[Richard Tafoya]

Kerry lashes back at the wingers:

NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/washington/31cnd-kerry.html?ex=1319950800&en=eca99a6fbf937f1e&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

If anyone should apologize, Mr. Kerry said, it is President Bush and his administration officials who started the ill-conceived war. He said his remarks, which he conceded were part of a “botched joke,” had been distorted and called the criticism directed at him the work of “assorted right-wing nut jobs and right-wing talk show hosts.”

“If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they’re crazy,” Mr. Kerry said in a statement. “I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.”

“I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq,” Mr. Kerry went on. “It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.”

At a televised news conference today in Seattle, Mr. Kerry said he was “disgusted” by the Republican attacks, which he noted were coming at the end of a bloody month in Iraq. “Sadly, this is the best this administration can do,” he said.

...

Part of Mr. Kerry’s outrage may arise from memories of 2004, when a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth raised allegations, never substantiated, that he had exaggerated his wartime exploits. Some political observers thought Mr. Kerry and his allies were too slow to strike back at his attackers.

This time, Mr. Kerry did not wait. “No Democrat will be bullied by an administration that has a cut-and-run policy in Afghanistan and a stand-still-and-lose strategy in Iraq,” he said in his statement. At his news conference, he accused Republicans of creating “straw men” because “they’re afraid to debate real men.”

[pinky]

“I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed-suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq,” Mr. Kerry went on. “It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.”Where was this side of Kerry in 2004? :greyno:

[tiger_rascal]

He was trying to get votes.

[*Katy*]

The comment was insensitive and uncalled for. While i know he probably didnt mean it the way it sounded, he should still appologize. I go to school with many people in the army and navy and i would definatley not call them uneducated or say they did?do poorly in school. Many people join the military to go to college.

[ConnieB]

My husband and I are very offended by what Kerry said. He knew what he was saying, and now he's twisting everything around and putting blame on the white house...lol.I guess old habits never die.

In no way was he talking about the President when he used the word "YOU". He aimed it at the students he was in front of, and told them they would be stuck in Iraq, if they didn't get educated. Yes, he needs to apologize to every military member.

I don't know how many people have taken the ASVAB, but it's a tough test, and if you don't get a decent score, they won't accept you into the Military. I know of a few people who didn't pass.

[ConnieB]

I'm glad he didn't apologize, he's speaking for many.I didn't know others thought of our military as uneducated? Yes, this was a direct fire at the military, not at the president.

As in his own words "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." How is this as worded related to the President? He uses the word "YOU" as he's talking in front of a crowd, so he meant the people there, not the President, unless he was actually there...ROFL. He may have meant to say it differently (Which I doubt), but this is the way it came out, now he needs to be a man and apologize for what he said.

[x2_Iceman]

It's so pathetic, yet predictable that the Bush admin wants to make his remarks look as they have been insults against the troops but we all know he meant Bush!

WASHINGTON - The White House and Sen. John Kerry traded their harshest accusations since the 2004 presidential race on Tuesday, with President Bush accusing the Democrat of troop-bashing and Kerry calling the president's men hacks who are "willing to lie."

Kerry's remarks came during a campaign rally for California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides. Kerry opened his speech at Pasadena City College with several one-liners, saying at one point that Bush had lived in Texas but now "lives in a state of denial."

He then said: "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

That, Kerry said, was meant as a reference to Bush, not troops. Kerry said it is the president who owes U.S. soldiers an apology — for "a Katrina foreign policy" that misled the country into war in Iraq, failed to adequately study and plan for the aftermath, has not properly equipped troops and has expanded the terrorist threat.

The two parties are searching for any edge amid indications Democrats could take back the House and possibly win control of the Senate in next week's midterm elections. Though neither Bush nor Kerry is on any ballot, the bitterness with which they fought each other as 2004 rivals spilled over as both campaign hard for their parties in a race shaped in large measure by public doubts about the Iraq war.

White House press secretary Tony Snow was asked about Kerry's comment at his regular briefing with reporters, and had clearly come prepared with a lengthy attack. He said the quote "fits a pattern" of negative remarks about U.S. soldiers from the decorated Vietnam veteran and suggested that whether Democratic candidates — particularly those running on their military service backgrounds — agree with their 2004 standard-bearer should be a campaign litmus test.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061101/ap_on_go_pr_wh/white_house_kerry


"I'm sick and tired of a bunch of despicable Republicans who will not debate real policy, who won't take responsibility for their own mistakes, standing up and trying to make other people the butt of those mistakes," he said. "It disgusts me that a bunch of these Republican hacks who've never worn the uniform of our country are willing to lie about those who did."

THANK YOU!

[tiger_rascal]

I disagree. Not only is it not clear that he was talking about Bush, but he is obviously trying to twist his own words around to shift blame. And what does Bush have to do with getting a good education or else end up in Iraq? What does Bush have to do with people choosing to join the military after getting an education and sometimes to further their education? Kerry did this to himself, he should leave everyone else out of it, be a man and apologize.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Not the most eloquently worded swipe at Bush, but a swipe nonetheless. I take the man at his word, and I accept his explanation. I certainly agree with his harsh words for the fake White House outrage. But, he handed it to them.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Kerry was calling Bush an idiot. And he is. His words were misconstrued, that much I understand. One can either accept his explanation or, as the White House has chosen to do, call him a liar. His defensive statement in that regard is perfectly understandable.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

I didn't know others thought of our military as uneducated? Yes, this was a direct fire at the military, not at the president.

As in his own words "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." How is this as worded related to the President? He uses the word "YOU" as he's talking in front of a crowd, so he meant the people there, not the President, unless he was actually there...ROFL. He may have meant to say it differently (Which I doubt), but this is the way it came out, now he needs to be a man and apologize for what he said.

You roll on the floor laughing at the most inappropriate moments.

[Stopanimalabuse]

Why can't we all just get along? I'll be so happy when next Wednesday approaches.

[Annoyedlistner]

My husband and I are very offended by what Kerry said. He knew what he was saying, and now he's twisting everything around and putting blame on the white house...lol.I guess old habits never die.

In no way was he talking about the President when he used the word "YOU". He aimed it at the students he was in front of, and told them they would be stuck in Iraq, if they didn't get educated. Yes, he needs to apologize to every military member.

I don't know how many people have taken the ASVAB, but it's a tough test, and if you don't get a decent score, they won't accept you into the Military. I know of a few people who didn't pass.

of course your offended...your a conservative...your offended when a liberal shows up to vote.

the military offers great benefits and decent pay to people who have a high school degree and wish not to go to college, or for some reason they cant get into college.

Now i may be 10 years removed from high school, but i can remember many of my fellow students that said..."well i'm not smart enough to go to college...or my grades are to bad for college, im just going to join the military."

The military does offer a way out for people that are to poor or do not have the grades for college. There is no dispute to that at all.

Kerry was saying.....if you dont do your homework....dont get good grades....then your options are going to be limited...and your best possible option is to join the military where our president will put you in danger if someone sneezes.

[tiger_rascal]

Im not buying that Joey. Your options can still be limited even after getting good grades and graduating high school. Fact is, many people join the military because it is their choice and there are many different reasons. If Kerry meant something different, he really needs to clarify what he meant to say and apologize for the first comment that made it look like he thinks all troops are there because they are stupid, even if he meant Bush is stupid. And maybe if he was not trying so hard to bash Bush he would not be in this situation. It makes him look just as stupid as what he thinks Bush is.

[Annoyedlistner]

Im not buying that Joey. Your options can still be limited even after getting good grades and graduating high school. Fact is, many people join the military because it is their choice and there are many different reasons. If Kerry meant something different, he really needs to clarify what he meant to say and apologize for the first comment that made it look like he thinks all troops are there because they are stupid, even if he meant Bush is stupid. And maybe if he was not trying so hard to bash Bush he would not be in this situation. It makes him look just as stupid as what he thinks Bush is.


What other options do people have that will give them a 16k signing bonus right after HS...wages that allow them to buy a house or a car right off the bat....benefits that allow them to retire at 30 years...or if they choose to only serve 4 years...then the company they work for will pay for their college if they so choose to attend?

those options simply arent out there for high school grads.

[tiger_rascal]

Its about choice. I had none of those options and I am not in the military.

It is extremely offensive that Kerry would suggest that we have troops in Iraq because they were not good enough for college or too poor or whatever. What does Bush have to do with that anyway? I've asked that before and I still have not been given an answer. Kerry is simply trying to turn this around, but its not working for me and many others. His words were all too clear. Im not holding my breath for an apology, but its the decent thing to do. Maybe next time he will think before he speaks.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Kerry claims it was a botched joke. He was throwing out one-liners bashing Bush. This one, which followed a similar one-liner, was supposed to go, ""You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get US stuck in Iraq." He was bashing Bush for his well-known intellectual laziness.

Take him at his word, or not. Up to you. Either way, it's a distraction from the issues and Bush and the GOP know it. They're using it to their advantage, flaming the fire in hopes of outraging more Republicans to get out and vote.

Edit: Here's the graph and the link.

A Kerry spokeswoman, Amy Brundage, said later that the senator's prepared text had called for him to say: "Do you know where you end up if you don't study, if you aren't smart, if you're intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush."

From an AP story posted at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6411741

[Richard Tafoya]

That's not a bad joke. Too bad he rushed the punchline. He should go on Letterman and do a whole Top Ten around it.

And he should use the correct joke at every campaign stop from here til election day along with all the great stuff in his statement.

The troops deserve an apology from president Bush for using them as political props.

[tiger_rascal]

Well then that can easily be turned against Kerry. Afterall, he voted for the Iraq War. Im going to assume that was an example of him being intellectually lazy. Too bad he did not study and do his homework.

Thanks Bush, and Kerry, and...

Yes, thats a very bad joke. I dont take this war lightly. Kerry should be more concerned about the issues and not about bashing Bush or joking about the war.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1553167,00.html

My thoughts exactly.

[Richard Tafoya]

This, his speech on the president's desire to go to war, before the vote, very clearly spells out the terms with which he would support a move into war.

And the president's actions put him squarely in the category of military action that Kerry would not support.

It looks like it's you who aren't doing you homework here.

http://www.independentsforkerry.org/uploads/media/kerry-iraq.html

As the President made clear earlier this week, "Approving this resolution does not mean that military action is imminent or unavoidable." It means "America speaks with one voice."

Let me be clear, the vote I will give to the President is for one reason and one reason only: To disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, if we cannot accomplish that objective through new, tough weapons inspections in joint concert with our allies.

In giving the President this authority, I expect him to fulfill the commitments he has made to the American people in recent days--to work with the United Nations Security Council to adopt a new resolution setting out tough and immediate inspection requirements, and to act with our allies at our side if we have to disarm Saddam Hussein by force. If he fails to do so, I will be among the first to speak out.

If we do wind up going to war with Iraq, it is imperative that we do so with others in the international community, unless there is a showing of a grave, imminent--and I emphasize "imminent"--threat to this country which requires the President to respond in a way that protects our immediate national security needs.
After this vote, the president asked the UN Security Council to issue the authority to go to war. The security council resisted, saying that inspections underway had not yet proven the existence of WMD under the rules of Resolution 1441, a mandate issued to verify Iraq's compliance with WMD obligations.

When it became clear that a UN resolution authorizing war would be vetoed by France and Russia, among other nations, Bush snidely categorized the Security Council as "irrelevant" and forced weapons inspectors---who were in the process of proving there were no WMD in Iraq---out, so he could start his own war for his own reasons.

These were not the things authorized by Kerry's vote.

[tiger_rascal]

Well with the way Kerry feels about Bush in general and his intellectual laziness you would think that Kerry would not give Bush the time of day, let alone the right to go to war.







Still waiting for the apology.

[Richard Tafoya]

Bush's intellectual laziness was brought into common knowledge by former White House staffers from 2004 onward. The vote on military action occurred in late 2002.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Well....


Well? That's it, well...? You accuse Kerry of voting to go to war, then when Richard proves to you that indeed he did not, and that Bush misled not only Kerry but the entire country into this war, your only response is "Well...?"

And you want an apology from Kerry? Right.

[tiger_rascal]

Well... yes, Kerry still owes an apology. Bush had nothing to do with what Kerry said.

You can try to shift the blame all you want and distract from the real issue. Take it up with Kerry, not Bush.

Im not surprised though that you and others in this forum would try and turn it around, what do you all call that, spinning?

[DoubleEdgeSword]

The real issue? The real issue is that Kerry botched a joke. The White House is turning it into "Kerry insulted the troops." Bush needs to apologize for using the troops as political pawns.

And if this had nothing to do with Bush and the war, then why did you bring it up?

Well then that can easily be turned against Kerry. Afterall, he voted for the Iraq War.

[tiger_rascal]

Its more than just the White House, its the general public, and all Kerry had to do was issue an apology and get it over with.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

The man issued a statement saying it was a botched joke. The White House knew that and made a huge thing of it anyway. They spun it the way they wanted to.

I hope, as someone else said, that he keeps telling the joke, over and over, the right way.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

For that matter, Chad, now that the White House knows it was a botched joke, I don't hear them saying, "Oh sorry, we misunderstood."

[tiger_rascal]

For that matter, Chad, now that the White House knows it was a botched joke, I don't hear them saying, "Oh sorry, we misunderstood."

There may be one of three reasons for that. They dont believe him. They are offended that he would use our troops in a joke against Bush. Or, they are still waiting for an apology from Kerry.

Thats just my opinion. I think the political scene in this country is a joke, so Bush and Kerry are in the same boat. Someone needs to sink it.

[db44]

Hey Chad, how about you ask Bush to apologize to Hans Blix, whose character he assasinated much worse than a snide comment by Kerry, before you go looking for an apology from Kerry?

[tiger_rascal]

Oh, Dave, we all know Bush owes quite a bit of people apologies, I wont deny that, but this thread is not about Bush, its about Kerry. Perhaps you can start a Bush apology thread thing.

Unless you are agreeing with me that Bush and Kerry are on the same level, they owe apologies but wont give any.

[db44]

Kerry has nothing to atone for as it were until Bush gets through his list. That's why it's relevant, because the Bushies are in no place to ask for an apology until they offer a few themselves.

And backing up, I totally agree with the statements here about the education level of the military. Even in propeganda movies like Bataan the obvious example of uneducated kids in the military are plenty... They can't even speak proper English (not that Bush could ever pick up on that). Regular army people are often not well-educated. But you don't hear much about them, enlisted non-coms... We only hear from and about the officers, who are educated, who can speak properly and who have chosen to join the military for other reasons, or were roped in thinking our president wouldn't call them to service for their ROTC or education plans... People Bush didn't have a right to call to service as Richard showed earlier.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Here's your apology, Chad.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/01/kerry.remarks/index.html

"Kerry's office said two House campaign appearances by the senator also have been canceled -- by mutual decision -- so as not to "allow the Republican hate machine to use Democratic candidates as their proxies in their distorted spin war in which once again they're willing to exploit brave American troops."

[x2_Iceman]

Do you guys really think, he attacked the troops?

Duh, Kerry was a soldier himself, do you really think he would call himself an idiot?

No, he obviously meant Bush, who never did his homework (exit plan anyone?) and rushed to Iraq and by the way really had bad grades at school :D

[lions1mew]

Do you guys really think, he attacked the troops?

Duh, Kerry was a soldier himself, do you really think he would call himself an idiot?

No, he obviously meant Bush, who never did his homework (exit plan anyone?) and rushed to Iraq and by the way really had bad grades at school :D

Exactly! Why in the world would a man who fought for this country himself insult the very troops of which he was a proud part? It would have been a huge insult if Bush had botched the joke because the man skipped out on doing HIS duty because Daddy paid to get him into the NG ... which he never even completed either.

[db44]

Well, I don't know if he was proud of his time in the service...

If he'd played Dove like he did back after 'Nam, he might be president right now.

[*Katy*]

Im not buying that Joey. Your options can still be limited even after getting good grades and graduating high school. Fact is, many people join the military because it is their choice and there are many different reasons. If Kerry meant something different, he really needs to clarify what he meant to say and apologize for the first comment that made it look like he thinks all troops are there because they are stupid, even if he meant Bush is stupid. And maybe if he was not trying so hard to bash Bush he would not be in this situation. It makes him look just as stupid as what he thinks Bush is.
Exactly, and alot of people join the military after they finish college b/c the military will pay back your loans. I know alot of my class mates are joining the air force once they graduate.

Bush has no right to say anything about bashing the troops because hes one of the biggest cowards we've ever had as a president in this country. Anyone that runs from duty during war is a coward, i respect Kerry for his service and that is why i dont think he meant to sound the way he did. Although, he does need to appologize and not be so stuborn and think that the republicans are just out to get him...it is election time but we still have troops overseas and back from overseas that dont have arms and are blind and for him to say that is just completely inappropriate.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Another apology from Kerry for the botched joke, and an apology if it offended any service member or family.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/01/kerry.remarks/index.html

[db44]

Exactly, and alot of people join the military after they finish college b/c the military will pay back your loans. I know alot of my class mates are joining the air force once they graduate.

You are still not focusing on the structure of the military. These people get fast-tracked into the good jobs. The Air Force isn't exactly in harm's way in the grand scheme of things in modern warfare. In Iraq, they are pretty much flying higher and faster than any threat. The Navy is relatively safe too. And both branches have high standards. Joe Schmoe isn't going to have much of a chance getting into these branches.

The same with officers in the Marines and Army. You go to school on the Army's dime, you're going to be an officer so the country can get the most out of its investment.

The majority of the army is the grunts, the privates and corporals. Enlisted men. The Radars and Klingers. The peasants of old, the cannon fodder. And, again, the people you don't hear from most of the time.

[db44]

Exactly, and alot of people join the military after they finish college b/c the military will pay back your loans. I know alot of my class mates are joining the air force once they graduate.

You are still not focusing on the structure of the military. These people get fast-tracked into the good jobs. The Air Force isn't exactly in harm's way in the grand scheme of things in modern warfare. In Iraq, they are pretty much flying higher and faster than any threat. The Navy is relatively safe too. And both branches have high standards. Joe Schmoe isn't going to have much of a chance getting into these branches.

The same with officers in the Marines and Army. You go to school on the Army's dime, you're going to be an officer so the country can get the most out of its investment.

The majority of the army is the grunts, the privates and corporals. Enlisted men. The Radars and Klingers. The peasants of old, the cannon fodder. And, again, the people you don't hear from most of the time.

[*Katy*]

You are still not focusing on the structure of the military. These people get fast-tracked into the good jobs. The Air Force isn't exactly in harm's way in the grand scheme of things in modern warfare. In Iraq, they are pretty much flying higher and faster than any threat. The Navy is relatively safe too. And both branches have high standards. Joe Schmoe isn't going to have much of a chance getting into these branches.

The same with officers in the Marines and Army. You go to school on the Army's dime, you're going to be an officer so the country can get the most out of its investment.

The majority of the army is the grunts, the privates and corporals. Enlisted men. The Radars and Klingers. The peasants of old, the cannon fodder. And, again, the people you don't hear from most of the time.
The air force was just an example, i live in a military city now, and i must say that i was taken back at first. I would say about 75% of my class is involved with the military in some way, alot of them are done with their service and want to continue and thats the only way you can automatically become a officer, otherwise you have to wait(and yes they still pay for your school). The air force is the best option but alot were in the regular army or still are.

I get what your saying, alot of people in the army are uneducated OR see it as a good opportunity when they dont want to go to college...etc. But Alot are also career oriented, see it as a good opportunity to go to school that is paid for and recieve a living wage. I dont think its anything different than regular colleges or america...community colleges are usually filled with kids that have to take alot of "pre" classes because they still have trouble with the basics, and i was one of those and now im at a university. Luckily i have parents that are able to help with paying for my education some are not so lucky and find the army a good way to do that.

I just think that people are to fast to jump to the conclusion that the only reason people would go to the military would be if they were desperate and thats just not the case. Im not pro-military and i would never join(b/c of personal reasons), but i have alot of respect for people that do.

[Lucky_19]

While not everyone in the miltary is poor/under educated, I'd bet about 70% are. We all see those reports on the recruiters going to the poor parts of town to recruit, or atleast I've seen them. Its sad but true and I dont blame him for saying that.

[pinky]

Is anyone going to argue that Lynndie England is intelligent?