Posted on 12/11/2013 6:54:44 PM PST by Lazamataz
There's an article about gun control that's all the rage on Esquire.com, by one Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bateman, but he says to call him Bob. Okay, "Bob," is that your name or what you do?
LTC Bob makes a big deal about being a combat arms officer, but discreetly alludes to the fact that it doesn't appear he's ever actually served in combat. He told someone:
“You may disagree with my analysis, but let us focus on that debate rather than getting into a dick-measuring contest about my qualifications as a US Army Strategist. Unless, of course, you are also closely familiar with Strategists? In which case, I’d be happy to engage in a critique of my functional area, and your belief that you are a better strategist than I am, but then you would have to give me your qualifications as a strategist.” So, if you want to have a debate about the Second Amendment, I’m hear [sic] to listen and argue. Obviously we both have some pretty strong opinions about the topic.” “PS~ You don’t need to use my rank. You’re retired and LTC is not exactly such an exalted rank that one needs to stand upon it. “Bob” will do just fine.”
He also is vague on his credentials but demands them from others. How cute.
And if "Bob" is good enough, why did he use his irrelevant title (likely in violation of the UCMJ) to promote his credibility? Why claim the Infantry status he admits isn't relevant, then switch to being a strategist? And what would being a strategist matter to the criminal use of small arms?
To clarify:
He's an FA59, which isn't really managing violence. From a 2007 Military Review article:
(Excerpt) Read more at michaelzwilliamson.com ...
WARNING: HARSH LANGUAGE. WARNING
FO, Master Bateman.
I kind of figured he was some kind of REMF with that whole “managing violence” comment. Glad somebody smoked him out.
Bump for later.
This tracks with what I have been able to dig up about “Bobbie” Bateman. I believe that he last served in an infantry battalion during the 1993-1996 timeframe when he was a company commander. He followed that with graduate school, assignment as an assistant professor at West Point, military fellow at CSIS, then a series of minor staff assignments at echelons above reality. His Iraq tour was on GEN Petreaus’ staff, not exactly on the pointy edge of the spear.
I believe that he believed that this article would endear him to the left and deliver up a cushy job offer upon retirement. I don’t think he had any idea what he was going to stir up.
I get the feeling he didn’t admire the essayist.
The worst kind of REMF too, a smarmy know-it-all wannabee tyrant.
I also got that impression. :)
Nice takedown....but Baterman wasn’t really a tough target.
ROFL, my favorite was the first comment, “What do you have against rabid Yaks?”
So Bateman is a guy who fetches coffee for generals?
Nah. Bateman was the guy who fetches coffee for the guy who fetches coffee for the general...
RLTW
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