Posted on 08/30/2005 12:49:23 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch
Newsweek Reporter Asked to Apologize for 'Mercenary Army' Comment By Susan Jones CNSNews.com Senior Editor August 30, 2005
(CNSNews.com) - A group that supports the U.S. military is demanding an apology from Newsweek magazine's Eleanor Clift, who recently characterized America's armed forces as a "mercenary Army."
Her comments -- made this past weekend on the syndicated TV program "The McLaughlin Group" -- were "unfounded and grossly inappropriate," said the Freedom Alliance.
In an Aug. 30 letter to Clift, Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon asked her to retract her comment and apologize to the armed forces and their families.
Clift made the comment during a discussion about military recruiting efforts:
"But I think what we're coming to grips with is the fact that we actually have a mercenary Army," Clift said, according to a transcript of "The McLaughlin Group" program.
"And it doesn't have a nice ring to it. We call it 'volunteers,' but we're basically paying people to serve their country. And if you're going to pay people and have a mercenary Army, you're going to have to pay the market rate. And so the bounties are going up -- more money for tuition, higher enlistment bonuses -- and I think it's appropriate."
The Freedom Alliance said it is "wholly inappropriate" to describe America's military men and women as mercenaries.
"It is a vile and thankless description of those who are responsible for defending your life and right to free expression," Kilgannon wrote in the letter.
"A professional wordsmith such as yourself should understand that mercenary troops have no loyalties, no ties and no bonds to any nation. They fight not for duty, flag or country but for selfish gain. They have no regard for political ideology and no respect for national interests. Often, at the first sign of resistance, mercenary troops turn and run."
Those qualities do not describe U.S. troops, Kilgannon said, adding that Clift should "be ashamed of yourself for suggesting otherwise."
Kilgannon suggests that during her next appearance on "The McLaughlin Group," Clift should apologize - and retract her description of U.S. troops as "mercenaries."
"You may also want to search your heart for a little more consideration for those who keep this nation strong and free," Kilgannon writes.
The Freedom Alliance, founded in 1990 by Lt. Col. Oliver North, describes its mission as advancing the American heritage of freedom by honoring and encouraging military service, defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defense.
It also exposes anti-military bias in the media.
Typical liberal who believes you can have it both ways:
It's wrong to have paid volunteers and it's wrong to draft people.
Brilliant, Eleanor, brilliantly thought through.
Eleanor Clift? LOL What a fool! Her position with Newsweek only proves that anybody, no matter how stupid, can get high paying work in America.
Clift has reached a state where her physical repulsiveness, her intellectual depravity and her gaping stupidity have finally all intersected at a point on the graph known as "a$$hole"
Eleanor Clift is a piece of hate-America filth. Her and her democrat party are undeserved of winning anymore elections.
It's clear that she didn't even know what the meaning of the words were. She is one of the biggest mental midgets on talking head tv, and has been for ages now.
Did anyone else on the show take exception to her comments?
What a great use of words and letters. She surely is.
A blogger is a volunteer; a reporter is paid to do it and is therefore a whore.
My e-mail to this ignorant excuse for a columnist;
Dear Ms. Clift,
I am writing in regard to the comments you made recently on the McLaughlin Group. As Marine Gunnery Sergeant with 21 years of active service I take great offence to your saying "But I think what we're coming to grips with is the fact that we actually have a mercenary Army," "And it doesn't have a nice ring to it. We call it 'volunteers,' but we're basically paying people to serve their country. And if you're going to pay people and have a mercenary Army, you're going to have to pay the market rate. And so the bounties are going up -- more money for tuition, higher enlistment bonuses -- and I think it's appropriate."
Those comments do a great disservice to the men and women of our armed forces. I can't believe that someone who has enormous influence over what people think about major issues would say something so blatantly off base. I am also sick and tired of pundits like you thinking they speak for me and those like me. I would think that you and your ilk would think before running off at the mouth about thing you have absolutely no clue about, but time and time again you guys prove me wrong.
Let me clear some things up for you, first off a mercenary holds no loyalty to country, branch of service, unit, or ideology. His sole motivation is financial. On the other hand, the brave men and women who make up the U.S. military hold the above loyalties, and while they may enlist for a variety of different reasons, they serve honorably, with a high sense of duty, and distinction. To classify these people as mercenaries shows your total and complete ignorance of the make up of our military. The really sad part of all your commentary on this issue is the fact that we in the military hold Al quida fighters with higher regard than we do mercenaries, at least these guys stand for something. Until you walk a mile in my boots, or hump my pack, please do not pretend that you know anything about me, because your ignorant comments prove that you don't. Don't worry, I am not going to ask you to apologize for your comments, because I know that it wouldn't do any good. In the end when I retire and hang up my uniform for the last time I will go out knowing that despite of you and the rest of your ilk, there are millions of people out there who do know and appreciate the sacrifice I and thousands of others have made so that you may say the dumb things you do.
Sean R. Castillo
GySgt USMC
Damn straight we would!!! Semper Fi!!
What a soulless little insignificant person.
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