Pentagon's Carr Refutes Kerry, Damon: Poorest Only Underrepresented Group in Military

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

John Kerry's notorious "stuck in Iraq" statement, echoed by actor Matt Damon, suggesting that the United States military is a last resort for those without the education or finances to pursue other options, has been roundly refuted by Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Bill Carr. Among other areas, Carr has responsibility for recruiting and retenton. Secretary Carr appeared on yesterday's edition of my "rightANGLE" TV show. In addition to commenting on a wide range of recruitment-related topics, Sec. Carr had this to say about the Kerry-Damon remarks:

"Two-thirds of those entering the military are drawn from the top half, so we have a clearly disproportionate, strongly educated, high-aptitude military. With regard to financial status of the parents, that's also misrepresented. The only group that is underrepresented in the military are the poorest. If you look at the zip codes from which they come, and then you compare the incomes, using commercial sources, from those zip codes, we're represented exactly as we should be except we're seriously underrepresented among the poorest, and somewhat overrepresented in the middle class. And could I add, the financial elite . . . are represented in exactly their proportion in the population."

Carr theorized that health care issues might explain the underrepresentation of the poorest Americans in the military.View video of Sec. Carr's comments here.

Although Secretary Carr was too diplomatic to suggest it, my own research indicates that among members of our military, there is another signficantly underrepresented demographic: millionaire movie stars.

Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Kerry-Damon-refuted ping to Today show list.

[msnimje]

I would dare say the average Gi-Joe or Jane is better educated than Kerry and Damon combined.

[2banana]

Actually - white, male and educated is vastly over represented...

[Red Badger]

They spout off stuff that's not true, then hope nobody calls them on it........

[TommyDale]

Are they overlooking the liberal Democrats in the military as an "underrepresented group"?

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

Of course when you are sucking off the welfare tit, why join an organization that may teach you something useful. Why work when you don't have to and can complain about being poor and needy and a victim of society. Really it COULD be a way out for many poor people. The armed forces teach valuable jobs skills and self discipline. It makes people very attractive to employers. But when it is portrayed by our leaders the way it is.... its a wonder anyone joins at all.

[Nathan Zachary]

It's good to see a Republican Finally fire back at the RATS.

Lets hope it continues.

[darkwing104]

there is another significantly underrepresented demographic: millionaire movie stars

Because they are self-centered selfish moronic Cowards.

[Pontiac]

They spout off stuff that's not true, then hope nobody calls them on it........

They know that the MSM will not.

[nascarnation]

whether they're better educated or not, they guaranteed have more common sense than those 2 clowns

[PGalt]

Thanks Mark and thanks to Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Bill Carr. OUTSTANDING.

REFUTE the lie, don't repeat the lie. NAIL and if necessary (in cases of serial liars) DESTROY the liar.

[RexBeach]

This is what Matt Damon thinks when he looks in the mirror in the morning:

"I'm rich and famous, so I must be smart."

Try again, Matt. How about this:

"I'm rich and famous, so I must be smug and snarky."

Better. Much better.

[Pontiac]

I read recently that New England is also under represented in the Military.

I wonder why that is? (I hope my sarcasm isn’t showing too much)

[CitizenUSA]

2banana wrote: "Actually - white, male and educated is vastly over represented..."

Are you serious? Women are still a minority in the military, but racial minorities are well represented.

http://www.dod.mil/prhome/poprep2003/appendixb/b_03.html

[msnimje]

http://mattdamonteamamerica.ytmnd.com/

[Nathan Zachary]

"Of course when you are sucking off the welfare tit, why join an organization that may teach you something useful. Why work when you don't have to and can complain about being poor and needy and a victim of society. Really it COULD be a way out for many poor people. The armed forces teach valuable jobs skills and self discipline. It makes people very attractive to employers. But when it is portrayed by our leaders the way it is.... its a wonder anyone joins at all."

Are you kidding? Give up welfare,and sleeping till noon everyday, smoking a joint the moment you do wake up, partying all night, cruising around with your 'bro's" shooting at people,and making good cash dealing drugs, going to bed and doing it all over again, day after day-

Give that up for hard, ball busting work? Being forced to use your brain? having to live by rules? dicipline? being responsible? having enormous responsibilities and people depending on you for their lives?

HA! Not a chance. This is the democrat base we are dealing with; they'll have nothing to do with that "what can I do for my country" crap.
They elect and support the people who make the "what can my country do for me" checks happen. They might go as far as participate in demonstrations (which are really dope fests anyways), smash puplic property, set flags on fire, throw marbles under the hooves of police horses, but WORK for the nation, DEFEND it? Not a chance.

We should be thankful John Kerry's supporters DON'T enlist, I know I wouldn't want to put my life in their hands on the battlefield.

[JerseyDvl]

Common sense refutes Kerry and Damon but it will never stop them from being pompous, blowhard, America-hating, girly-men.
I do love to see them smacked down publicly once in a while though. It like watching Sean Penn try to sound intelligent as he stumbles, stutters, and stammers his way through an incoherent thought.

---

Sean Penn: Last year I went to Iraq. Before Team America showed up, it was a happy place. They had flowery meadows and rainbow skies, and rivers made of chocolate, where the children danced and laughed and played with gumdrop smiles.
-Team America:World Police

[Nathan Zachary]

"This is what Matt Damon thinks when he looks in the mirror in the morning:
"I'm rich and famous, so I must be smart."
Try again, Matt. How about this:
"I'm rich and famous, so I must be smug and snarky."
Better. Much better.

How about:"This is what Matt Damon thinks when he looks in the mirror in the morning:

I'm nothing but an actor;
I dropped out of school in grade 9;
My life is based of fairy tales and scripts;
Nothing about me is real;
All my friends have serious mental problems;
All my friends have no moral dignity;
I live in an alternate reality;
I haven't a clue what goes on in the real world;
I live in a vaccum;

I'm a mushroom- I grew up on bull Sh$t;

[griswold3]

REcently a popular figure brought up the idea that MORE public demonstration could change the 'course' in this war and wondered where the protesters were. You and I well know that if the 'good' drugs were there they'd be there.



"We should be thankful John Kerry's supporters DON'T enlist, I know I wouldn't want to put my life in their hands on the battlefield."
Say it loud, my friend.