In Advocating Draft, Andy Rooney Smears Volunteer Soldiers

NewsBusters.org ^ | March 14, 2007 | Justin McCarthy

[freemarket_kenshepherd]

On the March 14 edition of "Imus in the Morning" guest and "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney discussed the possibility of a draft with Don Imus. In that exchange Rooney, like Senator Kerry and Congressman Rangel, implied that those who volunteer to serve do so out of desperation rather than patriotism.

DON IMUS: Tell me about your thoughts on re-instituting the draft.

ANDY ROONEY: Well, I think a draft produces a better army than the one we would have with all volunteers. Because I think you get average Americans if you, if you have a draft. And if it’s an all volunteer army, you get people who join up because of some problem in their own lives. They don’t have anything else to do, they don’t have a job, or they can’t find what they want to do, so they join the Army. And it doesn’t produce the best army.

Rooney should have checked over his facts before making such a statement. This recent study directly contradicts his assertions. [LINK: http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda06-09.cfm]

[isthisnickcool]

What do you expect from a guy that can't even operate eybrow clippers?

[rockinqsranch]

There they go again...ignoring pesky facts that just get in the way of the agenda.

[DManA]

Just shut up and serve the state. That's why we let you get born.

[JamesP81]

In that exchange Rooney, like Senator Kerry and Congressman Rangel, implied that those who volunteer to serve do so out of desperation rather than patriotism.

It's one thing to argue in favor of a draft if there turns out to be a real need for it. It's quite another to slander those who went of their own accord.

[Riptides]

Andy "Looney"....

Please go take your dirt nap.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Andy Rooney and Don Imus. Talk about two bitter old farts.....

[river rat]

Andy Rooney's opinions are worth exactly what you paid for them...

NOTHING.

He's become an insufferable bore and a$$hole.

Semper Fi

[peteram]

This DIMWIT apparently forgot about all of those "conscientious objectors" who fled to Canada to avoid the draft in the 60's. A draft only results in sending people somewhere against their will, to a place that they do not want to be, and as a result they will not do a good job while they are there.

This IDIOT just doesn't get it.

[river rat]

Andy Rooney's opinions are worth exactly what you paid for them...

NOTHING.

He's become an insufferable bore and a$$hole.

Semper Fi

[RVN Airplane Driver]

It's obvious Andy hasn't checked the pay scales and opportunities that the modern Military offers. I figured out for the grandson of my sister in law...what he would have to make to be competitive with paygrade E-3 and I think it was in the 15-20 dollar an hour range...and that didn't take into a account a noncontributory retirement account.... However, that being said our country lost something when it did away with the draft......it was a melting pot that the rich needed as well as the poor. Sure worked wonders for me....

[shrinkermd]

What I noticed was Imus listing all his "successful" physicians and then indicating his wife, a healthy food advocate, was smarter than all of them.

Imus has to puff his very young wife since there is not much else he can do for her.

[atomic conspiracy]

Rooney had a distinguished record as a Stars and Stripes correspondant during World War 2, but that was only because the Soviet Union was on our side then.

[rocksblues]

Where the hell was this guy from 1966 to 1972?

[BenLurkin]

"Andy Rooney discussed the possibility of a draft with Don Imus"

Cold hard evidence (as if any more were needed) that a discussion between two half-wits does NOT equal one wit.

[MD_Willington_1976]

A draft only results in sending people somewhere against their will, to a place that they do not want to be...

lol... yeah, maybe in other parts of the world, all the pot smoking dodgers in BC like it just fine...

[Ukiapah Heep]

Who knew he was still alive?

[freemarket_kenshepherd]

That's right on point, James.

[Doogle]

Headline: CBS commentator Rooney was rescued from a hole he wandered into 3 days ago

[freemarket_kenshepherd]

Love using the Muppet old farts for illustration. Great visual.