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Dick Cavett: yet another liberal dazzled by Petraeus’ shiny medals (OUTRAGEOUS insult by Cavett!)
Michelle Malkin ^ | 04/12/2008 | Michelle Malkin

Posted on 04/13/2008 2:30:17 AM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

There’s something about General Petraeus that brings out the most quotable in liberals. Most recently it was LA Times wine critic Matthew DeBord who must have been auditioning for a fashion column as he critiqued Petraeus’s uniform and, especially, his many tacky, tacky medals awarded for service to his country. Righteous indignation about that from Uncle Jimbo, hilarious sarcasm at Iowahawk. Take your pick.

That was yesterday. Today it’s talk show host Dick Cavett, who I’m glad to learn is still alive, getting all hot and bothered about General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker in the New York Times.

Petraeus commits a different assault on the listener. And on the language. In addition to his own pedantic delivery, there is his turgid vocabulary. It reminds you of Copspeak, a language spoken nowhere on earth except by cops and firemen when talking to “Eyewitness News.” Its rule: never use a short word where a longer one will do. It must be meant to convey some misguided sense of “learnedness” and “scholasticism” — possibly even that dread thing, “intellectualism” — to their talk. Sorry, I mean their “articulation.”

Yes indeedy, Dick, where does this Petraeus fellow get off pretending like he’s some sort of intellectual? Poor clod only has a Ph.D. in International Relations from Princeton University.

But clever Dick can’t resist the lure of those bright, shiny medals:

I can’t look at Petraeus — his uniform ornamented like a Christmas tree with honors, medals and ribbons — without thinking of the great Mort Sahl at the peak of his brilliance. He talked about meeting General Westmoreland in the Vietnam days. Mort, in a virtuoso display of his uncanny detailed knowledge — and memory — of such things, recited the lengthy list (”Distinguished Service Medal, Croix de Guerre with Chevron, Bronze Star, Pacific Campaign” and on and on), naming each of the half-acre of decorations, medals, ornaments, campaign ribbons and other fripperies festooning the general’s sternum in gaudy display. Finishing the detailed list, Mort observed, “Very impressive!” Adding, “If you’re twelve.”

But if you’re a grown-up New York Times reader, if you move in the elite circles that Dick does, then valor, patriotism, and service to your country are just a clever punchline.

Baldilocks zeroes in the artillery:

When you’re soon in that rest home, Mr. Cavett, you can spend your remaining days thinking about how you have wasted your life; something which better men than yourself–like General Petraeus and General Westmoreland (RIP)—will never have to do.

Ouch. But it’s true. Dick Cavett has led, by most measures, a successful life, and yet in spite of his success he’s now shown himself to be a petty, envious, and ungrateful little man.

Perhaps the saddest part is that all this effete sniping represents an improvement in the tone as compared with the last time the General testified before Congress.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: dickcavett; dinosaurmedia; iraq; liberalelite; petraeus; wot
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To: NavVet

Dick who?

Interesting isn’t it, our military system of rewards for
achievement consists of little bits of ribbon,
which reveal for anyone who understands them,
the extent of courage, bravery, and service.

Meanwhile, liberals have their own system
consisting of wine stains, smears of brie, empty platitudes,and Nobel “Peace” prizes which mean absolutely nothing.

Tet.


21 posted on 04/13/2008 3:45:04 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: BIGLOOK
Those ribbons and medals tell a story, in this case a long story of many years of suffering, sacrifice, and dedication to his country. After you are awarded a ribbon or a medal you have to wear it on your dress uniform.
This great leader has my respect!!!!!
22 posted on 04/13/2008 3:47:29 AM PDT by oldenuff2no
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Today it’s talk show host Dick Cavett, who I’m glad to learn is still alive ...

My thought exactly ... a name I haven't heard, or even thought of, in at least two decades.

23 posted on 04/13/2008 3:53:17 AM PDT by BluH2o
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To: oldenuff2no
And he has mine.

I know what the salad represents. Got some the hard way.
24 posted on 04/13/2008 3:54:19 AM PDT by BIGLOOK
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To: atomic conspiracy
That whole meeting with Truman and MacArthur at Wake is an interesting read. (American Ceasar by William Manchester)

It was agreed that no one would have anyone there to record the event, but an aide to President Truman, Denise Anderson, sat outside the conference room to record the conversation. Later the Truman administration used the conversation to try and discredit MacArthur.

After the meeting Truman and his entourage left, leaving MacArthur and his aide without transportation back to the airstrip.

They hitched a ride on the back of a civil aeronautics pickup, after failing to flag down a passing jeep.

25 posted on 04/13/2008 4:04:14 AM PDT by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier)
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To: BigCinBigD
“Libs like Dick”

Just ask Sir Elton John, with his slobbering this past week.

26 posted on 04/13/2008 4:10:50 AM PDT by ThreePuttinDude ()... Cevapi & Slivovitz for everyone....()
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To: oldenuff2no
"After you are awarded a ribbon or a medal you have to wear it on your dress uniform."

Thanks for pointing that out to the general public (and idiot lefties)

AFI 36-2903 pg. 18 Note 3. Center ribbons resting on (but not over) edge of pocket. Wear all ribbons and devices. See Figure 4.3 for arrangement of ribbons.

I realize this is an Air Force Instruction but, the Army instruction is similar in wording.

27 posted on 04/13/2008 4:12:24 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle; NavVet
I am shocked. I mean Dick Cavitt’s still alive.

Yeah, and think of all the stand-tall guys who aren't.

Too bad Dickie couldn't see some "cool" decorations that he might like better than Petraeus's, but it seems this time around they've only been giving out Navy Crosses and MoH's posthumously, so he'd have to go to Arlington to see them.

28 posted on 04/13/2008 4:15:45 AM PDT by lentulusgracchus ("Whatever." -- sinkspur)
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To: tet68
Meanwhile, liberals have their own system consisting of wine stains, smears of brie, empty platitudes,and Nobel “Peace” prizes which mean absolutely nothing.

Exceptionally well said!

29 posted on 04/13/2008 4:23:57 AM PDT by Thermalseeker (Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a Mark of Folly. - B. Franklin)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
[Article, quoting Dick Cavett quoting Mort Sahl bashing Gen. William Westmoreland] ....(”Distinguished Service Medal, Croix de Guerre with Chevron, Bronze Star, Pacific Campaign” and on and on), naming each of the half-acre of decorations, medals, ornaments, campaign ribbons and other fripperies festooning the general’s sternum in gaudy display.

Hey, Dick. Go bring me a Bronze Star from Afghanistan. Go find some Taliban and make strong battle against them, and then come show me your Bronze Star and tell me it's a "frippery", you annoying little Vegas lounge act. And take your borscht-belt buddy Mort with you. Tell him you'll let him open for you at The Sands. He'll be very happy.

30 posted on 04/13/2008 4:28:43 AM PDT by lentulusgracchus ("Whatever." -- sinkspur)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
I guess medals are only stupid if you are a not a leftie.


LBJ wearing his lied, fake Silver Star that he put himself in for, and because he was an influential Congressman, got, from MacArthur.


YFK with one of his three purple hearts he demanded for a total of wounds you could get sliding into third base.

31 posted on 04/13/2008 4:33:41 AM PDT by Leisler
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To: BluH2o
I haven't heard, or even

You're obviously not a conniseur of the fine operatic arts. He's the shrimp that talks in a whisper when hosting a radio program on opera on NPR.......ok, I know, you've got better things to do after midnight. :)

32 posted on 04/13/2008 4:33:44 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: holdonnow; Clint N. Suhks; sono; rodguy911; Bahbah; Fudd Fan; SoCalPol; txradioguy; SandRat

POS Ping.

Since they love to bring up Vietnam...

Television’s Vietnam, The Real Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjNIzcBLLlI


33 posted on 04/13/2008 4:36:13 AM PDT by AliVeritas
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

I always thouight that Cavett was a pompous ass. Now he has proven it to me once and for all.


34 posted on 04/13/2008 4:41:45 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner ("We must not forget that there is a war on and our troops are in the thick of it!"--Duncan Hunter)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
cavett

Hey Dick, forget to take your meds??

Typical far-left, elitist moonbat.

A "Yale" grad, don't you know?

Oh, and his degree (the only one on record) is a "Bachelor's Degree in DRAMA.

Whoop-de-doo. I'm impressed Dicky

Of course for someone who has been suffering from clinical and manic depression depression since his freshman year at Yale, one has to wonder if his condition is not manifesting itself all over again in the form of "penis envy" for being confronted with a "real" American?

As Glen Beck is wont to remark, these A-Holes deriding someone like Patreus and his valor, makes blood shoot out of my eyes.

In my 8 years in the USAF (including 18 months in Nam) I was awarded 9 medals and I was/am as proud of my Expert Rifleman Ribbon as I am of my Bronze Star.

Of course for a Chicken Hawk and pseudo-intelectual, arm-chair General like Cavett and his ilk, he cannot even begin to appreciate the pride we who served take in having received such honors, for these words (honor, duty, country) are considered jingoistic and below their dignity and only applies to us "common" folk and peons who are considered foolish and ignorant for having served our country honorably.

35 posted on 04/13/2008 4:50:30 AM PDT by Conservative Vermont Vet ((One of ONLY 37 Conservatives in the People's Republic of Vermont. Socialists and Progressives All))
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To: Conservative Vermont Vet
Looks like the Crypt Keeper, in a tux:

;)

36 posted on 04/13/2008 4:55:00 AM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
KerrySenate

Of course, Dicky boy, never had a problem with his guest star on his show John "The Snake" Kerry and failed to even remark about his "fruit" salad, which when he testified before congress (above) his wearing his ribbons on fatigues was immoral, unethical AND ILLEGAL, but then, this fairry-haired-traiterous-rat-bastard, could do no wrong.

37 posted on 04/13/2008 5:00:29 AM PDT by Conservative Vermont Vet ((One of ONLY 37 Conservatives in the People's Republic of Vermont. Socialists and Progressives All))
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle

An island of Cavetts:

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=559303&in_page_id=1770&ct=5


38 posted on 04/13/2008 5:13:34 AM PDT by Sparky1776
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To: Sparky1776
Anyone NOT instantly sobered by those photos is, de facto, soulless.
39 posted on 04/13/2008 5:16:13 AM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
It must be meant to convey some misguided sense of “learnedness” and “scholasticism” — possibly even that dread thing, “intellectualism” — to their talk. Sorry, I mean their “articulation.”

Petraeus graduated from West Point in 1974. He returned to the military academy in 1981. He earned the General George C. Marshall Award as the top graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Class of 1983 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He subsequently earned a MPA in 1985 and a Ph.D. in international relations in 1987 from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and later served as an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the U.S. Military Academy. His doctoral dissertation, "The American Military and the Lessons of Vietnam: A Study of Military Influence and the Use of Force in the Post-Vietnam Era," dealt with the influence of the Vietnam War on military thinking regarding the use of force.[20] He also completed a military fellowship at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service in 1994–1995, although he was called away early to serve in Haiti.

From late 2005 through February 2007,[21] Petraeus served as commanding general of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center (CAC) located there. As commander of CAC, Petraeus was responsible for oversight of the Command and General Staff College and seventeen other schools, centers, and training programs as well as for development of the Army’s doctrinal manuals, training the Army’s officers, and supervising the Army’s center for the collection and dissemination of lessons learned. During his time at CAC, Petraeus and Marine Lt. Gen.James N. Mattis jointly oversaw the writing of Field Manual 3-24 (on counter-insurgency), the body of which was written by a variety of field-grade Army officers and other experts.[22]

Cavett, you're a fool.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Petraeus

40 posted on 04/13/2008 5:21:42 AM PDT by gate2wire (Even when you know, you never know.)
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