Reservists Backpedaling As War Looks More Likely

The Tampa Tribune | Feb 9. 2003 | Marilyn Rauber

[kcvl]

Prof. Noam Chomsky

The main reasons for my concern with U.S. foreign policy are that I find it, in general, horrifying, and that I think that it is possible for me to do something to modify it, at least to mitigate some of its most dangerous and destructive aspects. In the concrete circumstances of my own society, where I live and work, there are various ways to do this: speaking, writing, organizing, demonstrating, resisting, and others. Over the years, I've been engaged in a variety of such activities.

[Dec31,1999]

I am well aware of the problem, my previous sarcastic comment notwithstanding. Good post! Keep on keeping on!

[chasio649]

NO choices...do your duty or get your butt thrown in Leavenworth...period. We can't let these weekend warriors off so easy.

[CWOJackson]

I have no problem with people who suddenly want to become non-combatants. Give them some steel toed boots and ear plugs, then let them lead the combatants through mine field.

[Dec31,1999]

Oh, better! They especially like to clean the dirty areas for the master! But you must use a show of force and mean it.

[tracer]

Agreed, and I know from my own experience and that of friends and relatives.

But these deserters signed up voluntarily and knew, or should have been bright enough to know, that they could be called to active duty at any time for conflicts not to their liking or having their approval.

That said, we all owe a great debt to these so-called "weekend warriors," who provide a very large proprtion of the total number of largely selfless warriors that we have had to field over the years....

[LPStar]

"collateral torpedo damage"

Good one!
The other, even more serious objection I have is that leaving a woman soldier in enemy hands (which inevitably happens with POWs) could result in terrible scenarios - consider forced impregnation, killing the resulting child, etc. Can't happen to a man, although every other terrible thing can, of course.

[Core_Conservative]

What a bunch of horse manure - my wife retired before 9-11. She was called up by her former boss to come out and help out. (Michigan Air National Guard) She was put on the cavilian payroll. She has since been asked to un-retire and accepted the position - however the Guard has dragged their feet, and now the Pentagon (who has to approve un-retirement paperwork) seems to be dragging their feet. I know they are busy, but it shouldn't take an act of God to get un-retired. Just biding my time until she can be called a member of the MIANG again! Suck it up guys - You joined to defend the country - as well as get an education. You promised your state and you Federal Government!
Just Do It

[Leisler]

"To you it was an insult?" It is a declarative sentence. Not that you'd know."Being spouted at by creatures such as yourself.."(What’s type would that be, ones that would kick your pompous ass up and down I-95, Maine to Florida? "... is praise to my ears."(Deaf as well are you?)" It assures me that I'm still on the right track"(Since everything is subject to criticism, the existence of criticism is no proof of correctness. The use of an event that provides no objective assurance is superstition. You've spent too much time impressing pimple faced kids. It doesn't work with adults)".. when whinning( whining)”.. little defeat mongers don't like me. Hope you and your people do well in your revolution"("since" is past tense, that means the revolution already occurred. You are sharp.)"...toilets of the world rise up and unite."(Mixed metaphors.)

[CWOJackson]

My...interesting how brave the cowards are when they are hiding behind their keyboards. Like the cowardly reservists you are defending...you haven't got the personal courage or moral convictions to be a threat to anyone other than yourself.

[Leisler]

"Like the cowardly reservists you are defending...", and when did I do that frau Jackson? Like I said, and auto-proved by you, you are stupid. The interesting thing about stupidity is that if you are stupid, which you are, you don't know it, because you don't have the intellect to self-reference intelligence.

[CWOJackson]

Self analysis time again I see. Nothings changed.

[Leisler]

Come on dolt, find it.

[sphinx]

It's not like his political connections will prevent him from securing some cushy desk job well behind the front lines where the real soldiers are.

As with most pols-in-uniform, presumably his age would keep him out of any combat job. That's good, btw. I've no objection to politicians trying to set an example but they should be placed where they can't do any real harm. Strom may have talked his way onto a glider on D-Day, but as a general rule, ticket-punching pols don't belong in combat command. Put 'em in administration where they can free up one of the professionals and thank 'em for their time.

Besides, the story says Sanford is an Air Force reservist. Unless he's a pilot, he won't be in harm's way under any circumstances other than the possible stray Scud. I can understand that he'd not want to give up the governorship to go fly a desk somewhere, but them's the breaks.

[gulfcoast6]

They should have read the papers before they signed them. Sorry, they gotta go.