Posted on 02/11/2004 11:11:19 PM PST by alloysteel
First, I would argue that Coulter cheap-shotted Cleland's service. But, again, cheapshots are not how I think conservatives should operate. Cheapshots are fine for a louse like Cleland--I would argue that folks like Max don't know better; and are not smart enough to articulate their positions. Or worse--They know that their positions cannot be articulated in a manner that will win over voters.
As to your final point: Again, the only thing I am equating are actions NOT movives. When one rolls around in a pigpen with pigs the only thing he can be assured of is that he will get dirty. Coulter is better than this which is why I am so disapointed in her.
Yes.
What the heck does the phrase "jock sniffer" mean? The image, of course, is unpleasant.
It's hard to imagine any recent Democratic senator less soft on national security than Max Cleland, a reflection on the unlikely path he took to the U.S. Senate. In 1967 he volunteered for combat duty. The next year, during the siege of Khe Sahn, Cleland lost both his legs and his right hand to a Viet Cong grenade. Two years later, at the age of 28, he became the youngest person ever elected to the Georgia state Senate. In 1977 President Jimmy Carter appointed him to head the Veterans Administration. He later became Georgia's secretary of state. And in 1996, Georgia voters sent Cleland and his wheelchair to the Senate.
By Eric Boehlert, Salon, Nov. 21, 2003
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At least we get to discuss more than one side of the story here on Free Republic, unlike Republic.com (DU & the Smirksters). :-)
Hardly. I have zero information of the number and ranks on the flight in question, but it is hardly an oversimplification to point out that the inspection of soldier's equipment prior to movement is primarily the responsibility of the NCO. But if in your experience, your CO personally inspected every soldier in detail, rather than spot checking, prior to any movement, I stand corrected. Perhaps in the Marines they like their officers acting like squad leaders.
-it was a stupid accident resulting in casualties.
True.
The ultimate responsiblity lies with Cleland for not training & inspecting his own people properly. There's a frickin SOP for helo acticity to prevent just these kinds of things.
I couldn't tell you what the SOP was in 1968 in the Army. I don't know if these were his men, or the rookie was his. Do you?
Case in point. Get back to me when you 1) run out of strawmen 2) have a clue how the military works.
I'm back.
OK, I'm really, nearly, almost absolutely, positively sure, that's a load of crap.
Not today, but back then, yes - esp for a comm section.
But your other points are valid.
Didn't Kerry "work things out with the military" too?
From what I've read, he used his three minor scratches as an excuse to leave 'Nam early.
And unlike McCain, who refused preferential treatment to get out of the Hanoi Hilton ahead of his fellow prisoners, Kerry left his "band of brothers" behind.
I am very thankful for the Vietnam vets that stuck it out to reform the military through the 70s and 80s. I honestly believe they can be credited for 1000s of lives today.
This is an equal opportunity arena...
If the dumb ass says or does dumb ass things -- he should take the heat.
Cleland has used his limited intellect to insult those he doesn't respect - and sold his soul to the draft dodgeing, lying Clinton with no problem...
Cleland has parlayed his dumb ass self disfigurement into a lifetime career and paycheck...that far exceeds the compensation of those that were seriously injured by the ENEMY.
Cleland may deserve some sympathy -- but he gets no respect from me.
Semper Fi
I think it has become clear that Max started believing his own press releases.
I got to drive one of those LAV's once. It was reconfigured as a DF vehicle and was being tested out at Ft. Huachuca. I was cadidiot with 3 weeks training there and helping them out. They thought it would be fun to let the "LT" drive. I swore they'd have to yank me out of the seat to get it back. Heh.
It still appears to me from what is posted here that Cleland was involved in a combat mission.
So, it still appears to me that Coulter was inaccurate. Can you point me to a link or something that might excerpt the Cleland book? I am not going to buy it.
But, I cannot imagine why anyone would simply bend over to pick up a grenade laying on the ground...that goes against all training and procedures I know of from that time.
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