Where were you in the war, Dick Cheney?

New Statesman ^ | 3rd October 2001 | Andrew Stephen

[AppyPappy]

So your kid has to sign up for Selective Service. Big deal. 6,000 people died doing what they have done for years. Your kid signing up for Selective Service don't mean squat in the light of that.

[Norwell]

Dick Cheney was too busy to serve in uniform. If I were him I would not be proud of this.

If you want a war hero, talk to Jim Webb. He was decorated for valor in combat and was Reagan's Naval Secretary. He would make an excellent Secretary of Defense.

[Peach]

Who is signing up for the draft? What draft?

[CheneyChick]

Pure drivel.

[LoneGOPinCT]

You forgot this:

[Wm Bach]

Next week, that little boy has to sign up. For the draft.

So did I. So did probably most folks here at FR. What's your point? Are American men part of the militia or not?

[ignatz_q]

Ah, someone who points out that nearly everyone, regardless of position, is full of sh*t. I may not agree with him about all of this, but that's my kind of skeptical thinking...

[wideawake]

All 18 year old males in the US are required to register for Selective Service.

If the Selective Service Act is invoked, the names of registered males will be randomly selected for conscription.

[Movemout]

"Yet "going to war" still means something different to Americans than it does to most of the rest of the world. It means tearful farewells by wives, girlfriends, children and parents at naval dockyards and air force bases - with the knowledge that a small number of men might not come back."

This guy is slobbering all over his keyboard. It is no different for Americans than it is for anybody else. Some serve on the front line, some are REMFs, and some contribute from home. Cheney has served in his own way and done a good job.

[The Vast Right Wing]

Signing up for the selective service was one of my proudest moments 15 years ago. Unfortunately there is not a big demand for 33-year old fat slobs that drink and eat to much in the armed services. If there is any way I can put my hunger to work for the country I will do it.

[Non-Sequitur]

Cheney has served in his own way and done a good job.

I'm sure that Bill Clinton feels the same about himself. Look at the government. Vice-President, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, there isn't a single minute of military service among any of them.

[wideawake]

This guy is slobbering all over his keyboard.

You said it, brother.

"A small percentage?"

HEY ANDREW, A QUARTER-MILLION AMERICANS DIED IN WWII TO SAVE YOUR FAGGOT LIMEY ASS FROM SPEAKING GERMAN!!!

[Non-Sequitur]

I forgot President-Pro-Temp of the Senate. Byrd never served, either.

[RobFromGa]

Andrew Stephen- your name has been duly registered in the "AGAINST US' column.

Next applicant please, keep the line moving...

[SuziQ]

Dick Cheney was too busy to serve in uniform. If I were him I would not be proud of this.

If I remember right, they were not drafting young men over the age of 25 which is about the age Dick Cheney was during the major call up for Vietnam. I believe he was married with children, and unless you were already in the service at that age, you weren't going to be going to war.

It is typical of those who never liked Bush or Cheney to diss them for 'avoiding' military service. In Bush's case he did serve as a pilot though never in combat, as did many others. In Cheney's case, it was a matter of timing.

[RobFromGa]

I thought Byrd served in the Ku Klux Klan- doesn't that count?

[borkrules]

there isn't a single minute of military service among any of them.

So what? What's your point? No military service ergo no ability to make political decisions about when to engage the military forces of the United States? I'm not buying that.

[Oschisms]

I signed up for the draft 10 years ago. I don't recall my father being upset.

Oh, yeah- maybe because he served his country during WW2. Maybe that's why he didn't pitch a hissy fit.

[ConsistentLibertarian]

"Pure drivel." It's the first I'd heard that Cheney got five deferrals. Is that not true?