Quick Heads Up: Did I Hear Right? Hackworth Called Cheney a Draft Dodger?

[1rudeboy]

I am of the opinion that all Presidents should be veterans of military service, not to mention Secretaries of Defense. That has always been my opinion.

I am of the opinion that anyone without a philosophy or law degree is not capable of engaging in debate. I call them "chickenbrains."

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Gee you missed me completely!

Volunteered for service, served in Germany.

[Station 51]

That is a bunch of bull! Prove it. Who were the Republicans that dodged the draft? I bet I can name five Democratic draft Dodgers for every Republican draft Dodger that you an come up with.

[BaghdadBarney]

Well fortunately your views were rejected by the Framers of the United States Constitution.

[finnman69]

Is Hackworth getting Scott Riter disease?

[Recovering_Democrat]

That is black helicopter/tinfoil hat cuckoo thinking. That's my opinion.

Oh, welcome to FR, since you've been here what, 2 months? How're things at DU? Never mind. I already know.

[wardaddy]

You're right. My opinion does vary.

My grandfather built army bases all over the USA for the War Department before and during WWII and made himself and his family and heirs a nice head start with himself only having a 7th grade education. He never "served".

My dad did 4 years at VMI and 7 years USAF tactical fighter pilot and left for private sector as a major when I was a wee boy. He was a fine man too.

They were both fine men and had the character to be great leaders politically had they chosen and military service would have had little or nothing to do with it.

George McGovern was a genuine Army Air Corps hero in WWII.....need I say more.

In theory, I can't completely disregard your desires. In a perfect world with all other things being equal, yes I too would prefer a combat seasoned POTUS but that's not reality....and having served more often than not has little to do with wartime experience. Your average Somali teenager or Zim farmer has exponentially more wartime experience than your average US serviceman.

[Recovering_Democrat]

amen. el loco poco dicko.

[Craigon]

I have no problem calling a volunteer policeman to put his life on the line when I see a crime, even though I’ve never been a cop. I have no problem calling on a volunteer Fireman too storm a towering inferno to do their heroic jobs, even though I’ve never been one. I also have no problem with our Commander ‘N Chief calling on our “volunteer” military to smash a brutal murderous torturing dictator, even though I’ve never severed. And today’s military people (my brother and brother ‘n law included) all volunteer knowing full damn well what their signing up for And while calling all the above to do the jobs they signed up for, I have no problem saying most of them are probably better men then I. The damn draft issue is moot point these days (kind of like bringing up slave reparations so far as I’m concerned). I’m too young to remember it, so I don’t give a damn about it anyway (nope not with BJ either even though I hate his guts). Does not ring a single figging bell with me, other then the fact that I’m as tired of hearing friggin whining about 60’ Draft-Dodgers and Chickenhawks, as I am about thugs like Jessie J talking about Slave reparations.

[Conservababe]

Hackworth is not in the loop any longer, and resents it. He has also signed on to the Desert Storm malady of the military.

[wardaddy]

lol

[Recovering_Democrat]

I am of the opinion that anyone without a philosophy or law degree is not capable of engaging in debate. I call them "chickenbrains."

BWA HA HA HA!

Great answer, 1rude!!!!!!!!!

[JAWs]

I didn't hear it but I'm beginning to wonder what Hackworth's agenda is.

I think he just likes being a gadfly and thinks of himself as the voice of the grunts. That means he has to attack the brass and politcal establishment.

[Republic of Texas]

No glue today. But comparing those two, even in the most cursory way, is insane.

[Republic of Texas]

Your opinion is in DIRECT CONTRIVENTION to those of the men who founded this country. In this case, you're a little outclassed.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Mr. Cheney also served a crucial role when America needed him most. As Secretary of Defense from March 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Cheney directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history - Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He was responsible for shaping the future of the U.S. military in an age of profound and rapid change as the Cold War ended. For his leadership in the Gulf War, Secretary Cheney was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush on July 3, 1991.

No offense, MM, but we are all lucky that VP Cheney is where he is today. He's seen sides to military service the average soldier never will....including daily briefings containing horrific details of potential attacks on the land he loves (and his grandchildren...you can be sure - a specialty of militant Muslim terrorists - to go after the innocent members of high ranking enemy leaders; Bush's family, then Cheney's...24/7 threats to his grandchildrens' lives).

[mr.pink]

Last time I checked it doesn't qualify whether the civilian had to have served his country to make such decisions.

And that's of course the way it should be. But those who have military and battle experience bring unique and important arguements to the public debate.

I admire Hack, and agree with a lot of his points...but not all of them. One thing he doesn't do is dismiss our soldiers as so much cannon fodder...he argues intensly for their safety and against their misuse, something I don't think I've ever heard the tireless master drumbeater Bill Krystol pause to do.

[Republic of Texas]

I suppose if you want to be inane, I'll play along, for your amusement.

marmalade

Your turn wiseguy.

[fogarty]

All I can say is, the truth hurts.

Cheney is a draft dodger. Not as egregious as Slick Willy, but he is one who artfully avoided service in Nam for certain.