It seems that William Arkin has had enough of supporting the troops, now that a few of them told NBC that they believe that Americans should support the mission as well. In his Washington Post blog, Arkin suddenly feels that the troops should just shut up and retreat:
So, we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every possible way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and responsibilities to speak up because they are above society?
I can imagine some post-9/11 moment, when the American people say enough already with the wars against terrorism and those in the national security establishment feel these same frustrations. In my little parable, those in leadership positions shake their heads that the people don’t get it, that they don’t understand that the threat from terrorism, while difficult to defeat, demands commitment and sacrifice and is very real because it is so shadowy, that the very survival of the United States is at stake. Those Hoover’s and Nixon’s will use these kids in uniform as their soldiers. If I weren’t the United States, I’d say the story end with a military coup where those in the know, and those with fire in their bellies, save the nation from the people.
But it is the United States and instead this NBC report is just an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary – oops sorry, volunteer – force that thinks it is doing the dirty work.
Mercenary? Wow. Just wow. I suppose they shouldn’t paid at all, Mr. Arkin?
Of course, the worst part of this — besides the incoherent writing style — is the characterization of the NBC report. Not one of the soldiers in the clip remotely suggested that Americans “give up their rights and responsibilities”. They didn’t say that George Bush should make everyone who opposes the war shut up, or else. They were asked about their take on people who say they support the troops but oppose the war, and they expressed their views.
Unfortunately, Mr. Arkin can’t handle free speech. He incomprehensibly calls them mercenaries because they volunteered for the military, and apparently because they have the audacity to offer their opinions when asked.. (By definition, a mercenary is someone who hires himself out as a soldier for a nation not his own.)
Arkin finishes by suggesting that America rethink what it owes the troops, so I’ll oblige. We owe them our support because they risk their lives to ensure that we retain our freedoms. They don’t get paid all that well to do it, either, but they do it because they love our country. I’m fine with them expressing their opinions when reporters stick cameras in their faces and ask for them, even if they don’t agree with me. I still respect them for what they do, which apparently is the difference between Arkin and myself. (via QandO)
Addendum: I have to add that Arkin also appears to need writing and grammar lessons. Do the Post’s editors ever review these entries?
UPDATE: Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive has a response for Arkin, and it’s not Howdy Do. Hugh Hewitt is covering it on his show now.
It’s called “gonad envy.”
See previous: “If they’re going to support us, support us all the way.”A hearty F*** You to William Arkin Uncle Jimbo Hanson Apologies for the F bombs bursting in air, but…well just read on. Wow, William Arkin has just dropped
The Difference
Blackfive (Uncle Jimbo writing) brought this one to my attention. It seems William Arkin of the Washington Post's Early Warning blog took a shot at the troops who spoke out in the NBC video report I posted yesterday. Uncle Jimbo does a ve…
Washington Post Blogger Hits Bottom
It’s difficult to fathom how one man can muster such sneering condescension, but a creature named William M. Arkin manages to plumb the depths of obscene moonbattery in one fell swoop. He must have really been foaming at the mouth, as he clearly didn…
We’re not really surprised by this, are we?
On the subject of a Washington Post blogger going off on our military, I don’t know if I’m more surprised that he would be so open about his anti-military, anti-Iraq war biases or that the right is getting so upset about it…
Troops say Support us, in response William Arkin says Quit Whining
I posted a video last week where an NBC news team interviewed some troops who expressed sincere frustration to the growing feeling of betrayal they have concerning America's lackluster support.
"If they’re going to s…
Arkin shows his a55
It is a normal human reaction to frustration and an anger that happens when other people hold beliefs or describe facts that are 180 degrees out from the world view you have cultivated and know in your universe to be true. You have one of two Courses…
WAPO’s Blunder
So the troops aren’t dumb and uneducated dupes forced to war against their will after all. Nope, they’re evil mercenaries forcing us all to endure a war and taking tax money from us to do so. Arkin’s diatribe spewed forth because NBC had the nerve to…
WAPO’s Blunder
So the troops aren’t dumb and uneducated dupes forced to war against their will after all. Nope, they’re evil mercenaries forcing us all to endure a war and taking tax money from us to do so. Arkin’s diatribe spewed forth because NBC had the nerve to…
First Cup 02.01.07
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Early Warning: Arkin Incoming
Many pixels have died in the flail that was yesterday’s Early Warning post and if you haven’t seen them yet go to Blackfive, LGF, CQ, Powerline, OPFOR, etc. I don’t know that it would do much good to add to
Kipling Responds to Arkin
Captain Ed, Misha, and Uncle Jimbo have run through the best responses to Arkin’s spew at the Wishington Pissed. I will instead try to highten the dialog with a little Poetry:
Kipling Responds to Arkin
Captain Ed, Misha, and Uncle Jimbo have run through the best responses to Arkin’s spew at the Wishington Pissed. I will instead try to highten the dialog with a little Poetry:
The Left Wants our Soldiers to SHUT UP!!!!!!
well the soldiers just turned it around on the Left…if you want to criticize our actions in Iraq…..GO LEARN OF WHICH YOU SPEAK FIRST.
William Arkin responds, misquotes me and further insults the troops
I should feel honored, he responded to me directly. Of course he grossly misquoted me.
I said that he was telling the troops to shut up and quit whining, whereas he quoted me as saying that to him.
Whatever. the point of my article was that…
Bloodthirsty Babykillers Slander Patriotic Americans
By Flowers Bloom
William M. Arkin writes a column on how The Troops Also Need to Support the American People in response to a report that the Troops do not support the very people who pay their salaries.
I would like to point out that I wholly support …
William Arkin responds, misquotes me and further insults the troops
I should feel honored, he responded to me directly. Of course he grossly misquoted me.
I said that he was telling the troops to shut up and quit whining, whereas he quoted me as saying that to him.
Whatever. the point of my article was that…
Microcosm of Iraq “Debate”
They don’t ask how or why, theirs is to do or die, literally. Such sacrifice is both breathtaking and sobering. It demands proper oversight and proper debate.