Comments on: Everything Upside Down

By: RockingChairVet

RockingChairVet — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:43:39 +0000

A war won-the war on poverty-as poverty was measured less by income as by diet, body weight, composition-the Federal Government’s 43 year war on poverty has created, metaphorically, little examples of government spending-the obese poor.

After spending 1/4 century in combat boots and returning to the private sector-it actually awes me-how obese my country has become. We are-huge!!!!

As my new colleagues (most half my age) say to me-”you are a lean, mean, fighting machine” and my response is actually, “I am a first generation American from Scot-Irish stock. We are made like stones laid to form Hadrian’s Wall (the colleagues ask, what is ‘Adrian’s Wall-from Rocky?’) and seek nothing more than the opportunity that millions of Americans have sacrificed for all of us-especially you that are ignorant of that sacrifice.” (the colleagues say, “man, you are bumming me out.”). God knows these youngsters are good, decent, but sorely lacking in the classics, the military art, something Dr. Hanson so eloquently states and clearly writes each and every day.
Thank you, sir!

By: ajacksonian

ajacksonian — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:36:39 +0000

As the bards would tell us of Troy, of 300, of Alexander of Roland and of countless others, so, too, do our modern bards venture to the battlezone without the music to go with their lyrics. From Yon, the man who retired and wanted nothing to do with war reporting, we have now heard from across Iraq and in Afghanistan and the tune of determination we hear, time and again, give hope to those who read. Likewise the talents of Totten, the unsung bard who has ventured across Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, and now Iraq and Kosovo, brings us the rich tone of those lands and his understanding from having been in them. The lesser artists of Bill Roggio, DJ Elliot, Bill Ardolino, the Laughing Wolf and Maj. Tammes fill in the mosaic of war and our soldiers, to show how our soldiers are citizens *still* in how they work the magic of America in far and distant lands.

Our MSM is stuck on tragedy and despair and that chorus has groan hoarse with the continual dirge that is no tune, has no depth and has no meaning. It is those lights that tell of failure and success and the willingness to succeed that shows just how small and lamentable that timid chorus is not to venture forth beyond mere show and hotel reporting. Where are the determined reporters, like those who dropped on D-Day and those who travelled and happily with their citizen soldiers in years gone by? They were lionized but, now, not emulated, thus giving disrespect to their trade and not putting in the hard work to do it.

Thus the day of the tuneless bards is upon us, for they, like the bards of old, risk life and limb to bring back those tales and stories that matter to those at home. Turn off the tube and pick up a cup of ale and read from those who have been there with our fellow citizens to report good, bad and ugly all together as there is no whole understanding without seeing its depth and complexity. And in tribute, like the bards of old, give them their fair due and contribute so they may venture forth again, well supported by those who seek to know this world without the limelight and hear of the deeds done by those who have walked amongst us and will, with good grace, come home and share that knowing with us.

By: Ron Kean

Ron Kean — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:09:25 +0000

It’s Friday. Lebanon reminds me of the book ‘Lord Of The Flies’.

It’s not over by a long shot. Anyone who thinks I’m racist for bringing up Michelle and Jeremiah over and over can make my day.

Senator Clinton has come in from the left. She’s seen the irrationality. The betrayal. Many of us switched from a lifetime of being Democrat to being Republican. Is it really true that anything is possible?

McCain’s a great guy. But he talks about Mao and global warming. I hope he’s only pandering for the moment.

If I only had a scant few bookmarks, this would be one.

By: Trudy B. Taylor

Trudy B. Taylor — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:40:42 +0000

tlm: not the entire home front. not even most of the home front.

try pepperdine university.

By: Trudy B. Taylor

Trudy B. Taylor — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:37:23 +0000

the american flying experience is gravitating towards the mexican bus-riding experience.

By: newguy40

newguy40 — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:31:49 +0000

Dr Hanson:

Personally, I am convinced that your recent flying experience is tied to a lack of simple courtesy and civility in our culture.

From the individuals who eat, shave, apply make up, text message, cell call while attempting to maintain control of their vehicles to the individuals who cannot seem to get the concept of parental control, I despair.

By: M.E.

M.E. — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:26:00 +0000

I don’t read the liberal media (like NYT etc.): it’s a useless waste of time if you seek information and not “opinions” of professional falsifiers. Moreover their longing for the defeat of the US, country that has always fought against the most criminal and hateful regimes in Europe, Asia, Vietnam, Iraq… revolts my stomach. I have read your description and analysis of Tet in “Carnage and Culture”. This book (masterpiece of its genre) has struck me. In an article (NR) you called Iraqi War a moral war. So could be called Vietnam and Cambodia Wars, because they were wars against absolutely criminal regimes.
The US withdrawal from Iraq would mean an immense carnage of civil population like in Vietnam and Cambodia. So the US has responsibility for this country. That is not only a military or political question but above all moral. For this reason George W. Bush repeats constantly (ad sensum): Vietnam will not be repeated. The hopes of the terrorist and their “liberal” fans are vain. Differently of his cynic critics, this truly great man feels deeply his moral responsibility.

By: TLM

TLM — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:27:25 +0000

An intriguing aspect of the war in Iraq is the apparent disparity in attitude between the home front and the war zone. If pollsters are to be believed, a majority of Americans think the war is a mistake and would pull out as soon as possible. The mainstream media seek to portray relatively minor engagements as major turning points in the war, a la Frank Rich. President Bush who initiated this war and botched its execution for four years has the lowest popularity rating in history and is a lame duck politically. This, of course, has empowered congress to circumscribe his ability to prosecute this unpopular war. Not. Democrats who seek to replace him, and their advisors, don’t waver in their conviction to end the war immediately upon taking office. Not believably. College students, nominally the conscience of our society, engage in significant anti-war protests and acts of civil disobedience . Not noticeably. Thus, by their actions, should we evaluate their convictions.

Contrast this with the soldiers who are fighting in Iraq. Despite every conceivable morale-buster being thrown at them (extended tours, stop-loss, repetitive tours, inadequate equipment, four years of setbacks before the surge, etc.) they still seem to believe in the mission and want to succeed. Judge them by their actions. Enlistment, re-enlistment and officer retention remain remarkably high for such an unpopular war. As best one can tell, on the ground troop morale also remains high in the hell-hole that is Iraq. Reports of alcohol and drug abuse among the troops are non-existent compared to Viet Nam. And, thanks to modern technology, these soldiers are the most wired into the home front of any Army we’ve ever fielded. They are not ignorant of the American public’s view on this war. That it doesn’t jive with their own speaks volumes. Perhaps we should listen to them and their commanders when assessing the prospects for success in this war, and ignore Frank Rich and his like-minded colleagues at the New York Times.

Professor: Kudos for your post “The New Learning That Failed” on your other website. I copied it off for my son who’s entering West Point this June. He’ll get a kick out of it. Now I just need to find a pre-postmodern college for my daughters.