New Poll: Military 60% “Uncertain” or “Pessimistic” about New CinC

The Whistler • January 2, 2009

The MSM is notorious for commissioning polls and then reporting on those same polls as if they were “news”. Well, here’s a poll that probably won’t get as wide of coverage:

When asked how they feel about President-elect Barack Obama as commander in chief, six out of 10 active-duty service members say they are uncertain or pessimistic, according to a Military Times survey.
In follow-up interviews, respondents expressed concerns about Obama’s lack of military service and experience leading men and women in uniform.
“Being that the Marine Corps can be sent anywhere in the world with the snap of his fingers, nobody has confidence in this guy as commander in chief,” said one lance corporal who asked not to be identified.

Much of the concern centered around Obama’s plan to pull the military out of Iraq:

“How are you going to safely pull combat troops out of Iraq?” said Air Force 1st Lt. Rachel Kleinpeter, an intelligence officer with the 100th Operations Support Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England. “And if you’re pulling out combat troops, who are you leaving to help support what’s left? What happens if Iraq falls back into chaos? Are we going to be there in five years doing the same thing over again?”
When asked who has their best interests at heart — Obama or President George W. Bush — a higher percentage of respondents picked Bush, though Bush has lost ground over time. About half of the respondents said Bush has their best interests at heart this year, the same percentage as last year but a decline from 69 percent in 2004.

Again, don’t expect the upcoming coronation to be upset with any whisperings of dissension in the ranks. But, frankly don’t be a bit surprised if the re-enlistment numbers start to fall precipitously in the near soon.
Hat tip Jammie Wearing Fool
Cross posted at Proof Positive

Tags: Uncategorized

http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

I’m questioning the wannabes right here at sayanythingblog.com.

Rugrat Reader: Just point out the spot in the above post that was “curious” in that it differed from what was written in Army Times?
If you’ve got a point, I’ll listen to it!
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/author/realitybasedbob/ realitybasedbob

So, quoting the author of Army Times

The findings are part of the sixth annual Military Times survey of subscribers to Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times newspapers. This year’s survey, conducted Dec. 1 through Dec. 8, included more than 1,900 active-duty respondents.

The responses are not representative of the opinions of the military as a whole. The survey group overall under-represents minorities, women and junior enlisted service members, and over-represents soldiers.

But as a snapshot of the professional corps, the responses highlight the challenges Obama faces as he prepares to take command of military careerists with different political and cultural attitudes.

In keeping with previous surveys, nearly half of the respondents described their political views as conservative or very conservative. Slightly more than half said they consider themselves Republicans, 22 percent independents and 13 percent Democrats.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

It’s likely we share more common ground than we would care to admit. North Dakotans are kind of funny that way.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

Go for it. Use them. The government has no right to encroach upon our right to possess them.

When our government enacts legislation that impedes our right to possess such firearms, we no longer have the ability to keep our government in check.

Posse comitatus has been brushed aside. Bush allowed NorthCom to come into existence. We the people need to be aware of what our government is doing.
Mickey

None of which were as massively hare-brained as that of Iraq.

You mean the new Citizen Elected Parliamentary Nation of Iraq.
AR-15

My favorite watering hole is Lee’s Bar in Rugby. Should you ever find yourself in Pierce County and in Lee’s Bar, I will happily get you your favorite adult beverage provided that we can speak civilly. Political discussions are permissible at Lee’s provided that one does not use the F-word where others might hear it. Leland is funny that way but we respect it.

Sounds good bro. If I ever get up to Rugby from Bismarck, lets have a civil beer (or 10) together.
Have a good one RR.
AR-15

It’s likely we share more common ground than we would care to admit. North Dakotans are kind of funny that way.

JD

Agreed RR. That is truly some common sense wisdom from a fellow Nokak.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

My favorite watering hole is Lee’s Bar in Rugby. Should you ever find yourself in Pierce County and in Lee’s Bar, I will happily get you your favorite adult beverage provided that we can speak civilly. Political discussions are permissible at Lee’s provided that one does not use the F-word where others might hear it. Leland is funny that way but we respect it.
http://insanereindeer.blogspot.com/ Kenny

The Dino moron states that we need a draft to force Republicans to serve, even though in the past he’s prayed for the deaths of our troops cause they’re supposedly all Republicans.

The fool is too stupid to remember his own obnoxious positions.
Hannitized

I think he is talking about chicken hawks Kenny. I agree with him on that. Anyone who talks big about starting unnecessary wars better be ready to serve if they are of age and able.
jack

The causes for people staying in or getting out of the military are not necessarily two sides of the same coin. This complicates predicting what the response will be to the incoming CinC. Moreover, there is a new generation in the armed forces whose decision making processes are often a bit of a mystery to me (yes, I am in the armed forces – 20 years now). My experience is that reenlistment will tank if troops feel like they have a CinC who will leave them hanging in a tight spot. This is very different than ordering them into a tight spot in the first place – we accept that as part of the job.

As far as confidence in the incoming CinC goes, the uncertainty comes with any new commander; the pessimism is harder to pin down. We (soldiers)are usually leery (pessimistic) of a commander who has no apparent experience as a commander. We don’t like commanders who haven’t “been in the trenches” or “gotten their hands dirty”, though they can turn out effective. We don’t like commanders who advocate turning tail. We especially don’t like being told that we (or our buddies) are dying for no good reason. There is cause to think all these things of the incoming CinC.
Mickey

Why is it so hard for some to admit the truth that most of the military wouldn’t feel comfortable with a left wing president? It’s not like there isn’t any history to base this decision on. The military wasn’t fond of Carter or Clinton either and Barry is even further left of center than they were. Besides, Democrats have decades long reputation of being weak on national defense.
NoJelly

I find it interesting that so many responses are posted with no mention yet of conscription…We haven’t had a Democrat regime during wartime since LBJ, the few since that had any moments of military “glory” killed Special Ops in the Iranian desert and bombed an aspirin factory. If enlistment numbers fall as some predict I pretty much expect Charlie Rangel and related clowns to force the issue of the draft again, seriously this time.

Of course it will be Bush’s fault that the military doesn’t trust Chicago thug politicians…
Lioncourt

Another mind reader! Is there a requisite Jeane Dixon course you have to take before you can become a full fledged troll?

I don’t have to be a mind reader, I just need to be able to read your post. You are intentionally spinning this poll negatively with no justification. You are being the mind reader claiming to know what the people who put “uncertain” were thinking.
AR-15

Go for it. Use them. The government has no right to encroach upon our right to possess them.

When our government enacts legislation that impedes our right to possess such firearms, we no longer have the ability to keep our government in check.

Posse comitatus has been brushed aside. Bush allowed NorthCom to come into existence. We the people need to be aware of what our government is doing.

JD

This is scaring me RR. I agree with you on something. I have agreed with you once before, but I can’t remember exactly what it was. (JK) I have agreed with you more than once, even if I have insulted you a few times.
Lioncourt

If morale is down, or if the boots on the ground lose faith in their CinC, re-enlistment will fall.

And when the economy sucks re-enlistment goes up. I predict the military will meet its goals in this environment.
Lioncourt

Uncertainty is unlikely to breed optimism.

No it’s not. When given the choices of optimistic, pessimistic, uncertain or no opinion, uncertain is the neutral choice. In means they are waiting to see what his decisions are.
No opinion is the answer people give when they don’t want to participate.

And quoting a Lance Corporal anonymously is chicken shit. The demographic makes it likely that he is late teens or early 20s and been in about 2-3 years, much of that training. In other words some young kid who doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground. He isn’t likely to know what the leaders or anybody outside his platoon thinks.

But maybe the headline should of read “More military members optimistic than pessimistic about Obama.”
Rolette Reader

I served as an Armor Officer in the US Army for ten years, all on active duty.

I gave Clinton a chance to prove my reservations about him were wrong, but his shameful actions (and lack thereof) in Somalia caused me to leave the military. It didn’t have anything to do with the economy. Many of my peers did the same thing. So many, in fact, that the Army had a serious shortage of CPTs.

The vast majority of the military hated Clinton.

If Obama does what we fear he will do, the military will fell the same about him as Clinton and many, MANY will leave.

This is in contrast to President’ Bush’s term. We were/are engaged in a global war with two major fronts, we’ve lost thousands of very good troops who gave all for their country, and until recently, the economy was pretty good. Did we have problems meeting military enlistments? Nope, quite the opposite, we’ve had more than enough join and re-enlistment rates that broke records.

No, members of the military, especially the officers, will stay or leave based on Obama’s actions.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

Armys do not go to “boot camp.” Armys go to basic combat training aka BCT. Squids and jarheads attend “boot camp.”

That being said, yes, 19 years active and 6 ND National Guard.

The mission of our military in Iraq neither supports nor defends our Constitution.

I’m not seeking respect. I want accountability of those who subjected US to the Iraq quagmire.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

There ya have it. Thanks to the post from Rolette Reader we can infer that Armys are not as loyal as Marines. Ooh-rah!

Supporting and defending the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,

Semper Fi

Peace…
Rolette Reader

Sod off, Rugby Reader.

Are you still on active duty? If not, then by your own standard, you’re not loyal.

I volunteered, went to boot camp, got commissioned, got shot at in the first SWA go-around, served longer than what I was required to (and did so all on active duty, also not required), as did my peers. Me and my Army comrades’ loyalty is not in question and surely doesn’t have to be proven to a naive fool.

I have full respect for my fellow brothers-in-arms in the Marines, both who are serving now, and those who have served. I may have respect for your service, but I have no respect for you.

Those who claim to support our troops by failing to support their mission–undermine them and give aid and comfort to the enemy–are the ones who aren’t being loyal. Al qaeda can’t fight our military toe-to-toe and so are forced to fight it through weakening our nation’s will to fight by using useful fools like you.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

But, frankly don’t be a bit surprised if the re-enlistment numbers start to fall precipitously in the near soon.

Right, because Obama’s plan is to “gut the military” as some of the more paranoid delusional folks tend to believe.

Obama supports a Pentagon plan to expand the Army by 65,000 and the Marines by 27,000 in the next decade.

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070701faessay86401/barack-obama/renewing-american-leadership.html
Lioncourt

Your headline could have read 68% optimistic or uncertain.

My point is that more people are optimistic instead of pessimistic.
Lioncourt

I stand by my statement.

You are just looking for evidence to fit your preconception. Uncertain was the neutral choice. It doesn’t mean anything.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

I hope enlistments drop like a rock forcing a draft. They need to put the young republicans at the front of the line this time. No hiding in a rehab clinic in Alabama tied to a gurney.

I honestly believe Bush has an enormous skeleton in his closet like a long stay at a mental hospital, massive shock treatments or some other psychotic episode.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

BTW, for all you wannabe critics looking for “subtext”, try this: The largest criticism inherent in the post is of the Main Stream Media.

My commentary starts out, second word “MSM”. Hmm! This could be a clue to decoding the piece! Start with how the MSM deals with polls, conclude with how little this poll will be covered…in the MSM:

don’t expect the upcoming coronation to be upset with any whisperings of dissension in the ranks.

Now y’all can go back to your defense of any imaginary attacks on Obama you want. I’m going to hang up my spurs for the night!
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

Come now, Proof. Considering the focus and tone of this blog and most of its inhabitants, the glee is not hard to see. Or do you expect me to believe you find it troubling?

DON’T BOTHER. And tell your girlfriend Liberty the same thing.

It just makes the people with that attitude look like relics from a South American banana republic of the 1970s. And it’s dangerous.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

1. It’s a post about a negative aspect of the Obama presidency.

2. This blog contains mostly posts celebrating bad news about Obama.

3. Posting an article pointing out a negative aspect of the Obama presidency is done in celebration of bad news about Obama.

Did you take a really long time to potty train? You are severely anal retentive.
http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/ goon

The ONLY reason people enlist or re-enlist is because of the bonuses offered. The current bonuses offered ensure that we have sufficient numbers of personnel re-enlisting. The instant the bonuses decrease or stop, the propensity to re-up will decline dramatically. Obama wants to expand the military. He will not sign off on any DoD budget that doesn’t include lucrative re-enlistment bonuses.

The propensity to re-enlist has NOTHING to do with Obama becoming our next president. It is strictly economics, folks.

Yeah your right troll none of them re-enlist because they feel it is their patriotic duty. God you’re a moron.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

The ONLY reason people enlist or re-enlist is because of the bonuses offered. The current bonuses offered ensure that we have sufficient numbers of personnel re-enlisting. The instant the bonuses decrease or stop, the propensity to re-up will decline dramatically. Obama wants to expand the military. He will not sign off on any DoD budget that doesn’t include lucrative re-enlistment bonuses.

The propensity to re-enlist has NOTHING to do with Obama becoming our next president. It is strictly economics, folks.

Semper Fi…
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

I’ve seen this gleeful post

Could you point out any gleeful words in the post that give you that impression?
Or do you practice mind reading like the other trolls?
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

I should restate that as barely 3,000 “1st term Marines” re-upped in FY 94.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

Yes, I recall those days. In FY 94 barely 3,000 of us Marines re-upped. Bonuses were slim as were promotion opportunities. Obama is not going to return to those days.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

More obfuscation.

The claim was made that democrats are weak on defense. I pointed out the devastating attack we suffered under a republican leader with a republican Congress, no less.

Try refuting that. Don’t bring up sunspots or the gravitational pull of the moon.
syn

Obama wants to expand the military

Rugby, according to your bumperstickers indicating you are against expanding the military, against America’s right to defend herself and against victory in Iraq, do you now consider President-elect Obama to be an ‘evil imperialist warmonger run by Zionist neo-cons ruling the White House who are expanding the Industrial Military Complex bigger than President Bush’?

Further, since Obama’s chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is a heavy duty pro-Israel supporter will the Left treat Obama the same as Bush? You know…the whole Bush is Hitler crap we had to endure the several years. If Obama is expanding the military does this not mean Obama is a Hitler 2?

Or, has the last several years against those who serve in the military and their CiC just been a bunch a BS to get any Democrats elected?
syn

One more thing Rugby, unfortunately your side is stuck with Dino.

Good luck.
LoadTheMule

I honestly believe Bush has an enormous skeleton in his closet like a long stay at a mental hospital, massive shock treatments or some other psychotic episode.

I honestly believe you like to dress in starched pinafores and sing “I Feel Pretty” for the derelicts who hang out near the local bus station. One ‘belief’ is as good as another, I suppose.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

We suffered a devastating attack while a republican, Bush, was President. An enormous attack.

You are referring, of course, to the second attack on the World Trade Center? Hmm. I wonder who was President during the first? Whose tepid response with battle-seasoned attack lawyers with Armani briefcases taught the enemy that we were a force to be reckoned with! Give me a minute! It’ll come to me!
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

This particular gem:

If morale is down, or if the boots on the ground lose faith in their CinC, re-enlistment will fall. This has nothing to do with any plans real or imagined to “gut” the military.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

Besides, Democrats have decades long reputation of being weak on national defense.

Yet we suffered a devastating attack while a republican was President. Funny.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

Obfuscating.

We suffered a devastating attack while a republican, Bush, was President. An enormous attack. Doesn’t support your contention of dems being weak.

Funny, huh?
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Right, because Obama’s plan is to “gut the military” as some of the more paranoid delusional folks tend to believe.

Check your reading comprehension: There is a difference between someone not re-upping and Obama doing any cutting or “gutting”.

If morale is down, or if the boots on the ground lose faith in their CinC, re-enlistment will fall. This has nothing to do with any plans real or imagined to “gut” the military.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

You are intentionally spinning this poll negatively with no justification

So, quoting the author of Army Times is “spinning negative”? And reporting the poll accurately is “no justification? No chance that maybe the poll itself might be an indicator of something negative? You need to get out more!

Please point out any single word that I used to put a “negative spin” on the story. Or, you could cop out completely, intellectually, as did Dino, and say the fact that I posted it at all, knowing it had possible negative connotations for the president-elect is spin enough? Meh.

Note to deranged liberals: For the next four years, His Royal Majesty, the Kind and Benevolent Barack Obama will come under criticism for things he both says and does. If the economy continues to “go South”, he may, like Presidents before him, even be criticized for things that are beyond his control. Nonetheless, if you expect the loyal opposition to simply roll over and play dead and not report anything critical of him, because “it’s just so gosh darned negative”…forget about it!

I need to get a higher class of trolls in here!
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Be that as it may, wannabes provide a “curious” and interesting perspective.

Which of the “wannabes” at the Army Times are you questioning over their “curious” and “interesting perspective”?
Lioncourt

Why is it so hard for some to admit the truth that most of the military wouldn’t feel comfortable with a left wing president?

Than find a poll that says that instead of changing what this one says and quoting a know nothing Lance Corporal to prove a point.
Mickey

Yet we suffered a devastating attack while a republican was President. Funny.

Nothing funny about 911.

Thanks to Clinton/Gore’s Feckless leadership. Who passed up a couple opportunities to get Osama? I guess Bubba was too busy covering up multiple rape charges to get involved with national security.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

Syn, your questions don’t merit answers.

Bush has only accomplished destroying the economy and killing tens of thousands of civilians in a war based on lies.

The biggest attack on America occurred under a republican President more concerned with vacationing that governing.
syn

The claim was made that democrats are weak on defense.

Dino, do you support Obama’s plan to expand the military? And if so, how is Obama’s National Defense plan to expand the military any different than President Bush’s accomplishments.

Under President Bush’s watch some 50 million human beings were liberated, are you going to hate Obama for continuing the Bush Doctrine regarding the Long War against Islamdom?

OR will you move your goal-post for the paltry sake of political expediency by pretending the last eight years of your hate never happened?
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

This is neither an unbiased media source or pro-Obama site. Negative stories about him are in celebration.

So, in your stilted world view, only pro-Obama sites can post anything less than glowing reports about the CinC?

Again, with the mind reading! I post a fairly neutral report over what could be, is is not dead bang certainly going to be trouble with our military forces and in your twisted mind, it’s all Obama all the time? Sheesh! I challenge you to find one single word of celebration or glee that doesn’t originate with the tiny voices inside your head!
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

In FY 94 barely 3,000 of us Marines re-upped. Bonuses were slim as were promotion opportunities.

Now that is curious! You say that bonuses are the only reason to re-up, yet you re-upped when the bonus was “slim”! Maybe you had other reasons?
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

I predict the military will meet its goals in this environment.

We shall see!
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Uncertainty is unlikely to breed optimism.

I stand by my statement. If one is uncertain as to whether or not one is going to have a job next week, one is generally not optimistic.
Uncertainty over whether your next CinC is competent or reckless, could cause one to err on the side of caution when it comes to putting one’s life on the line when it comes time to re-enlist.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

For those of us not born yesterday, something similar happened when the pot-smoking, non-inhaler was CinC.
I jusst fear that history will repeat itself.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

I hope enlistments drop like a rock forcing a draft.

Your rabid hatred of this country is duly noted, but we won’t be returning to a draft any time soon!
We have an outstanding, all volunteer force, that actually wants to be there to defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

You can cower in fear with the rest of the domestics…
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

As to the headline? The first line of the story I quoted (for those of you who bothered to read the post first) said:

When asked how they feel about President-elect Barack Obama as commander in chief, six out of 10 active-duty service members say they are uncertain or pessimistic, according to a Military Times survey.

Shouldn’t the headline reflect what’s in the story itself? Sheesh!
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Considering the focus and tone of this blog and most of its inhabitants, the glee is not hard to see.

What you are describing is ass-umption or projection. As far as “proof” of the “glee”, you’ve got bupkis!

Come back when you want to discuss the facts and not your prejudices!
Hannitized

No, I meant Iraq. We did not invade a country that had a citizen elected parliamentary when we went in.

Our guys did a good job, no thanks to Bush and Rummy, but that doesn’t mean it was the wisest thing to do considering the war we are supposed to be fighting.

I would have preferred we went into Iraq first. But once we went into Iraq, we had to support our guys….and i did.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

You cetainly are tiresome.

This is neither an unbiased media source or pro-Obama site. Negative stories about him are in celebration.

No, I didn’t celebrate bad news during the bush years. The bad news about the economy he destroyed has impacted me negatively.

His gross mismanagement and patholigical conservative rigidity that destroyed the economy and caused the bad news can be read about here.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

Without the ability to detect nuance, how do you live and communicate?

Don’t insult your own intelligence.
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

Dude, I’m questioning the wannabes right here at sayanythingblog.com.
AR-15

There ya have it. Thanks to the post from Rolette Reader we can infer that Armys are not as loyal as Marines. Ooh-rah!

Supporting and defending the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,

Semper Fi

Peac

Really RR? What’s your stance on civilians owning/hunting with AR-15/AK47 rifles ? Semi-auto of course.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

It’s a post about a negative aspect of the Obama presidency.

So, if we report anything but good news, then, we’re gleeful? How did that work out during the Bush administration. Were you gleeful every time something went wrong with the country?

If your local weatherman predicts a flood or a tornado, do you accuse him of being “gleeful” because it’s a negative story?

Your ass-umptions are based on your prejudices, not my post.

Did you take a really long time to potty train?

I asked you before to please leave my behind out of your sick imagination!

I would imagine, though, that not having a leg to stand on, you must turn to personal attack. Typical.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

The fact of posting it was the glee.

Get a grip, dude.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Uncertainty is unlikely to breed optimism. The headline could have read: “41% Optimistic or No Opinion”, but it wouldn’t have made as much sense that way either.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

The ONLY reason people enlist or re-enlist is because of the bonuses offered.

Er, mind if I confuse you with some facts? Here’s what the current members of the military had to offer as their reasons (27% said “pay”) :
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Syn, your questions don’t merit answers.

Trollese for : Good Questions! I can’t answer them.

Bush has only accomplished destroying the economy and killing tens of thousands of civilians in a war based on lies.

The biggest attack on America occurred under a republican President more concerned with vacationing that governing.

Dino: If we really thought you believed all of that nonsense rather than being a partisan hack trying to score political points at the expense of truth and common sense, we’d look into having you committed for your own safety!
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

I honestly believe you like to dress in starched pinafores and sing “I Feel Pretty” for the derelicts who hang out near the local bus station

Heh. Well, so long as it’s honest!
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

how do you live and communicate?

Trust me! If I wanted to communicate “glee” I am perfectly capable of doing so. This is more, if I may quote the wrong Reverend Wright, a case of Obama’s “chickens coming home to roost”.
Now, I don’t know if you read “glee” into Reverend Wright’s remarks when he spoke of terrible things befalling America as “chickens coming home to roost”, but actions have consequences. The election of Barack Obama, while bringing about many positive things, could also bring about some not so positive things.

Poor morale in the military is one of them. If Obama is able, in the coming months to better inspire the troops with his vision, then expect the “uncertains” to be fewer in the next poll. If he cannot, then expect the number of troops to be fewer.
Mickey

You have to forgive dino, he’s “special”.

Rob doesn’t have enough blog space for anyone to cover the history of Democrats and weak national security issues so lets focus on our new VP, Joe Biden.

Decade after decade and on important issue after important issue, Mr. Biden’s judgment has been deeply flawed.

In the 1970s, Mr. Biden opposed giving aid to the South Vietnamese government in its war against the North. Congress’s cut-off of funds contributed to the fall of an American ally, helped communism advance, and led to mass death throughout the region. Mr. Biden also advocated defense cuts so massive that both Edmund Muskie and Walter Mondale, both leading liberal Democrats at the time, opposed them.

In the early 1980s, the U.S. was engaged in a debate over funding the Contras, a group of Nicaraguan freedom fighters attempting to overthrow the Communist regime of Daniel Ortega. Mr. Biden was a leading opponent of President Ronald Reagan’s efforts to fund the Contras. He also opposed Reagan’s efforts to send military assistance to the pro-American government in El Salvador, which at the time was battling the FMLN, a Soviet-supported Marxist group.

Throughout his career, Mr. Biden has consistently opposed modernization of our strategic nuclear forces. He was a fierce opponent of Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. Mr. Biden voted against funding SDI, saying, “The president’s continued adherence to [SDI] constitutes one of the most reckless and irresponsible acts in the history of modern statecraft.” Mr. Biden has remained a consistent critic of missile defense and even opposed the U.S. dropping out of the Anti ballistic Missile Treaty after the collapse of the Soviet Union (which was the co-signatory to the ABM Treaty) and the end of the Cold War.

In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and, we later learned, was much closer to attaining a nuclear weapon than we had believed. President George H.W. Bush sought war authorization from Congress. Mr. Biden voted against the first Gulf War, asking: “What vital interests of the United States justify sending Americans to their deaths in the sands of Saudi Arabia?”

In 2006, after having voted three years earlier to authorize President George W. Bush’s war to liberate Iraq, Mr. Biden argued for the partition of Iraq, which would have led to its crack-up. Then in 2007, Mr. Biden opposed President Bush’s troop surge in Iraq, calling it a “tragic mistake.” It turned out to be quite the opposite. Without the surge, the Iraq war would have been lost, giving jihadists their most important victory ever.

On many of the most important and controversial issues of the last four decades, Mr. Biden has built a record based on bad assumptions, misguided analyses and flawed judgments. If he had his way, America would be significantly weaker, allies under siege would routinely be cut loose, and the enemies of the U.S. would be stronger.

There are few members of Congress whose record on national security matters can be judged, with the benefit of hindsight, to be as consistently bad as Joseph Biden’s.

dino, you may go back to stacking blocks now.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/america_is_back/#c397018 DINO

Alluding to and celebrating a lack of confidence and distrustiing attitude in the Armed Forces for the President is a treasonous attitude.

I’ve seen this gleeful post and others like it in the sick world of conservative blogs lately.

Makes all the insults about how un-American I am for my beliefs fall FLAT. It’s you people who are anti-American and anti-democratic. And dangerous.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

nuance,

Fine! Point out the nuance that denotes “glee”!
Hannitized

matched with increased costs of hare-brained deployments

None of which were as massively hare-brained as that of Iraq.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

The fact of posting it was the glee.

Thanks for the mind reading, but your Carnac needs a little work!
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/entry/homosexuality_is_wrong_-_a_compendium move_zig

Again, I greatly doubt Rugby is or ever was a Marine. With the possible exception of having gotten in and then proving himself a shitbird, giving rise to the position he has taken against the military.

And three years to make E-4? I heard the USAF was slow on the promos… But geez, you ought to be able to make E-4 in 2 years on even a bad tour.

Yes I recall the US military under Clinton — more Meals on Wheels deployments (e.g. having nothing to do with the US’s vital national interests) overseas than in the previous 30 years, coming down hard on exactly the wrong side in the former Yugoslavia, his retreat in Haiti, his serial Fuckups when it had anything to do with the military, bleeding them white with massive defense cuts, matched with increased costs of hare-brained deployments (jeez, what is our exit strategy from Kosovo — the Leftard MSM is curiously silent about that one) , the witch-hunting of troops from Tailhook to Aberdeen, appointing folks who loathed the military to be in charge of it (like Assistant Army Secretary Sara E. Lister, who called Marines extremists) ramming the unqualified down the military’s throats, Kara Hultgren being a prime example, Albright, who said, {what’s) the point of having this superb military that you’re always talking about if we can’t use it? destroying a Ranger tradition, etc… etc… etc…

Don’t forget his giving the Red Chinese the designs of the W-88 Neutron bomb and multistage booster technology, as well as nuclear technology to the North Koreans. How about his completely ignoring the growing menace and non-compliance of Saddam Hussein with UN-imposed restrictions? He just withdrew the weapons inspectors and gave Hussein (Saddam, not Obama) a carte blanche to do whatever that tyrant wanted to do.

Pilots in particular were cycling out in record numbers, because the CinC loathed and despised our military and he showed it at every opportunity.

When your CinC hates, loathes and despises the military, and hasn’t the first clue on how to properly deploy the military, that has all the makings of a big stinking Shit Sandwich for the front line troop. That is, being deployed in the wrong place, at the wrong time, for the wrong reason without the stuff you need = wasted.

Troops, combat arms troops, reenlist all the time because they love what it is they do. There are days you wonder why you get paid to have this much fun (usually involving large quantities of explosives or ammunition)

Other days you finger the pin of that M-67, thinking that you’ve really had enough and someone is going to get a real smoking wakeup call. When the BS outweighs the adventure, the free market beckons. Evidently, the BS was great under Clinton, and will very likely be the same under Obama.

Combat should not be an issue for young troops, or even old Salts for that matter.

Troops welcome combat when its for the right reason. They welcome the prospect of locating, closing with and putting the serious smackdown on the enemy.

I don’t know about patriotism, Army vis-a-vis the Marine Corps — most troops don’t get all teary-eyed during Colors. They would, however, fight to the death to wipe out the enemy and run a flag up on their stinking capitol building.

Leftards on the other hand, hate the USA. They’ve hated it since forever and don’t rate even to lick the pimply ass of the greenest boot. They should be made to walk point for good troops and otherwise kept on permanent Honey Bucket detail.

They are traitors in their hearts and their minds.

They are cowardly Yellowstains from the Git-Go.

So Leftards, you are fooling noone when you protest that we are wrongfully accusing you of being traitors.

The true sting in any rebuke is the truth, and that’s why it hits you so bad.
Mickey

dino,

I hope you are taking notes. You need the education.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

You are just looking for evidence to fit your preconception.

Another mind reader! Is there a requisite Jeane Dixon course you have to take before you can become a full fledged troll?
Mickey

sparki

per capita, republicans tend to be better educated
http://norseberserker.blogspot.com/ Rugby Reader

If only people who actually served in the military posted comments about the military…

Be that as it may, wannabes provide a “curious” and interesting perspective.

They also are inclined to call others derogatory names rather than defend their position. Curious…
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/author/sparkiearbuckle sayanything-81

let’s see some education demographics for these stupid warmongerers who opinion is worth fuckall.

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