Yesterday at
the Operation Yellow Elephant Blog I read about a debate that was going to occur at the UNC Greensboro between campus Dems and Repubs.
Well Karl at OYE urged people to attend and ask the YR's the question, you know, why they are in school and not fighting for what they believe in so much. Karl attached a
link to the blog of one of the YR's (missie!) in charge of setting up the event.
The back and forth on the blog is hilarious, it really is a view into the mindset of YR's: lame excuses (the troops in Iraq want to go there) and even lamer analogies (going to Iraq is like being a garbageman. Some have excuses that may be valid, but I am beginning to wonder if poor health is a prerequisite for being a YR.
Some select comments below:
Winstonpundit just comes right out and lays down what I believe to be the Holy Grail of Republicanism: "other people" should do my dirty work:
The reason I don't volunteer is because I don't want to go to Iraq and fight.
I do want "other people" to go over and fight because they are keeping me and my family and you and all of us safe.
I also want "other people" to arrest murders and hunt down criminals.
I want "other people" to pick up my garbage.
I want "other people" to fish for king crab in the Artic Sea so I can eat them at Red Lobster even though it is the most dangerous job and many of the fishermen die every season.
I don't need to directly participate to support the outcome of other people's choices of work.
He gets points for his lame excuse as well as his bad analogies. He obviously doesn't understand that someone is trying to appeal to his patriotism, unless he considers fishing for his next expensive dinner or picking up his garbage on par with the security of the U.S.A. I think he should add:
'I wish "other people" poorer than my parents (since I live off them) would pay more taxes so I (in the broadest sense, since it is really my parent's taxes) can get a new Beamer.
thatpoliscinerd has a rod in his back or something like that, but says that even if he was healthy he wouldn't serve because he wouldn't be good at it:
If for some reason, I was magically cured and there was no metal rod in my back, I wouldn't immediately go out and join the army. At that time in my life when I was willing to do that, I hadn't found my path in life. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I did know that I loved my country, and that I would be willing to represent it in the military. I just don't think that would be for me anymore. The type of person that I am changed, thanks to college, and I'm now the type of person that could probably do more good within this country in a time of war than out fighting.
It's not for everyone, and that's why there shouldn't be a draft. I can't fix cars, and that's why I'm not a mechanic. I hate math, so I'm not an accountant. Doesn't mean I can't drive a car, or pay my taxes.
He thinks that his supreme education should allow him a free pass and let other people who are better at fighting to do that, while he does whatever it is he is good at doing to support the war effort here at home. Although since he can't add or change a spark plug, I kinda doubt his education level is really as good as he thinks. I think he would make great IED fodder. Plus he must not know that there are plenty of military back doors for people with rods in their backs. GIS experts and the like for instance (I've seen them at usajobs.gov).
youcantcatchme pulls out he classic Republican tactic of attack, attack, attack:
I've got a question...
Why the fuck don't you go out and enlist? You're nothing but a burden to our country sitting behind a computer screen harassing people anonymously all day.
Go listen to Al Franken or something, you're just annoying people who aren't going to change their beliefs because of you.
Instead of addressing the argument (i.e. sign up for what you preach is best for our country) he tries to change the subject and belittle the person who challenged his patriotism. When Karl Rove steps down maybe he should send his resume to the WH.
Finally misspoole1885 just come out and admits she's a yellow elephant:
The reason I do no enlist to fight for the war is because I am scared shitless to do it, even though I cannot be part of the combat because I am a female, I would rather live a normal life here in America, with a family, and a job that does not give me severe problems when I finish. I am a normal human being.
You do not have to be part of a cause to support it. You can support the troops with out agreeing with the war. Frankly I feel that there are people in this world meant to do certain thing. People who want to fight will do a much better job than someone who does not want to. Call me a damn lazy Republican, I dont give a fuck. Take your fucking Yellow Elephant bullshit, shove it up your ass, and find something better to do with your time than harassing a bunch of college students, since you are "over 40"
Too bad, enlisting would give you something to do, since you seem to have nothing to fill your time with. I highly doubt that if you were for the war that you would fight.
Not only does she say she is scared, but the rest of her response really portrays her mindset.
She states:
I am a normal human being
(I assume complete with trust fund). Of course this implies the troops are not, as they "want to fight".
And if someone can explain her reasoning here:
You do not have to be part of a cause to support it. You can support the troops with out agreeing with the war.
Please help me out.
I responded as anonymous (didn't want to sign up for livejournal):
Thnaks for admitting you are scared. Do you think these people really want to fight, especially against an enemy who changes every day, and with a mission that has changed every week. Since everyone here is big into analogies, how about calling this changing the goal posts. We're looking for WMD's, no wait, were turning the Middle East into a Democracy, we are keeping the country together, we are supporting a constitution that guarantees that the country is split up when new oil fields replace the older ones, we are...aw fuck, we are just trying not to get blown up by car bombs and get home with as few bad dreams as possible. The people over there are scared kids just like you, except through the wonders of trickle down economics they got a job killing and being killed and you got a Jeep Cherokee and a trust fund.
Her reply is great (I really screwed up big time trying to guess what king of vehicle mommy and daddy bought her!)... supposedly the whole situation over there is exaggerated:
no your wrong, I got a mersades benz. People who go there actually do want to go there, I know people who are there. They sign up, because they want to go. If they really didnt want to go, they woulndt, just like all of us pansy ass Republicans,Right? Cause thats what you think we are, when I really cant think you are any better.
Another thing, people who go to Iraq, or anyother part of the world to fight, or defend, are not always fighting. So, imi tired of you saying, oh they're all scared, but you get to say home and be rich, while they all die. You are exagerrating the whole situation.
Classic
