Recently a Time magazine article asserted that our Army is "broken down". For those not old enough to remember, the allusion is to the condition of our military at the end of the Vietnam War, when it was a mere shell of an army, not really fit for any combat operations. This in keeping with the MSM narrative that Iraq is Vietnam II - the trouble is, as with all these attempts to fit Iraq into the Vietnam box, there isn't a bit of actual similarity. Ray Robinson over at Real Clear Politics bears down on the claim that the young and recently killed in action Pvt. Zeimer hadn't received sufficient training:
...I immediately knew this wasn't the full story. So I used a journalistic research tool, possibly unavailable to Time, called Google.
You see, this article makes the brave young Matthew Zeimer sound like an infantry soldier. Infantry soldiers go to the Infantry Training Brigade for 14 weeks of intense training after completing basic training. How can it be he didn't go? Is the army so bad off infantry soldiers don't go to Advanced Infantry Training anymore?
In my research, I found this article "Soldier's last days at home memorable" at the Billings Gazette. The article tells the story of the brave Private's short military career as told by his family and friends.
Matthew had come home on leave Nov. 8, after more than five months of basic training.
Five months of basic training? What this article means is that he did nine weeks of Basic Training, which every soldier does, and then went for three more months of Advanced Individual Training...
Robinson goes on to note that Pvt. Zeimer also had ten months of pre-service training - a program the Army has to start training soldiers even before they join up. In addition to that, Pvt. Zeimer received more training in Kuwait before being deployed to Iraq. And the final point to make about the allegations that the very young Pvt. Zeimer died for lack of training is that he was killed along with a man who had been in Iraq for 14 months - a point not raised in the Time story alleging that lack of training caused Zeimer's death. Raising that point, you see, would have entirely destroyed the thrust of the story - and the MSM isn't about to let facts get in the way of a good story.
It is heartbreaking that such a young man should have to die in war. As a 42 year old man, I feel the sting of shame that I'm safe at home while very much younger men and women are risking their all for me. But we live the lives we have and in my time, service ended up being peacetime service and my realities of 2007 mean I won't be fighting in Iraq. I honor the sacrifice of those who do go and fight - and especially those who make the ultimate sacrifice that I and the rest of us may live in peace and freedom. But it is disgusting that the MSM and the Democrats (who leaped on this story like a famished dog on a bone) will turn sublime self-sacrifice into a lie...and a lie which has no other purpose than to hamstring a President they don't like for no other reason than he won the 2000 election.
God bless Pvt. Zeimer - on this Easter Sunday I pray that you are with Our Lord, for no greater love has a man than that he will lay down his life for another.
Posted by Mark Noonan at April 8, 2007 08:09 PM
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Terrorists continue with tactics that work. Killing a few people a day to demoralize the enemy works ONLY if we let it work.
PEACE THROUGH VICTORY.
Posted by: Kahn at April 8, 2007 08:49 PM
These kooks think that the Army recruits these guys, cuts their hair, hands them a rifle, and says, "Good luck in Iraq."
Where'd they get that flawed logic from, Charlie Rangel?
Posted by: keefer at April 8, 2007 08:53 PM
keefer, since the military as a whole (never mind the Army or Marines) is only 16% Democrat, they are actually just ignorant. They have no clue, haven't had for years, and it shows.
Posted by: Kahn at April 8, 2007 08:56 PM
Ok Kahn so 16% of 1,500,000 is over 190,000. So you are saying 190,000 democrats (including my daughter) willing to put their lives on the line don't count? I do agree with you that the Time article wasn't very well researched. I know my daughter has recieved top notch training the entire time she has served.
Posted by: Casper at April 8, 2007 09:23 PM
Casper,
Your daughter counts - very much so; as, of course, do you...what I think was meant is that, in general, the opinions of Democrats are to be discounted in matters military because so few of them are serving or have served.
Much play was made of war veteran Democrats running in 2006...but in "Caucus of Corruption", Matt and I show how false that was...you'll have to read the book, of course (Hey, even conservative authors gotta get paid!), but the plain fact of the matter is that in word and deed, most Democrats are ignorant of matters military and contemptuous of our servicemembers.
Posted by: Mark Noonan at April 8, 2007 09:34 PM
This is all part of the media campaign to get out of Iraq. They are shameless at thier tactics.
I think they should have re-titled that "Broken Liberals" they are the ones that are weak here, not our military.
Posted by: Tom at April 8, 2007 09:43 PM
There is one thing that's going on that I disagree with. In talking to my daughter yesterday, she metioned that she might be stoplosed and have to serve another tour in Iraq. This is after serving two tours for a total of two and a half years in Iraq. That is in addition to a seven month tour in Kosavo. At this point I feel she has done her duty and then some and I pray she won't have to go back again.
Posted by: Casper at April 8, 2007 09:52 PM
Mark,
I plan on reading your book. I also plan on reviewing it on Amazon. I will be fair, but I will also be tough.
Posted by: Casper at April 8, 2007 09:55 PM
Casper - Mark hit my point exactly. I wonder what percentage of Republicans a whole have served in the last 25 years compared to Democrats? I know that the VAST majority of Democrats, and certainly the more liberal ones are ignorant of the military and indeed the world. Most have never left New England, or New York City, of the Left Coast.
By the way - are you sure your daughter is Democrat? Have you asked?
Posted by: Kahn at April 8, 2007 10:33 PM
To be honest Kahn, the vast majority of Americans haven't served. And yes, I have asked and she is a democrat. In fact, both my daughters and my son are democrates. At this point my wife and I are republicans, although we plan on switching to independent before the next election. I have always voted for the person I thought would represent me the best rather than what party they are from.
Posted by: Casper at April 8, 2007 10:43 PM
I am a 77 year old veteran. I spent 18 months in Korea from October 1950 and it don't get much worse than that. I would go again tomorrow if they would let me, but when I attempted to get recalled after 9/11 I was told to get lost, I was too old. Hell, I can still hit a 25 yard bulls eye target at fifty yards with a two inch revolver and do it at least 8 out of 10 shots.
Posted by: Joe Elkins at April 8, 2007 11:53 PM
Joe,
What I always thought would be rather fun would be to get geezer veterans together as privateers...we've got a bunch of mothballed Spruance class destroyers so we buy one or two from Uncle Sam, refit it and put together a crew of old soldiers, sailors and Marines and patrol off the US coasts and around the trouble spots in the world.
As privateers, we wouldn't be restricted by US military rules of engagement - we could board ships at will and, if they are found to bear contraband (persons or materials), we could take them into a US port and put them before a maritime prize court...with the proceeds, of course, going to pay the crews.
All we'd need is a Letter of Marque from the Congress...getting together the 100-200 men we'd need would be a matter of holding a lotter to pick amongst the tens of thousands who would volunteer.
Posted by: Mark Noonan at April 9, 2007 12:31 AM
Yes Casper. Not many Americans are veterans. But with the percentage of the military being Democrat vs. Republican for as many years as it has been. There are vastly more Republican veterans than Democrat Veterans that have served in the last 25-30 years. Before that, percetnages were different and the parties were different.
Truth is, every year this gap in knowledge between the two parties grows wider. It shows in the ignorant statements and assumptions about the military in the left wing factions of the Democrats and in much of the press.
Does your daughter feel that the press is doing a fair job covering Iraq? Is she an officer, junior, or senior enlisted? Not to disparage - just that some junior or younger people may not be paying that close attention. I know that my military neighbors think the actions of the press border on treason.
Posted by: Kahn at April 9, 2007 12:35 AM
Kahn,
My daughter is a Sargent in the 141st Signal Battalion, which is being deactivated and the solders moving to other units. She has been in the Army for almost 8 years. She got back from her last tour in November and is currently living off base in Germany.
We haven't had any conversations about press coverage since she got back.
One concern she did mention was the number of civilian contrators being used in Iraq. Instead of setting up and maintaining a communication network as she was trained, she spent most of the last tour protecting Iraqs hired as interperters.She does have some very nice hings to say about some of the female interperters she met.
Posted by: Casper at April 9, 2007 10:18 AM
As a 42 year old man, I feel the sting of shame that I'm safe at home while very much younger men and women are risking their all for me.
Then sign up. The age limit has been raised, so now, at 42, you are not too old to enlist. You have claimed before that being too old was the only thing that stopped you. So...are you gonna walk the walk, or is this just yet more hot air coming from you?
Posted by: SeesThroughIt at April 9, 2007 11:10 AM
Casper - Mark hit my point exactly. I wonder what percentage of Republicans a whole have served in the last 25 years compared to Democrats? ......
Posted by: Kahn [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 8, 2007 10:33 P
That's a good question.
There are more Republicans on this blog who merely TALK about serving than there are Republicans in government who have actually served. You can start with Dear Leader Himself (Cheney) and his sidekick (Bush). Their combined militarty experience can fit on the period at the end of this sentence (with room to spare).
When it was time to defend America and America called on them, they simply didnt have the 'stomach' for a fight, or perhaps they had "other priorities". The fact is, they DID NOT SERVE. And all the spin, warmonging, Hide behind Pat Tillman's bravery, will not ever change that inconvenient fact.
Posted by: Chose.Life.Not.War at April 9, 2007 12:14 PM
Chose.Life.Not.War - Not all veterans are combat veterans and President Bush was a fighter pilot in the plane with the worst safety record of any Air Force Jet.
The language you used gave you away as a hate filled ignorant person. Did YOU ever serve? Even in the Guard?
Posted by: Kahn at April 10, 2007 01:44 AM
Order Matt and Mark's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Terrorists continue with tactics that work. Killing a few people a day to demoralize the enemy works ONLY if we let it work.
PEACE THROUGH VICTORY.
These kooks think that the Army recruits these guys, cuts their hair, hands them a rifle, and says, "Good luck in Iraq."
Where'd they get that flawed logic from, Charlie Rangel?
keefer, since the military as a whole (never mind the Army or Marines) is only 16% Democrat, they are actually just ignorant. They have no clue, haven't had for years, and it shows.
Ok Kahn so 16% of 1,500,000 is over 190,000. So you are saying 190,000 democrats (including my daughter) willing to put their lives on the line don't count? I do agree with you that the Time article wasn't very well researched. I know my daughter has recieved top notch training the entire time she has served.
Casper,
Your daughter counts - very much so; as, of course, do you...what I think was meant is that, in general, the opinions of Democrats are to be discounted in matters military because so few of them are serving or have served.
Much play was made of war veteran Democrats running in 2006...but in "Caucus of Corruption", Matt and I show how false that was...you'll have to read the book, of course (Hey, even conservative authors gotta get paid!), but the plain fact of the matter is that in word and deed, most Democrats are ignorant of matters military and contemptuous of our servicemembers.
This is all part of the media campaign to get out of Iraq. They are shameless at thier tactics.
I think they should have re-titled that "Broken Liberals" they are the ones that are weak here, not our military.
There is one thing that's going on that I disagree with. In talking to my daughter yesterday, she metioned that she might be stoplosed and have to serve another tour in Iraq. This is after serving two tours for a total of two and a half years in Iraq. That is in addition to a seven month tour in Kosavo. At this point I feel she has done her duty and then some and I pray she won't have to go back again.
Mark,
I plan on reading your book. I also plan on reviewing it on Amazon. I will be fair, but I will also be tough.
Casper - Mark hit my point exactly. I wonder what percentage of Republicans a whole have served in the last 25 years compared to Democrats? I know that the VAST majority of Democrats, and certainly the more liberal ones are ignorant of the military and indeed the world. Most have never left New England, or New York City, of the Left Coast.
By the way - are you sure your daughter is Democrat? Have you asked?
To be honest Kahn, the vast majority of Americans haven't served. And yes, I have asked and she is a democrat. In fact, both my daughters and my son are democrates. At this point my wife and I are republicans, although we plan on switching to independent before the next election. I have always voted for the person I thought would represent me the best rather than what party they are from.
I am a 77 year old veteran. I spent 18 months in Korea from October 1950 and it don't get much worse than that. I would go again tomorrow if they would let me, but when I attempted to get recalled after 9/11 I was told to get lost, I was too old. Hell, I can still hit a 25 yard bulls eye target at fifty yards with a two inch revolver and do it at least 8 out of 10 shots.
Joe,
What I always thought would be rather fun would be to get geezer veterans together as privateers...we've got a bunch of mothballed Spruance class destroyers so we buy one or two from Uncle Sam, refit it and put together a crew of old soldiers, sailors and Marines and patrol off the US coasts and around the trouble spots in the world.
As privateers, we wouldn't be restricted by US military rules of engagement - we could board ships at will and, if they are found to bear contraband (persons or materials), we could take them into a US port and put them before a maritime prize court...with the proceeds, of course, going to pay the crews.
All we'd need is a Letter of Marque from the Congress...getting together the 100-200 men we'd need would be a matter of holding a lotter to pick amongst the tens of thousands who would volunteer.
Yes Casper. Not many Americans are veterans. But with the percentage of the military being Democrat vs. Republican for as many years as it has been. There are vastly more Republican veterans than Democrat Veterans that have served in the last 25-30 years. Before that, percetnages were different and the parties were different.
Truth is, every year this gap in knowledge between the two parties grows wider. It shows in the ignorant statements and assumptions about the military in the left wing factions of the Democrats and in much of the press.
Does your daughter feel that the press is doing a fair job covering Iraq? Is she an officer, junior, or senior enlisted? Not to disparage - just that some junior or younger people may not be paying that close attention. I know that my military neighbors think the actions of the press border on treason.
Kahn,
My daughter is a Sargent in the 141st Signal Battalion, which is being deactivated and the solders moving to other units. She has been in the Army for almost 8 years. She got back from her last tour in November and is currently living off base in Germany.
We haven't had any conversations about press coverage since she got back.
One concern she did mention was the number of civilian contrators being used in Iraq. Instead of setting up and maintaining a communication network as she was trained, she spent most of the last tour protecting Iraqs hired as interperters.She does have some very nice hings to say about some of the female interperters she met.
As a 42 year old man, I feel the sting of shame that I'm safe at home while very much younger men and women are risking their all for me.
Then sign up. The age limit has been raised, so now, at 42, you are not too old to enlist. You have claimed before that being too old was the only thing that stopped you. So...are you gonna walk the walk, or is this just yet more hot air coming from you?
Casper - Mark hit my point exactly. I wonder what percentage of Republicans a whole have served in the last 25 years compared to Democrats? ......
Posted by: Kahn [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 8, 2007 10:33 P
That's a good question.
There are more Republicans on this blog who merely TALK about serving than there are Republicans in government who have actually served. You can start with Dear Leader Himself (Cheney) and his sidekick (Bush). Their combined militarty experience can fit on the period at the end of this sentence (with room to spare).
When it was time to defend America and America called on them, they simply didnt have the 'stomach' for a fight, or perhaps they had "other priorities". The fact is, they DID NOT SERVE. And all the spin, warmonging, Hide behind Pat Tillman's bravery, will not ever change that inconvenient fact.
Chose.Life.Not.War - Not all veterans are combat veterans and President Bush was a fighter pilot in the plane with the worst safety record of any Air Force Jet.
The language you used gave you away as a hate filled ignorant person. Did YOU ever serve? Even in the Guard?