Outside the Beltway

Quick Hits

James Joyner
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In getting through my backlog of blog readings, I have unearthed some amusing quips that I missed:

Stephen Green: “First, the Left used the ‘chickenhawk’ argument to claim that only active-duty soldiers could venture any opinions on war. Now the Left is filled with glee because we have a clique of generals dissing their elected civilian commander-in-chief. It’s enough to make you ask if the Left is preparing this country for a military dictatorship.”

Steve Bainbridge: “I’d say a lifetime of defending freedom entitles the generals to at least the same free speech rights as those enjoyed by the neo-con pundits trying to shush them.”

Bill Ardolino: “[Michelle Malkin’s] non-stop energy has raised my suspicion that she’s a pundit cyborg produced in the same robotics lab responsible for the Glenn Reynolds.”

Steven Taylor: “If [a cavalier attitude toward those who disagree] is a disqualifier from being a professor, there would a lot of empty offices in the ivy-covered halls of academe.”

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5 responses to “Quick Hits”

  1. LJD Avatar
    LJD

    I found this guy’s comment on Vodkapundit to be hilarious… …also reminded me of a few regular OTb commenters.

    I’m confused,
    Wasn’t the right tauting how much we can rely on the expertise of our Generals at war as a reason for voting for the stupid one.

    I think you must mean “touting.” Nevertheless, clearly, you are confused, as that most certainly was not the case.

    I just love how you guys try to make shit up to justify the other shit you make up.

    It is funny how the same party that is supposed to be ‘for the people’ and ‘diversity’ continually categorizes them all into the same groups. Maybe just when it suits their needs.

    Here’s a hint: These are a handful of Generals out of many.

    Here’s another: Not all people in the military think the same. I know that may be contrary to your brainwashing theory…

  2. legion Avatar
    legion

    I used to read VodkaPundit pretty regularly, but somewhere along the line (possibly when he started getting lobbied hard to join Pajamas, I’m not sure) he lost his damn mind.

    “…the Left is preparing this country for a military dictatorship.”

    So ‘The Left’, which supposedly hates America, freedom, apple pie, and (most importantly) THE MILITARY is using its vast resources to set up a military coup… that’s insane on its very face, not to mention the bald-faced lie about the term ‘chickenhawk’ he starts his missive out with.

  3. James Joyner Avatar
    James Joyner

    legion: He’s making a joke about apparently contradictory positions, not assessing Democratic policy goals.

    And, certainly, the chickenhawk comment is essentially right. The Kos Left repeatedly implies that one can not legitimately be in favor of a war if one is not willing to join the military to fight it.

    Do your own Google search for “chicken hawks” or “101st Fighting Keyboarders” if you think my sample is skewed.

  4. legion Avatar
    legion

    James,
    I only occasionally glance at the site anymore, but I don’t always see the ‘joke’ aspect of his & Will’s postings. That could just be me, tho.

    As for ‘chickenhawk’, a lot of right-wing defensiveness about the label (and particularly Hitchens’ article) deliberately avoid the broader point. It’s not that ‘only’ active-duty military, or even people with service in their background, have a valid POV on it. It’s a couple of related issues..

    A lot of the more strident drum-beaters for this misadventure we’re in have no vague clue what they’re talking about when they say only a ‘military solution’ will work in whatever situation they find offensive today. It’s not so much a lack of military background, but a deliberate refusal to educate themselves on the topic before demanding we ‘go to war’.

    The other issue, and the one I think gets more knee-jerk responses, is the implication that certain pundits are more than happy to see “us” go to war, so long as they don’t have to make any sacrifice or endure any discomfort themselves. There are plenty of righty bloggers who don’t fit this category, but some others (Adam Yoshida, most posters at The Corner, just about any commenter at LGF, etc.) rant on about the threat to our borders (used to be from Islamo-fascio-terrorists, now it’s Mexicans), but the impression a lot of leftys get is that they all boil down to “let’s you and them fight”.

  5. James Joyner Avatar
    James Joyner

    legion: Sure, but it’s a silly argument for reasons I’ve laid out at those links. And it’s not as if lefties are more educated about military service; indeed, the reverse is likely true.

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