b.arkin

[rockyusmc]

who is this guy that is knocking our troops?from what i heard on fox news tonight[2-1-07] this bum says our troops are catered to and they are all killers.he's only right about one thing,our troops will kill you if you shoot at them.c'mon guys lets get this guy.i know some of you are better on a computer than i'll ever be. help me out alittle.:mad:

[Bozooka]

This was posted on a blog.

William M. Arkin


Mr. Arkin,
I read with, great surprise, your article on the troops speaking out. I thought of a rather long missive to post, but I think concise facts might be more appropriate.
• Prior to the 2000 election, the unwritten rule was that former Presidents would not speak out publicly about current foreign policy. The reason being that to do so might send mixed signals to other countries, and undermine our foreign policy.
• In the 1970's, troops returning from Vietnam were spit on, called baby killers, labeled as murderers and rapists. Our Military was demoralized, underfunded and ill-trained.
• In the 1980's, The Military was built up, morale was very high, and the Soviet Union collapsed without the nuclear Holocaust those on the left claimed was imminent.
• General Giap, Commander of the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, was interviewed by a Newsweek reporter. He told the reporter that after TET (1968), the Viet Cong were no longer usable, and the North Vietnamese Army would take years to rebuild, and would not be able to mount another offensive. The TET offensive of 1968 was an absolute failure for the North. They lost over 70,000 soldiers and Viet Cong. He stated that it was the protests in the United States that gave him hope. He stated he didn't have to win, just hold on longer than the American people. The South Vietnamese Government collapsed after the United States Congress cut off all funding. The United States Military won every single battle, but the media and the politicians lost the war.
• January 1995. Then President Clinton was moving to deploy United States Forces to the Balkins. The United Nations forces had failed to stop the ethnic cleansing there, and the world watched. Much was made of the Republican controlled Congress that was holding funding until the President explained why he was committing U.S. troops for reasons that departed from prior policy. They wanted to know the objectives and the exit strategy. President Clinton stated "They will be home by Christmas". That was 1995. I served in Bosnia in 2001 and 2002. The last large number of troops was pulled out last year. 11 Christmas' had passed, no media uproar, no headlines of quagmire.
• The policy prior to 2000, as a result of what happened with Vietnam, was that we should strongly debate the use of force up until we have boots on the ground. Once soldiers were in harms way, all should unite and give one message "We support our troops efforts to succeed, and we will stand behind them.
In a nutshell, citizens, politicians and the media, who are actively pushing for a withdrawal in Iraq, are giving hope to our enemies. I have heard far more outrage from those on the left regarding naked prisoners standing in front of Female soldiers than I have heard about videotaped beheadings of Americans. If you think Abu Grahb was worse than Nicholas Berg, you are really in need of help.
I have served for 20 years in uniform. I hold a B.A. and held a strong GPA. I have buried more friends over the years than I care to remember. Good men who's lives were much more valuable than some of those whom they died protecting. The arrogance that people like yourself display is amazing. Sit behind your desk, write your columns. Thank God the people who risk there
Their lives for the idea and freedoms that are our Nation, are not willing to risk our future. You are lucky you don't have to deal with what would be the results of your policy preferences. You can sit and type and there is always going to be someone who will stand up to defend you, maybe. You sir, are a coward and a disgrace.


Posted by: Kevin | February 2, 2007 09:10 AM
Last Sunday (01/28/07) I organized an event at an Michigan State Univ v. Mich Univ wrestling match. We had 190 cards signed by those in attendance which will be sent onto our soldiers in military hospitals. Out of 190, only 1 card had a message of "no more wars". That card will not be sent onto a hospital. Everyone was thrilled to have an opportunity to say "thank you" and show support.
Below are some of the writings from those cards. From this, you will see a love, gratitude & a STRONG SUPPORT for our military.
"Thank you for giving your time for our freedom."
"Good luck. Hang tough."
"Get bater son" written by a young child
"God bless you all for your dedicated service to our freedom."
"Thank you. Without you we could not be."
"Thank you for fighting." written by a young child
"Dear Soldier. Thanks for all you do for me & my family. I know you are fighting for my freedoms."
"We are thinking of you all. We are very proud of your support & service. Get Well Soon."
"You're a hero and I appreciate everything you do."
"Thank you. Wrestling Rules! Kick some butt over there."
"God Bless You. You are there to keep the terrorists off of our soil. Thank you."
"From one vet to another. Thank you for our freedom."
"Keep your faith strong. We love you!"
"Come back okay." written by a young child
"Thank you for the great job you're doing so we can be free."
"Thank you so much for the sacrifices that you have made for my freedom. As the mother of 4 sons.. two in the Army & one Marine, I truly appreciate your job."
"Your doing a good job" written by a young child with a tank drawn in the corner
"Thank you so much for helping our country."
"Good luck. Give em hell !!!"
"Get well soon. Thank's for everything you have done to keep our nation safe."


Posted by: Colleen | February 2, 2007 08:40 AM
I find your comdemnation of Soldiers for expressing opinions differring from you to be awful. I see that you get paid to write opinions, sounds mercenary to me. The First Amendment should protect Free Speech not clowns who attack others for pay.

Posted by: Paul | February 2, 2007 08:35 AM
Dear Mr. Arken;
I'm almost not sure what to write, as what I would really like to say is 1.) not (or should not be) printable, and 2.) would be below the decorum of a former soldier who served this great country in Gulf War I, and is now grateful that he did. Your tirade at the American Armed Services "The Troops Also Need To Support The American People" is off-base and ill-founded. I'm not sure what version of the "American people" you associate with, but I can offer this one piece of advice: get out of Washington a LOT more often than you currently are and talk to some REAL American people. I can give you a few thoughts to take back to your "American people" and share with them.
First, your assertion that the "American people" have "indulged" the troops by supporting them through "every Abu Ghraib...,Haditha,..., rape and murder" is a plain falsehood. There was only one Abu Ghraib, one Haiditha, and very few instances of rape or outright murder in this war. If your assertion that our troops were roving bands of pillagers and rapers were true, there would be thousands of cases, not the few you outline. Incidents like you describe ARE the EXCEPTION, not the Rule. In fact, we go to great lengths to make sure that we protect innocent life wherever we can -- as much as one can in a war theater. The training that we provide our troops, drills them on avoiding innocent casualties (versus our adversary Al-Qaeda, for whom killing innocent people is as natural as breathing.) Further, we know that the majority of our troops have grown up in our American society that supports the preservation of human life and the value of people (again, versus our adversaries who train their children from day 1 to kill anyone who is different, doesn't agree with them and/or won't convert to their way of thinking.) Our enemies do not value life and use children and young adults - men and women - as human time bombs. It is for these reasons that we support our troops so steadfastly. This is not an "indulgence" it is a confidence in them, their training, and their humanity.
Next, our soldiers are NOT paid a decent wage (especially enlisted personnel) over all, and struggle to make ends meet while not being able to take on part time jobs as regular Americans do because they are considered "on Duty" 24 hours a day, and must be available at a moments notice. As a private (E-2) in the Army in 1988 with a wife and new son, I was eligible for food stamps, and other forms of public assistance because the pay was so low. I never took the government up on it, because I was taught that I was responsible for feeding my family, not the government. Others who came after me are following that same track. Frankly, our veterans and active-duty soldiers deserve more than what they get, for practical reasons, and for reasons of gratitude. Our soldiers certainly aren't paid well compared to the risks they take with their lives, but they accept this as part of the job.
Further, you say "...even at anti-war protests, the focus is firmly on the White House and policy." This thought pattern may make you feel better, but it, too is patently untrue. Their have been numerous demonstrations that I have been witness to, and the focus is NOT solely on White House and policy. Many engage in personal attacks, obstruction, and outright physical confrontation. The soldiers in question who earned your ill-placed ire ARE, thought, talking policy and White House. You should applaud them for that. You say "We just don't see very man[sic] "baby killer" epithets being thrown around these days, no one in uniform is being spit upon." So, because you chose not to spit on the troops and call them stupid names when they came home they now owe you loyalty to your opinion of the war? That's insane. You are wrong; people are still doing those same old tired-ass Vietnam era anti-war tactics. A few of you have refined your tactics, though, to use oh, say, a newspaper column.
Soldiers do have a paycheck, healthcare at military hospitals (not all hospital visits and treatments are free by the way.) But these things are not things that require them to cow-tow to public opinion. They are benefits earned by people who do the most important job in this country; protecting us from all enemies foreign and domestic. Thanks for giving the United States a look at what liberal socialists really want in exchange for all the free healthcare, food stamps, and all the other "freebies" the government gives. You are thereby a bought-and-paid-for slave of the ruling class of government utopia, and in exchange they will tell YOU what to think. Anything outside of this earns you a slap from King Arken on his throne at the Washington Post. Long live the dictator.


Boycott the New York Times and The Washington Post! They spew Anti American from their presses

[rockyusmc]

th anks to bozooka and all you good people who responded to my thread.we must keep after these bums. they are just waiting to lose this war as they lost the one in vietnam.i hate them all when they condemn our troops.the media are among the worst.thank god they werent around or too vocal during ww2.

[3077India]

PLEASE POST THE WEB ADDRESS FOR THIS BLOG, SO WE CAN HIT IT HARD! :cool:

This was posted on a blog.

William M. Arkin

Mr. Arkin,
I read with, great surprise, your article on the troops speaking out. I thought of a rather long missive to post, but I think concise facts might be more appropriate.
• Prior to the 2000 election, the unwritten rule was that former Presidents would not speak out publicly about current foreign policy. The reason being that to do so might send mixed signals to other countries, and undermine our foreign policy.
• In the 1970's, troops returning from Vietnam were spit on, called baby killers, labeled as murderers and rapists. Our Military was demoralized, underfunded and ill-trained.
• In the 1980's, The Military was built up, morale was very high, and the Soviet Union collapsed without the nuclear Holocaust those on the left claimed was imminent.
• General Giap, Commander of the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, was interviewed by a Newsweek reporter. He told the reporter that after TET (1968), the Viet Cong were no longer usable, and the North Vietnamese Army would take years to rebuild, and would not be able to mount another offensive. The TET offensive of 1968 was an absolute failure for the North. They lost over 70,000 soldiers and Viet Cong. He stated that it was the protests in the United States that gave him hope. He stated he didn't have to win, just hold on longer than the American people. The South Vietnamese Government collapsed after the United States Congress cut off all funding. The United States Military won every single battle, but the media and the politicians lost the war.
• January 1995. Then President Clinton was moving to deploy United States Forces to the Balkins. The United Nations forces had failed to stop the ethnic cleansing there, and the world watched. Much was made of the Republican controlled Congress that was holding funding until the President explained why he was committing U.S. troops for reasons that departed from prior policy. They wanted to know the objectives and the exit strategy. President Clinton stated "They will be home by Christmas". That was 1995. I served in Bosnia in 2001 and 2002. The last large number of troops was pulled out last year. 11 Christmas' had passed, no media uproar, no headlines of quagmire.
• The policy prior to 2000, as a result of what happened with Vietnam, was that we should strongly debate the use of force up until we have boots on the ground. Once soldiers were in harms way, all should unite and give one message "We support our troops efforts to succeed, and we will stand behind them.
In a nutshell, citizens, politicians and the media, who are actively pushing for a withdrawal in Iraq, are giving hope to our enemies. I have heard far more outrage from those on the left regarding naked prisoners standing in front of Female soldiers than I have heard about videotaped beheadings of Americans. If you think Abu Grahb was worse than Nicholas Berg, you are really in need of help.
I have served for 20 years in uniform. I hold a B.A. and held a strong GPA. I have buried more friends over the years than I care to remember. Good men who's lives were much more valuable than some of those whom they died protecting. The arrogance that people like yourself display is amazing. Sit behind your desk, write your columns. Thank God the people who risk there
Their lives for the idea and freedoms that are our Nation, are not willing to risk our future. You are lucky you don't have to deal with what would be the results of your policy preferences. You can sit and type and there is always going to be someone who will stand up to defend you, maybe. You sir, are a coward and a disgrace.


Posted by: Kevin | February 2, 2007 09:10 AM
Last Sunday (01/28/07) I organized an event at an Michigan State Univ v. Mich Univ wrestling match. We had 190 cards signed by those in attendance which will be sent onto our soldiers in military hospitals. Out of 190, only 1 card had a message of "no more wars". That card will not be sent onto a hospital. Everyone was thrilled to have an opportunity to say "thank you" and show support.
Below are some of the writings from those cards. From this, you will see a love, gratitude & a STRONG SUPPORT for our military.
"Thank you for giving your time for our freedom."
"Good luck. Hang tough."
"Get bater son" written by a young child
"God bless you all for your dedicated service to our freedom."
"Thank you. Without you we could not be."
"Thank you for fighting." written by a young child
"Dear Soldier. Thanks for all you do for me & my family. I know you are fighting for my freedoms."
"We are thinking of you all. We are very proud of your support & service. Get Well Soon."
"You're a hero and I appreciate everything you do."
"Thank you. Wrestling Rules! Kick some butt over there."
"God Bless You. You are there to keep the terrorists off of our soil. Thank you."
"From one vet to another. Thank you for our freedom."
"Keep your faith strong. We love you!"
"Come back okay." written by a young child
"Thank you for the great job you're doing so we can be free."
"Thank you so much for the sacrifices that you have made for my freedom. As the mother of 4 sons.. two in the Army & one Marine, I truly appreciate your job."
"Your doing a good job" written by a young child with a tank drawn in the corner
"Thank you so much for helping our country."
"Good luck. Give em hell !!!"
"Get well soon. Thank's for everything you have done to keep our nation safe."


Posted by: Colleen | February 2, 2007 08:40 AM
I find your comdemnation of Soldiers for expressing opinions differring from you to be awful. I see that you get paid to write opinions, sounds mercenary to me. The First Amendment should protect Free Speech not clowns who attack others for pay.

Posted by: Paul | February 2, 2007 08:35 AM
Dear Mr. Arken;
I'm almost not sure what to write, as what I would really like to say is 1.) not (or should not be) printable, and 2.) would be below the decorum of a former soldier who served this great country in Gulf War I, and is now grateful that he did. Your tirade at the American Armed Services "The Troops Also Need To Support The American People" is off-base and ill-founded. I'm not sure what version of the "American people" you associate with, but I can offer this one piece of advice: get out of Washington a LOT more often than you currently are and talk to some REAL American people. I can give you a few thoughts to take back to your "American people" and share with them.
First, your assertion that the "American people" have "indulged" the troops by supporting them through "every Abu Ghraib...,Haditha,..., rape and murder" is a plain falsehood. There was only one Abu Ghraib, one Haiditha, and very few instances of rape or outright murder in this war. If your assertion that our troops were roving bands of pillagers and rapers were true, there would be thousands of cases, not the few you outline. Incidents like you describe ARE the EXCEPTION, not the Rule. In fact, we go to great lengths to make sure that we protect innocent life wherever we can -- as much as one can in a war theater. The training that we provide our troops, drills them on avoiding innocent casualties (versus our adversary Al-Qaeda, for whom killing innocent people is as natural as breathing.) Further, we know that the majority of our troops have grown up in our American society that supports the preservation of human life and the value of people (again, versus our adversaries who train their children from day 1 to kill anyone who is different, doesn't agree with them and/or won't convert to their way of thinking.) Our enemies do not value life and use children and young adults - men and women - as human time bombs. It is for these reasons that we support our troops so steadfastly. This is not an "indulgence" it is a confidence in them, their training, and their humanity.
Next, our soldiers are NOT paid a decent wage (especially enlisted personnel) over all, and struggle to make ends meet while not being able to take on part time jobs as regular Americans do because they are considered "on Duty" 24 hours a day, and must be available at a moments notice. As a private (E-2) in the Army in 1988 with a wife and new son, I was eligible for food stamps, and other forms of public assistance because the pay was so low. I never took the government up on it, because I was taught that I was responsible for feeding my family, not the government. Others who came after me are following that same track. Frankly, our veterans and active-duty soldiers deserve more than what they get, for practical reasons, and for reasons of gratitude. Our soldiers certainly aren't paid well compared to the risks they take with their lives, but they accept this as part of the job.
Further, you say "...even at anti-war protests, the focus is firmly on the White House and policy." This thought pattern may make you feel better, but it, too is patently untrue. Their have been numerous demonstrations that I have been witness to, and the focus is NOT solely on White House and policy. Many engage in personal attacks, obstruction, and outright physical confrontation. The soldiers in question who earned your ill-placed ire ARE, thought, talking policy and White House. You should applaud them for that. You say "We just don't see very man[sic] "baby killer" epithets being thrown around these days, no one in uniform is being spit upon." So, because you chose not to spit on the troops and call them stupid names when they came home they now owe you loyalty to your opinion of the war? That's insane. You are wrong; people are still doing those same old tired-ass Vietnam era anti-war tactics. A few of you have refined your tactics, though, to use oh, say, a newspaper column.
Soldiers do have a paycheck, healthcare at military hospitals (not all hospital visits and treatments are free by the way.) But these things are not things that require them to cow-tow to public opinion. They are benefits earned by people who do the most important job in this country; protecting us from all enemies foreign and domestic. Thanks for giving the United States a look at what liberal socialists really want in exchange for all the free healthcare, food stamps, and all the other "freebies" the government gives. You are thereby a bought-and-paid-for slave of the ruling class of government utopia, and in exchange they will tell YOU what to think. Anything outside of this earns you a slap from King Arken on his throne at the Washington Post. Long live the dictator.

Boycott the New York Times and The Washington Post! They spew Anti American from their presses

[rockyusmc]

3077india,i hope some one can help you out with the address for the blog.im not good enuff with a computer to even know what ablog is.ican just about get along typing in messages.

[3077India]

3077india,i hope some one can help you out with the address for the blog.im not good enuff with a computer to even know what ablog is.ican just about get along typing in messages.
At or near the top of your web browser is what is called the address bar.
Move your mouse pointer over it and click on it ONE TIME so the address is highlighted.
Now that it is highlighted, with the mouse pointer still over the address, now click on the RIGHT mouse button.
A menu will appear, you need to choose "Copy."
Go back to Leatherneck.com and post a reply to this thread.Here is how you paste the web address into the "Compose Reply" Box.
If you use a Firefox Mozilla browser:
Place your mouse pointer on the compose window and click only once, you should see the typing cursor.
Now while holding down the CTRL key, hit the V key. That's it, the address should be there.
Hit the "Submit Reply" button.Hope this helps. :confused:

[rockyusmc]

3077 india,thank you kindly for your attempt to help.i did every thing you suggested,but obviously im doing something wrong.i guess im too d***old to catch on to this stuff.ill just keep on going til ieither get it or find someone to teach me.thanks again.

[yellowwing]

Arkin Blog address (http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/). His critics seized upon his use of the word 'mercenary' and the rest of his meaning and intent was totally lost. Goof-ball getting carried away.

My 2 cents. We fight our wars over there whenever we are called. Its our job to win the war there.

Whose lead is it to win the war and battles back here at home?

[Bozooka]

The address that I found the post is.. Early Warning (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2007/01/the_troops_also_need_to_suppor.html) This scumbag needs to be put in his place..:devious:

[rockyusmc]

wing,if some our gutless politicianswould stop beating up on our military,we would all be betteroff.this morning[2-3]i see hellary
is going to take action. SHE will end this war!what adisgrace!the entire world laughs at the us.all the so called politicos have declared war on the pres.and made sure the whole world knew that they[thepoliticos] did not support him.did someone change the rule of respect the rank,even if you dont respect the man? :sick:

[yellowwing]

She'll be surprised to learn that being a War Time President is more than making the decision to send us into battle, she'll find out that she'll have to fight the battles here at home too.

[rockyusmc]

wing,thats when her shrill voice will tell us how unpatriotic we are,and then she'llboo-hoo and the libs will give her another couple million

[yellowwing]

wing,thats when her shrill voice will tell us how unpatriotic we are,and then she'llboo-hoo and the libs will give her another couple million
Yep, and next thing she'll know Hillary will have 60% of the country protesting against her and her Euro allies will be wondering how she pizzed away unconditional support. :banana:

[DWG]

She'll be surprised to learn that being a War Time President is more than making the decision to send us into battle, she'll find out that she'll have to fight the battles here at home too.


NO! What she won't have is the drive by media sniping at every thing she does. They will support her 100% like they did her husband. Did your ever hear any one kick on the one year commitment to Bosnia? Or the possibility of innocent civilian deaths in the cruise missle attacks in Afghanistan? Dems get a free pass from the mainstream press and they know it.

[rockyusmc]

so,we are all b*******n&complaining.what are we going to do about it?i know we're going to vote.but we finally have to take a stand.lets pick the best canditate and work hard to get him elected.i dont know who it will be but for once,let the voice of the people prevail:yes: