Sick Sad Week: Military Morale, Katrina Myths, and the Golden Age of Television

Sick Sad Week: Military Morale, Katrina Myths, and the Golden Age of Television

September 05, 2006 by
Timothy Sexton  
Timothy Sexton
Timothy Sexton
  • Published Content: 3,446
  • Total Views: 4,523,280
  • Fans: 361
View Profile | Follow | Add to Favorites
Single page
Font Size
Read comments (10)
More topics
Enlistment  |  Us Military  |  Age of Conan  |  Golden Age  |  Morale
That Must Be Why They’re Having to Force Current Soldiers To Go Back To Iraq To Make Up For The Slack Caused By Falling Enlistment Figures

Did you get a chance to catch NBC News anchor Brian Williams’ interview with Pres. Bush during his exactly one-year-too-late visit to Gulf Coast areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina? When Brian Williams asked Pres. Bush for a response
 to the allegations—I’m sorry, to the fact—that the invasion of Iraq has effectively worked as the greatest recruiting device for Islamic terrorists since the original Crusades, Herr Bush gave one of the few honest responses of his life by saying he didn’t understand how anyone could make that argument. I’ve little doubt that Bush is capable of understanding logical thinking. And to prove it Bush then went on to prove my contention by actually fake Texas drawling “morale is currently high in the US military”. You may quit blinking your eyes now, you did read that correctly. Pres. Bush apparently honestly believes that morale is high in the US military right now. As he said it. As I write these words. I guess all that high morale among the military explains why soldiers are being forced into another round of service in Iraq and Afghanistan due to re-enlistment figures dropping faster than Paris Hilton’s panties. What? Paris Hilton doesn’t wear panties? Oh, okay…well, then, how dropping faster than Mel Gibson’s chances of playing Oscar Schindler on Broadway?

Why Do They Even Have to Insist? Isn’t It Obvious?

Page: 1 2 3 4 Next »
 Print   Save Read comments (10)   Next piece
Related Video
   
RelatedRecommendedFeaturedMore By This Source
Pres. Bush's First Veto is Set to Deny Stem Cell Legislation
Pres. Bush is set to use his veto power for the first time by sending back legislation that would provide federal funding for research that could cure several diseases. While this would be his first veto, it's hardly the first time Bush has undone a law.
By Timothy Sexton  |  Published 7/18/2006  |  Read more »
Is Pres. Bush Suffering from the Effects of Syphilis?
I hereby offer up a theory for diagnosing Pres. Bush's bizarre behavior as the result of general paresis, a syphiltic mental disorder that can take as long at thirty years to become fully manifest.
By Timothy Sexton  |  Published 2/13/2007  |  Read more »
If Senators Knew Then What Pres. Bush Knew Then, Enough Say They Would Change Their Vote to Result in No Approval of Bush's War
Enough Senators have announced that they would not have voted to invade Iraq if only Bush had given them the evidence he had at the time to have the vote fail. In essence, then, the only reason we are in Iraq is because Pres. Bush can't stop lying.
By Timothy Sexton  |  Published 1/5/2007  |  Read more »
Pres. Bush's "I Did Not Have Sexual Relations with that Woman" Moment
Pres. Bush lies again. Wow. Surprise.
By Timothy Sexton  |  Published 3/22/2006  |  Read more »
Pres. Bush to Visit Timothy Sexton's Hometown of Pensacola Tomorrow
Why is Pres. Bush visiting what is arguably the most conservative voting district in America on the Monday before the election? Is it a sign of utter fear and desperation?
By Timothy Sexton  |  Published 11/5/2006  |  Read more »
What Can Hezbollah Teach Pres. Bush?
Hezbollah can teach Pres. Bush a thing or two about inspiring loyalty.
By Timothy Sexton  |  Published 9/10/2006  |  Read more »
Related information
TakeawaysDid You Know
  • Morale in the military is high, says Pres. Bush, who would know better than anyone.
  • Television has never been better is the message of this year's Emmy Aware presenters.
  • 72 hours without food, water, or medicine is not abandonment, says Glenn Beck.
 
Comments 1 - 10 of 10  
Comments
Type in Your Comments Below

When it comes to morale, it can only be measured by asking each individual for their opinion about THEIR OWN MORALE. Way to many people seem to think they can talk for the groups morale, but in fact are only passing on their own! Leaders always will say the morale of the unit it great, otherwise they will be admitting failure. While the grunt in the dirt might differ, when asked, he/she is still only giving their opinion of what is actually their own morale. Also, nothing wrong with Paris going without panties. But thats just my opinion ;-)
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/06/2006 at 6:09:00 AM

Great article Tim! I loved it.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/06/2006 at 5:09:00 AM

Any object would be too clean to use on "her".... People would much rather join a group that offers benefits and a team/family mentality, plus! Not to mention Travel! Than..join a gang..they make you feel loved and welcome and part of a family, plus you get to hurt people at times as well..! NOW that's high Morale! LOL...To each his own...Just like all the fighting over there is over religion and beliefs, peoples' views on the war and the military will never have an absolute outcome..it's endless.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 6:09:00 PM

Tim, Soldiers enlist and then choose to stay or get out for more reasons than can be listed here. For all those holding on until their enlistments are up there are an equal number signing on for more time. With regard to the Mc Veigh remark, hey, things get said in the heat of debate. Finally, having an army is not a requirement for combat. I suggest you read up on 4th generation warfare and asymmetric threats.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 4:09:00 PM

Greg: Let me offer my apology for that remark about McVeigh. I certainly didn't mean to imply that you would allow the kind of skinhead thuggery of a McVeigh to go unpunished under your command. However, because I have lived in a ruggedly military town most of my life--including having family members and friends in the military--I know from experience that not all soldiers enlist because of a deep-seated patriotism. Some of them do--as I'm sure you'll attest--simply enjoy the benefit of having a gun and an enemy at which to shoot.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 3:09:00 PM

And by the way, that whole following orders thing? Didn't work for the Nazis, didn't work for Abu Ghraib, will never work for any thinking person.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 3:09:00 PM

None of which changes the fact that enlistment figures ARE down because fewer and fewer people are buying into the lie that they should have to die in an unnecessary war against a country that doesn't even have an army. Yeah, that's right: America is on the verge of losing a war to a country that doesn't even have an army fighting against us. How pathetic is that! No wonder the overwhelming majority of people in the military that I speak with--in a military town--say they are just holding out hope that they can get out before they're forced to go to Iraq. Could it be that perhaps your unit was filled with a bunch of Tim McVeighs who just love killing people, regardless of reason?
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 3:09:00 PM

Finally, as for the comment about being forced to go. The military operates on orders. You volunteer to be there, but after that you follow the orders of those superior to you in rank. In that sense, everything we do from going to PT (physical training) in the morning to mandatory training events to conducting raids in combat is something we are "forced" to do because directions are given in the form of orders.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 3:09:00 PM

Or because they don't want to leave their buddies, etc. There are a million reasons why soldiers choose to stay in. Again, as a commander in combat, I can tell you that morale in my unit was never higher than when we were deployed. The sense of belonging and togetherness are something those not in uniform just don't understand. Disagree with me all you want, but the numbers support what I am saying if you really do the research. I have been to Iraq twice and I know what I am talking about when it comes to soldiers. This is not about politics or why we went. But don't speculate about the morale of our soldiers if you are not among their ranks.
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 2:09:00 PM

Tim, in all fairness, what do you know about morale in the military? As an active duty Army officer, I can tell you that morale is HIGHEST in those units deployed in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. I have commanded soldiers in Iraq and can tell you that your facts concerning re-enlistment rates are false. Enlistment rates have been down since we went into Iraq, but the units with the HIGHEST re-enlistment rates are those who are forward deployed. We can debate all day whether they re-up because they believe in what they are doing....
Add a Comment

Posted on 09/05/2006 at 2:09:00 PM

Comments 1 - 10 of 10 

Have more to say?
Become a Source on AC