Why are these Strapping Romney Lads Not Serving in Iraq?
BUZZFLASH EDITOR'S BLOG
Mark Karlin, Editor and Publisher, BuzzFlash.com
January 7, 2008
In March of 2007, BuzzFlash ran a commentary about how not one member of the extended Bush family of fit and firm youth was serving or had served in Iraq, Afghanistan or combat anywhere, yet Bush remains an enthusiast for sacrificing the lives of other people's children -- mostly poor and rural.
Here's the photo we ran, along with the commentary "Not ONE Member of the Bush Extended Family Has Served in Iraq! Not One! Take a Look":
After the Saturday night debates in New Hampshire, we don't need to concern ourselves with the families of the Democratic candidates, because not one of them supports the war in Iraq.
But we will offer family photos of two leading GOP presidential aspirants. First off are the strapping five Romney boys, who received infamous publicity early on when their father, the Mittster, declared that they were serving their country campaigning for him, implying that traveling around Iowa in a Winnebago was equivalent to putting your life on the line in Baghdad. (Later, he partially apologized for the comment, but none of his sons has joined the service yet.)
Romney is a steadfast supporter of Bush and the war in Iraq, but the closest his five army ready boys have come to armed conflict are fraternity food fights:
Here is Mitt Romney's position on the Iraq War from the Pew (Charitable Trusts) Forum on Religion and Politics:
Romney supports President Bush's policy in Iraq, including his January 2007 decision to increase the number of troops in Iraq. He has criticized the planning and management of the Iraq conflict, but says keeping the U.S. in Iraq is the best option for minimizing casualties, securing the country and maintaining a democratic government there.
Of course, there is the unflappable, smooth-as-a-lambskin-Bible-cover Mike Huckabee. He has two military ready sons, John Mark and David, neither of whom has served in the armed forces.
David, seen below, has become notorious for hanging a dog while serving as a Boy Scout counselor in 1998:
Of more interest to his combat readiness, David was arrested in April of 2007 for trying to board a plane in Little Rock with a loaded Glock pistol in his carry on bag. So we know that the boy can shoot. Why isn't he on the front lines of the war his father so ardently supports in the name of Christ?
(By the way, the reaction of Dad Huckabee to David's gun arrest is notable. "It's one of those stupid things," Mike Huckabee said. "He knows better." Ah, yes, nothing like a forgiving preacher. Do you feel safer now knowing that a gun toting animal abuser's father might be president? Clear the squirrels from the White House lawn now.)
Here, by the way, is Mike Huckabee's position on the Iraq War according to the Pew (Charitable Trusts) Forum on Religion and Politics:
Huckabee says the war in Iraq is part of a "World War III' against Islamic fascism, which he describes as 'a perversion of Islam.' He said that President Bush's 2007 plan to increase troop levels in Iraq should be given a chance to work, adding, '"I'm going to have to trust the people over there sucking that sand into their lungs and putting their boots on the ground every day." Huckabee favors gradually transferring power to the Iraqi government, though not on a timetable.
Which brings us to the inevitable coup de grace of this visual journey through the heartland of Iraq war hypocrisy that runs like a cancer through the Republican Party aspirants for the presidency.
Yes, you guessed it, neither Mitt Romney nor Mike Huckabee ever served in the military. They could have followed their convictions and volunteered for service, but they were too busy espousing war to fight in any of them.
BUZZFLASH EDITOR'S BLOG
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Why Isn't Chelsea Serving?
Senator Clinton voted for the war in Iraq. Therefore, by your reasoning, Chelsea Clinton should also be serving in the military. Does that mean in order for military action ordered by a President Obama to be legitimate, his children must serve in the military?
We do not have the draft. Every man or woman who is serving in the military volunteered. These petty rants about children of politicians not serving in the military is childish and insulting to those who do.
It is up to Romney sons, the Bush twins, and Chelsea Clinton to elect to serve if they so choose. They have no more responsibility to serve because of their father or mother position than any other American.
The biggest threat to your liberties is not a President Bush or the GOP, but rather the left-wing socialist of the Democrat Party.
Pat T.
Why are Bush and Cheney's daughters not serving??
Lets keep the ball game in the home park. This is an illegal war, wages with lies, deceit and propagnada to steal the resources of Iraq and the middle east, which was started by criminals like Bush , Cheney , Ashcroft and the war hawk group.
These crooks are using the flag , patriotism and any other propaganda to suck Americans into the support and fighting in Iraq for their self serving purposes. Which has no ties to the actions of the Saudi Arabia citizens on the planes of 911 or their funding of insurgents in Iraq killing our soldiers.
So if the Bushes ,Cheneyes Romneyes and other right wing war hawks which are crying for the destruction of the middle east to line their pockets and the pockets of their friends they should be on the front line with their family fighting for the resources they wish to steal, instead of sending real patriot Americans which believe the war hawks lies that they are defending the actions of terrorist of 911.
Why isn't Chelsea seving?
PAT SAYS: The biggest threat to your liberties is not a President Bush or the GOP, but rather the left-wing socialist of the Democrat Party.
*****************************************
Dominick: this is the kind of trash the GOP peddles and it's people like you who keep buying it and trying to sell it. That Left wing group didn't put that miserable Bush and Cheney into office and they certainly aren't pulling the strings of Contitutional and Rule of Law destruction. It's the Conservative Right Wing Fundamentalist and GOP like you with that kind of thinking.
If the war mongers believe so truly in what they say about the war then they should be giving up and Asking their children to fight in this war Physically and monitarily, 'cause I don't believe they are even paying their fair share of the taxes to fund this fiascal this moron of a President is so dead set against leaving behind!
Thank you for your response
Lets examine the larger picture. The left wing Socialist Democrat Party wants to confiscate the earnings of hard working Americans, maybe those working those above $100,000. What income would you decide that your entitled to take?
Isn't this a form of slavery? Why should a free person give up their economic liberty?
I'm not worried about President Bush tapping phones of suspected terrorist calling people in the United States. I'm worried about your demands to take others people money. That is the definition of greed.
I encourage a response from anyone who opposses my view.
Thank you,
Pat T.
Thank you for your response
Are you for real or do you really believe people with a 2 digit IQ would possibly believe the republicans battle cry that democrats just want your money.
The largest group of crooks and robbers in the country are republicans and they find new and better ways of taken American's money everyday.
This just shows the lack of knowledge of republican sheep from determining what is fact or fiction. You should read uncensored news more and stop watching Foxs (censored and filtered) news and the other republicans propaganda shows.
Your daddy Bush is taking my tax money and giving it to his father, bothers, other faminly members and war contractors as he see fit. I would much rather see an American citizens which had medical or disaster problems to receive my tax money then Bush , Cheney, their elite friends , family members , foreign countries and Exxon get it.
Cheney has given our tax money to Halliburton and other of his corporate friends unconditionally with his personal no-bid contracts and tax welfare which has become one of the biggest rib-off our our taxes in our countries history.
Sure republicans love to wage war using other people but , when it their turn to serve they run like hell, like Bush Jr. , Cheney, Rove, Ashcroft, Tom Delay, Bill Frist, Mitch McConnell, Rich Santorum, trent Lott, Jeb Bush, Paul Wolfowitz, Jon! Kyl,
Newt Ginarich, Ronald Reagan, Phil Gramm, Rudy Giuliani, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, George Will, Chris Matthews, Bill kristol.
Why are the very ones which were to chicken hawk to serve rattle the war drums and push others to fight and die for their propaganda and BS.
Republicans have turn into a group of thugs and criminals which have no moral or honor except when it comes to their thief of wealth and power.
What in the h... do you call what BUsh and Cheney are doing by illegally invading a country and taking our tax money to give it to private contractors (blackwater, Halliburton and other contractors) and foreign countries (India, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia , Dubai Ports and etc) which some had involvement of terrorist.
When did the republicans turn into a group of thugs and criminals which have no moral or honor except when it comes to wealth and power which they make plans to steal on a daily basis.
If you have any knowledge of what happen on 911 you would be demanding that Bush attack Saudi Arabia the country which had 15 or the 19 terrorist on the planes of 911 and the major supporters of the insurgents which are killing our soldiers in Iraq, instead of the countries he is to steal their resources.
putting one's money where one's mouth is
Ken Duerksen
Oxford, Ohio
Its not a matter of "legitimacy" or legal obligation; its a matter of hypoicrisy. When any America advocates a foreign military action, then one would hope that that American would percieve the responsibility of service in that action as falling on themselves and their loved ones as heavily as it does on anyone else. From that perspective, you have something of a point in regard to the Clintons - Hillary's vote in 2002 certainly facilitated the invasion of Iraq, and since then she has been more supportive of a continued presence than she has been critical.
So sure; I will agree with you that Chelsea should be drafted right along with the Romney boys, the Huckabee boys, and all the young men and women of the extended Bush clan.
Better yet - how about a mandatory one or two year national service for all young Americans right after high school? Military service could be a major option for this service, although by no means the only route one could choose. This would serve to unify Americans through shared experience and personal investment; and would force poltical decisions regarding military adventurism into a life-and-death factor in every family's lives. This is a stark perspective that the likes of the Clintons, the Bushes, and the Clintons have up to now been spared.
How About Freedom of Choice
Thank you for your response.
You missed the point. It is about freedom of choice. Chelsea, the Bush Twins, and Romney's sons have the choice about serving in the military. If they so choose fine, if they don't fine. This is what makes the United States of America the greatest country on earth. We do not force people into servitude, which you advocate.
As a member of the military, I do not want someone who has been indentured and did not volunteer. Frankly, at this point in time I find it repugnant. How about I take control of every action you take for a year? Would enslave your son or daughter to me? Absolutely not. Get off of the draft is a good thing kick.
Sincerely,
Pat T.
GOP Smarmy Hypocrisy
David T. Gray, SSGT, USAF 67-71 Not fit to piss on if they were on fire. Wonderful.
In addition to all of the above ponder this:
The Swift Boat Veterans were a device concocted by a Harvard Professor Neo-Con named Jerome Corsi, who, as of my knowledge, NEVER served in uniform but KNOWS all about the world of terrorism. His main target is...can you guess...IRAN. He's a regular on the Coast to Coast program started by another neo--Art Bell. Now dutifully taken over by another lapdog, George Noory, who has served in the military. George regularly includes PRAISE of Corsi's instrumental stratagem that helped DEFEAT John Kerry, who was in uniform, in VNam. Then Corsi throws out a "aw shucks, tweren't nuthin' anybody else wouldn'ta done for his country".
I had never heard of Corsi prior to this appearance so I went to his website. In it, this humble possessor of a DOCTORATE, Herr Corsi, has on full display his VILE HATEFUL comments about the Clinton's, Kerry/Heinz, Al/Tipper Gore. Nicknames, double-entendres that are unmistakeable in their intent. Then he attacks the inherent BETRAYAL OF AMERICAN VALUES BY A LIBERAL CORPS OF druggie, weak-livered, peacenik cowards that have put our country in a DIRE position of VULNERABILITY through their destruction of our ONCE MIGHTY MILITARY. What hogwash. AT NO POINT IN HISTORY HAS ANY, ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE UNIVERSE EVER COME CLOSE TO OUR MILITARY SPENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!EVER. Also, don't forget the almost 800 military installations that have to be maintained around the world. (See Chalmers Johnson's BLOWBACK, SORROW OF THE EMPIRE & NEMISIS for the FACTS)
Consider this: Michele Malkin, David Horowitz, Marvin Olasky, Richard Perle, Daniel Pipes, O'Riled Up, Annie Adams Apple, Limpballs, Hannity, Michael O'Hanlon, Mitch McConnell (who's wife Elaine Chao is the Secretary of Labor!), Good-Time Billy Kristol, all the bunch of Neo-Con Artists who were at the DEFUNCT PNAC, AEI, Heritage, Hudson, Hoover, CSIS and numerous NYT, WPost, LATimes, Four Stooge Network FLACKS who have never worn a flak-jacket continue to TOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE WAR, EXCUSE AND PROP UP this illegit & unconstitutional Bush Bunch in the hopes of placating a MONSTER that just might give them a BIGGER PAYCHECK. I live for the day when someone asks the Wolfster if HE EVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY, AND WHY NOT? Since he never fails to use this as a litmus test for any "liberal" who dares criticize the war or Bullsh.
My main question is WHY do the VFW, ALegion, VFA and other Veteran's Organiztions want to hear what these GOPissants have to say about veteran's issues? Time after time after time. The media is right there touting the veteran's STEADFAST support for the GOP. Well, if it wasn't for the DEMS, Tom DeLay would have STRIPPED even more FUNDING from the veterans budget to preserve his BLESSED tax cuts for his rich friends. One program was HEALTH COVERAGE FOR VETERAN'S CHILDREN. In exchange for a pittance less per tax cut recipient those kids could have had health care...ABSOLUTELY NOTTTTTTTTTTT SCREAMED DeLay et al. Well, the DEMS got together with other Non-GrOuPthinkers from the other side a passed it anyway. History is replete with stories about the BLESSED, DESCENDED FROM GOD tax cut package. But I will mention this crucial episode:
One of the main architects of the tax-cut package was Dick Armey, R-TX, he wanted 6,000,000,000,000 in cuts. That's TRILLION. He also came up with a piece of legislation that allowed the House to get a yearly RAISE without having to VOTE on it. It is AUTOMATIC as long as nobody mentions it. Kind of like DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL. Also, neither the House or the Senate gets Social Security. They have a far SUPERIOR pension plan that befits POTENTATES of the Robber Baron Days.
The only STEADFAST opponent/crusader against this cabal of Neo-Stalinist vermin is Dennis Kucinich. And WHERE was HE during the last debates, getting out his message at kucinichTV.org. Check it out. He IS the real deal, HAS BEEN the real deal & ALWAYS WILL BE the real deal.
I just hope the next administration contains him in it. He has OVERpaid his dues.
YUCK!
These holier than thou people make me SICK! I don't know what world they are living in but they should wake up and join the rest of us!! Boy are we in trouble!!
Do As I Say...Not As I Do
These creeps - shrubs, huckelberry-homophobe-criminal-phatasses, Mitch-Magicpanties-McCON feel that they are far too valuable to stand up for the "noble mission". Since they refer to this illegal occupation and the related fascism as a "noble mission" - you can see that they themselves are NOT NOBLE. (Not like that was ever in question)
The shrubs (scull & bones) put their loyalties to the order above ALL else.
The Magic-panties bunch put their loyalties to the church above ALL else.
The huckelberries not only put their loyalties to the church above all else, but have a similar pact of loyalty to their phatass family.
None is fit to be in the WH, and none fit to piss on were they on fire.
I have no use for hypocritical religous zealots who view killing and torture as "OK" if it is done to achieve their twisted agenda. In the good old days greed was considered to be a bad thing, as was hypocracy.
Welcome to the dark ages - where education and reason are trumped by might and hatred.
First Allegiance
Perhaps the reason Romney and sons have done no military service is that their Mormon religion requires first allegiance to the church - country comes second. I have heard this religious stipulation, but nobody has asked Romney about this. If it is true, it belies his 'religion speech' and I wonder how he plans to put his hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution.
There you have it...
I thought I might have had something to add.....it would be irrelevant.
Bush Family Romney Family Huckabee Family military service
My husband was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Like John Kerry he threw away his medals, including his purple heart, when he went back to college to finish what he started. We have 2 sons and the oldest is a Navy officer. It makes me livid that these hypocrits stand in line to cheer other people's sons and daughters on when their children are safe at home. We were against this war from the beginning but we never discouraged our son from volunteering his service.
One of my complaints about Mormons is that they seem to confuse the 2 year mission required by their faith as service to America. It's not. Romney's sons found the time to give 10 collective years to their church but not a minute in service to to their country. This is just one of the reasons the rest of us do not admire Mormons. Their church always comes before this country. As for Huckabee's sons, he will be very vulnerable about their lack of service as he should be. It's well past time for these families to be held accountable for their pathetic lack of military service. Danab
Double Yuck
Boy are we in trouble. Big trouble!