Article

2013-11-13 Home Front: Culture Wars

Stop thanking the troops for me: No, they don't "protect our freedoms!"

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by badanov 2013-11-13 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 The author is intentionally obtuse.

The military is not a gracious and beneficial ruler who is receiving praise for granting privileges to its subjects. It is an instrument of defense against other powers who might aspire to become not so gracious rulers.

In an ideal world there would be no need for a military. But this is the real world and there IS a bear in the woods.

That said, let's not forget that Western military institutions have officially condemned the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms in the West, like freedom of religion and freedom of political speech.
See e.g. this and this.

These words really do not inspire confidence in the institutions' willingness to protect our freedoms.

Posted by Elmerert Hupens2660 2013-11-13 04:12|| 2013-11-13 04:12|| Front Page Top

#2 Just place him in the wild cold word and film it. This guy can s.t on the military because just by living in the territory of the United Staes he gets the protection afforded by its military.

Kick him out so he can, mlake the difference.

Posted by JFM 2013-11-13 04:51|| 2013-11-13 04:51|| Front Page Top

#3 Something missing with this young man, possibly the ability to stand erect while urinating. Just a guess.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-11-13 06:18|| 2013-11-13 06:18|| Front Page Top

#4 Brilliant in-lines, gentlemen.

Posted by trailing wife 2013-11-13 08:19|| 2013-11-13 08:19|| Front Page Top

#5 What is truly scary is that his ilk is in charge and in control of what he despises.

What Fred said about feelings surrounding the thanks given today. At times I want to cry at other times I want to scream.

Posted by illeagle 2013-11-13 09:05|| 2013-11-13 09:05|| Front Page Top

#6 THis guy is called Do Little. He could alado be galled Donogood.

Posted by JFM 2013-11-13 10:34|| 2013-11-13 10:34|| Front Page Top

#7 Justin Doolittle is a freelance writer based on Long Island, New York.

Translated: I'm a nobody. And you never heard of me until today. And you will not remember me tomorrow.

Posted by tu3031 2013-11-13 12:22|| 2013-11-13 12:22|| Front Page Top

#8 He should try being more critical of his own profession (lots more to be critcal of) but then again I do not see any commercials on TV or in print thanking freelance writers.

Posted by airandee 2013-11-13 12:38|| 2013-11-13 12:38|| Front Page Top

#9 Aren't you just dying to go read all his other thought-provoking articles?

Justin Doolittle's Publications

America's Most Beloved War Criminals
Truthout |October 27, 2013

The American Public's Shocking Lack of Policy Knowledge is a Threat to Progress and Democracy
Truthout |October 12, 2013

Thanks, Warmongers! Idealism is Now a Meaningless Concept
Salon |August 21, 2013

After al, this guy has been out of college for a whole year; I'm sure he has many valuable lessons to share. I especially want to go find out about this "Truthout" thingy!

Yes, I am being sarcastic. Does it show?

Posted by Bobby 2013-11-13 13:13|| 2013-11-13 13:13|| Front Page Top

#10 Ummm, what comes "After al"?

Another "l".

Posted by Bobby 2013-11-13 13:14|| 2013-11-13 13:14|| Front Page Top

#11 Why do I get the feeling that without the troops protecting his ungrateful little ass he would be one of the ones to be hoisted up by a crane under sharia law?

Posted by CrazyFool 2013-11-13 13:30|| 2013-11-13 13:30|| Front Page Top

#12 No way CF. Him and his ilk would be the first to be groveling in the $#!t to their Islamic (or Nazi, or Mandarin, or.....) over-lords.

He would lick anything in his cowardice.

Posted by AlanC 2013-11-13 13:42|| 2013-11-13 13:42|| Front Page Top

#13 You were warned

Posted by Jerk 2013-11-13 18:56|| 2013-11-13 18:56|| Front Page Top

#14 Ah, found the sinktrap. Good thing I know how to write code.

Posted by swksvolFF 2013-11-13 20:55|| 2013-11-13 20:55|| Front Page Top

23:39 USN, Ret.
23:34 USN, Ret.
23:32 USN, Ret.
23:27 USN, Ret.
23:25 USN, Ret.
22:10 Frank G
22:09 Barbara
21:00 Zenobia Floger6220
20:55 swksvolFF
20:54 Alaska Paul
20:52 Alaska Paul
20:35 OldSpook
20:33 OldSpook
20:25 OldSpook
20:09 Procopius2k
19:47 JosephMendiola
19:37 JosephMendiola
19:33 swksvolFF
19:30 JosephMendiola
19:22 Uncle Phester
19:16 Deacon Blues
19:10 Uncle Phester
18:56 Jerk
18:31 CrazyFool