Perhaps you encounter the “classic” myths about the
Anyone – white, black, male, female – wearing the uniform of the United States armed forces, whether they are serving in a support capacity or as a member of a combat arms unit, is first and foremost a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine. They are serving honorably, in a noble cause. They deserve the unwavering respect, gratitude, and support of the American people. And they are all at risk in a war with few discernible front lines.
That’s the prelude…the oft-cited myths and counter-arguments follow.
Protesters 1, Recruiters 0. At UC Santa Cruz, two different accounts of the same event; first, from the San Francisco Chronicle:
Four military recruiters hastily fled a job fair Tuesday morning at UC Santa Cruz after a raucous crowd of student protesters blocked an entrance to the building where the Army and National Guard had set up information tables.
Members of Students Against War, who organized the counter-recruiting protest, loudly chanted "Don't come back. Don't come back" as the recruiters left the hilltop campus, escorted by several university police officers.
"The situation had degraded to the point where there was a possibility of injury to either a student or law enforcement officer. We certainly didn't want that to happen,'' said Capt. Will Griffin, one of the Army recruiters.
And from the group that organized the “event:”
The action stressed the importance of connecting the complexities of the “War on Terror,” continued military occupations, and government neglect of communities at home. Students also emphasized solidarity with labor struggles, immigrants’ rights, the fight against the privatization of education, and numerous other movements. In order to directly highlight the sexism inherent in the military, a group of female students directly confronted the recruiters. This was a result of consistent student-initiated negotiations with administrators. The action proved to be a key moment, as military recruiters left quickly after the women entered.
In response to the victory, SAW member Sam Aranke responded, “Our demonstration today is a clear example of how tangible success can be when we take strategic actions against the war at a local level. It’s not just about the action today, it’s about creating sustained movements that directly resist the militarization of our communities.”
“Solidarity with labor struggles, immigrants’ rights, the fight against the privatization of education, and numerous other movements.” Right. And I just love the “sexism inherent in the military” bit, too. Know-nothings, intent on preventing continued military occupations. Mike at Cold Fury has some rather pointed and pertinent observations on this event, to wit:
In better, more civilized times, this sort of thing was known as “sedition,” a quaint, obsolete term that no longer has any meaning whatsoever — and won’t until every last one of these treasonous “student” thugs is rounded up and tried for it according to the pertinent laws against it.
Of course, It’s far more likely that I’d be arrested for a “hate crime” for being so insensitive as to suggest that these vile worms are in any way unpatriotic. They really hate when you do that, you know (first person to come along and suggest that this post in any way expresses opposition to LEGITIMATE dissent gets viciously, profanely mocked, by the way).
Outside the Beltway has much, much more in the same vein.
Rematch to follow, I’m sure. Accompanied by arrests, trials, and convictions, hopefully.
And finally, Hugh Hewitt takes on arguments against striking Iran. Lots of linky goodness here, particularly a Brookings Institution assessment of the military’s performance in the combat phases of OIF and Rumsfeld’s transformation of the American military. But, as the saying foes: “there’s more…much more.”
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