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Bill Kristol's Admonishes Obama on (Military) Service?
In today's NY Times, William Kristol criticizes Barack Obama for giving a commencement address about service at "elite" Wesleyan University in which Obama failed to mention military service. In the process Kristol diminishes Obama's own service as a community organizer, questioning whether it was really much of a sacrifice:
1. The most obvious point here, is that Kristol (A.B. 1973, Harvard) did not serve in the military. He, like his other neocons have been more than willing use the service and sacrifice of others for political gain, but were busy doing something else (but not service, either military or civilian) when the call for troops was sounded.
2. Don't you love the rhetorical technique of saying "Leave aside" then not leaving it aside at all? Second only to "Not to mention...." and then mentioning.
3. I think there should be a rule that you cannot call a university "elite" if you went to one that was equally elite. Breaking this rule should garner especially harsh punishment when, as in Kristol's case, you went to a university that is arguably even more elite. Sort of like leaning out of the window of your Hummer to criticize the Ford Explorer driver next to you for polluting the atmosphere. But if it helps your argument.....
4. Doesn't Barack Obama honor John McCain's military service almost every time he mentions his opponent's name?
5. Isn't it about time other forms of public service get some mention? After more than five years of a misguided war, perhaps we should begin to use our precious resources more wisely and call our young people to a different kind of service.
And leave aside whether $14,000 in 1985 was really such a shockingly low salary for someone recently out of college — in inflation-adjusted dollars, it’s about what we pay entry-level editorial assistants today at The Weekly Standard.The next few comments are admittedly ad hominem, so if you are offended, skip to #4.
1. The most obvious point here, is that Kristol (A.B. 1973, Harvard) did not serve in the military. He, like his other neocons have been more than willing use the service and sacrifice of others for political gain, but were busy doing something else (but not service, either military or civilian) when the call for troops was sounded.
2. Don't you love the rhetorical technique of saying "Leave aside" then not leaving it aside at all? Second only to "Not to mention...." and then mentioning.
3. I think there should be a rule that you cannot call a university "elite" if you went to one that was equally elite. Breaking this rule should garner especially harsh punishment when, as in Kristol's case, you went to a university that is arguably even more elite. Sort of like leaning out of the window of your Hummer to criticize the Ford Explorer driver next to you for polluting the atmosphere. But if it helps your argument.....
4. Doesn't Barack Obama honor John McCain's military service almost every time he mentions his opponent's name?
5. Isn't it about time other forms of public service get some mention? After more than five years of a misguided war, perhaps we should begin to use our precious resources more wisely and call our young people to a different kind of service.
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Sorry, should be:
"Bill Kristol Admonishes Barack Obama on (Military) Service?
June 2, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stuart: #1 - I think Billy-boy also got a PhD from Harvard. Soooo, even more elite. :)
#3 - I LOVE the rule about not being able to call a place "elite" if you went to an equally elite school yourself.
I posted this earlier today but I expand on it a bit in the last paragraph....:
Kristol is a world-class moron, and this was clearly a cheap shot. And little Billy never marched in the quad as a ROTC member after his Daddy installed him at Harvard during the Vietnam War.
But, I actually do think Obama SHOULD have mentioned military service at Wesleyan. Jim Webb's book "Fields of Fire" and Nathaniel Fick's "One Bullet Away" both discuss the neglect of the military by the elite colleges.
We Democrats have a unique opportunity right now to connect back with those who serve in the military. They have been abused by Bush's Republicans, and as a group, I believe they're looking for a party to look out for their interests for the next generation. Let's not waste the opportunity.
Barack should absolutely encourage young people to serve in the military BUT make the distinction that he -- unlike Bush -- will lead them with honor and will only send them into just wars under the most carefully and solemnly deliberated circumstances.
June 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there proof that Kristol didn't serve in the military? Because if so, then he's waaay more stupid than I thought, leaving himself open for all the well-deserved blasts he'll get on it. I really hate that crap coming from people who haven't walked the walk. Not saying one must serve in the military, just that they are saying you must, when they haven't done it themselves!
June 2, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Liberal_Elite - Proof's on his wikipedia page. Bill Kristol is, as Gov. Jesse Ventura would say, a chickenhawk.
June 2, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Liberal_Elite: Apparently the New Hampshire Gazette maintains a Chicken Hawk Database that lists Kristol:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickenhawk_(politics)
Wade: Thanks. I agree it is always good to mention military service, too, particularly to audiences who, like the Wesleyan group, are unlikely to be thinking in those terms. Point taken. I would just like to see the idea of national service (like the idea of patriotism) given broader meaning. I believe an expanded and deepened sense of national service will be one of the great benefits of the Obama administration.
June 2, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Man that stick shtick was the truth and thereby divine in nature.Keep up the good work;can't beat ot with a stick(not even one with a motor.
Cafferty we love the sacrifices Mr McCain has made, but a real president once said: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Seems as sensible now even more than it was then.
June 2, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This wannabe is paid by the letter and some just can't stand to say that yup you're doing a great job. Let's just check his green card to see how elite he is.
June 2, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink