Military Veterans Seek Inhofe Apology over Global Warming Remark

[sabra]

Source: solve climate

Retired U.S military leaders and war veterans are calling on Sen. James Inhofe to apologize for an offensive remark he made accusing them of supporting global warming action only to get publicity.

In an interview published in the Nov. 29 New York Times Magazine, Inhofe said that calling climate change a threat to national security "is the most ludicrous thing."

"Five generals out of 4,000 retired generals ... say that. There are a lot of generals who don't like to be out of the limelight. They’d like to get back in," the Oklahoma Republican said.

Operation Free, a coalition of leading veterans' and national security organizations, launched a petition in response.

"Enough is enough. Swiftboating our military veterans, and questioning their patriotism, for crass political gain should not be tolerated. ... Senator Inhofe, you need to apologize," the group said.

Saying "it's just those five generals" pressing for climate change laws "is sadly misguided," Jon Powers, an Iraq war veteran and member of the Operation Free coalition, told reporters Tuesday.

Read more: http://solveclimate.com/blog/20091202/military-veterans-seek-inhofe-apology-over-global-warming-remark

[PDJane]

1. And the US military

is the world's largest single polluter on the planet. Inhofe needs an education.

[beyond cynical]

2. Are you suggesting that we should implement a battlefield recycling strategy?

[Winterblues]

5. How about cutting down or out using foreign oil?

We make this country energy independent. It is most definitely a National Security matter because of how dependent we are upon foreign oil especially from the middle east. Anyone that thinks we can go on using middle east oil without giving a single thought to National Defense is frankly "out there".

[beyond cynical]

10. Agreed...for the rest of us.

But if our young men and women are ordered to go to war, we must provide them with everything they need to stay alive and win.

[JonQ]

20. Maybe we could have electric tanks, trucks, personnel carriers

etc. Sure they will only work some of the time, and only go so far, and probably get alot of our troops killed but . . .

Organically produced uniforms made from hemp and vegetable dyes. Revert to weapons firing blackpowder that comes from all natural sources. And they can shoot tofu bullets.

[Crowman1979]

8. Well duh! Did you think I liked inhaling those fumes coming from the KBR burn pits over at Al-Asad?

:eyes:

[beyond cynical]

11. I couldn’t smell them from my house.

[clear eye]

3. How 'bout a "Green Corps" analogous to 1960s' Peace Corps?

or more like Vista as it would operate domestically, advising small to medium business and community groups on how to reduce carbon footprint, etc.

[DrDan]

4. why does he want to upset the military? This is so strange. Vets are key in his state.

[MidwestTransplant]

6. Yeah but he gets all his money from oil companies

[DrDan]

13. agree - but he has to rely of vets and military for votes

this is the second time in a month or so where he has offended the military

[naaman fletcher]

7. he's not upsetting the military

Let's face it, he is correct. I would be quite certain that if you took a vote of retired generals that it is very very few who are environmentally aware.

[DrDan]

12. he is upsetting veterans - it is a coalition of vets groups that is calling for the apology

not the generals

[naaman fletcher]

14. oh come on..

Anyone can form a vet group. Of course there are liberal vets, many on this board, but think about it this way:

What percent of Americans care about Global Warming?

Now, do you think military vets care more or less about it than the population as a whole?

Of course it's less. Military vets are one of the most conservative groups out there. Yes, that vote cracked a little bit in the last election due to fighting stupid wars, but by and large military vets are a conservative group.

[DrDan]

15. yes they are more conservative - and I say this as a long-term U.S.A.F.vet

Whether or not vets are more conservative has nothing to do with this.

If only a dozen are speaking out on behalf of global warming, why does inhofe need to accuse them of seeking the limelight for political purposes only. This is about him and his warped denial of global warming - just trying to embarrass anyone who disagrees with him. Just oil-money talking.

[naaman fletcher]

16. That's fine..

And I agree with you. Maybe I am being sort of a jerk, I just kind of feel like making a big deal out off every press release by a group with 5 people that's probably run out of somebody's basement only takes attention away from important things. But that's just my opinion. Thanks for your service.

[DrDan]

17. and I fully agree this is minor

and I am tired of all these requests for apologies - what is this? Middle School?

Inhofe is a die-in-the-wool (or is it died-in-the-wool?) jerk. He issued some other offensive remark toward the military the other day. If there is anyone seeking the microphone, it is surely him.

[naaman fletcher]

18. I agree on both points!!!

Am sick of all these demands for apologies.

[Wednesdays]

21. To be exact, the phrase is "dyed in the wool"

As in, dye setting in a wool sweater...meaning "permanent" and "unwavering."

[DrDan]

22. I live in Florida

and would probably "die in a wool" sweater . . .

but thanks - that does make sense . . .

[Wednesdays]

23. And you're right that Inhofe is a dyed in the wool jerk

He's from my state...both senators are among the worst. :(

[SoapBox]

9. Inhofe...Apologize!

...I saw those comments of his a few days ago. They were really outrageous.

The man has lost his mind. I don't know what it is about Oklahoma but it
sure as hell puts out some loony politicians.

[JonQ]

19. 5 out of 4,000 is not significant

I'm sure you could get that many to say the opposite.

Sorry but .125% is generally not considered a consensus.

And I don't think disagreeing with them = questioning their patriotism.