You were in the Military and you are a Liberal!

[Bush is a chimp]

Why does this shock people so much? I was at work the other day and someone asked me if I supported Bush and his war in Iraq. I of course told him that I think Bush is the anti-Christ or something evil like that, I also told him while I care about the troops in Iraq I do not support the war. So then I got the my god you are one of those "Liberals" look, you know the look the slacked jawed I am growing a second head out of my ass look.

This person the asks me how could I as a Liberal be in the Military? My answer "Easy I signed up"! Why does it shock people that Liberals serve their Country? Does anyone else here get this BS?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Yeah, I get the same thing.

It's right wing radio that gives the impression that being liberal means you are a pacifist and against the military. Notice how they tried to paint our peace protests as anti-military by having "Support the Troops" rallies, which were basically pro-war rallies?

[Bush is a chimp]

4. I agree

The Media has painted that picture you know the one where "Liberals" are the ones always protesting the Military. This does not mean I will be suprised when I meet a right winger that still has his teeth and does not live in a trailer.

Sorry for the rant but this shit just bugs me.

[David__77]

28. just an aside...

Tonka is a very cute cat... just like my Jack!

[zmannxx]

2. Marines

I get the same smart asses look at work too and I was in the Marines. I just don't agree with Bush and his henchman; its a disgrace.

[Droopy]

5. Welcome to DU, zmannxx!

Glad to have you aboard! :toast: :bounce:

[Bush is a chimp]

6. Semper Fi

Marine here too!

[5thGenDemocrat]

3. Actually, I get it from both sides

The bucketheads who can't believe a liberal could love his country and liberals who think those who served are criminals or dupes.
John
I went in three months after I turned 17, not because of some great, flag-waving patriotism for America, but so I could get the hell out of high school. That's really about it -- I come from a very long line of cannon fodder for one Army or another.
It's what we do in my family.
ON EDIT: Welcome to DU, zmannxx.

[zmannxx]

9. frustrating

I went in the Marines a week after I graduated High School. I think I would have went in any branch but the Marine recruiter was the most zealous and got to me first. I love this country and I feel discouraged to have such an itiot in office. I mean why can't we have a good president for once that cares for its citizens and doesnt put peoples life at risk for selfish reasons...its just frustrating..

[DarkPhenyx]

7. It amuses the crap out of me too.

I'm still serving our country, albite in the IRR, and when I go off on one of my rants and the service thing comes up they get all indignant and such. I've even had people tell me that they felt "sorry" for my men, that they "derserve better in a commanding officer". My reply that they deserve better in a CinC usually dosen't help things. Nor does it help that i actually use facts, references, and logic.

Watching their heads spin around and pop is worth the effort though.

[kaitykaity]

8. I'm former military, and am a proud liberal.

There's an anti-military bias on DU where Clark gets called
a war criminal and anything to do with the military is evil,
that's one side.

I was a baby (17) when I joined, and the first election
I could vote in was 1984, and this brainwashed E3 voted
for Ronnie Reagan, so you're smarter than I was.

I think I'm still a flaming liberal in part to make up
for that vote.

[Bush is a chimp]

11. That is too funny

could vote in was 1984, and this brainwashed E3 voted
for Ronnie Reagan, so you're smarter than I was.

LOL I got to vote for Clinton twice while I was in! I voted for Gore but Bush stole that vote!

[Bunny]

10. Well I'd like to thank all you liberal vets for your service

to our country. :toast: Thanks!

[Bush is a chimp]

12. Thank You bunnyj

I for one was proud to serve.

[zmannxx]

13. question

How does the Fox news and other channels get their veiews and Opinions across but their is not a balance rebuttal to their argument? Colmes are you kidding me??? Is he really a neocon in disguise? Bill O'reilly, cmon everyone knows hes a neocon...What the hell is this?

[5thGenDemocrat]

34. Thank you for the thought, bunnyj

But please thank ALL vets for their service. Say what you can (and should) say about the chickenhawks in the current administration, but guys like Barry Goldwater, Bob Dole and, yes, Strom Thurmond also served with honor. So did Tom Ridge.
This country is a better place because people of all beliefs, strata and opinion get a chance to serve it. I wouldn't want it any other way.
John
But I DO thank you for thanking us.

[Bunny]

35. Will do 5thGen!

Thanks to ALL vets who served honorably and sacrificed much. :toast:

[Superfly]

14. Still am....

although it's not a very good place to espouse your liberal ideals. In fact, it's downright hostile to any opinion that runs counter to conservative.

But, I have my ways...

[Bush is a chimp]

15. That is true

When I was in there was a lot of anti Clinton crap going around and when people found out I was "Liberal" and voted for him they freaked out! They acted like nobody in the Military should have voted for the guy. That was the lamest shit I have ever seen, Scratch that it was second most lame thing I have ever seen. Bush's State Of The Union speech was the lamest thing I have ever seen!

[zmannxx]

17. thinking

I always thought that you should have two sides to every opinion...at least thats what they taught in my Mass Media class 10 years ago. On these news shows they express opinions, not facts. But a lot of the American Public take it as newsworthy. Almost like "drinking the coolaid".

[Bandit]

16. Get Rush Limbaugh off Armed Forces Radio

Maybe the deck wouldn't be so stacked if so much propaganda wasn't directed at our people in the military. I was drafted and sent to Nam. I saw first hand why I hate war and the hatred generated by the GOP. If it weren't for such people as Limbaugh and Bush* there would be far less usage of our military. None of them served and the few that did were not in the thick of it. So they have not a clue of what they talk.

[Bush is a chimp]

19. Bandit

You hit it right on the head.

[zmannxx]

20. Rush, Rush him to treatment and leave him their

I can't stomach that guy. you can flip the stations and accidently come across his stationg and its nothing but Liberal bashing 3 hours straight. Its really really bad. But people believe his Lies thats a shame. And also thats another good example of more opinions without a decent rebutal. Isnt their an equal time law???

[zmannxx]

22. Rush, Rush him to treatment and leave him their

I can't stomach that guy. you can flip the stations and accidently come across his stationg and its nothing but Liberal bashing 3 hours straight. Its really really bad. But people believe his Lies thats a shame. And also thats another good example of more opinions without a decent rebutal. Isnt their an equal time

[Bush is a chimp]

24. Uggghhh

Rush is such a putz!! Maybe when he finally gets off the drugs he will see the errors of his ways and vote Democrat! }(

[salin]

25. I think there is only one voice in Congress that speaks regularly about

the "fairness doctrine" in the media. Once upon a time - tv media had to give equal time to issues/perspectives, etc. Got axed under Reagan. Representative Bernie Sanders has been reviving the issue. Getting it talked about enough that I believe a couple of the presidential candidates also raise the issue.

[lcordero]

18. It is really easy to be in the military and be a leftist

Most people in the military are indirectly forced into the military by bad circumstances.

On edit: I went into the military to put a roof over my head and to have food on the table <---I always make this crystal clear to anybody that tries to wave the flag in my face.

[Bush is a chimp]

23. I still had a choice

Most people in the military are indirectly forced into the military by bad circumstances

This statement is partially true, I had a choice though join the Military and get an education that I Would not have been able to afford, or work at a dead end job at some factory or burger joint. I made the choice I felt best suited me and I am glad I did, The experience made me the person I am today. I still had a choice.

[jonnyblitz]

32. yup that was me. It was my last resort at the time.

I knew many others that were liberal also. The conservatives are just more vocal and in your face because it was the accepted point of view.

[matcom]

21. served 3 years on a tank in Germany

Liberal and PROUD!

i know what the 'military mentallity' over there is and it sickens me. BTW lurking Freepers..... DECORATED & HONORABLY DISCHARGED here

[Sir Craig]

26. "Damn few liberals left in the military..."

This was an exact quote said to me by a major when he realized I was a liberal. In fact the very idea that there were liberals in the military shocked him somewhat, so I figured I would compound his discomfort by declaring that I was a tree-hugging, pro-choice, pro-gay rights type of liberal.

I have been in the military for over 18 years, and I will admit that I started out somewhat right of center. But as I grew older, I wouldn't say that wisdom eventually caught up to me, but I kept my eyes open. In the course of all those years, I began to realize fundamental truths to life, and my focus began to shift. I now understand that the most important thing you can do is try to treat people decently - it really does come back around.

There were many times I felt like it was time to get out, but I realized that by staying in, doing my duty and still keeping my beliefs intact, no one would ever be able to say I wasn't ready to back up those beliefs. Bill O'Really cannot make the same claim, nor can 99% of the right wing mouthpieces (damn chickenhawks).

I've been to the Middle East more times than Geraldo, and suffice it to say that few conflicts have ever been as meaningless as what Bush has gotten us into with Iraq. I can only hope that we can keep the troops still there as safe as possible, get them home as quickly as possible, and get that election-stealing, White House-usurping bastard out of there in 2004.

Keep fighting the good fight!:yourock:

[eileen_d]

29. Hi, Sir Craig!

Welcome to DU! and thanks for your thoughtful post.

I have never been in the military and admit to having a knee-jerk anti-military bias when I was a teenager - then I actually met people who served and just got a whole lot smarter. ;) Kudos to you all.

[Sir Craig]

38. Thank you for the welcome...

Knee-jerk reactions are normal: it's what's kept humans alive for as long as they have. ("Is that big, furry thing with the rather large teeth friendly or not? Better not risk it...") I admit to having had them as well, but the important thing is to learn from those experiences.

I'm just glad there is a site for intelligent ranting and raving such as DU (and isn't blocked by the military's filtering programs - wonders!)...

[5thGenDemocrat]

30. "Tree-hugging, pro-choice, pro-gay rights type of liberal"

And free government cheese. Dammit, don't forget about the cheese.
John
My Aunt Anita served 23 years in the USAF and told me she was "The Last Liberal in the Air Force" just before she retired (three tours in Vietnam, two at the Pentagon and two or three more at SAC HQ, Omaha). Oh, yeah -- she was also one of the first women to lead male recruits through Air Force basic training, too.
Me? I was in the Signal Corps.
Welcome to DU, Sir Craig.

[Sir Craig]

39. Damn, I forgot about the cheese...

:silly:

Funny thing about what you said about your aunt. I'm currently serving in Omaha as well. Maybe there's something in the water...nah, I was like this even when I was stationed in Oklahoma.

Assure your aunt there are still a few of us left in the AF, and thank you for the welcome.

[Hippo_Tron]

27. Gee wonder how General Clark every managed to join the military...

[cryofan]

31. so many here feel they were brainwashed in their youth

You know it is nice to see how many ex-military here at DU feel that they were brainwashed when younger. I agree. When I was young I hardly had any idea of what the world really was. I went in because there was no war, and it was a way to get some education and make some money and eat.

Six years in the Navy, nuclear power plant operator/electronics tech, submarines.....

[Bush is a chimp]

33. Not brainwashed

I Just made up my own mind at a young age and stuck to my views, If people did not like them oh well no skin off my butt.

[Nlighten1]

36. I get that all the time.

Morans...

[Postman]

37. Would they ask the same question to USMC Gen. Zinni?

He was against the war too.... How about ret. Gen Wes Clark? He was against a unilateral invasion of Iraq.....

[reachout]

40. My experience

There's a couple of peace vigils every week here in my town. On Saturday morning we gather outside the main branch of the post office, hold signs and pass out flyers. Every week a handful of freepers gathers across the street waving their big American flags. I served and am a member of Veterans for Peace. There are usually at least five other VFP members there. I often stand and talk with a man who has two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star from his service in Korea. Not a single person across the street has ever served a day in the military.

They love war. They have never experienced it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

41. My dad was a Goldwater conservative when he was drafted

but since then he's gone on to become a Green with an iron grey ponytail. :^)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

42. I let everyone know that I was a socialist.

Also, that I admired Fidel Castro, and that I loathed the military and the Marines in particular. I openly opposed the nascent war in Vietnam. I was never hassled until just before my discharge when I was asked to extend my enlistment to go to Vietnam which had just become more than a "low level conflict". I refused, rather vociferously, and was rewarded with 30 days mess-duty for my sharing my thoughts with re-up guy. I DID get hassled for my support of the Civil Rights movement by some of the crackers in the outfit.

The truth was that the vast majority of the guys, at that time, were totally disinterested and unaware of politics. Most didn't know the difference between liberals and conservatives and could care less.

That was between '61 and '65 before the the debacle of Vietnam and Watergate and was probably true of most Americans.

I still find it a bit questionable that the average GI is much concerned with politics.

USMC '61 - '65