O' Reilly "Losing It" Over Arkin Saying Troops Need to Support American People

[RamboLiberal]

Bill O'Reilly is really losing it. He's promoting an "expose" of NBC's "liberal agenda" tonight, but the comments he's so upset about -- made by NBC military analyst William Arkin -- were published on the Washington Post's Web site, not broadcast by NBC. It should be a fun Factor tonight...

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

I've been mulling over an NBC Nightly News report from Iraq last Friday in which a number of soldiers expressed frustration with opposition to war in the United States.

I'm sure the soldiers were expressing a majority opinion common amongst the ranks - that's why it is news - and I'm also sure no one in the military leadership or the administration put the soldiers up to expressing their views, nor steered NBC reporter Richard Engel to the story.

I'm all for everyone expressing their opinion, even those who wear the uniform of the United States Army. But I also hope that military commanders took the soldiers aside after the story and explained to them why it wasn't for them to disapprove of the American people.

<snip>

These soldiers should be grateful that the American public, which by all polls overwhelmingly disapproves of the Iraq war and the President's handling of it, do still offer their support to them, and their respect.

Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder, the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command order.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2007/01/the_troops_also_need_to_suppor.html

Kudos to Arkin - about damn time someone said this. I'm getting sick of the crap that somehow the military is placed a tier above the citizen! It's like Rome or Starship Troopers. I feel for the troops. I want to see them come home safely. I want to see them taken care of following their service. I think the country owes them that. I admire the courage they have to show to do what they do. I cannot imagine facing going out on patrol in Iraq - don't know if I could do that. But damn it, their service does not elevate them above the rest of us! Nor should their votes count for more than our votes.

[Skittles]

1. I don't care much for the remarks

it's like judging the public by its murderers....the vast majority of troops and Marines serve their country without resorting to torture and rape and murder

[RamboLiberal]

2. True - but what I think Arkin is pointing to is you CANNOT

criticize the military in any form. Look at the crap back in the 2004 election when Kerry was taken to task for what he testified to when he returned from 'Nam. The RWingnuts like O' Reilly claimed there were never any atrocities committed by troops in 'Nam.

This country criticizes those in Germany and Japan for their denial, yet cannot see that many in this country are also in denial about U.S. military and government atrocities when they occur. U.S. should set the standard for how a military and government behaves, and not stoop below that standard.

[Skittles]

7. that is the fault of the rightwing corporate media

not the troops

[zanne]

3. Doesn't O'Reilly look like...

Somebody who'd yell at you for stepping on his lawn? I think his attitude has shaped his face.

[stanwyck]

4. I think there's basis for Arkin's remarks, and my

son is a Marine on his third tour. The troops are constantly talked about as though they're children. They're not. They understand the divisions in America. Many of them do believe that the Bush administration's tactics are the correct ones. Many do not. My son knows that my husband and I, and our friends, have never supported this war. Yet he has received nothing but support for his service from his family and our friends. Real support -- letters, packages, and genuine concern for his safety. Not just jingoistic flag waving and magnetic decals.
Plus, the support for my son, and for me, here at DU has been over-whelming.
The majority of soldiers feel the same way as did the soldiers of past wars. They want to return safely and they want to protect their fellow soldiers. The politics of the situation become more meaningless the more time they're in combat.
People in the military deserve what we all deserve from our government. The truth. If this administration truly honors the military, it shouldn't have lied them into war and squandered their lives.
War is a last resort.
The soldiers are united with the American people in wanting what is best for America. Not what is best for the Bush administration.
There is a difference between patriotism and nationalism.
Unfortunately, what Bush and O'Reilly want to foment is nationalism: my government right or wrong.
They are not only betraying our soldiers; they are betraying all Americans.

[RamboLiberal]

5. Well said stanwyck and my best wishes and prayers

for your son, all in his unit and all those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wish they all could return safe and sound, and soon!

[PsN2Wind]

6. Don't recall outrage from Oraley

when the troops, serving in Iraq, were asked to "Pray for the pResident".

[The Count]

8. Dunno about the factor, it should be a good Colbert...and Stewart.

Can't write these things.