Why does simply being elected...

[KaGee]

...make someone an expert?<br /><br />Why are elected Veterans, especially decorated ones, considered to be credible critics of military and foreign affairs, regardless of what educational or professional background they may or may not have? Does simply earning a medal while in service to your country endue you with unfailing wisdom and knowledge about such matters? Does that give impunity from critique as well?<br /><br />Murtha, McCain, Kerry, ET El, are poster childes because of their past service. To question their opinions brings on a boatload of grief. How dare we question them... they are decorated Veterans!Personally, I am baffled as to why their opinions carry more weight with some people than those of the professional "experts". <br /><br />The same for politicians... they get elected, and wha-la... they are all of a sudden complete experts at whatever the subject.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

And do you consider the qualifications of Bush to be more credible?

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

This is an excellent point and we can even extend it to Hollywood types that because of their celebrity status are listened to as some sort of authorities. As far as the politicians.... the mindset of a Senator or whatever who is mainly concerned with re-election is totally different than a field commander who main concern is victory with the least amount of troops lost.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

beats me<br /> but if I wanted some information on military leadership I would ask someone who actually showed some.<br /> its all you have to go on.<br /> what I find so ironic in this noble battle is how many of president Bush's family are in the military or have ever been in, yet they all beat the war drums. sometimes ya need to carry the drum instead of beating it.<br /> I would love to Hear President Bush speak about his military leadership skills.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

You first Rodbolt....

 

[QC]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

What is even crazier to me is that some people actually think that stardom qualifies you as an expert. Why does Madonna's opinion about anything matter? Tom Cruise? What about their lives qualifies them to even have an opinion about normal stuff? Let alone expressing it . . . <br /><br />Sorry for the mini-hijack. Struck a nerve. BTW, I voted for the Terminator, so I'm full of carp <br /><br />I like how some of the lefties are now instantly qualified climatologists, ya know Global Warming caused Katrina . . .

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

If I was getting a heart transplant, I am fairly sure I would probably trust a doctor before I would trust a janitor...

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> If I was getting a heart transplant, I am fairly sure I would probably trust a doctor before I would trust a janitor...

You'd probably trust a doctor before you'd trust the hospital administrator that hired him...unless he happened to be a doctor too (not likely).<br /><br />

Originally posted by rottenray6402:<br /> This is an excellent point and we can even extend it to Hollywood types that because of their celebrity status are listened to as some sort of authorities. [

Originally posted by Quietcat22 <br />What is even crazier to me is that some people actually think that stardom qualifies you as an expert. [

Y'all are talkin' 'bout Reagan, aren't you?

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Sorry BB but I wasn't talking about Reagan, more like Sean Penn, Madonna, Sissy Spacek, and that group....

 

[KaGee]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> If I was getting a heart transplant, I am fairly sure I would probably trust a doctor before I would trust a janitor...

Very true Jason... Years of Medical training and hands on experience as opposed to the overweight janitor who just experienced a by-pass. Your analogy perfectly illustrates my points.<br /><br />QC... you didn't hi-jack. Goes along perfectly with my thoughts.<br /><br />And of course the obligatory GW bash... how sweet.

 

[QC]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Originally posted by BoatBuoy:<br /> Y'all are talkin' 'bout Reagan, aren't you?

Good catch, but no. He paid his dues as a politician before being elected pres. I grew up knowing him as a Governor etc. His first stint as CA Governor began in 1967. He wasn't pres until '81. I think he gets to be certified as qualified . . .

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> If I was getting a heart transplant, I am fairly sure I would probably trust a doctor before I would trust a janitor...

Even if the janitor stayed at a Holiday Inn last night?

 

[JB]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Said it before, so I wont say it again.<br /><br />Our President is listening to his Military leaders on the ground at the scene. Their advice weighs heavier than that of politicians or other celebrities with axes to grind, even if the axe is just a little publicity. That is how it should be. That is what his Dad did, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Stormin Norman is an advisor behind the scenes.<br /><br />Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon let politics and manipulated "public" opinion run the show. 'Nuff said?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

oddjob<br /> been there done that<br /> got the national defense ribbon and a service connected disability pension, <br /> do you have any ribbons ?<br />as an FC2 I actually had a leadership and technical role.<br /> had to take some classes in it actually.<br /> was the time of the TQL implementation.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Originally posted by JB:<br /> Said it before, so I wont say it again.<br /><br />Our President is listening to his Military leaders on the ground at the scene.

You sure bout that? I would disagree and present the same evidence as you. I think he's only hearing what Rumsfield, Cheney, et al have to say and coloring his book with his own crayons.<br /><br />BTW, Schwarzkopf and Cheney didn't play together well back then. What makes you think they do now?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

JB<br /> I seem to recall some of the staff that got the axe in 03 opposed going in with poor equipment and low troop strengths, seems some one shopped a bit until they found an "expert" that agreed with them.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Yeah rodbolt, I have some Navy ribbons and a letter of commendation from the USMC. <br /><br />I know enough about leadership not to go on my own about any stradegy, or poo poo anything and everything about GW and his Amin. I didnt poo poo the about the lame military actions/distractions Clinton and his admin conducted in Iraq,kosavo and Somalia until after the truth was told by our military leaders on watch at the time. I assumed he had consulted or had been advised appropriately.<br /><br />Its been 24 years since I was active so I dont know what FC2 means. My ribbons are Expert rifleman, Battle "E" and somthing else I forgot what it was. <br /><br />Pardon my hi-jack Kagee.

 

[jimonica]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

The following is a list of Republicans that used their celebrity to launch a political career.<br /><br />Ronald Reagan actor; Governor of Calf. U.S. Pres.<br /><br />Jack Kemp Buffalo Bills QB; NY Senator.<br /><br />J.C. Watts All American QB Oklahoma; Congressman Oklahoma.<br /><br />Steve Largent Pro Bowl Wide Receiver; Congressman Oklahoma.<br /><br />Jim Bunning Hall of Fame Pitcher; Senator Kentucky.<br /><br />Fred Thompson actor; Senator Tennessee<br /><br />Fred Gandy (Gopher Love Boat); Congressman Iowa<br /><br />Sonny Bono Singer/Actor; Congressman CA<br /><br />Arnold Schwarzenegger Actor; Governor CA<br /><br />The only Dem I can think of is NBA Star Bill Bradley Senator of NJ, who happened to be a Rhodes Scholar.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

oddjob<br /> its fire controlman, E5. I poopooed a lot clinton did when I was in. did not like much of his policies either. was not required to like them just required to do my job and I did it well.<br /> in the navy we dont get marksmanship medals, I did qualify as expert with a few weapons and was also qualified as a CIWS tech and was working on Harpoon missle quals when I got cut a bit short.<br /> <br /> the somalia thing was as bad as the hati thing. I still belive clinton did it to distract the public a bit. he knew full well the public attention span is short and easily distracted.<br /> after your tour in the military as a rifleman I guess you will have to agree we did not use economy of force with this ill planned war. otherwise after almost 3 years of it we would have less boots in the sand rather than more.<br /><br /> seems some of the officers and planners with the pentagon and the joint chiefs of staff actually wanted a minimum initial troop strength of 300-350 thousand. they got sacked.<br /> seems we went in with only about 110 thousand and most were poorly equiped or had the wrong equipment for the conditions.<br /> was good for iraqi scrap iron prices and welders though.<br /><br /> do you dispute we went in without sufficient intelligence, troop strength and the proper equipment for the conditions ?

 

[PW2]

Re: Why does simply being elected...

Unfortunately, JB I wish you were right but I doubt that you are correct re Stormin Norman.<br /><br />Norman would in no way conduct this war in the fashion it has been conducted. Neither would Colin Powell, which is why he is out as well.<br /><br />According to Woodward's book, he hasn't even consulted his father.<br /><br />I of course don't know for sure who he has or has not consulted, nor do you, but I have read enough on both Schwartzkoff and Powell to be highly skeptical they had anything to do with this operation.<br /><br />It's too bad, too. We needed their leadership.