Interesting how he compares a crippled president to an able bodied, say, recent college graduate.

Interesting how he ignores that there is a difference between someone who is against a war not contributing to it, and someone who ’supports’ the war not helping with it.

Interesting how he makes an analogy between an entirely voluntary system like firefighting, where you can walk away and only lose your job, and a system like the army where, once in, leaving without permission is one of the highest crimes of the land. Indeed, even if you have been released you can be brought back decades later.

Interesting how he makes an analogy between invading and occupying Iraq and pulling people out of a burning building.

Interesting how it’s not just any burning buildings, but, yes, another 9/11 reference.

Actually, it’s not all that interesting.

By Kerlyssa on 07.01.05 11:30

For The Sake of Clarity….

It has never been about people’s right to support the war, or their qualifications to discuss it. I don’t know why someone as smart as Stephen, thinks, “Goldstein demolishes the “Chickenhawk” rhetoric.” since his argument just rewarms and serves up…

By In Search Of Utopia on 07.01.05 19:57

Roosevelt had not yet been stricken w/ Polio at the time of the Spanish American War or WWI and was of service age.

Not that it matters to me, because I’m not the one questioning Roosevelt’s heart. And if fighting in the war is the only way to help with the war effort — as you claim — then I had better not see Rosie the Riveter on a postage stamp, the filthy warmongering merc.

Incidentally, the military, too, in voluntary. And the terms and conditions of the contract are spelled out when you join.

And there is nothing in my post about burning buildings or 911.

By Jeff G on 07.03.05 01:45

I was responding to your post and the article you quoted at the same time because it appears to me from what you wrote that you agree with him. Upon rereading, I still disagree with Hitchens and consider it a poor argument, but agree with the points you raised. While there is a certain irony in prowar folks not signing up to go, it is the same irony that applies to people buying tickets to Live 8 rather than volunteering at a homeless shelter or donating to an international charity. The conflict between self interest and good works is a subject of its own.

In any case, my response was sarcastic and flippant, and I apologize for that.

By Kerlyssa on 07.03.05 07:01