Pentagon Leaders Tell Ranks to Get Ballots and Use Them

[Roland99]

Does the military lean toward Bush? Or, do they realize the deception that is Bush?

Either way, Rumsfeld is pushing for a 100% registration drive!

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/politics/campaign/08vote.html?oref=login

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - Capt. Scott D. Stewart, a 20-year veteran of the Air Force, remembers that voting on American military bases was always a low priority, with registration seen as "a free-for-all, every man for himself."

But this time, Captain Stewart, a 40-year-old Floridian, dropped his presidential ballot in the mail in late September. This time, the Pentagon wants 100 percent voter participation here and at many American bases around the world.

The target may be impossible, but the advocates command attention: Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Gen. Richard B. Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

<...>

But Democrats here say that the Republicans may be deluding themselves if they think the program will favor Republicans.

"We have had quite a number of angry service people, people who have personal knowledge of the Iraq situation and are feeling betrayed," said Ruth McCreery, voting assistance chairwoman for Democrats Abroad Japan. "One enlisted guy checked with his military legal officer to see if it was legal to attend a Democrats Abroad event, which it was because the legal guy was attending."

[54anickel]

1. I dunno, the Repugs have a "captive" audience over there. I just got

an e-mail forwarded to me from a medic stationed there. The e-mail sure made it seem like they are being "brain-washed". If I was killing people I think I'd probably want to believe that what I was doing was the "right thing" to do.

It's sad, but I think they are getting pumped all sorts of propaganda and while there are a few that will think for themselves, they are mostly young kids, living a nightmare and looking for something to cling to to justify what's going on around them.

[Roland99]

2. It's not just young kids

Look at the ages of some of the recent confirmed deaths:

JOHNSON, David W., 37, Specialist, Army National Guard; Portland, Ore.; Second Battalion, 162nd Infantry.

MOXLEY, Clifford L. Jr., 51, Specialist, Army National Guard; New Castle, Pa.; Second Battalion, 103rd Armor.

UNRUH, Robert Oliver, 25, Specialist, Army; Tucson; 44th Engineer Battalion.

ALLTON, Eric L., 34, Captain, Army; Houston; Second Infantry Division.

VILLANUEVA, Joselito O., 36, Sergeant First Class, Army; Los Angeles; First Infantry Division.

CUNNINGHAM, Darren J., 40, Staff Sgt., Army; Groton, Mass.; 89th Military Police Brigade.

COLLIER, Russell L., 48, Sgt., Army National Guard; Harrison, Ark.; First Battalion, 206th Field Artillery.

DENNIE, Mike A., 31, Staff Sgt., Army; Fayetteville, N.C.; 106th Finance Battalion.

HENNESSY, Jack T., 21, Sgt., Army; Naperville, Ill.; First Cavalry Division.

JONES, Rodney A., 21, Specialist, Army; Philadelphia; First Cavalry Division.

NOLAN, Allen, 38, Specialist, Army Reserve; Marietta, Ohio; 660th Transportation Company.

UVANNI, Michael A., 27, Sgt., Army National Guard; Rome, N.Y.; Second Battalion, 108th Infantry.

POTTS, Christopher S., 38, Sgt., Army National Guard; Tiverton, R.I., First Battalion, 103rd

[54anickel]

3. Yeah, I've noticed the increase in ages on Lehrer lately. Like I said,

"mostly" young kids, guess I shouldn't stereo-type but you've got to wonder is it the older ones or younger ones that are seeing thru the BS. Maybe it's just a mix. :shrug:

Seems so many of the troops over there still make the Saddam 9/11 connection. Those that admit to doubts of that begin to point to what a bad guy Saddam was - they point to torture chambers found all over the place, the number of palaces he had - anything to justify the decision to go to war. Are they making these connections themselves or is this getting fed to them?

[Roland99]

4. When they're fed Lush Rimjob every day....

[54anickel]

5. Sheesh, I feel stupid - I forgot all about that!!! Certainly explains the

e-mail. :silly: