So the troops give a standing ovation to Rumsfeld...

[theHandpuppet]

Yep, one could barely hear what was going on amidst the cheering and whooping of a crowd of soldiers giving a standing ovation to Herr Rumsfeld and his "surprise" visit to Iraq.

You know, at times like these it can get really difficult to "support our troops" when so many of them are busily kissing the collective fascist asses of the Bushreich. Hooah my ass!

[bdamomma]

1. It is all staged for these troops to react like that

[Mugsy]

11. I suspect they are hand-picking audiences there now too.

Just as they do here, hand-picking their audiences so as to appear to have nothing but a throng of adoring supporters and absolutely no dissenters, and based upon the reports of growing dissent and disillusionment, one can only draw the conclusion that they've started applying the same "audience selection" techniques in Iraq that they've been using over here for years.

NO WAY is Rummy that popular among our troops. What has changed recently to justify such resounding support?

[Sherman A1]

2. If he is their commander

then wouldn't they be required to stand and come to attention when he enters the room?

[theHandpuppet]

5. This was a lot more than soldiers "coming to attention"

You'd have thought these soldiers were at the Super Bowl they way they were carrying on. CNN described it as a "standing ovation" and that's exactly what it was. Watch the clips.

[MindPilot]

3. You've never been in the military have you?

If you are told to cheer and whoop for the Secretary of Defense, then goddammit soldier you will cheer and whoop.

[theHandpuppet]

6. Cool -- but I don't have to support it

When there are civilians right here at home going to jail for trying to bring these soldiers home.

[grytpype]

7. You WILL cheer for the Secretary, you got that maggot?

[Bigmack]

13. "Sir.. Yes, Sir"...

Jeeezus... that was automatic. It never goes away. Once a maggot, always a maggot.

I can't help wondering about who actually goes into the military these days. It's hard for me to "support the troops" when I know firsthand just how different they are from "normal" people. Their moms never raised them to do the shit they're doing and think the shit they're thinking. It takes training and indoctrination to turn a kid into somebody who would cheer for Rummy.

Military values are the antithesis of our country's values. Maybe the "values" folks ought to start thinking about whether they really "support the troops".

[MindPilot]

16. "Aye-aye, SIR!"

You're right, this old sailor startled a little bit at the image of a Marine DI chewing his ass.

But ya know, in a different time, a legitimate war with a real enemy, all that indoctrination and training would help save the country. In this context, it looks kind of silly.

edit: spelling

[bdamomma]

9. they are just taking orders

no matter what nazi comes in.

[OwnedByFerrets]

4. I feel your pain...

and understand your feelings. That is when I have to remind myself that they have been brainwashed to believe the connection between Iraq and 911. I wish there was some way to get the truth out to the troops.

[AndyA]

8. The troops are just following orders, playing the game.

They know what the truth is. They see it first hand every day. Given the opportunity to have a confidential one on one with most of them, I doubt you'd find many extolling the virtues of Rumsfeld or the current mis-Administration.

They know their lives have been sacrificed for a lie, they know they aren't getting the support they require. But to not follow orders would only create more problems for them.

I'll bet the majority of them were thinking "ASSHOLE!" while they were whooping and hollering.

[Swamp Rat]

10. He would have had them all immediately shot otherwise.

Nazi

[Qanisqineq]

12. Don't fall for it

The troops are not impressed with Rumsfeld in the least. I get sickened seeing this shit, too. I've heard the whole little "I support the president/war/whatever" speech they are expected to say. They don't believe it. I live with a soldier and know enough soldiers to know that Rummy, Bush, Cheney, etc. are not something they willingly cheer for. Quite the opposite.

[gatorboy]

14. Where's Beetle Bailey when you need'em??? n/t

[Marr]

15. Isn't this sort of thing to supposed to be... illegal?

I know, that word has become somewhat quaint when applied to action of members Bush's regime, but- I thought there was supposed to be some law against using the military for propaganda purposes like this?