GOP Rep Calls a US Soldier a "Two Bit Security Guard"

[kpete]

GOP Rep Calls a US Soldier a "Two Bit Security Guard"
Posted by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report on April 4, 2008 at 9:31 AM.


As a rule, insulting U.S. troops trying to keep you safe in Iraq doesn’t seem like an especially good idea. And yet, there was Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), one of Congress’ most right-wing members, reflecting on his recent visit to Baghdad, and calling one soldier he met a “two-bit security guard.”

“We spent the night in the Green Zone, in the poolhouse of one of Saddam’s palaces. A little weird, I got to be honest with you. But I felt safe. And so in the morning, I got up early — not that I make this a great habit — but I went to the gym because I just couldn’t sleep and everything else. Well, sure enough, the guard wouldn’t let me in. Said I didn’t have the correct credentials.


“It’s 5:00 in the morning. I haven’t had sleep. I was not very happy with this two-bit security guard. And so you know, I said, ‘I want to see your supervisor.’ Thirty minutes later, the supervisor wasn’t happy with me, they escort me back to my room. It happens. I guess I didn’t need to work out anyway.”

Yes, poor Patrick McHenry. An American stationed in Baghdad followed orders on Green-Zone security only to get mocked by a conservative lawmaker who never wore a uniform. Classy.

Somehow, I have a hunch that if McHenry were a liberal Dem, and he called an American serviceman or servicewoman serving in Baghdad a “two-bit security guard,” it’d be quite a while until we heard the end of it.

more at:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/#81368

[babylonsister]

1. What a condescending POS!

:nuke:

Youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9FAfQ2imUw&eurl=http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/04/rep-mchenry-calls-us-soldier-in-iraq-a-two-bit-security-guard/

[eleny]

2. No moral core - None at all

[southerncrone]

46. No moral core is right! He's been connected to a gay love-triangle murder!

He's a real winner! He shouldn't even BE in Congress. Probably should be in prison with about half of the rest of the GOP. :puke:

See article at link below.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=170&topic_id=9355

Of course, we NEVER saw any of this in the MSM. :eyes:

<update to change to correct link & abibe by DU rules>

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Where's the right-wing outrage over this buffoon?

Oh, that's right - he's one of "them"

[hisownpetard]

4. If it had been a Dem, the story would be looped and shown 24/7 on Fox, without a doubt.

[Hamlette]

9. Exactly! A killer rant on what the right would be doing if he was a Dem:

If McHenry was a Democrat there would be a full on red alert action report sent across the WingNetTM. Kerning charts would be pulled out for referencing. Cheeto’s and Mountain Dew stock would triple. McHenry’s countertops would be inspected, and the Confederate Yankee would spend a week linking all the times McHenry had been in the same state as Barack Obama, showing decisively that Obama hates the troops (Jake Tapper would note that he thought this was the case, because he has a really keen sense for traitors- ask anyone in his family). We would learn that someone in McHenry’s family tree did something vaguely subversive in the 1960’s (maybe smoked a joint while listening to Jimi Hendrix’s version of the Star Spangled Banner, rather than standing erect and proudly displaying a lapel pin).

The Instapundit would kick his passive/aggressive BS into overdrive, linking every rambling yahoo on the intertrons who wants to proudly display their patriotism (500 different links to poorly written proclamations without the benefit of a shift key that “OUR TROOPS AIN’T JUST SECURITY GUARDS THEY ARE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTESTEST). Red State would send out a fundraising letter for another 25k for website development to combat evil leftist smears against our troops. Mickey Kaus would stop goat-fucking long enough to pen a column about his outrage, and since he is a Democrat himself (wink, wink), this would give the outrage enough respectability that the odious fool Howie Kurtz would write six columns about it, describing the outrage, pushing the story until finally there would be wall to wall coverage on the cable networks until Wolf Blitzer asks the poll question:

“Why do Democrats hate our troops and why do they hate the country, and how can they expect to win the Presidency with that attitude? ”

That is what would fucking happen.
http://www.balloon-juice.com/

[hisownpetard]

12. It'd be funny if it weren't true.

:hi:

[Hamlette]

13. indeed

[devilgrrl]

51. Cynthia McKinney got into it with a security guard in 2006 - this place when wild!

Check out some of these threads, they're also great to see whose been tombstoned since...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=813680

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=832685

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=829786

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=812737

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=815262

[TheDebbieDee]

5. KO should make people more aware of this by making

McHenry one of his WPITW.

Isn't McHenry the same congressional sap that personally knew all the men involved in that double-murder/suicide gay lover's triangle in Florida in Dec '06?

[libnnc]

8. that's him

wonder whatever happened to that case?

[Gold Metal Flake]

55. It was on Countdown Friday.

Rachael Maddow, subbing as host, covered it very effectively.

[Xithras]

6. Hehehe, you know the soldier had to be enjoying it.

That has to be the worst crap duty. "Hey Bob, I know we're in this grand palace with pools, game rooms, and a big motorcade, but I need you to take the redeye shift on guarding the door to the gym. You never know when some jihadi suicide bomber might want to take out the Bowflex."

And then some pompous ass Republican chickenhawk comes along and starts giving him a hard time. You can bet that kid, probably an overworked 19 year old who was promised pools, a cushy station in Japan, and a free college education, was thrilled to be able to shut the guy down.

[libnnc]

7. Odd. I thought conservofascists were all about s'portn' teh troopz

Patrick can go fuck himself.

[JBoy]

10. This douchebag didn't care for the hotel staff's "attitude"

- 32 years old
- former College Republican
- never done anything but politics

Classic chickenhawk, with no clue. That soldier was responsible for protecting your ass, McHenry. He was following orders. And he gets a fucking A+ in my books.

[Supersedeas]

26. and such a pretty smile too

[jpljr77]

11. Not trying to defend this douchebag, but

are we sure the guard was a U.S. soldier? I mean, it seems that private contractors outnumber service men and women anyway, so it could have been a KBR or BlackWater guard. Also, there's a chance it was an actual Iraqi guard (not likely).

Like I said, not trying to defend the guy, but I guess I'm missing where it says definitively that it was a U.S. soldier.

[Elspeth]

14. That was my first thought too, especially when Congressman Blowhard asked for his "supervisor"

Had it been real military, wouldn't the Congressman have asked for his commanding officer?

[JBoy]

15. My guess is McHenry has no actual understanding of military ranks and chain of command

so defaulted to the generic "supervisor".

[Elspeth]

19. That is also a possibility. Damned chicken hawks have no clue about the real military.

But I still want to know if the "security guard" was really a privately contracted the security guard.

[jpljr77]

17. Exactly. Of course, it doesn't mitigate his douchiness.

In fact, it probably just reinforces his entitled, whining, shot-nosed outlook on life, always assuming that everyone in the world is there to serve him at his leisure.

[Elspeth]

20. Yep. The "security guard" should let Congressman Blowhard fend for himself in Iraq

I bet the Congressman's tune would change rather quickly.

[Beausoleil]

18. Uh, chickenhawks likely don't know the difference

they think in civilian terms anyway.

[Elspeth]

23. Possible, but even Congressman Blowhard had to be briefed before he went over there

"OK, Congressman. This is an American soldier. This is an Iraqi policeman, this is a Blackwater private guard, and this is a banana."

[chixydix]

28. you bastard. It was fine until I came to 'banana'...another keyboard replacement!

:mad:


:D :D :D

[Elspeth]

31. Shouldn't drink and keystroke. :)

:evilgrin:

[Contrary1]

24. If it had been KBR, his remark would have been way off...

I mean, the "private security" KBR contractors are making 10 times what the troops are, and in many cases; more than that.

So, in this repuke's eyes, he was a 2 bit security guard. Kind of puts it in perspective how this administration values the
troops, doesn't it?

[alfredo]

36. It was a mercenary from Triple Canopy.

[KharmaTrain]

53. Reports Are It Was A Contractor

A foreign one at that. No surprise...the military is so stretched that Codels and other diplomats are now guarded by mercenaries.

That said, McHenry is a punk...who cares who he said it to or why he said it, he's a big mouthed wingnut whose votes against the veterans and support for endless war speak enough about his "respect" for the military. The twit should have gotten a rifle butt in the jaw.

[Gold Metal Flake]

56. deleted

[blondeatlast]

59. What does it really matter? The pretty-boy schmuck congressman had no business

being so condescending, period.

[bullwinkle428]

16. The Faux News Scream Factory would be absolutely orgasmic over this

if any liberal Democratic Rep. was stupid enough to say such a thing! Hannity would be completely apoplectic!

[Golden Raisin]

21. Just another Repuke who doesn't give

a shit about anything except his own comfort while piously and hypocritically lecturing the rest of us to "Support the troops".

[DisgustipatedinCA]

22. When I stood watch in the Navy

either on the quarterdeck or on the pier, our orders were to not let ANYONE through without proper credentials, from Joe Schmoe to the fleet admiral. I kind of wish he had made a run for it.

[Elspeth]

25. Yeah, but you served your country. This Congressman Blowhard is expecting it to serve him.

That, I think, is the difference between real patriots and chicken hawks.

[tabasco]

41. In the Army, it's the same way.

In basic, when we were on guard duty, they would have a sergeant pose as a general or colonel and come up and demand entrance to the area.

If the guard let the general in, he had violated orders and got smoked with lots of pushups, etc.

[Squatch]

27. I will guard my post and everything within the limits of my post until properly relieved.

The general orders for guards/sentries are inviolate. Somebody give that soldier an AAM.

[mitchum]

29. He stayed in a poolhouse? I thought McHenry spent all of his time in the closet

[Mnemosyne]

52. Dems have a big tent and repukes have a huge closet. n/t

[SodoffBush]

30. Isn't "two bits" two quarters?

That's about what Bush is paying those troops risking their lives, so the congresman's statement is accurate.

[Javaman]

32. Two bits is a single quarter...

comes from the "pieces of 8" term.

8 bits made up a spanish "dollar" or doubloon. so 4 bits would be 50 cents.

[Beausoleil]

33. two bits, four bits, six bits,

a dollar ...

[chixydix]

38. "All you republicans lay down and waller"

:D

[Buns_of_Fire]

34. Awwwww... Poor widdle chuckles didn't get to "work out".....

As a person with a son in Iraq, I think commiserating with the poor baby is in order. Maybe by letter or sympathy card. His official D.C. office, oddly enough, can be found, right out there in front of God and everybody -- on his official web site.

For those preferring to deliver their sympathies by email, you'll need a zip+4 to prove you're one of his constituents. In the spirit of disseminating worthwhile information, the NC 10th District includes the towns of Lenoir, Morganton, Hickory, Newton, Mooresville, and Shelby, should you be in the area.

[Quantess]

39. Do it!

The poor jackass didn't get to walk on the treadmill that day. Boo hoo.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

35. He's right - they are security guards

We've used and abused the military in putting them in the middle of a civil war during an occupation. We're not using them as soldiers. We're using the U.S. military in Iraq as human shields between rival Islamic factions, as police traffic cops, and sadly as security guards. The Bush Administration has turned American soldiers into security guards and this jerk of a GOP Congressman was subconsciously realizing what the policies of the Chimp-In-Chief have done to U.S. service women and men in the failed military adventure that is Iraq.

[silverweb]

37. Arrogant sonofabitch.

I guess he felt "entitled" because he's a "VIP" ("Very self-Important rePuke"), traveling on the taxpayer's dollar (blood and sweat).

So fucking typical of RW reTHUGs.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Brigid]

44. !!!

:wow: You have just won my coveted "Post of the Day" award!

[Bosso 63]

57. Thank you!

[OwnedByFerrets]

42. Typical day in the day of a repug.....

Yesterday they are demeaning the 911 attack as "just" an airplane crash, and today they are demeaning the troops. Nothing less than we expect of them.

[Brigid]

43. This is exactly right:

"Somehow, I have a hunch that if McHenry were a liberal Dem, and he called an American serviceman or servicewoman serving in Baghdad a “two-bit security guard,” it’d be quite a while until we heard the end of it."

Repugs only "support the troops" when it is convenient for them. :grr:

[msu2ba]

45. Keith?

Pretty clear-cut Worst Person!

[Rosemary2205]

47. I called a military policeman "barney fife" once at Fort Gillem, Georgia

It was last year. They have always let civilians come onto the base to take reyclables to the bins about 200 yards in from the gate. I went pretty much every week and was more than miffed when the MP would not give entry and would not even let me make a U turn around the gate area to get out and he would not leave his post to walk back to the car on my tail and ask them to back up so I could jimmy my way out. So I had to go through all the work of unhooking the chair, get the lift out, roll around to all the cars behind and ask them to back up a little so I could get out.

I was mortified, embarassed and irritated. I told the drivers behind me that "barney fife" won't let me drop off my milk bottles. They laughed. I felt a little better getting my ounce of flesh and later felt ashamed. I reminded myself that young man was serving his country.

[tuckessee]

48. Where's the proof the guy was a GI?

How do we know he wasn't an employee of Blackwater or some other PMC?

Besides, even if he was a gen-yoo-wine gummit minted hero he very well could be one of those types lovingly referred to in war zones as a REMF.

[Quantess]

49. Probably none.

Just as there is no proof the creampuff actually intended to do a strenuous workout. The guy wanted to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes as he watched Regis & Kelly, I'm guessing.

[jgraz]

50. Patrick McHenry is the dogshit that dogshit scrapes off its shoes

:nuke:

[AlertLurker]

54. When these asshats are denied their "entitlements," they get cranky.

I would like to have seen him arrested, abused and waterboarded, however.

Good workout.

[barbtries]

58. gawd they're such bastards

don't even try to hide it. i can only hope that the soldiers got some pleasure out of dissing the shit out of him and can clearly imagine his demeanor of superiority throughout.