Can you even begin to imagine what would happen if a servicemember were booed...

[Recursion]

...at a Democratic debate?

I mean, really. Can you even begin to imagine what the reaction would be?

I've avoided talking about this because the anger is still way, way too close to the surface for me. I'm an Iraq veteran and a lot of these wounds are still kind of raw. I know American history pretty well and I literally cannot think of a time, ever, when an active duty servicemember was booed by the audience of a major-party political event, even in the most divisive moments during Vietnam.

As a life-long Democrat I know the GOP power structure never really cared about veterans or servicemembers, but how thin their even appearance of "support" for us was shown to be absolutely chills me.

This was absolutely a nadir moment of American politics. At least I hope to God it was.

No person who allows his audience to boo a servicemember has any business, ever, being commander in chief. Period. Full stop.

[Angry Dragon]

1. I have been thinking about this a great deal

Someone should have walked to the edge of the stage and demanded everyone that booed should stand up, and then told them to leave right now because they had no business calling themselves Americans.

[Recursion]

6. Bob Dole would have done it. McCain would have done it. Hell, even W would have done it.

I don't agree with any of those three about any policy, but I feel confident that any of them would have kicked out of a debate someone who actually booed on live TV a fucking active duty Soldier (or possibly Airman; I didn't see the uniform).

Like I said, I'm trying to keep my powder dry on this for the moment, but as a veteran there is a fucking volcano waiting over this.

[Lasher]

12. Junior wouldn't have done it.

McCain and Dole possibly would have.

[Recursion]

15. I'd actually give * the benefit of the doubt on that

But here's what's horrifying: this used to be hypothetical. And it fucking isn't anymore. I have no problem saying McCain, Dole, or GHWB would have taken names and kicked ass (and soaked up the resulting popularity, but they would have meant it). But I'm willing to give W the benefit of the doubt. I'm just fucking horrified that it's no longer a hypothetical question.

[Lasher]

32. Junior doesn't deserve the benefit of doubt on that.

Look at what he did to Kerry with the swiftboaters. Look at how he dressed up as a warrior for a photo op despite his own record of using Pappy's influence to get a privileged assignment in the TANG to dodge actual military service. Junior has no real respect for military personnel or vets. He just used them for political advantage like he did the fundies.

[liberal N proud]

2. Remember "your either with us or against us" crap from the bu$h years?

They hide behind patriotism and support for the troops only when it is beneficial for their propaganda.

But, we must also note, the republican voter doesn't think for himself and only does what he is told by the talking heads, so the response at the teabagger debate had to be prompted from someone.

[Siwsan]

3. I know what you mean

I'm a non-combat veteran, and was beyond disgusted with what happened. I would almost be willing to bet (or, at least hope) that none of the people who boo'd, or the people around them, were veterans. And, shame on Rick Perry, as a veteran, for not calling them out.

The correct reaction would have been to request anyone who was standing near the people who were so disrespectful, to point them out and spotlight them.

[Recursion]

13. Thank you for your service

and was beyond disgusted with what happened.

Disgust is the word. Not contempt, because it's beneath that.

I don't ask for thanks. I don't ask for parades. I don't ask for fucking anything but with God as my witness if you boo a fucking veteran I will do everything in my power to deny you anything you want for the rest of your life.

[jberryhill]

4. Here, let me make it all better for you....

[louslobbs]

8. Wow! I'd love to have the concession for Denture Grip and Enemas at that gathering.

Lou

[jberryhill]

18. Amazingly, they are used in the same bodily orifice

[louslobbs]

22. lol......thanks for pointing that out.

Lou

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. The animus against sexual minorities is so strong that it crowds out....

... even the almost Pavlovian reflex among conservatives to worship all things... and all people... military.

That is one very powerful animus.


We are a very confused... and primitive.... society. Still.

I'm not surprised at all.

[louslobbs]

7. Yes, Sharon Angle "2nd Amendment remedies" I would guess.

Lou

[richmwill]

9. It was a disgrace

And thank you for your service.

[Recursion]

10. I'm literally still too angry to talk coherently about this

You can accuse vets of selective outrage, and I'll even cop to it, but my selective outrage has been up to FUCKING 11!!! for the past 48 hours and it's showing no sign of going down at this moment.

[louslobbs]

17. I get your feelings completely....Just try to put that outrage energy into something that will help

you to de-stress so you don't potentially have a stress related health issue. After all, we need you around for a long time on our side to fight these battles. All the best Recursion, I know how you feel, take some slow deep breaths and try to be present to what you can do, to help stop this continued madness. That's usually how I get past those moments where I just don't think I can take anymore.
Your friend,

Lou

[jberryhill]

19. That's what they are trying to do

A good fight needs a calm head.

Don't let them win.

They aren't worth it.

The point of psychological warfare is to demoralize the opponent. They want you to lose your combat efficiency.

[louslobbs]

23. Great comment and so true.

Lou

[Recursion]

26. Well said. Marines win battles

And we don't win them by losing our heads. The human brain remains the deadliest weapon.

[jberryhill]

37. Go get 'em!

[louslobbs]

11. Sorry I forgot...K&R

Lou

[pinboy3niner]

14. K&R

[Recursion]

16. Welcome home (nt)

[pinboy3niner]

20. Thanks

Welcome home to you, too. :patriot:

[Recursion]

27. Talking me down from rage is one reason I love DU

:patriot:

Take care brother/sister (your gender is not specified on your profile)

[pinboy3niner]

33. I served as an Infantry platoon leader--definitely male, lol

I was WIA and did a long time in the hospital before the Army retired me for partial disaility.

For me, the Purple heart band-aids made me hit the roof. Seeing that and the Swiftboating, I drove from CA out to 'Battleground Ohio' to volunteer in the Kerry campaign for the last couple months up to the election.

You might say I found a positive way to use my anger and my outrage.

Take care of yourself, Recursion--and think of how you can channel how you're feeling into something that is positive for you. :patriot:

[pipi_k]

21. Actually I can imagine...

and it would have been incredibly ugly.

From both sides. Unlike this incident, where it seems nobody on the Right gives a rat's ass.


Oh, and Santorum, who came out and condemned the boos?

Fuck him.

Claiming that had he heard the boos he would have said something right then and there.

Lying piece of shit.

The man isn't deaf. Everyone heard those boos.

Too little, too late. He would have been better off just not saying anything at all.

[Recursion]

24. Wait did he post-debate release a "condemnation" statement?

Honestly that's even worse. You either know what freedom tastes like or you don't.

[treestar]

28. Yes and he claimed he did not hear the booing.

Yep, he has that much nerve.

[Recursion]

29. My jaw is tightening

Fuck that piece of shit. Can't even stand up for his damn bigotry.

[_ed_]

40. All of them couldn't hear it?

Do we need to conduct a hearing test for the candidates?

[louslobbs]

25. +1 n/t

Lou

[spanone]

30. not ONE of the candidates condemed it. not one.

[Recursion]

31. NOT A FUCKING ONE! NOT ONE!

That's what FUCKING MAKES ME INSANE WITH RAGE. NOT A SINGLE ONE. Sorry to make this NSFW, I'm just indescribably angry about that one fact.

[pipi_k]

38. Not at the time, but pRick Santorum did "condemn" it...

like the day after. Claimed he hadn't heard it.

Lying sack of shit.

[blkmusclmachine]

34. The talking heads would explode, 24/7, up thru Election Day:

But as always: It's OK If You're A Republican (IOKIYAR)

[Ruby the Liberal]

35. I am still stunned.

The first debate, I was dumbfounded by the cheering of the TOPIC of state sponsored executions. The second, I was left speechless over the energy behind the 'let 'em die' sentiment. Now, booing active service members? Seriously?

I am afraid to even guess as how far this crowd of citizens is going to degrade before they finally pick one of these clowns to represent them. Actually, fear isn't the word I am looking for. More like "mortified in advance", if there is a word adequate for that.

Thank you for your service AND this thread. :patriot:

[Maccagirl]

36. I just saw a tape of an interview with Ari Fleischer and he said

the media was blowing it up out of proportion to make the Rethugs look bad, 2)that only 2 or 3 people booed (and the audience hissed and berated them) and 3)they were booing DADT, not the soldier. The only thing he conceded was that it was a "missed opportunity" for the candidates not to call out the perps. Gawd, do I ever not miss that santimonious POS.

[Number23]

39. But he just didn't HEAR it, that's all!

http://gothamist.com/2011/09/24/video_rick_santorum_didnt_hear_repu.php

Even though he was standing right there and the booing was probably echoing around the entire studio. He was so busy mentally paying tribute to that soldier he just didn't hear that he was being booed by the studio audience sitting right in front of him!!eleven :eyes: :eyes: