What truly disgusts is the frivolous and demeaning way the Left, from MoveOn.org to Maureen Dowd, and on to leading liberal types in Congress, describe a Soldier.
They seem to think these people are cloned, that they arrive with stars on their shoulders. They all started as either a Second Lieutenant or a Private.
Once they all were the fresh-faced boys of battle these folks all claim to care so much about.
Hateful Signposts
They don't just hate Gen. David Petraeus. They hate all who willingly serve.
When I testified before Congress, I recall the total bemusement I felt at being challenged by some
guy who not only could not carry my rifle to the battlefield, he could not run around the block with
me.
To sit up there in arrogance, to challenge, to call this General or any Private of Infantry a “liar”
is shameful.
Where Is the Shame?
These obese ogres of politics sit in judgment of our fit fighting-men just back from the arena?
They know no shame. They have no true pride in country or even themselves. Arrogance is but the false pride assumed by the undeserving.
Much was made in the last presidential election about “war heroes.”
Men who never served a full tour in combat were bandied about like they were the epitome of battlefield heroism in Vietnam.
How to Spot a Fake
In the true martial world, you shall be known by how you carry yourself. True warriors do not show up on The Hill in war surplus fatigues as John Kerry did.
They come in the attire of a warrior. Above the left breast pocket is a road map to their very souls. No matter what one of those slobs on the committee says,the General will not throw his medals over the fence outside.
You see, he knows how much they cost.
I suppose so much role-playing and false bravado takes place in Washington that real men do not stand a chance.
Call Their Bluff
After all, how can they compete with the “war story” lies of the pretenders?
Our “hero wannabe” politicians do not even know military law.
If there is one ounce of truth in the accusation Gen. Petraeus is a “liar,” charge him. For he will be the only one up there who is bound by his honor and the law to tell the truth.
Like some scripted horror show, the demons shriek. The scribes from hell write, and the hero is expected to cower and beg for mercy.
It’s Television or Dowd
This General will disappoint them. The American people will see. Unless there is a replay of “Friends” on the tube. Then they will rely on Maureen Dowd at The New York Times to tell them what took place.
God help us.
They say you get the leadership you deserve.
Perhaps that is why our troops have this fine General.
In the military, respect is an earned commodity.
Critics Had It Backward
Thus the question is not whether the General can earn the respect of our politicians and media but whether any of them can earn his.
Gen. Petraeus’s was earned on too many hard training grounds and in terrible far away places.
What passes as “respect” in Washington is an item bartered for in the back rooms. It has no true value.
Opposing Sides
General, meet the true betrayers of America and your Soldiers: The simpering, smirking slobs who could not be a Private in the rear rank in real combat.
To paraphrase:
Yea though you walked through valley of the shadow of death, the only evil you need fear is in residence in Washington D.C.
Go back and fight your war good Soldier,for it is our job to take care of these suckers. Consider it done, Sir!
Maj. Mark A. Smith, U.S. Army (ret.), served in Vietnam. He was a Prisoner of War.
