There seems to be this rule amongst those who are against the war that those of us who support the war should be willing to enlist and volunteer for Iraq. Those that have never served are often called "Chickenhawks.
It's an idiotic rule promulgated by those who think by spouting it, it gives them some kind of smug air of self-righteous superiority. The logic in it is easily shot down. Many of us have opinions about things of which we don't have, can't have or never will have some sort of experience. A similar rule is that you can't support your favorite football team unless you actually played football at the level of the team you support. It's an idiot's rule. I could make up idiotic rules just like that all night.
I therefore propose my own rule and you may feel free to use it.
You cannot have any opinion about military matters whatsoever unless you've worn the uniform and either are still serving, or was honorably discharged. It makes as much sense as the Liberal rule, so I say we hammer them with it.
I'd rather have the support of one "chickenhawk", then a thousand pro-terrorist, anti-troop liberals.
VW
I like it. This does discount Murtha though, doesn't it? Being that he has become an ex-Marine and all.
Posted by: yankeemom | Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 09:52
I have heard from several Marines, former and current, that Murtha has now crossed the divide from "former" Marine to ex-Marine,
Posted by: MOGS | Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 12:16
A Chickenhawk may not be an Eagle but it's still a bird of prey. I'd rather be a Chickenhawk than a Pigeon.
Posted by: BobF | Monday, February 26, 2007 at 05:50
A Chickenhawk may not be an Eagle but it's still a bird of prey. I'd rather be a Chickenhawk than a Pigeon
Oh man Bob, I hope my friend The Mad Pigeon doesn't see this! You might get "pigeoned"!
The Mad Pigeon is an active duty Air Force Officer who teaches Poly Sci at the USAF Academy. You need another analogy!
VW
Posted by: Violence Worker | Monday, February 26, 2007 at 06:18
MOGS and Yankeemom, I'd heard that as well. I've heard two different versions of the ex-marine story.
1. Anyone who was a marine that does something to dishomor the corps, usually those who were court-martialed or convicted felons.
2. The only ex-Marine before Murth was Lee harvey Oswald.
I'll have to ask my son who did four years as a Jarhead and works with them today as a civilian contractor.
VW
Posted by: Violence Worker | Monday, February 26, 2007 at 06:22
The chickenhawk rule seems chikenlittle to me!
Does that exclude Pat Dollard as well???
Posted by: canuckistani | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 09:09
You've got the "Chickenhawk Rule" slightly out of whack.
Chickenhawks are those who deliberately sought a way to AVOID service at all costs but are willing to send other people to fight in their stead -- and continue to believe that way today.
That's why guys like W, Cheney, and their ilk are considered Chickenhawks. They are all for war -- so long as they don't have to put their butts on the line.
Posted by: KnoKtaremf | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 13:19
Perhaps that was the original rule, but today, I've seen a lot of lefties use it against other bloggers and commenters.
VW
Posted by: Violence Worker | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 13:33