December 11, 2005
Gone Broke
According to Drudge:
Today, Senator Daniel Inouye, the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service in World War II, released the following statement:"As a Veteran of World War II, I know what it's like to fight a war and put your life on the line every day. I also know what it takes to win a war, and I know that politics and an attack machine like the President's plays no part in it.
"The Republican Party's latest ad is a shameful and disgusting attempt to distract the American people from the problems in Iraq. It may improve the President's political fortunes, but the American people and our troops will pay the price. I hope that President Bush realizes how shameful it is to play politics when what we really need is leadership, and that he will direct his Party to take down this ad immediately."
Senator Inouye was once part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in United States military history.
According to his Medal Of Honor Citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
The fearless 20 year-old 2nd Lieutenant Inouye refused to stop, refused to even think about yielding even when under withering fire. Instead he attacked, and even when wounded twice he continued the fight until the day was won.
2nd Lieutenant Inouye knew how to win wars, Senator.
You win wars by killing your enemy or driving the fight out of him, which is something he knew on an Italian ridge 60 years ago when facing the best Hitler had to throw at him. The side that breaks, loses.
Democratic Party courage, by comparison, offers nothing but disgrace and retreat. Your party doesn't know how to win, Senator Inouye. You haven't known how for a long, long time.
I wonder if 2nd Lieutenant Inouye would vote for Senator Inouye. I doubt if he would.
Posted by: Van Helsing at December 11, 2005 11:19 AM"I also know what it takes to win a war,..." and the rest of that is..., "I just can't remember."
LT Inouye tasted aboslute victory at the end of WWII. Why would he want anything less for today's troops? Especially when it is so close at hand.
Posted by: Old Soldier at December 11, 2005 02:39 PMUsing a person's own words against them is not politics. It is advertisement and Kerry, Dean, and Pelosi should thank the Republicans for the free advertisement and getting their ideas out for everyone to see. If they are ashamed because they didn't mean what they said, then they are the ones playing politics. Otherwise, why wouldn't they be proud to have their words repeated?
Posted by: Ray Robison at December 11, 2005 03:34 PM"Otherwise, why wouldn't they be proud to have their words repeated?"
That's an excellent point. They aren't even little blurbs taken out of context. They are coherent, complete thoughts.
Posted by: Dawnfire82 at December 11, 2005 04:49 PMDRUDGE and the Rethuglican party wouldn't know TRUTH...if it bit them in the ass...
Posted by: drumzdallas at December 11, 2005 06:08 PMRethuglican? Have you been spending too much time at Dem. Underground, you know, that site with all the crazies? Besides, the Dems. are no less innocent than the Repubs. when it comes to thuggery. Both national parties come loaded with liars and corporate crooks. Get your head out of your ass drumz.
Posted by: Nick at December 11, 2005 07:12 PMPeople who live in glass whore houses shouldn't throw stones! He served in a real war, which is a lot more than you pansey ass pussies and Bush. If Bush's war is so justified when can we sign you dumb asses up along with those sluttty mc trash cobags Jenna and Laura?
Go jump in a lake you idiot conservatives!
Posted by: Col. Wonderbra at December 12, 2005 04:50 PMWonder Col.bra, nice of you to drop by and spew a little venom. You probably won't return to read this, but there are folks here that have spent a day or two in service and a few days in combat zones. I wonder (no pun intended) what your credentials include?
"...glass whore houses..." You do realize Clinton is no longer in the White House, right?
Gee you even dispensed with the formalities of regurgitating your liberadical talking points and went right straight to the name calling. I see you've been reading How to Win Friends and Influence People. Perhaps you should reread it. I think you misread quite a bit of it.
Oh, well, come again, when you can't stay so long.
Posted by: Old Soldier at December 12, 2005 05:41 PMIt truly is sad that a war hero can forget so completely. He let his partisan loyalty blind him to what he once saw and knew. Sadly, even once great men can morph into cowards.
Posted by: Shoprat at December 12, 2005 06:16 PMThe Senator is wrong, being a war Hero does not make you right all the time nor does it make you a good strategist.
It truly is sad that a war hero can forget so completely. He let his partisan loyalty blind him to what he once saw and knew. Sadly, even once great men can morph into cowards.
Posted by: Shoprat at December 12, 2005 06:16 PM
Shoprat say what you will about his judgement but you have no right to question his courage, Do you even comprehend what it takes to earn the Medal Of Honor? Let me give you a clue it is the only Medal awarded posthumously more than to living recipeints
Posted by: Joe at December 12, 2005 08:23 PMJoe, 2LT Inouye’s courageous actions in Italy during WWII are historic and indeed were heroic as recognized by the award of the MOH. There is no question that he did know what it was ”like to fight a war and put your life on the line every day.” However from the perspective of a 2LT I dispute that he knew ”…what it takes to win a war,…” He understood the application of brute strength and the struggle of individual soldiers on the battlefield, but that is only part of what it takes to win a war. The logistics are almost insurmountable. I doubt seriously that as a 2LT he truly understood that. It also takes tactics at the Corps, Division, Brigade and Battalion levels that are coordinated and synchronized to render the enemy incapable. Those tactics are planned by generals, not 2LT’s. Now to translate his undeniably heroic action into a moral authority in an asymmetrical war of which he has no experience is illogical.
That’s one of my pet peeves about Jack Murtha. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserves a Colonel in 1992. He never commanded a division or corps. He never tactically maneuvered large units in an asymmetrical war. His expertise does not include the experience of the current generals on the ground in the theaters, yet his tactical plan (immediate redeployment) is the answer. Fortunately, the president is smart enough to let his generals run this war and not let the politicians with military experience sway his judgment.
As for this particular advertisement, it was not sanctioned by the president, so to appeal openly to him is to falsely transfer ownership to him. It was a nice try, but the covert objective is out in the open. And the Democratic exploitation of a MOH recipient to deliver the message is also a despicable move on the party’s leadership part. The DNC seems particularly prone to parade their war heroes at times that most suit their purposes. Nice way to honor your heroes; use them for political gain.
My wife has some experience with Alzheimers and she swears Murtha has it. I agree. This is not an insult to a hero, just a recognition of a common aging problem. As far as his plan goes, it sucks tactically speaking. Knowing the terrain is a tenant of warefare. Giving up the ground you own is ridiculous. Overextending your logistics is ridiculous. Disrupting your coodination cells is, well ridiculous. This plan may sound great on paper, but a so did dropping US forces in front of the North Koreans who became a speed bump and were wiped out.
Posted by: Ray Robison at December 12, 2005 10:20 PMOld Soldier,
I agree that is why the first sentence is mine below is what I said at the start of the post:
The Senator is wrong, being a war Hero does not make you right all the time nor does it make you a good strategist.
You hit the nail on the head with the rest of your post however, I have problems with anyone throwing the word "coward" around at anyone and specifically at someone who earned the MOH or any other combat award.
Posted by: Joe at December 13, 2005 03:20 PMJust to play Devil's advocate, I don't by and stretch think that the Senator is a coward, but it is quite possible for a person to change over time.
Someone easily could be both a hero and a coward at different points in their lives.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at December 13, 2005 03:32 PMCY, yes it is possible. If I'm not mistaken there was a well publicized story about an MOH winner (a Marine if I remember correctly) whose action in the Pacific not only won him the MOH, but also a battlefield commission to 2LT. He was returned to the US and helped train up a new unit to deploy back to the Pacific. One the initial assault (on the 2nd deployment) he froze under fire and his sergeant had to take over for him. He was no longer the fearless hero that had received the MOH. I cannot recall a name.
We all change over time, even the fearless heroes will think twice when confronted with danger a second time. Our values also have a tendency to change over time, too; which may be why some war heroes change their values over time.
Old soldier, CY
OK I concur you both have very good and valid points. I watched John Kerry on a news show and realised he is the biggest example of what you are talking about. I still think we should be very carefull using that word about combat VETS though.
R/
Joe
People who live in glass whore houses shouldn't throw stones! He served in a real war, which is a lot more than you pansey ass pussies and Bush. If Bush's war is so justified when can we sign you dumb asses up along with those sluttty mc trash cobags Jenna and Laura?Go jump in a lake you idiot conservatives!
Odds are that "Col. Wonderbra" is a basement dwelling, pimple faced fat kid whose only experience with "real war" is when he conducts "reconnaissance missions" on his sister's "Barbies' Playhouse" with his "GI Joe with kung fu grip".
Posted by: Elephant Man at December 16, 2005 12:36 PMLt. Inouye (now Senator), and the 442 Regimental Combat Team "Went for Broke!"; they
did all of of this while other Americans of thier heritage were incarcerated behind barbed wire. They were robbed of their personal and real property. And when it was all over they all stood in solidarity and pride in front of the Red White and Blue and helped to rebuild America.
The piss-ants that currently run this country, Bush, Cheany, Rumsfield; et.al. should lower their heads in shame when his name is called.
The U.S. has always produced a better soldier than politician for one same reason. The polititician fights for his wallet and the soldier fights for his buddy. May God Bless you Daniel Inoyoue (Medal of Honor) and may God Bless America.
