December 29, 2010
R. Lee Ermy Rips into the Obama Administration
I'm starting to think the character of Gunny Hartman wasn't that much of a stretch to play. He's no fan of the Socialist-in-Chief, and flat out states that Obama's goal is to bankrupt the country.
"...We should all rise up and stop this administration from what they're doing because they're destroying this country. They're driving us into bankruptcy so they can impose socialism."
I'm not sure where he's raising troops, but listening to the crowd, he's still one hell of a recruiter.
Let's begin with an acknowledgment that he is correct in his observations about Obama -- but it strikes me as inappropriate in this venue of an event focused on a Marine Corps sponsored program (Toys for Tots) with uniformed Marines on the stage. It just isn't the right time or place to go off on the commander-in-chief.
Now maybe I'm being over-sensitive in thinking that, but it just strikes me as problematic. Of course, others may 9and likely will) disagree, but I grew up in a military family where we were always told that the civilian command authority was to be respected any time the uniform was worn or the official imprimatur of the military was upon an event.
Posted by: Rhymes With Right at December 29, 2010 10:11 PM"I'm starting to think the character of Gunny Hartman wasn't that much of a stretch to play."
I'm going to guess that you don't know very much about Sgt Ermey's background. Playing Gunny Hartman wasn't a stretch at all for him. R. Lee Ermey is really a Marine and spent time as a drill instructor at both Parris Island and San Diego. Kubrick gave him free rein during filming of Full Metal Jacket, which is why Gunny Hartman seems so authentic. Ermey retired as a Staff Sergeant in 1972 due to permanent medical disability. He was promoted to the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant in 2002, in recognition of his support for the Armed Forces in general and the Marine Corps in particular.
Dude's a combat veteran and a Marine to the core. Ain't nothing phony about him.
Posted by: wolfwalker at December 29, 2010 11:27 PMGo Gunny go!
Posted by: Tim at December 29, 2010 11:39 PMThe Gunny represents the Corp, but is not active, and therefore is entitled to vent his spleen, even the "Gunny" is honorary, he retired just below the rank iirc. I wondered about him showing up on the Geico commercials if they went with him to try and offset the leftist fool they fired. . .
I see him do the ads for Glock as well, but when I've see him shoot not in any ad, but either of his shows, or a hunting program or two, he more often than not is using a 1911.
Posted by: JP at December 30, 2010 05:34 AMI saw it the other way, RWR. I had the same gut reaction, but then I realized that Ermey wouldn't do this on a whim. This was Ermey saying what the vast, vast majority of Marines believe, but are unable to say.
This was a wakeup call from the corps to the administration.
Posted by: Phelps at December 30, 2010 11:51 AMAlso, since conservatives give significantly more to charity, this was also pandering straight to the target audience.
Posted by: Phelps at December 30, 2010 11:55 AM
