Comments on: It’s That Time Of Year Again: Wesley Clark Makes A Donkey Of Himself

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:12:22 +0000

I am a currently-serving Navy officer. One thing I have learned in my 21 years of service is that some idiots make it to the general/flag officer ranks. Not every person who pins on a star can be a Colin Powell, Chesty Puller, or Mike Mullen (current chairman of the JCS); there have to be some Wesley Clark’s to keep the Lake Wobegon syndrome from setting it (that is, all above average).
I was personally and professionally offended by General Clark’s remark that Captain McCain’s service as a squadron commander was somehow sub-standard since it was not during wartime. In the armed forces of the United States we all serve WHERE and WHEN we are appointed, with a mandate to do our best whatever the job. We frequently have no choice in the matter. Being involved in a war is mostly a matter of timing and happenstance, not something that we can run to like the most fun ride at an amusement park. During wartime, the general public may see the troops being shot at as the only heroes, but we who are shot at know that the people who order beans, bullets, and bandaids better do their jobs well or our chance for survival goes down quickly. Captain John McCain served as a pilot when that was his lot, and he served as a squadron CO when that was his lot, and I’m sure did both to the best of his ability, as did General Clark.
Now, General Clark, like former soldier Al Gore, has fallen victim to the siren song of the left wing glitterazzi. He has come to REALLY enjoy having his photo taken with the likes of Michael Moore, and will now say anything, including denigrating the service of a brother in arms, to have his photo taken with even more of them.

By: NY-David

NY-David — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:25:14 +0000

PCD,
I didn’t say anything about being a bad choice for president, just noting the lack of it. Unfortunately, the way Clark portrayed it, it drew into quesiton Obama’s lack of military credentials to the fore. Clarke made a badly calculated move in my mind.
As for what the lack of executive experince means, I judge that on the individual and not such a narrow gauge. I believe Lincoln’s only “executive experience” prior to getting into politics was running a grocery store. Yet he continually gets counted as one of the great ones.
NY-David

By: Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:45:39 +0000

Gee San Francisco Liberal, I didn’t realize Clark got shot. But, along the same lines, I’m not sure getting shot in the Butt constitutes “executive experience”. From his comments, I can only conclude Clark did in fact suffer a brain injury as a direct result of getting shot in the Butt.

By: carolyne

carolyne — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:31:55 +0000

I’m glad Clark opened his dumb mouth and it will bring him and Obama down. They deserve the worst for this, and it will do nothing for them – EXCEPT HURT!
YEA, it hurts so good.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:47:12 +0000

#4 SFL that fact certainly weighs in on Clark’s side. But I wonder if he was the kind of Commander that inspired his troops.

By: San Francisco Liberal

San Francisco Liberal — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:16:27 +0000

“You are a total douche.”

—————-

Guy…

How old are you?!? Why can’t you act your age?

We’ve been talking to eachother on this site for more than FOUR YEARS now…

It’s waaay past time you stopped talking to people you don’t agree with like you are twelve years old and have just been huffing paint fumes in your parents basement.

Do I ever call Robert or Pam childish names?

Why do you have to?

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:05:42 +0000

McCain and JFK both put others before self during a time of war. Both men have served their country, both in the military and in the Senate. JFK had held office for 14 years prior to running. He had a record to stand on, rather than a padded piece of paper.

By: PCD

PCD — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:52:56 +0000

NY-David, Um, would you also say a young Lt.(jg) who got his boat rammed and sunk and had no executive experience of any sort, a bad choice for President? If you, did not agree with that statement, you are a hypocrite. If you agreed with that statement, you pissed on JFK.

By: PCD

PCD — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:41:20 +0000

4, yes, this is the same Wesley Clark that almost started a war in Kosovo by trying to attack the RUSSIAN PEACE KEEPERS.

SFL, You are a total douche.

By: San Francisco Liberal

San Francisco Liberal — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:18:37 +0000

I don’t know much about Clark, either. Did a quick search and found this bit rather interesting…

—-

Wesley Clark was given command of A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division in January 1970.

In February, only one month into his command, he was shot four times by a Viet Cong soldier with an AK-47.

The wounded Clark shouted orders to his men, who counterattacked and defeated the Viet Cong force.

Clark had injuries to his right shoulder, right hand, right hip, and right leg, and was sent to Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania to recuperate.

He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the encounter.