Don’t worry
Don’t worry ’bout that leg, son. It’ll grow back.
(George W. Bush)
picture: dunno source, via our lolcat builder. lol caption: flingdecow
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first.
Truth Hurts…Deal with it.
This may sound callous, but why should I be subtly manipulated to mourn for our military when the people who sent them to war don’t give a rats anything about them in the first place.
I would much rather the war didn’t occur in the first place…but I suppose we need something to stimulate/crash the economy…
I think this one is funny and represents Bush’s duplicitous attitude…
What an accomplishment
Inappropriate.
wow, this is really uncalled for.
sad, but true.
Your saying this was a real conversation between Bush and this soldier? Can I get a cite?
I think he’s referring to the general attitude of this administration towards wounded soldiers: http://spaman.newsvine.com/_news/2008/06/30/1626137-us-military-demands-bonus-money-back-from-soldiers-with-arms-legs-blown-off
They didn’t fulfil their contracts, so they have to give back their bonuses.
In any case, I don’t think this is something to joke about.
Even if the comment was about the Army requesting money thats not the presidents fault anymore then the weather is. It’s not appropiate.
wow. way to exploit an injured soldier, just for the sake of makin a snide comment.
And liberals are the drama queens?
Yes, they are.
Just look at the BAWWing over that Obama cartoon in the New Yorker.
That cartoon is a jab at the right. The liberal rag is painting us racists. Typical left wing tactics. I have seen/heard very few right wingers say things leading to that cover, however, I’ve seen/heard plenty of lefties saying we do. This only ‘proves’ that we’re racists.
Indeed, it’s meant to be an attack on the Right.
That’s why it’s so funny watching the leftists complaining about it.
Except that only shows that it is working. Either way it pulls things away from the real issues. Not that those were really being discussed much. Per request I’d like to show you some pictures of Nancy Grace’s twins now….
… I’d like to know who keeps sending her e-mail asking to see the twins, wtf.
You haven’t heard many right wingers spreading any of the lies that are being lampooned in that New Yorker cover? Really?
Because I’ve had at least half a dozen E-mails suggesting that Obama is a Muslim (despite the fact that he’s not) and I’ve seen repeated racist jibes at his wife (such as calling her his “baby mama” despite the fact that his children were born in wedlock) from the right wingers such as Fox News.
John McCain came out today saying that he thought the cover was inappropriate. Just saying…
What I got out of the picture was that it was actually a stab at the right. I thought it was trying to make a point of showing the underhanded tactics some (not all, I refuse to generalize) conservatives have used in painting Obama as a terrorist for their own political gain. I guess the Obama campaign didn’t feel the same way though.
Whatever the intent of the satire though, I don’t think the New Yorker should apologize. Controversial political satire has been a mainstay of this country’s history since it’s inception. Like it or not the things illustrated in that picture have been major issues in the campaign thus far and because I value free speech (I am a liberal after all) I feel the New Yorker had a right to print it.
“I value free speech (I am a liberal after all)”
What!?
hoo, boy….
Jane, this was the intent of the picture. I do not think it is the mainstream conservatives that are spreading these types of nefarious rumors. There are responsible conservatives, just as there are responsible liberals. Chuck Hagel and Joe Lieberman, for example. The cover of the NYer was trying to slam those that would spread these rumors. Even though some of the things presented have some distant cousin in fact. Obama is not Muslim, but he did attend a Muslim school. The Obama’s did used to do the fist bump thing at his rallies until, Obama decided that it presented the wrong image. And Michelle has come across at various times as militant and devisive. The part I think is over the line is that flag burning on the fire and the pic of Bin Laden. I do not see how either of these things are coming from and have not even heard the rumors that these two elements came from. Now that I have defended Obama, I need to go wash my hands.
Well, like I said, “some” conservatives. There are people that will say all liberals do or think this way, just like there are people that will say all conservatives do or think this way. I’m not one of them. As to the picture, well I’m unsure of what the burning flag was supposed to represent, but my guess on the pic of Bin Laden is that it is a reference to the tactic of playing on Obama’s name, showing how similar “Obama” and “Osama” were to each other, and so on.
Darn it, I forgot to make the point that it is sad that we have gotten to this point in the country where a picture like this, trying to slam Obama’s opponents, is met so roughly. The media (comedians, news sources, etc) are so afraid of saying something “wrong” or “offensive.” I do not know how they sleep at night or how much metamucil they must be taking in order to loosen themselves up.
Hey, I think we’re agreeing on something. We should up our agreement percentage to 12% of our total arguments.
Next time you’re dictionary-ing, check up on the word “rhetorical.”
Wow… this is in really bad taste. How disgusting.
That is so bad, it’s good.
Thanks for making me laugh and then feel guilty about it.
My thoughts exactly.
Total garbage. You do not use wounded servicemen to make your humor. It is sick and disgusting.
It’s just the Liberals “supporting the Troops”- in their style …
Should we put a magnetic yellow ribbon on it? Would that make it count more as “supporting the troops”?
It´s better then doing this.
More like dont worry son, ive still got both my legs.
I vote for this replacement caption.
… it’s supposed to be better somehow?
Since you can’t see his right leg I don’t know if he has lost it, but the right hand is fake. Either way, it is in rather poor tastes.
I agree, but don’t you mean his left hand and leg?
Dang. Yea my mistake.
That makes it doubly funny – Bush Jr. can’t tell the difference between an arm and a leg…
No, you can’t tell the difference between humour and stupidity.
Evil Pundit Pounce!
I think it’s great. And it’s something I can see Bush actually say to someone. LOLZ
Really? You can see Bush actually saying this to someone?
Maybe he can. Lefties are pretty stupid.
Seriously, you have a lot of anger. Chill.
Dude, not cool. I’m left handed…
Yeah, me too! WTF is up with insulting lefties!
Wait a second…this is kinda old…
Seriously. fun Fact: statistically, left-handed people are, on average, smarter than right-handed people.
Fun Fact #2: Left handed people have a shorter life expectancy than right handed people due to accidents involving equipment designed for right handed people
Really? I mean I hate Bush’s policies but for Gods sake I don’t think he’s a monster.
I think the families of civilians who went to work in Iraq for Halliburton and KBR and were killed needlessly would disagree with you.
Really? Cause you iknwo instead of devilizing him I think ´What if he went home that night and cried?´
Instead you like to vilify him, But wait am I seeing any pictures of Barak meeting the soliders? Oh no… nope none.
It seems that all you people make the same ignorant assumptions that if someone is criticizing Bush, then they automatically support Barack. All politicians are lying crooks, but just keep arguing amongst yourselves; it’s exactly the distraction they need. . .
Oh, and “using” wounded soldiers to show the failed policies of the politicians that are at fault for their status is the only effective way to do it. All of you people who are cringing at the “bad taste” of this image should really question your support of the pointless war that put them in that position.
. . . Just like Americans to not want to face the negative effects of your actions.
You know me so well, cept you don´t.
My gosh
´Just like americans blah blah blah´
What an ingnorant statement. I know you´d change that if you took the oppurtunity to get to some on a personal level, and not the ones drunk on vacation walking the streets and acting like idiots.
Its precisely because of losers like you who think the war is pointless that tie up the hands of the politicians and military from properly executing a war.
The worst part of it is that you were probably one of those people who supported the war to begin with, but as soon as the going got tough you “became enlightened” and realized that GW Bush actually misled you.
You talk about facing the negative effects of actions…. well apparently you have no desire to think about the negative consequences resulting from a premature evacuation of Iraq.
Well, Barack is soon departing, if he hasn’t already, for trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, that include meeting with soldiers, so you can’t criticize him for that.
I agree that this lol was probably not in the best possible taste. However, the overwhelming negative consequences of this war have been dancing naked in front of the Bush administration for quite some time, and yet he and his administration insist things are all going swimingly, so I doubt he goes home and cries at night. I think this lol is pointing out to the way the goverment is treating our troops, as disposable pawns. If they weren’t leaving veteran’s hospitals with bills they can’t possibly pay for injuries they recieved serving their country, I could be more generous with bush, but the troops are, and that is the saddening reality.
and this I agree is in pretty bad taste.
So… it’s not okay to make fun of how little this administration cares about veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan?
Poor, poor taste… I guess I’m going to hell, though, because I thought this was hilarious!
Poor taste. I vote for a recaption.
Agreed. My SIL is at Walter Reed now watching these kids come home every day missing some part of their previously whole bodies. It’s not funny to them.
Okay, with this caption I was definately NOT trying to make fun of injured veterans. The opposite, infact. Bush seems to have very little idea just how serious things are for the people who actually have to fight his war, either that or he just doesn’t care. He has also shown insincerity and a complete lack of understanding of real human suffering in the past.
He is also thick as pigshit, and I would not put it past him to actually believe that amputated legs would grow back. So even *IF* the soldier in the picture has lost a leg (I don’t know), it’s still making fun of Bush, not him.
You are an idiot.
Ad hominem fail.
But that’s okay: I’m sure you have an American Flag bumper sticker and yellow ribbon magnet, thus alleviating you of any responsibilities. Bully for you.
Whereas wonky liberals like me would rather see our forces treated with dignity and respect, not blown to ribbons for a campaign of profiteering and ineptitude. I’d rather our troops be here in case we need them.
Yep, your the smart one, you got it all figured out.
Oh really. And that means *SO* much coming from Pundit Kitchen’s very own Retardo-troll.
ReTrolldo?
I wonder how fast the war would end if Bush’s daughters came back from Iraq in a casket or without a limb?
Cheers to you flingdecow for posting this caption. I get your point. This not meant to ridicule, it’s meant to make a point. I have a feeling that the yellow bumper sticker people are the ones are offended by this post because you have illustrated a truth that hurts. It’s not the caption that is “offensive”, it’s war….a war that yellow bumper sticker people proudly support. I find it interesting that the yellows who support the war, that made this man lose his leg, think that it’s insensitive to talk about it. You know what I find offensive and insensitive? Sending this man and others to war.
Dillhole, we talk about the war all of the time. We talk about wounded soldiers all of the time. We do it on this site. We just do not think it is a subject for humor. I disagree with many of the intelligent comments I see here, but you are truly a low-grade dumbass.
I wonder who ties your shoelaces for you.
I bet your parents were the hippies that spit on the returning Vietnam wounded soldiers…..
Yo Fling,
When is the last time you saw Obama greeting the wounded troops? As I recall from the previous visit to the middle east the asshole walked right by the enlisted soldiers and into the officer’s tent. They invited Obama to visit the troops in the hospital and he declined their offer. Can you believe it? He instead told his advisors he wanted to go workout at the gym.
Listen you fuckin idiot. You have no clue what you are talking about. Repub or Democrat, it doesnt matter what ideology you support but you damn well support the troops. I would to love the slap the stupid from you but it would be a lost cause.
How did this make the front page? I am so offended! I am the mother of 4 soldiers and this is so offensive. Good thing they are out there fighting for your right to take this picture of a wounded soldier and the President and make light of this soldiers tragedy and the President’s showing hime honor….You should be ashamed:-(
You say it like their defending America from invasion.
fail.
It doesn’t matter what they were doing – they are soldiers and they have to do what they are told, no matter what they think about it. That’s why you can support the troops without supporting the war.
> You say it like their [sic] defending America from invasion.
How much tim do you think our enemies would take to decide whether to invade us if it weren’t for the brave soldiers like Ms. Sus’ four sons, huh? They defend America EVERY DAY, whether you see it on the front page of the NY Times or not. You should be eternally grateful, lolo, that there are courageous individual who HAVE (pardon me, Ms. Sus) the BALLS to do the job of defending ALL this great nation’s citizens, including those lacking the intellect and courtesty of appreciating it.
Thank you for your love and devotion to your children. You must have done something awesomely right to raise 4 children who love this nation enough to give their lives for it!
Um, wow. These moderators will put anything that makes Dubya look like some kind of monster on the front page, even if it is totally disrespectful to the veterans.
Can we just rename it ObamaFanclubKitchen already?
bush is what makes bush look like a monster.
LL – word.
Amen!
Right Nathan, because whatever irrational neo-con trolls might want to think, I HIGHLY DOUBT Obama would approve of this lol (or most on here for that matter).
He would approve, he just wouldn’t admit it.
I am no fan of Obama, but I do believe he would think this to be in bad taste.
I wonder how many people laughing have taken the time out of their lives to go down and shake hands with to personally thank our wounded veterans?
I wonder how many people getting all offended on the veterans behalf have taken the time either.
Apologize, perhaps?
probably none that need to better their public image after causing the problem in the first place…
I thought it was pretty funny.
There’s an absolutely remarkable supply of people here who don’t at all seem to be aware of the fact that these fools are getting injured because their monsterous government’s sent them somewhere they don’t belong. Yeah, yeah, yeah, the glorious heroes got wounded during their hostile invasion of a country – an invasion based upon total lies – where, oh, where are these awful weapons of mass destruction? Oh! I know! The american warmongers gots ‘em!
If your country would pause for a moment and put a tiny bit of thought into the possibility of NOT making it their policy to make the whole world their enemy…. hmm…. let’s see…. could be that you wouldn’t have to send your butchers into hostile environments in the first place.
…
Of course, that’s the point, isn’t it? You can’t POSSIBLY justify invading another country if you haven’t made an enemy of them first.
Your anger should be at the government, not the soldiers. The great majority are not fools or butchers, they are young men who have been forced into an awful situation.
The majority of my anger is, indeed, towards the government – but there’s also a share to be had for those who make the poor decision to join the military of a warmongering government. I grant that they’re doing their duty as they see it, but the sad fact of the matter is that they’re doing the dirty work of a power hungry, unscrupulous, dishonest, dishonorable, and flat out evil leader.
I mean, if I lived in Germany around the time of WWII, even if I felt like serving in the military, I wouldn’t join their armed forces – I would NOT willingly get blood on my hands in the name of evil.
For the record: I would like to point out that measurable number of those who sign with the armed forces of the US come from educational, economic, and regional classes that are impoverished and undereducated. They don’t join because they agree with the current presidential/congressional/governmental unit of your choice agenda. My cousins and my brother could all give a rat’s @$$ about government policies.
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/militaryrecruiting2007
They joined because the Armed Forces offer a steady paycheck and opportunities for education, home ownership, etc that they would never have had otherwise.
Thanks for comparing our current situation to Concentration camps and Ann Frank Scenarios, you truly are a historian for making good comparisons between wars. It is rediculous how people can´t see how much our government hates everyone and loves money and thinks their is a race of perfect man.
Oh wait…..no bad comparison, you fail.
“Thanks for comparing our current situation to Concentration camps and Ann Frank Scenarios, you truly are a historian for making good comparisons between wars.” — You are a fool! ** Did you even bother to read what was written. Or did you comment without thinking?
… The person was refering to Joining the German ARMY! … Hallo!
Direct quote: “… If I lived in Germany around the time of WWII, even if I felt like serving in the military, I wouldn’t join their armed forces – I would NOT willingly get blood on my hands in the name of evil.”
How in god’s name can you take that for Anything to do with Anne Frank?!
~ Readickulous *
* And yes that name is supposed to be misspelled…
One question: Why is it that any moron with a computer will pretend to read something, and become all “offended” for the sake of “being patriotic”? ** I loathe fools!
Nope sorry, still read it over, whatever meaning you meant to convey you did something else. I guess i´m in the huge pool of fools that think your reference to nazi´s of world war II, I´ll read a third time just to make sure.
Nope meaning is still the same. You still fail.
And what country are you from? I´m in Europe Currently and have met at least 15 different people from 15 different countries. I´ve asked them ´hey what do you think about the US´ other then saying they don´t like bush, they generally like us. Its funny how on the internet everyone claims that the US is hated, yet here I am in Southern Spain for a month and a half (in a non tourist city mind you) seeing millions of different nations, and I have yet to be treated poorly based on being American. Even when I say ´I´m American´i still don´t get bad remarks.
I don´t know who you people are or where you are from but honestly, their aren´t that many countries that hate us. They just aren´t found of our government. Most of the countries that hate us now have hated us for a long time.
if you would have lived in germany during those times, the nazis would have
killed or convinced you.
the political opposition was eliminated during the “night of the long knives” in 1934. hitler got rid of his political and social enemies. they were all send to dachau. above all, he used the burning of the Reichstag (which he ordered) as an excuse to negate the constitution and . without the constitution, serious oppositions and the reichstag, hitler had “carte blanche” to realise his plans.
how could all this happen?
- the “forced” democratic government had no real power ans was unreliable
- high unemployment
- no democratic tradition
- world depression
- and the “rat catcher of hameln” hitler who promised a country where milk and honey run in rivers.
all those factors together benefited the rise of hitler, who was smart enough to use the failures i noted above. after his takeover, he had several years to manifest his power and spit his poison. the people followed him blindly (because of his “social politics” and the new jobs he “created”) or were just forced to follow him (headword: SA/SS).
for anybody who took the time to read my words:
you see … things were not so clear and easy in our black history.
I didn’t think so many people would miss the point of this.
Which is what? Bush is a clod & a supreme doofus (the obvious)?
Spare the soldiers who are broken a joke aimed at Bush, but at their expense. It’s offensive to limbless soldiers. They don’t grow back.
That is the point!!! They DON’T grow back!! Okay it’s dark humour, but the whole situation is fukkin’ dark.
And for the record, if a soldier has had to endure being sent to Iraq, AND he’s lost a limb, I doubt very much he’d give a crap about something like this.
Yeah, they give a crap, flingdecow. They give enough of a crap they are willing to fight and die so others can be free. I think you should request this be removed and you owe an apology. I just don’t know how you can apologize to all those who think YOU are important enough to fight for.
they “fight and die so others can be free”…???
You’re…. man, you are just SO frickin’ STUPID.
…
A: They’re not fighting and dying so others can be free, they’re dying so that powerful, corrupt people can just get more powerful. They’re being used to help evil people become even more obscenely wealthy.
…
B: If the american murder forces were not currently occupying iraq after their bloody invasion, ya know what? …. I’d still be just as free as I am right now.
…
C: If it weren’t for the fact that so many fools are dumb enough to join the military of an evil government, then they wouldn’t posess enough military power to be able to go out and make all the effort they currently put into making enemies – ergo, there wouldn’t NEED to be so much fighting and dying.
Sheesh. Stop starting wars and your young fools will stop having to die in ‘em.
Yeah, screw those foolish dumb murdering troops.
You, sir, are a heartless prick.
hey man, have you ever even given a single thought to anyone besides yourself?
A: They’re fighting to secure freedom and security for the Iraqi people. Not for oil, or whatever other shit you’ve got yourself believing.
B: What would happen to your security and freedom if all those terrorists (oh, I’m sorry, ‘freedom fighters’) decided they’d had enough of the west, and came over here and killed another couple thousand people?
C: I hope to god there’s a draft. Just so you can be one of those young fools. There’s only one way to stop wars: kill everyone who will harm your country. End of story.
Openly admitting you don´t know anyone hurt like this. You have the freedom of speech, learn to be responsible with it, you have no right to comment critically on a solider or situation you have no relation to.
On the contrary. If you reside in America, you have *EVERY* right to comment critically on pretty much ANYTHING, including soldiers.
However, *OTHER PEOPLE* have *THE SAME RIGHT* to call you a dumbass or to make fun of you or to calmly refute your claims.
Your right you do! thanks for abusing the right.
Can rights be abused? Serious question.
Serious okay… If it comes out as an attack thats my fault, I like serious questions.
I do think so. I do think rights can be abused. Free speech has been one of them. Protesting at a soliders funeral like the WBC does. I think they have no right to do that, to me it is just as bad as hate speech. Also, the person, calling (this is not the current adminstraiotn but in general) the USA a horrible nation of killers and evils, and you live in that nation, I feel that is abusive since their are a lot of countriess where if you talk down about it you will be straight up killed for it. Kim jong ill, Chair mao, and a host of others will just up right kill you. you have ALLL the right to say what you want about the current adminstration, but it´s been said 1000 times, and we all know he´s not coming back. So while staying critical is good, consistent mockery only has ended up dividing more.
Thanks for saying serious question, that made my day, you probably will but just for sure I want this to be a debate, not a mud slinging contest, I´m 100% sure you agree.
And even the Supreme Court admits that there are limits to free speech. “You cannot yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded movie theater.” (unless, of course, there is a real fire.)
First of all, Steve, I agree that there are exceptions to the rule when safety is concerned, such as “fire” in a theater or “bomb” at an airport. That’s not what I’m talking about here.
I agree that the WBC is reprehensible for what they do. If I were there, I would go give them a piece of my mind (but I would not physically attack them — that is exactly what they want so they could sue me and get money). However, I believe that they have a right to be there. Their right to speak should not be limited just because it’s a funeral, provided they are not trespassing or breaking any other laws in doing so. (btw, I thought you right wingers didn’t agree with there being separate “hate speech” laws — which I kind of agree with). Anyway, I agree with (Voltaire?) who said something like “Sir, I find what you say reprehensible, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I don’t think that *anything* (within the aforementioned limitations) should be off-limits. It’s not my right not to be offended.
I also disagree with your “horrible nations of killers and evils” thing. What other countries would do to you if you said that is not at all relevant in my opinion. Again, I would err on the side of allowing more speech, than repressing speech.
Protesting at soldiers’ funerals is horrible and I would never do it, but I believe that it should not be forbidden. Is it OK to praise soldiers at their funerals? Is it OK to *SARCASTICALLY* praise soldiers at their funerals? How do you tell the difference?
I also appreciate that we can (occasionally) have a serious discussion here.
You make some excellent points. However, this is a normative argument about what should or should not be. Not about people’s rights. I believe that this pic SHOULD not be, that that it cannot be. Just like I believe that the WBC SHOULD not protest at soldiers funerals. Not that they cannot. I also disagree with hate speech laws and laws that add aggravations to crimes. Murder is horrible no matter what, I do not think the motivation for murder matters all that much. Especially when its application is biased at best.
I read this subthread to be about rights, not about a normative argument.
I did to…..I don´t know where steve is coming from.
While voltaire´s philosphy is noble, I´m not quick to agree with it completely, yet again I won´t disagree with it. I´ve heard it before but now I feel like thinking about it.
The problem really is that their is no happy middle ground. Your either free to say whatever you want and it can get out of hand, or you are forbidden of speaking your mind and you are under a dictator. I´ll admit I´m a little dillusioned because I want there to be a happy middle ground so bad but it just doesn´t exist…..sigh……
Oh horrible nation of killers
I just completely disagree with that statement. It´s like they´´ve completely ignored all the nice people they´ve met and assumed that the world has gone to shit and everyone in thsi nation likes guns and likes shooting people. The few idiots that get that kind of media attention make the rest look bad.
How is other countries without the rights we have irrelvant to the arguement? It´s not, they are an example of why you should cherish your right instead assume that you should automatically have it causeyour a human being….crap that does open up a pandoras box, but honestly I see our rights more as priviledge, not things giving toyou just because your alive.
That’s a common “problem” with rights. There *IS* no happy middle ground. They don’t generally allow for easy arguments either way.
I completely disagree that our rights are privileges. They are categorically NOT privileges. They are *RIGHTS.* Privileges are given by authority figures, rights are inherent. If it’s a privilege of free speech, then it can be taken away on a whim. That is NOT what the founding fathers intended.
Oh horrible nation of killers… you’re correct, they (who is “they” anyway? Is this actually a quote from someone?) HAVE completely ignored all the good things the people of this nation have done. However, they are free to do so, and you are free to correct them by making fun of them or by calmly refuting their claims.
I don’t feel that other countries enter into it because we’re talking about the Constitution of the US here. Why should I care that you’re not allowed to dissent from the Gov’t Line in North Korea or Cuba? I’m not there. I hope that someday NK and Cuba WILL have the same rights as we do, but that is not my direct concern.
I like what you had to say, but I do’nt know what your talking about when ti comes to separate hate speech, can you explain that one to me? (seriously i don’t know)
Trainwreck, you mentioned hate speech above on 7/16 at 12:06am. I was responding to that. But anyway, in some circumstances, a crime can be prosecuted with enhanced penalties if it included hate-related motives. Like burning a cross on a black person’s lawn would probably result in more than just simple arson charges. Beating up a gay person *because they’re gay and you don’t like gays* could result in enhanced prosecution for a hate crime, whereas if you beat up a gay person because you wanted their wallet but didn’t have anything against gays, you would have a normal prosecution for assault.
I’m not a lawyer, and I’m probably getting this somewhat wrong, but that’s the way I understand it. I have thought the issue all the way through, but in general I don’t think I agree with any kind of “hate enhancement. A crime is a crime and should be dealt with as that crime, regardless of motive. On that note, there are so many laws on the books already, it is almost never needed to pass a new law criminalizing some kind of behavior. What is really needed is to enforce the laws that are already on the books, or else get rid of the la (which I don’t think happens often enough).
Well, this message is getting to be more of a pointless ramble than a response to you, so…
Oops, that should be “I *haven’t* thought the issue…”
and “la” near the end should be “law.”
I wish the posting system here were more robust, I can’t see half of what I type, , can’t preview it before posting, and can’t edit it later! Argh!
Gotcha, I know what hate speech is, I just didn’t understand the reference toward it and conservatives so I was confused.
Best conversation i’ve had yet. Thanks.
How is this a joke at the soldier’s expense? I really don’t get it. The joke is clearly about Bush’s and his followers’ utter disregard for the wellbeing of the forces. They use even the most stupid justification why it is not that bad and anyway really not their fault.
If you are worried about the soldiers – and you have every reason to be – ask why they are in the mess they are in. They are losing life and limb because the American public has played a practical joke on them by supporting a pointless war. The REALLY sad is that this could happen again after the experience with Vietnam, where soldiers were first used and then left by the wayside.
Exactly.
THANK YOU!
It is strange all these commenters desperately getting on their high horse about a joke they don’t even understand. Is it guilt maybe – for voting for this guy in the first place? Twice?
you miss the point a long time ago. Do you even know a solider in real life, that has seen action and talked to you about it? If you did you learned nothing from talking to them.
Do you even know how damaged theses soldier’s are from what they have had to face?! How damaged their soul’s are from the horror’s they’ve seen of this war in Iraq? Or do you just not give a rat’s @$$?
That MUST be it! You just don’t care that these brave people had to suffer for NOTHING!
People Like You Make ME Sick!
All they ever do is “justify” the war, and the soldier’s pain and suffering by Claiming “it’s for all our American Freedoms”.
Bull! Bull$h!t…
We are less free today, than before we Invaded IRAQ who:
1.) Never even had ANYthing to do with 9/11!
2.) Never had any WMD’s!
And still people make-up lame excuses for our soldier’s being sent off to Needlessly Die! It makes me want to vomit!
And… What the ‘ell about the terrorists? What about Bin Laden? Remember him? The Mastermind of the Great American Tragedy: 9/11. Has Bush found, and stopped him? NO! He’s too garsh darn busy invading Iraq, and fighting a sensless war paid for with american blood, and american money.
Actually I´m kind glad I get under your skin
And yeah dude, I do, I´m friends with family who lost their sister in Iraq, if I can remember correctly, the first solider to die in Wisconsin. I´ve seen it.
Honestly, yeah it tough to see, don´t act as if I have no feelings when I see this. I´m still considering joining the military, and I´ve thought to myself ´what happens if my leg gets blown off´or even worse if I die.
If a person signed up not thinking those things through, I´m sorry that isn´t my fault, nor yours.
Lastly, it´s a voluteer army. To say you did it only for the money and didn´t expect to fight at some point or another…..yeah……..I really don´t know the answer to give to you.
I´m glad I riled you up, and I´m glad I bugg you a little bit, but I am sorry I let my feelings and emotions get to this point in just arguing that is my fault and I´m sorry.
I still disagree with you.
It’s amazing what the Left media in this country leave out. Two weeks ago 500 metric tons of yellow cake that was found in IRAQ, showed up in a Canadian port after the Canadians purchased it from the United States.
Seems there were some WMDs anyway.
WilliamCA
I would love to know more about this…
My first google attempt only yielded recipes for delicious yellow cake. However, using the news tab rewarded me with this link.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107ap_iraq_yellowcake_mission.html
People are stupid sheep. *sigh* What can I say?
Not all people. Only Democrat voters.
it is just sad. the veterans are coming home without their limbs and some jackass is making a joke of it. ok .. the head of your president is maybe full off rockwool to keep his eyes where they are but please don´t try to make fun of the wounded.
those poor lads get shot or blown into pieces. they come home without legs/arms and after all, they have to face the rehab at walter reed.
parts of the hospital are very old and it was planned, to abandon certain buildings. but due to the shortage of beds and the never ending tides of wounded, the government had to maintain some of the old and rotten buildings. at least i read that in an online article (washington post).
and it is logical – there would be no need for people to raise money, if everything is ok.
after that wr-odyssee, many veterans are being released from the hospital and the military service as well – armies don´t need soldiers with prosthesis. now those lads have to find a job and start a new life. i think that is not very easy. my hope is, that they all get the help needed to rebuild their lives.
in short: make fun of your president, the clintons, karl rove, obama and mccain. but don´t use the veterans for such purposes! they are suffering enough.
If it means anything I didn’t take this as a jab at soldiers, but rather, at Bush. And I thought it was funny.
Another person with a brain.
… who sees the suffering of soldiers as mere fodder if Bush can be attacked.
This just shows that not even humor is exempt from the sick hatred of the liberals. The soldiers on this site see this for what it is, another stab at us for being soldiers and at our commander in chief for doing the right thing. You make up your lies about WMD and pretend you matter. Next time you are up north please ask the Canadians where they got that 550 metric tons of yellow cake. Please also explain to me the thousands of arty rounds loaded with WMD recovered by our soldiers in Iraq. Stick your heads back in the sand and let us do our job.
Okay-Are you saying that the entirety of the Liberal party had a conspiracy to cover up the discovery of WMD in Iraq, and it *worked*, despite a President and major companies that really wanted to find it? Please explain how that could be possible. Where were the massive announcements? How could something like that be significantly covered up under those conditions?
I still don’t see a viable line of reasoning to state that this is insulting to soldiers, especially when the poster said that it wasn’t meant to insult soldiers, but to suggest Bush has no idea what the soldiers in Iraq are going through. As well as just being a buffoon in general. The only even-remotely-possible lien of reasoning I see is to suggest, through Bush’s stupidity, that the soldiers are also morons for following him, which has a huge amount of flaws in it, and is a stretch in the first place.
um… “major companies” wanted to find yellow cake, Gracie? Um…. yeeeeeaaaaaahhhh.
Kinda funny how you gloss over the fact that 550 TONS of the stuff had to be removed….
I was referring to WMD. And maybe “Major companies” was a bit much, but I would imagine it would give a lot more room to manouver.
My brother is currently serving in Iraq. He is in the hospital right now with a concussion and shrapnel wounds down his back. They are not serious wounds and he is looking forward to being discharged and getting back to his unit. He has been in the military for ten years and volunteered to transfer to a unit going over there so that he could support his fellow soldiers. He is also a proud liberal the same way my father who served in the army for 23 years is a liberal and my brother who was a medic is a liberal. Why don’t you think before you stereotype next time.
We have yellow cake? And the Democrats covered up the wmds?
I have to rate you good sir with the other nut jobs who think 9/11 was the work of the government. Its kinda scary how people actually believe this kind of shit.
Shadow, as a soldier and father of a soldier, I take this as a stab at soldiers.
not so much a stab as simply Not Giving a Damn. Who care about the soldier, as long as one can stab at Bush.
This is absolutely disgusting. Using injured soldiers and fallen soldiers to fuel your political views is just morally wrong. My brother was killed in combat last April and this is absolutely insulting to anyone- families, friends, who have been injured or whose lives have been devasted by this war.
Politicians like Bush are the garbage of the universe, cesspools of human beings, they deserve any negative feedback and then some. Leave the soldiers out of it. Most of them are just trying to do their job.
“This is absolutely disgusting. Using injured soldiers and fallen soldiers to fuel your political views is just morally wrong.”
If anything, its actually 100% morally right. Directly due to the actions of Bush et al, the man in the photo has been seriously injured. People should see just what happens to the poorly paid men & women out on the front line, while our rich elected leaders fly safely around the world in their private jets.
Despite the fact we have disagreements on the president, most of us from both sides see this as rediculous. This may be a sight for humor, but it´s not 4chan, or site for completely irresponsible mockery. I´d rather have 1000 pictures of ´Something wrong with this corn´then EVER seeing this. Fling, you really biffed this one in trying humor.
I´m sure barak would find this rediculous. Probably even Nacy polosi or Ted Kennedy even. You did no one any favors by making this.
flingdecow – It seems as though there is no middle ground with regards to the emotions your caption stirred up! I grew up in a family of Marines and my brother and my father both thought this was funny as they saw and understood the humor behind it (or at least their interpretation of the humor behind it). It seems very clear that it is NOT a jab at the soldier, but rather a jab at the proven ignorance of good ‘ole ‘Dubya’. (I really don’t think many could argue his ignorance and those that can… well… that’s a different topic) Do I think you should apologize? My opinion – absolutely not. Perhaps some should take ownership of their emotions and understand that not everyone is going to be politically correct; that humor takes many forms and sometimes – sometimes, you may not like what someone else says or does.
Thank you. It was starting to bother me a little that I’ve offended so many people without meaning to. But maybe that’s just what happens with some jokes. Some people will get it, and some won’t. It was never meant to be a comfortable caption.
I’m going to stop commenting on this thread now. But for the record I am totally on the soldiers side. They are brave men and women, who serve their country and then are tossed aside and ignored by an uncaring government.
“But for the record I am totally on the soldiers side. They are brave men and women, who serve their country and then are tossed aside and ignored by an uncaring government.”
And made fun of by morons like you. YOU are the one tossing them aside. What have YOU done for them other than make fun of them.
You are a pile of crap, not even fit to be in the same room with that man.
Oh, come on! He said repeatedly that he wasn’t making fun of soldiers, and nobody has yet detailed a sensible line of reasoning that would suggest this was making fun of soldiers.
So, want a Soldier’s perspective? All of you on here seemingly are asking for it.
I hate the comment and I find it offensive. Sadly, freedom of speech is something we have in this country.
I have all my limbs, and have to go back in six months, so hopefully I’ll have all my limbs when I return.
Oh, I’m Republican and still would vote for Bush today. But, I’ll be voting for McCain in the fall, along with any other Republican I can vote for.
“So, want a Soldier’s perspective? All of you on here seemingly are asking for it.”
No, not really. The fact that you are affected by something does not make you an expert. Sadly war does things to people and does not usually bring out the best in them. Soldiers in many cases sacrifice more than limbs and physical health and even if the machismo that comes with the uniform does not allow to admit that, the emotional sacrifices many soldiers have to make are the tougher ones. If history has shown us anything it is that most veterans who have seen combat and all the pain and suffering pay a price sooner or later.
In a few years the war will be over, for better or worse, but your memories will still hount you and this country has a cruel way of dealing with that… by ignoring it and offering you neither help nor understanding. We have a great deal to learn from the Europeans when it comes to war. Never start a war lightly, but if you do, own it.
By the way… the latter is what I take away from the caption: the US is good at sozializing the gains of a war, but privatizing the losses.
i found a striking citation in one of my books.
“Der Krieg hat einen langen Arm. Noch lange, nachdem er vorbei ist, holt er sich seine Opfer”
translation:
“The war has a long arm. Long, after it is over, it still gets its victims.”
(Martin Kessel)
I hope, that the society will take care of the maimed.
Ok, this PoS post is still here. Time to report it to the news agencies and spread the word on the internet about what the people here think of our solidiers..
You are an idiot.
I can see the headline now “JOKE IN QUESTIONABLE TASTE MADE ON INTERNET, LEADS TO FLOUNCING, TEARS.”
All these Republicans disgust me, desperately casting about for something that will make Democrats in general look malicious, even if it doesn’t make any sense. They don’t even bother trying to explain how it does, since they know it’s hopeless.
Please note that this post was not serious. Please do not take it seriously.
I hope the soldier, his family and friends see this and they can somehow sue punditkitchen. Disgusting!
Another website that will rally the people behind McCain! Voters just don’t go for this stuff but some liberals can’t understand that and help motivate the enemy.
Like General Betrayus ad did.
Can someone *please* explain how this picture is making fun of soldiers?
No, they can’t.
So… it’s better that the “LOL” is merely exploitative and callous? Do you you enjoy AIDS jokes, too?
Better?? This joke being ‘better’ than another joke is not the question at hand. The question Ben asked was if someone could explain how the caption was making fun of soldiers. I responded with, “no, they can’t.” Nothing was said about anything being better. As I stated earlier, “It seems very clear that it is NOT a jab at the soldier, but rather a jab at the proven ignorance of good ‘ole ‘Dubya’.”
This is inappropriate and not funny.
But I felt the need to mention that I read somewhere they’re finding a way to regrow limbs?
What happens to soldiers in wars is terrible, it’s ALWAYS terrible. NOBODY is debating that. This was clearly meant to show the complete and utter disregard the current government seems to have for those who are fighting. It in NO WAY makes fun of soldiers, or even disrespects them.
We KNOW they get hurt, we KNOW they’re brave for risking their lives defending the country, whether they agree with the war or not. This isn’t about whether WMDs were actually found, or if the war is “technically” maintaining freedom or not. None of those things are the point. The point is that soldiers keep being told they don’t get to go home yet, keep getting sent back into fighting with injuries, have their tours extended without notice, get their bonus money taken away, don’t get benefits when they return, and above all, are being killed.
If anything, the poster actually respects the troops MORE, because he doesn’t think what’s happening to them is right, and he’s going to show that in a way that gets people’s attention.
The only thing that comes to mind for me, is MASH. I’m sure people felt the same way when they thought a “sitcom” was making fun of their current situation in Vietnam (even though it was about Korea). The whole point of MASH was to use dark humor to show the severity and seriousness of war; ANY war, be it Korea, Vietnam, or even Iraq. I feel that that’s exactly what this picture does, and I don’t think the author needs to apologize, or that the legless soldier’s family should somehow sue Punditkitchen for demonstrating free speech.
It’s okay to be angry, that’s how you’re SUPPOSED to feel about war.
Bump.
Well articulated.
The thing you are missing, Jordan, is that M*A*S*H* is a work of FICTION. This is a real soldier and the real president. There is plenty of other fodder available to use to make fun of him if you feel the need. There is no reason, or excuse, for using the soldier as a vehicle for humor. None. And none of your talk of freedom of speech or spin about how the asshat that created this is actually more of a patriot will change it. I know he will not apologize. Liberals never do. Not Jesse Jackson, not Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barney Frank, Gray Davis, Chuck Schumer, or any of the rest of them. Apologies are for the weak, right? The fact of the matter is that Bush was doing something every President has done for every war, battle, and incursion we have ever fought: visit a soldier wounded in combat. So do we give him credit for actually doing something right? Of course not. That would be asking too much. Instead we use the event to make more fun of him. And to boot, we tarnish what was probably a pretty cool experience for this soldier. So, as you can see, Bushie is in a position where no matter what he does, you vultures on the left are going to go after him. And if you were in his position, why would you listen to anyone like you? There is no making you happy. I know it, you know. We know you hate him. We know you wish he was dead or had never been born. We know you all wish Gore and/or Kerry had been elected. We know you think he is evil incarnate. We know this even though, until now, no one had used a picture of him with a wounded soldier to make the point. So, what new message has this sent? None. Do we know more than we knew before? I agree that some insensitive bastards may have gotten a cheap laugh from this. But I think that is sad. This is not the right picture to make the point. He made a mistake. I do not hate him for it, but I do have less respect for him. He should apologize because, and I know this is a foreign motivation to most liberals, it is the right thing to do.
You’re welcome to consider pictures of wounded soldiers something above being used for jokes against Bush, but you still haven’t given a reason why everyone else should as well. This is akin to criticizing a joke made with a picture of Bush at any non-parliament-related public event (There are quite a few of the “Look at me, I care” variety. Not saying it’s a bad thing) as using said event to make fun of him.
Completely tasteless.
Not true, tastes like chicken.
How is apologizing the right thing to do?? Because some of you have a complete misunderstanding of the JOKE and an unwillingness to look at it from a broader scope? Wow – you guys need to lighten up.
I think YOU guys should apologize to the sticks up your asses.
The joke has been made a hundred times with only debate arising. The issue the joke, in this case, using a wounded soldier as a vehicle to convey the joke. So, here is the stick from my ass to your mouth. Maybe that will shut your ignorant mouth. Just because one is looking at something more broadly (which I am sure a broad like you has no trouble doing), does not mean that you are looking at it in a superior way. Try looking at a virus in a broad way. Some things deserve a more focused analysis. Especially when the issue a picture wounded Soldier being visited by the President is used as a vehicle for making fun of a President. Even if the President deserves it. You can look at the big picture all you want as you clearly have no critical eye. How does the stick taste?
Wow, aren’t you filled with warm fuzziness, Steve! My father and my brother have both seen this picture and they both see the humor involved – they are MARINES! Please don’t presume to know anything about a “broad like me,” Steve, as you don’t. And guess what? You shouldn’t look for me to respond to your nasty, offensive comments… you shouldn’t look for me to cry and demand that you apologize because you said something to me that I didn’t think was very nice (though, I admit – I love the way you used the stick comment, very nice
) But.. do you see how that works there?
Talk about me all you want…I am open to it and accept it as the price of being on the board. But I have not sacrificed in the way the soldier in the picture did. I did not presume anything about you. When I am gathering an opinion based on your words, that is not a presumption. I am not asking you to apologize. If I was, you would know it. You are not the person that put up the pic. I am not telling you what to think is funny or not. I am asking the dingleberry who posted the pic to apologize. I am asking you to respect the soldier in the picture. I thank your father and brother for their service to the country. They, as servicemen, have earned the right to laugh if they want, in my opinion. I see where the poster is coming from in trying to be funny. The same type of joke has been made a hundred times on this site and has not garnered nearly the emotion that this one has. Why? It is not because of Bush or because it is not true, it is because most of us here believe that we should leave the soldier out of it. I am glad you appreciate my joke, but you did not answer the question: What’s it taste like? My bet is roses or maybe honey. Probably honey.
You make an interesting point, Steve (re: the usage of a soldier to get a laugh); I admit I hadn’t looked at it that way, but after thinking about it and probably spending entirely too much time talking about it with my co-workers and family, I still fail to see why the chosen vehicle is so offensive to you. I’m not attempting to be difficult – I just don’t understand why it has spurred so much anger. The comment/joke/punchline/humor is directed towards Bush and his ignorance. Racial jokes, no matter which group is in the punchline, are funny (Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Carlos Mencia, etc have proven that time and time again). This really is no different than that. As you, I respect that soldier immensely as he has performed a duty that I have not. I have no idea how roses taste, but come now… the stick from your ass couldn’t possibly smell like roses, much less taste like them (or honey for that matter).
Hey, Bushie is fair game all the way, I may disagree with some of the things said in here, but it would never offend me in any real way. My point is that there are SO many other pics and topics at our disposal that could be used to make fun of him. Using one with a wounded soldier is unnecessary. And the vehicle for the joke, by way of the words put in Bushie’s mouth, is the soldier who has lost a limb. Not funny. So we have unnecessary and not funny. And offensive to most people here, including me. Mostly because it is unnecessary and unfunny. It is like listening to someone who absolutely must curse all of the time. Not just times when emphasis is desired or when a bad things happen. All the time. It is unnecessary and does not add anything to the art of…wait for it…punditkitchen. (sorry for comparing it to art).
Will this site not allow you to post a comment if it has a URL in it?
Though I suppose if you’re seeing this and not my comments with URLs in them, then my question is already answered.
Kevin, I have posted links, but I find it easier to post something under my name and e-mail and tell people to click my name.
I have to say, this is pretty tasteless. Whether or not you like Bush, these men and women are dying for you. Sometimes a joke just isn’t appropriate, no matter if you are free to say it or not.
I agree. I think the point a lot of us are making is that whether we like Bush or not, I could give a darn. I do not see anyone defending the ear of corn this way. I would prefer that we leave pics of wounded soldiers to be sacred. Something has to be sacred, and I would prefer that pics of wounded soldiers be on that list, whether or not Bush is in the picture.
I think the point is that they are not dying for any of us but for Bush’s ambition.
I´ve met a lot of soliders, not one believes they are doing it for that reason.
Yes… does that make you sad, too?
No, I think what they are doing is noble and right, just like the people who they interact with every day believe so when they give them compliments, go up to them and thank them for their service, and ask them not to leave them.
Why do you automatically think that your perspective is better then the soliders? serious question, looking for an explanation, not an attack.
My original reply was to the claim that those men and women are dying for me – they are not. There is no logical scenario that is consistent with generally accepted facts that could be interpreted that way. Neither my freedom nor my well-being rests on the war in Iraq. Iraq was never a threat to the US and even if Saddam had weapons of mass destruction there was no conceivable scenario that he could have used them against the US or shared them with anyone who would.
The least far-fetched interpretation is that soldiers are dying for the Iraqi people and its freedom. However I have ethical issues with this kind of unsolicited liberation, particularly if it is poorly planned and executed so that as a result 100.000s have died.
I do not see my point of view as inherently better than that of the soldiers with a similar level of education and information on these issues. I am pretty sure that such soldiers by and large agree with my opinion on these issues – quite a lot of retired generals have expressed similar views.
On the other hand I object to the idea that soldiers any more of an idea of the situation than anybody else, as a few commenters have argued. Soldiers have a clear selection bias as young people who join the army have preconceived ideas about the war and its justifications. Those who object to it will hardly join the forces. Once joined and risking life and limb in a war that is or is not justified they are highly unlikely to change their opinion, as it would deprive them of more or less the only thing that makes their plight worthwhile – the idea that they are serving for a higher good. It is hard to live with a suspicion that you may have to die, just because some moron wanted to impress his daddy.
I can see your point that dying in Iraq has no direct seen effect on our rights and liberties being protected, and it´s fine to stand on that side of the line, no worries I can see why you think that way, but you make the assumption that their victory (or defeat) will have no effect on rights in the future. This is something you do not know and while assuming it does is equally unknowning I´m proposing a stance in the middle, which is finish the job and come home. I do not want us to invade Iran in this presidency. I would be very much against that unless they literally pointed Nukes at the US.
I don´t like what you had to say at the end, because that is a complete generalization and you know better then to do that. I won´t go into personal stories of soliders and why they joined.
Lastly, even if they went to the same schools you did for education, and had the same information, many of these individuals grow up completely different from you. The goal is to first listen to where the person comes from, and then make the judgement of what you think your view is. Because I grew up 30 mins outside the most segregated city in the Northern US, with a murder rate higher then Chicagos, I have seen racial issues, I have been invovled in voluteer issues and so on. I say all that to say that someone who has grown up in a town where racial issues are no present probably doesn´t have the perspective or understand that I do, but while that is a guess, it is not a judgement and I go and talk to this person about the issues I feel informed on. Once we have a long talk about whatever issue we feel is important I either inform them about thing sI know, they inform me about things I don´t know, or we both find middle ground and continue to make a stronger bond. That comes from sit down conversations, which I KNOW you´d agree that such things are a rarity and need to happen more.
I´m smiling, I dont know why!
Thanks for sharing that. It is a feelgood. Now, shut your mouth and get back to slamming the douchenozzles.
Just kidding. That is a valuable perspective.
I get the joke, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t completely tasteless and offensive.
The crocodile tears and mock outrage on behalf of the soldier is a red herring. People are just playing dumb, they’re well aware that this picture highlights the blasé attitude of the Bush administration to the welfare and proper use of the armed forces. The backlash comes from people’s own guilt at voting in an administration with such complete contempt for the military.
So why do so many soldiers re-enlist? And why do so many soldiers vote for Bush?
You’re an idiot.
So why do the vast majority of Americans disapprove of Bush and his administration? Are they stupid? Why do you hate America?
Bush supporter chant:
More war, less jobs! More war, less jobs! More war, Less jobs!
Oh yeah, you have it all figured out. We’re all so glad that you’re here to grace us with your incredibly original a political analysis and deep social insight.