Richard "Moonbat" Belzer and the War

Actor denigrates American troops as "uneducated and uninformed

Published on March 23, 2006 By Rightwinger In Politics

Actor Richard Belzer, Det. John Munch of NBC's "Law and Order--SVU" seems to know more about the war in Iraq than the young men fighting it. See the link for details.

Belzer says American troops who say they "support the mission" are simply "uneducated and uninformed" 19- and 20-year olds "who are only in the service because they couldn't find a job". He said he's so much better informed because he has time to read 20 newspaper a day. Good for him; "money for nuthin' an' yer chicks fer free". Probably starts with the New York Times, I bet.

What a putz...I always liked "SVU", too, but now that I hear this, I just might stop tuning it in.

Comments (Page 3)

Locamama

on Mar 27, 2006

The VA says a veteran is someone who served in the active duty armed forces and was discharged as anything except dishonorably. My husband's grandpa can receive VA benefits and he was booted out of the army during WWII because he got pneumonia.

Texas Wahine

on Mar 27, 2006

Davad:

Very good observation Tex.

Thanks.

drmiler: Technically, yes, from the day a service member joins up, they are part of the military and "serving". Our disagreement of terms comes from the context in which we are discussing service.

When we're talking about what a service member knows and can glean from his or her situation while stationed in a combat zone, a former service member who did not graduate basic training and go on to deploy to a foreign country is not going to have that inside perspective that a battle-hardened Marine or Soldier would.

Am I making that distinction clear? Technically, you are correct. In this context, though, the definition of service is different.

Dr.Guy:

Tex, I missed that thread, but thanks for a good laugh! You enjoyed that did you not?

Glad I could be of service (apologies for the pun!). Hehe.

Rightwinger:

Yeah, thas was pretty god, Tex. But I don't think I, personally, ever said that the guys over there were "uninformed". I simply think they know more about their own situation and surroundings than we do here, getting the skewed Party Line from assholes like Belzer, Zogby polls and the MSM. Apparently, to some, I'm giving them too much credit for being there when we're here.

I tried to be careful not to say that YOU had argued that (that's why I said "generally" and "righties"). Your main beef on that article was the photo, and I don't believe you argued that service members aren't capable of making recommendations, although many "righties" either outright stated or implied that.

And no, Tex....no offense. I agree with you.

Glad. I wasn't trying to belittle your aims or your actions, but rather make that distinction between garrison and combat zone.

I very much appreciate DRM's view, and thank him for it, but I never really got to serve my country, much as I wanted to.

Many people say the would serve, but never even try to enlist. Others claim they ARE serving by contributing to the economy or placing yellow ribbon stickers on the back of their vehicles. You actually enlisted and went through the mini-hell that's required to become a Soldier with the intention of serving our country in whatever manner was asked of you. I respect that immensely.

Locamama:

If you'll read what started this line of discussion (davad's comment), I think you'll better understand the difference we're talking about. This has everything to do with context.

Rightwinger

on Mar 27, 2006

As I said before, I'm sure the soldiers who are serving in Iraq are very grateful to have your help "defending the country" by blogging.

---davad

I've been meaning to reply to this, but kept forgetting. Sorry.

Well, the way I see it, many of them probably DO, or would, appreciate guys like Shadowar, for example, who write about the positives of the war as they see it.

People like me can't really be there to "support" the troops per se, but we can prop them up here at home. And, when the troops log onto the net, they can come to sites like JU and see that, no matter what they hear and read from the MSM, not everyone back here thinks their mission is an utter failure, and that we should just cut and run. Some of us really DO support them and what they do.
Why do you think the USO used to have these big, patriotic "Support the Boys" shows and rallies on the Homefront during WW2? To show them that the people at home were behind them. It's the same idea, davad.

davad70

on Mar 27, 2006

When I was a soldier (or if I still was)these things didn't matter to me;

People back home putting a flag on their porch.

People back home putting magnets on their cars.

People telling all their friends they support the troops.

People writing blogs, articles.

Welcome home rallies.

Politicians who say they support the troops, but send me in harm's way without the training and equipment I needed to do my job.

What did matter to me;

The respect of my fellow soldiers.

The respect and support of my friends and family.

People back home voting for representatives who gave me what I needed to do my job.

Rightwinger

on Mar 27, 2006

People back home putting a flag on their porch.

People back home putting magnets on their cars.

People telling all their friends they support the troops.

People writing blogs, articles.

Welcome home rallies.

Politicians who say they support the troops, but send me in harm's way without the training and equipment I needed to do my job.

--davad

That's you; you're one person.

What did matter to me;

The respect of my fellow soldiers.

The respect and support of my friends and family.

People back home voting for representatives who gave me what I needed to do my job.

---davad

True enough. But, if I were your brother, say, how would you know I respect and support you unless I advertise it somehow? Like putting my flag out, or wearing a pin, or maybe putting a magnet ribbon on my car, all to let others know that I'm proud of my brother and what he's doing for me and you?
I could send you ten thousand goody boxes, and support you that way, yes, but intangibles do count for something, too.

So, from this, though, I can infer that, if you aren't related to or know me personally, my support for you doesn't count, then?

davad70

on Mar 27, 2006

That's you; you're one person.

I've never claimed to speak for anyone but myself. That's why I used the word me.

True enough. But, if I were your brother, say, how would you know I respect and support you unless I advertise it somehow? Like putting my flag out, or wearing a pin, or maybe putting a magnet ribbon on my car, all to let others know that I'm proud of my brother and what he's doing for me and you?
I could send you ten thousand goody boxes, and support you that way, yes, but intangibles do count for something, too.

I would think my brother could tell me that he was proud of me, and spend the money for pins, flags, magnets, etc. on something he or his family needs.

So, from this, though, I can infer that, if you aren't related to or know me personally, my support for you doesn't count, then?

No, in all honesty, it wouldn't really matter to me. I don't, and never have lived my life for anyone other than my children, my family, my friends, and myself.

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