Dems and the military service issue

[Value Buy]

Is anyone else tired of the Dem attack against the Romney family of men never serving in the military?
So Mitt and his sons never served in the military.
Barack never did, and it was not an issue for them.
Heck, Barack's father was not even an American citizen.
Not an issue fro them.

Is this just another red herring issue?
Yes, I know, there is the issue if you or your sons, never served, how as commander in chief can you send other citizen's sons and daughters into harms way.............

[TonyTiger]

Personally, I am not aware of any attacks on Romney, et al, by the Democrats, concerning military service, or lack thereof.

Do you have a link to something mainstream and credible that might be of some help in understanding this?

[billisonboard]

[TonyTiger]

Oct 19, 2012 9:47:19 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

"...if you or your sons, never served, how as commander in chief can you send other citizen's sons and daughters into harms way..."

American history demonstrates a mix of veterans and non-veterans, as CiC, during wartime...

With respect to MAJOR wars...

Revolution - N/A - no President existed yet.

War of 1812 - James Madison - never served

Mexican-American War - James Polk - state militia - no combat

American Civil War - Abraham Lincoln - state militia - no combat

Spanish-American War - William McKinley - Civil War combat veteran

World War I - Woodrow Wilson - never served

World War II - Franklin D. Roosevelt - never served

Korean War - Harry S. Truman - WWI combat veteran

Vietnam War
- John F. Kennedy - WWII combat veteran
- Lyndon B. Johnson - WWII Navy veteran - no combat
- Richard M. Nixon - WWII Navy veteran - no combat

Gulf War - George H. W. Bush - WWII combat veteran

War on Terror (Afghanistan, Iraq)
- George W. Bush - National Guard - no combat
- Barack Obama - never served

More details available on Wiki, at...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_by_military_service

[billisonboard]

So they didn't join the military, that is their decision. I just find the "One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president" comment Romney made in discussing his son's lack of military service disgusting.

[TonyTiger]

Oct 19, 2012 10:35:02 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

So they didn't join the military, that is their decision. I just find the "One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president" comment Romney made in discussing his son's lack of military service disgusting.

I'm not sure I'd call it 'disgusting' but it certainly did not sit well - trying to equate mere Political Campaign Stumping with Military Service.

But I can understand why the guy did it, I think: he was being pressed about it by a newsie laying a well-considered trap for him and he had no choice but to fall into the trap and to take the extra strokes on the hole - playing the hand he was dealt.

In my book the guy gets kudos for Grace Under Pressure, but then gets it taken away for trying to equate one with the other - so it's a wash - especially in light of the perceived 'setup' that he was dealing with.

But I could be wrong... ;D

[Icelandic Woman]

I find it very interesting that nobody has brought this up.
Back when Mittdickulous was in college he was in protests SUPPORTING the Vietnam War and SUPPORTING the draft for that war and then turned around and evaded his own draft by using an exemption given to Mormons so he wouldn't have to serve himself. So he was all for sending young men into that conflict as long as he didn't have to go himself. Ass!!!

[b2r]

Check Out the Odd Questions Whoopi Goldberg Asked Ann Romney Regarding the Military and Her Faith


ABC’s “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg called into question Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s lack of military service, asking his wife Ann whether it was because of their Mormon religion.

In an appearance broadcast Thursday, Goldberg said that if Romney were first lady, she would at some point speak to “mothers whose children are coming home in bags … from wars.” Goldberg then said, “I believe your religion doesn’t allow you to go fight.”

Romney responded that that was incorrect and that there are “many members of our faith that are serving in the armed services.”

Here, Goldberg got to her real question.

“I say that because when I read about your husband, what I had read, and maybe you can correct this, is that the reason that he didn’t serve in Vietnam was because it was against the religion,” Goldberg said.

Romney shook her head to say that, too, was incorrect; she said it was a different kind of mission her husband was serving, and one her sons have taken on as well.

“He was serving his mission,” Romney said. “My five sons have also served missions. None served in the military, but I do have one son that feels that he’s giving back to his country in a significant way where he is now a doctor, and he is taking care of veterans. So we find different ways of serving, and my five boys and my husband who did serve missions, and did not serve in the military.”

---------------

Bringing the conversation back to how Romney would speak with mothers whose children did not return from war, Goldberg asked how she would respond to them knowing her children hadn’t served.

“I would say that it’s probably the hardest thing that a president and a first lady probably do is to comfort those that have lost a loved one and have gone in harm’s way,” Romney said, noting that her husband went to every funeral for fallen soldiers in their community when he was governor of Massachusetts. “Of course it’s hard. I don’t think any of us can understand the sacrifice that are being made by families.”

Watch the clip from “The View” with this exchange:




www.theblaze.com/stories/check-out-the-odd-questions-whoopi-goldberg-asked-ann-romney-regarding-the-military-and-her-faith/

[Value Buy]

Oct 19, 2012 9:49:29 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Personally, I am not aware of any attacks on Romney, at al, by the Democrats, concerning military service, or lack thereof.

Do you have a link to something mainstream and credible that might be of some help in understanding this?

CBS Sixty Minutes tried the gotcha moment with the interview with Mitt's sons, asking why none of them ever served.
Last night, I was channel flipping, hit MSNBC (YES, I am like that fly attracted too close to the flame of the burning candle) and Larence O'Donnel was besmirtching not only, mitt, the boys, but Mitt's father and grandfather for never serving in the military.
He was even blaming Mitt for the sins of his grandfather for moving to Mexico so he could live with his multiple wives.......decades before Mitt was born.
Red Herring.....I wonder how it tastes with cream sauce?

[Icelandic Woman]

From an article at:
www.freewoodpost.com/2012/06/07/mitt-romney-i-was-too-important-to-go-to-vietnam/

Mitt Romney: “I was too important to go to Vietnam”

Monday, at a press event in California before the GOP primary in that state, former Gov. Mitt Romney was asked about his support of United States military involvement overseas. He was pleased to answer the question, however after his response, his answer to a follow-up question regarding his four deferments from the Vietnam War did not please onlookers, especially veterans.

The next question asked went as follows, “Governor Romney, it is true, is it not that you had four deferments from the Vietnam War… You have said before that you support war and the efforts of US military involvement overseas at all costs, yet you made sure you would never go to war yourself. What makes you think that veterans and those currently serving in the military think that you have their best interests at heart when you yourself weren’t even interested in sacrificing your time, energy, or life for your nation at a time when it seemed most crucial?”

Romney responded:

“That’s a good question, young man, and I would be happy to answer it. The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would one day serve my nation. That I would one day hold an office that would help not only our nation, but also the world. So I did what I could to make sure that I would be around to serve my nation, as well as serving God by teaching very important religious principles to a broader audience overseas. My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service.”

[TonyTiger]

And here's a link to a June 5, 2012 HuffPo article on the subject of Romney's Vietnam-era draft-deferments, missionary work, changes in perspective from pro-War to anti-War, on the part of Romney Senior and Romney Junior, etc...

www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/mitt-romney-vietnam-war-draft_n_1571288.html

[weltschmerz]

“That’s a good question, young man, and I would be happy to answer it. The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would one day serve my nation. That I would one day hold an office that would help not only our nation, but also the world. So I did what I could to make sure that I would be around to serve my nation, as well as serving God by teaching very important religious principles to a broader audience overseas. My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service.”
----------------
Yowza!! In other words, "I didn't want to die, so I spent my time ramming Mormonism down the throats of the French".

[Deleted]

Wasn’t Mitt doing his missionary work in France in the late 60s, and writing love letters to his then girlfriend (future wise) Ann Davies, in the sand. There is a fairly widely circulated pic of that out there.

In any case, this really will not, or should not, get much traction. It is not as if Obama is some Military brat who was an Operation Desert Storm hero. So it’s a wash…best to steer clear of this. As far as his five sons are concerned, we are not electing them, nor are they avoiding any draft by asking for deferrals and going off to do their Mormon missionary work in Bermuda or some such place.

[Icelandic Woman]

Hi welts!!! ;D

And this:

The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans.

Yea and none of the other young men that went and fought for their country had other plans. Hypocrite!!!

[cme1201]

What makes you think the military conflict "not" war was crucial?

Yea and none of the other young men that went and fought for their country had other plans. Hypocrite!!!

There is nothing hypocritical about that statement. His father convinced him that he had a higher calling in life than to serve in the military, something that their religion pressed upon. Romney could have served as a Chaplin who never set foot on the land of Vietnam, or he could have followed the path he did.

These questions are never asked of our resident CiC. He could have served in either Iraq or Afghanistan, before moving into the big house, how is he not a hypocrite in your eyes?

[Icelandic Woman]

Oct 19, 2012 11:46:38 GMT -5 cme1201 said:

What makes you think the military conflict "not" war was crucial?

Yea and none of the other young men that went and fought for their country had other plans. Hypocrite!!!

There is nothing hypocritical about that statement. His father convinced him that he had a higher calling in life than to serve in the military, something that their religion pressed upon. Romney could have served as a Chaplin who never set foot on the land of Vietnam, or he could have followed the path he did.

These questions are never asked of our resident CiC. He could have served in either Iraq or Afghanistan, before moving into the big house, how is he not a hypocrite in your eyes?

He is a hypocrite because of this as I posted previously:

Back when Mittdickulous was in college he was in protests SUPPORTING the Vietnam War and SUPPORTING the draft for that war and then turned around and evaded his own draft by using an exemption given to Mormons so he wouldn't have to serve himself.

Oh and no I don't think Obama is a hypocrite because he did not use 4 deferments to avoid serving during a draft. The draft was not in effect when Obama was of military age.

[b2r]

Meanwhile back in Joe's world:

Biden How Many Know Someone Who Served In Iraq And Iran



Notice how fast Harry's arm shoots upward.

[cme1201]

Oct 19, 2012 11:16:40 GMT -5 Icelandic Woman said:

From an article at:
www.freewoodpost.com/2012/06/07/mitt-romney-i-was-too-important-to-go-to-vietnam/

Mitt Romney: “I was too important to go to Vietnam”

Monday, at a press event in California before the GOP primary in that state, former Gov. Mitt Romney was asked about his support of United States military involvement overseas. He was pleased to answer the question, however after his response, his answer to a follow-up question regarding his four deferments from the Vietnam War did not please onlookers, especially veterans.

The next question asked went as follows, “Governor Romney, it is true, is it not that you had four deferments from the Vietnam War… You have said before that you support war and the efforts of US military involvement overseas at all costs, yet you made sure you would never go to war yourself. What makes you think that veterans and those currently serving in the military think that you have their best interests at heart when you yourself weren’t even interested in sacrificing your time, energy, or life for your nation at a time when it seemed most crucial?”

Romney responded:

“That’s a good question, young man, and I would be happy to answer it. The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would one day serve my nation. That I would one day hold an office that would help not only our nation, but also the world. So I did what I could to make sure that I would be around to serve my nation, as well as serving God by teaching very important religious principles to a broader audience overseas. My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service.”

www.snopes.com/politics/romney/vietnam.asp

You have fallen for an internet blurb that has zero basis in reality.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

My wonderful DH is currently deployed to Afghanistan.

When he first joined the military, President Ronald Reagan was his Commander in Chief.
He has also served under President Bush, President Clinton, President Bush, and President Obama.
That's 5 Presidents, so far.... time will tell to see if he ends up still serving under a 6th Commander in Chief.

I once asked him if it mattered to him if the President had military service. His response? No.

He was more concerned with how the President treats/respects the military as opposed to those who had participated (voluntarily or otherwise) in the military.

[Icelandic Woman]

Dem, if it was just a satire and not true I do apologize. But the fact still remains that he supported the war and the draft and used 4 deferments to get out of serving himself.

[Deleted]

Oct 19, 2012 11:37:54 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

“That’s a good question, young man, and I would be happy to answer it. The Vietnam War came at a time in my life when I had other plans. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would one day serve my nation. That I would one day hold an office that would help not only our nation, but also the world. So I did what I could to make sure that I would be around to serve my nation, as well as serving God by teaching very important religious principles to a broader audience overseas. My father did not want me serving, and he convinced me that yes, I was too important to go to Vietnam. I had a greater purpose in life. I wasn’t neglecting my nation, but rather preparing myself for a future of service.”
----------------
Yowza!! In other words, "I didn't want to die, so I spent my time ramming Mormonism down the throats of the French".

[Deleted]

That statement about Romney saying he was "too important" to serve almost had me.... but I don't think the person who posted it noticed that the website had a disclaimer that you had to open to read; it is actually a satirical news site, similar I suppose, to The Onion:

Whew!

[Icelandic Woman]

Oct 19, 2012 12:24:22 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Oct 19, 2012 12:20:41 GMT -5 Icelandic Woman said:

Dem, if it was just a satire and not true I do apologize. But the fact still remains that he supported the war and the draft and used 4 deferments to get out of serving himself.

IW-
I'm sure you didn't notice the disclaimer, and said so in my post. I almost missed it too, and would have if not for a reader comment right below it.

I'm not sure that his true feelings were/ are too far from that, but that is speculation on my part. In any event, the statement itself is satire.

And I do agree, he comes from the Bush/ Cheney Chickenhawk wing of the GOP.

Thanks Dem! My friends call me Icey. ;D

[workpublic]

biden used deferments as well

[Gardening Grandma]

Mitt has stated that he chose to serve his church instead of military. He's also stated that he wanted to go to Vietnam. Like so many other issues, he's contradicted himself.

What annoyed me was Mrs Romney, on The View, equating Mormon missionary work with military service. How many Mormon missionaries come home in caskets, or without body parts?

I have no doubt Mitt would send OTHER people's children into harm's way without a second thought.

[Tennesseer]

Oct 19, 2012 13:14:45 GMT -5 workpublic said:

biden used deferments as well

Biden's son Beau has served in the military including Iraq. Have any of Mitt's?

[Gardening Grandma]

Oct 19, 2012 13:14:45 GMT -5 workpublic said:

biden used deferments as well

Biden received student deferrments - unlike Mitt, he did not join Pro war protests. Mitt was all FOR the war; just not actually serving himself.

[TonyTiger]

Rich-boy draft-dodging during the Vietnam War timeframe was simply seen as that... rich-boy draft-dodging... not well-received by the Plebs... then or now... regardless of what side of the aisle they're struttin' nowadays...

[workpublic]

i was 15 when the war in vietnam ended, 13 when the US involvement all but ended. there was no way I would have gone and all of my friends felt the same way. not fighting in vietnam or joining the military isn't an issue for me. i'm anti war.

[djAdvocate]

Oct 19, 2012 9:47:19 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Is anyone else tired of the Dem attack against the Romney family of men never serving in the military?
So Mitt and his sons never served in the military.
Barack never did, and it was not an issue for them.
Heck, Barack's father was not even an American citizen.
Not an issue fro them.

Is this just another red herring issue?
Yes, I know, there is the issue if you or your sons, never served, how as commander in chief can you send other citizen's sons and daughters into harms way.............

did Obama bring this up?