Andy Rooney: GIs not heroes (Oh really, Mr. rooney)

WorldNetDaily ^ | 04/12/04 | WorldNetDaily.com

[coffeebreak]

CBS "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney says its wrong to portray U.S. forces fighting in Iraq as heroes, claiming they are not all "gladly risking their lives for us sitting comfortably back here at home."

In a recent column, Rooney writes, "Treating soldiers fighting their war as brave heroes is an old civilian trick designed to keep the soldiers at it. But you can be sure our soldiers in Iraq are not all brave heroes. …"

The commentator says a reporter should ask soldiers in Iraq to answer these five questions:

Do you think your country did the right thing sending you into Iraq?

Are you doing what America set out to do to make Iraq a democracy, or have we failed so badly that we should pack up and get out before more of you are killed?

Do the orders you get handed down from one headquarters to another, all far removed from the fighting, seem sensible, or do you think our highest command is out of touch with the reality of your situation?

If you could have a medal or a trip home, which would you take?

Are you encouraged by all the talk back home about how brave you are and how everyone supports you?

Claiming U.S. military personnnel are just ordinary people, Rooney writes, "Our soldiers in Iraq are people, young men and women, and they behave like people – sometimes good and sometimes bad, sometimes brave, sometimes fearful. It's disingenuous of the rest of us to encourage them to fight this war by idolizing them. We pin medals on their chests to keep them going. We speak of them as if they volunteered to risk their lives to save ours, but there isn't much voluntary about what most of them have done. A relatively small number are professional soldiers. During the last few years, when millions of jobs disappeared, many young people, desperate for some income, enlisted in the Army."

The longtime CBS curmudgeon points to the military suicide rate as evidence many soldiers don't want to be serving their country in Iraq.

"One indication that not all soldiers in Iraq are happy warriors is the report recently released by the Army showing that 23 of them committed suicide there last year," Rooney says. "This is a dismaying figure. If 23 young men and one woman killed themselves because they couldn't take it, think how many more are desperately unhappy but unwilling to die.

"We must support our soldiers in Iraq because it's our fault they're risking their lives there. However, we should not bestow the mantle of heroism on all of them for simply being where we sent them. Most are victims, not heroes."

[coffeebreak]

No Andy Rooney, we pin medals on their chests because they ARE heros. Time to retire Mr. Rooney, you're becoming senile.

[Captainpaintball]

I have discovered the secret to a long life span. The more full of $h!t you are, the longer you live. That's why Rooney and 'ol Ted the Swimmer still walk this earth.

[coffeebreak]

According to Rooney, if you serve in the military, and are deployed, you are a victim. What an outrageous comment to make.

[socal_parrot]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;s=heroes

[antaresequity]

"We must support our soldiers in Iraq because it's our fault they're risking their lives there.

Classic 'Cake and eat too' BS...

I am for the troops...I love the troops...but I hate the administration blah blah blah...

Go away forever Andy...

[Just Lori]

Are you doing what America set out to do to make Iraq a democracy, or have we failed so badly that we should pack up and get out before more of you are killed?

Do the orders you get handed down from one headquarters to another, all far removed from the fighting, seem sensible, or do you think our highest command is out of touch with the reality of your situation?

If you could have a medal or a trip home, which would you take?



Can these questions be worded any more slanted? Hey Andy! Does it occur to you that your brain is out of touch with your mouth?

[Kirkwood]

Trying his best to become the most despised person on broadcast television. I'll bet he tortured animals when he was a child just to see the reaction.

[smoothsailing]

When it comes to Rooneys, I'll take Mickey.

Sadly, Andy is unworthly of the Rooney name.

[brewer1516]

Mr. rooney is a corn encrusted turd, as evidenced by the tapered cranium, fecal-like complexion, and that fresh from the colon warmth.

[coffeebreak]

I searched on 'Rooney' and didn't find anything current. Oh well, it's still a very interesting subject. Not all FR visitors will have seen the earlier posts.

[Waco]

Morooney,,,, screw em

[Mr. Mojo]

I have discovered the secret to a long life span. The more full of $h!t you are, the longer you live.

Seems that way sometimes, doesn't it? ....And if that's the case the whole 60 Minutes crew will be around for another 60 years.

[farfromhome]

I liked him better wen he was a cranky old man complaining about trying to open bags of potato chips, child proof caps, etc.

[joyce11111]

That old coot should be retired, and, soon!

[joyce11111]

That old coot should be retired, and, soon!

[thegreatbeast]

Absent in this article is the word duty. It is not in Rooney's vocabulary.

[LdSentinal]

I wonder if Andy Rooney feels that the firefighters who went into the WTC on 9/11 are real heros.

They were, after all, only doing their job.

[Guinnessharp]

"One indication that not all soldiers in Iraq are happy warriors is the report recently released by the Army showing that 23 of them committed suicide there last year," Rooney says. "This is a dismaying figure. If 23 young men and one woman killed themselves because they couldn't take it, think how many more are desperately unhappy but unwilling to die.

23 out of how many. I am guessing there are more high school and college suicides every year. So I guess that means we should shut down our nations education system?

[I still care]

I personally know several military members who would love to punch Andy Rooney in the face for this disrespect.

[Freesofar]

Does anyone have contact phone #'s to the sponsors of Andy Rooney's syndicated shows ?