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Petraeus' 'ribbon creep'
LA Times ^ | April 9, 2008 | Matthew DeBord

Posted on 04/10/2008 8:54:03 AM PDT by hilaryrhymeswithrich

That's a lot of martial bling, especially for an officer who hadn't seen combat until five years ago. Unfortunately, brazen preening and "ribbon creep" among the Army's modern-day upper crust have trumped the time-honored military virtues of humility, duty and personal reserve.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: enemedia; girlymen; matthewdebord; menwithoutchests; petraeus
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The left....reduced to judges on Project Runway...
1 posted on 04/10/2008 8:54:04 AM PDT by hilaryrhymeswithrich
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

I vote that we award Gen. Petraeus so many ribbons that he can use his insignia to beat Matthew DeBord to a pulp.


2 posted on 04/10/2008 8:55:55 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Everything is either willed or permitted by God, and nothing can hurt me." Bl. Charles de Foucauld)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

The LA Times experiencing Penis envy again?

With the LA Times - they are also deficient in Spine, Brain and Soul....

The ONLY thing the LA Times has in abundance is A$$hole.


3 posted on 04/10/2008 8:56:39 AM PDT by river rat (Semper Fi - You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

Well at least he didn’t throw them over the White House fence...........


4 posted on 04/10/2008 8:57:06 AM PDT by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

I’ll believe a lib’s complaints about medals AFTER I read their critiques on Kerry’s FAKE medals. Betcha none of General P’s medals came from him scratching himself, shooting himself in the butt, and then writing himself up as a hero.


5 posted on 04/10/2008 8:57:44 AM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

When I was in the Marine Corps they did not give us lots of options on how to wear our uniform. The tilt of your cap was about the only indication of self.


6 posted on 04/10/2008 8:57:59 AM PDT by SF Republican
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

This is very irritating. Even if the Army has lowered the bar a bit giving ribbons for silly things, which they do, it doesn’t take away from those who excel. The article is trying to say, since the Army gives ribbons away, that Gen. Patreaus is somehow damaged goods.
The moron who wrote the hit piece article isn’t good enough to lick Gen. Patreaus’ boots clean.


7 posted on 04/10/2008 8:58:03 AM PDT by brownsfan (Algore makes P.T. Barnum look like a piker.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

i wouldn’t even go to the article, the first couple of sentences were more than enough! What a creep!!!


8 posted on 04/10/2008 8:58:24 AM PDT by Jewels1091
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

I’m sure Mr. DeBord was all over John Kerry for his “fake” medals also, during his run for the Presidency.


9 posted on 04/10/2008 8:58:50 AM PDT by ladtx ( "Never miss a good chance to shut up." - - Will Rogers)
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To: Tax-chick

I’m with you on that.


10 posted on 04/10/2008 9:01:21 AM PDT by darkangel82 (If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. (Say no to RINOs))
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To: river rat

ya think!!!!!


11 posted on 04/10/2008 9:01:32 AM PDT by malia (God Bless America, President Bush,Troops&their families AND watch out for VOTER FRAUD,2008!!)
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To: river rat

SO funny that you said Penis Envy...that is exactly what I said to soemone when I first saw the story...

If only they gave asshat medals...DeBord woulf have a chest full..


12 posted on 04/10/2008 9:03:18 AM PDT by hilaryrhymeswithrich (Gathering of Eagles....its our turn.....)
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To: malia

I KNOW! It is a certainty I feel in my bones...

Forgive the term...


13 posted on 04/10/2008 9:03:30 AM PDT by river rat (Semper Fi - You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
So Nancy Pelosi having face lifts and wearing designer fashions or JOe Biden having multiple hair plugs is OK.

Dressing for the role and station you are at is the business politicians and military are in.

Like news reporters wearing Birkenstocks, unpressed Dockers and driving Volvos. No diff.

14 posted on 04/10/2008 9:04:02 AM PDT by llevrok (I avoided drugs in the 60's but may not have that choice in my 60's.......)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the press, for they will steal your HONOR. That awful power, the public opinion of a nation, is created in America by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in journalism on their way to the poorhouse.
- Mark Twain


15 posted on 04/10/2008 9:04:30 AM PDT by Lexington Green (The Rev. Jeremiah Wright = Grand Wizard of the Klan-With-A-Tan)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
The left....reduced to judges on Project Runway...

I think Matthew is working on a sequel to his first book. The sequel is called "The New York Book of Whine".

Regards,

TS

16 posted on 04/10/2008 9:04:34 AM PDT by The Shrew (www.ToSetTheRecordStraight.com/www.swiftvets.com/www.wintersoldier.com-The Truth Shall Set YOU Free!)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
The official uniform of the Army is to be worn in a very specific manner, and the brass have an obligation to live up to their billing by showing plenty of ... well, brass. On the other hand, if you're wearing four stars, you surely have some say when it comes to matters of peacockery.

I very much doubt that is the case. Once you earn a ribbon, I think you're required to wear it. I don't recall an exception based on rank. I know on my Navy drill weekends, we were required to wear all our ribbons properly. You couldn't pick and choose.

17 posted on 04/10/2008 9:04:48 AM PDT by Our man in washington
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To: Jewels1091
i wouldn’t even go to the article

-—————————————————>

Ditto!

When I see the LA Times defining the meaning of “the virtues of humility, duty and personal reserve” it becomes pretty much a self-serving, anti-American article, especially if the word “military” is involved.

18 posted on 04/10/2008 9:05:26 AM PDT by not2worry ( What goes around comes around!)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

A service man with ribbons is to a Lib as a red flag is to a bull.


19 posted on 04/10/2008 9:05:28 AM PDT by Loyal Buckeye
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To: river rat; kellynla

Well said!


20 posted on 04/10/2008 9:05:47 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (No Burkas for my Grandaughters!)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
This author is a perfect SOB. Someone ought to drop him off at the library and direct him to the history section. He obviously does NOT comprehend the facts about how the US came to be a country.

If he was thinking that Ben Franklin's quill got us our freedom ... he is really a dope!

21 posted on 04/10/2008 9:06:25 AM PDT by SMARTY ('At some point you get tired of swatting flies, and you have to go for the manure heap' Gen. LeMay)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich; rlmorel; All
More discussion of this nincompoop here, with a hat-tip to rlmorel for #19.
22 posted on 04/10/2008 9:07:06 AM PDT by dighton
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To: SMARTY

flopping aces has a great critique of this article and cites the context of the examples he gives...they did a great job...


23 posted on 04/10/2008 9:07:25 AM PDT by hilaryrhymeswithrich (Gathering of Eagles....its our turn.....)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

No matter what he wore on his chest -— DeBord’s chest is never visible since he’s always got his head up his arse.

That is a “posture” common to the Left — it certainly explains their nasty disposition, unhappiness and ignorance.


24 posted on 04/10/2008 9:07:48 AM PDT by river rat (Semper Fi - You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
Selective "queer-eye-for-the-general-guy" fashion criticism.


25 posted on 04/10/2008 9:10:27 AM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
The wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Petraeus

is not very complimentary of the good General.

Read it, but take your blood pressure medicine first.

Face it, this General got his start in a peace-time Army and first saw combat in GWII.

The guy is bright - but he is *no* General Norman Schwarzkopf.....

Storm’n Norman did two tours of duty in Vietnam (1965-66 and 1969-70). Schwarzkopf served as deputy commander of U.S. forces in the invasion of Grenada (1983), and he gained international recognition as director of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War, leading U.S. and Allied troops to a decisive victory against Iraq.

Norm has seen the Elephant.....

26 posted on 04/10/2008 9:10:32 AM PDT by ASOC (I know I don't look like much, but I raised a US Marine!)
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To: Our man in washington
David Petraeus is not the highest ranking officer in the United States military; nor even in the United States Army.

I believe he is, however, the most visible officer. How he conducts himself, to include how he wears his uniform, will be taken by many as exemplary. I'm sure he knows this. I'm therefore also sure that he is wearing it correctly, by the book, to the letter.

The uniform is no mere fashion show; it's a statement of identity, affiliation, honor, and patriotism. All of which are likely lost on the author

27 posted on 04/10/2008 9:14:39 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
While David Petraeus was busy not being in combat in 1991 he got shot in the chest during a live fire exercise.

He was back with his regiment within two weeks despite his physician's advice.

Matthew DeBord would spend nine weeks of medical leave playing World Of Warcraft in his mom's basement if he sprained his toe slipping on some mango salsa in the LA Times cafeteria.

28 posted on 04/10/2008 9:15:21 AM PDT by wideawake (Why is it that those who call themselves Constitutionalists know the least about the Constitution?)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
My USAF brother sent me this and it makes me chuckle...
29 posted on 04/10/2008 9:19:07 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: Red Badger

Touche’ Sir.


30 posted on 04/10/2008 9:19:16 AM PDT by Farmer Dean (168 grains of instant conflict resolution)
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To: SF Republican; knarf

I MIGHT listen to them if they even knew or had an inkling what those ribbons were for.
I have this teensy little objection to clueless, witless, civilians trying to be military experts. Silly, I know.


31 posted on 04/10/2008 9:21:28 AM PDT by Understated
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To: SF Republican

LOL.

I went to 8th & I right after boot camp/ITR.

We spent hours making our dress blues cover looking just right. The biggest obstacle was sneaking it past whoever inspected it. The Corporal of the Guard was a lot tougher than the Officer of the Day.

Some of those WWII vets pictured in dress blues look like they were in a different Marins Corps.


32 posted on 04/10/2008 9:33:24 AM PDT by Former War Criminal
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To: Former War Criminal

Next time use “USMC.”


33 posted on 04/10/2008 9:35:44 AM PDT by Former War Criminal
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich
The L.A. Times is to journalism what Thunderbird is to wine. The only reason to partake is because there's nothing better immediately available, even though you know it will likely make you sick.
34 posted on 04/10/2008 9:37:04 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh (Kill the terrorists, secure the borders, and give me back my freedom.)
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To: ArrogantBustard
His uniform and medals ... that's a soldiers resume...right there for everyone to see! Unlike news paper ‘journalists’ who come from God know where with God knows what (if any) qualifications.
35 posted on 04/10/2008 9:38:25 AM PDT by SMARTY ('At some point you get tired of swatting flies, and you have to go for the manure heap' Gen. LeMay)
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To: Understated
"I MIGHT listen to them if they even knew or had an inkling what those ribbons were for."


36 posted on 04/10/2008 9:40:47 AM PDT by rednesss (Fred Thompson - 2008)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

Who is this puke De Bord? Does he have any kind of a military record?


37 posted on 04/10/2008 9:42:11 AM PDT by Old Retired Army Guy (tHE)
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To: rednesss

Thanks. You should have also pointed out the Ranger Tab. That might have been the most difficult award to achieve.


38 posted on 04/10/2008 9:44:04 AM PDT by Old Retired Army Guy (tHE)
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To: Resolute Conservative

Thanks for posting this. My brother’s a LTC in the USAF. I know he will get a kick out of this.


39 posted on 04/10/2008 9:47:36 AM PDT by keepitreal
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To: Resolute Conservative

Inform your brother, that several USAF Ribbons are missing..

1. Career dedicated REMF Ribbon
2. Bombed a friendly position Ribbon
3. Crashed or Lost an Aircraft Ribbon
4. Dropped Airborne/Parachute Company at wrong coordinates Ribbon
5. Dropped Emergency Ammo Re-Supply on the enemy, rather than friendly position Ribbon.
6. Deployed Agent Orange over friendlies in the open Ribbon.

I could go on — but you get the drift...


40 posted on 04/10/2008 9:47:45 AM PDT by river rat (Semper Fi - You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: rednesss

cool, thanks


41 posted on 04/10/2008 9:48:20 AM PDT by Understated
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To: rednesss
That is cool. Thanks for posting. My stepson just got the CAB.

They should somehow figure out a way to consolidate all that into some thing that just says I'm a bad ass mfing General.

Right now it looks like he has too much flair. ;-)


42 posted on 04/10/2008 9:53:07 AM PDT by CJ Wolf (Let Freedom Ping List - Ron Paul - Ron Paul - Ron Paul - Join it.)
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To: river rat

A friend of mines father a Air Force Lifer got shipped to Viet Nam because every Lifer had to go to Viet Nam. He spent his tour in charge of a detail, as a Senior Master Master Sargent, burning poop. There was nothing for him to do in his MOS, super secret development lab stuff.


43 posted on 04/10/2008 10:10:28 AM PDT by Little Bill (Welcome to the Newly Socialist State of New Hampshire)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

The practice of high ranking military officers wearing a lot of medals goes back a long way. During the Battle of Trafalgar (in 1805), Admiral Lord Nelson was killed by a French sniper who had been told to shoot the British officer wearing the most medals.


44 posted on 04/10/2008 10:12:54 AM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: rednesss
Damn, that is pretty thin on the ground with respect to any combat action. Legion of Merit? First time I've seen one of those on a CO.

Still though, he's doing alright and he deserves a lot better respect from a bunch of civilian journalist pukes.

45 posted on 04/10/2008 10:14:03 AM PDT by Centurion2000 (Party ahead of principles; eventually you'll be selling out anything to anyone for the right price.)
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To: 3niner
I don't see a lot of getting shot at medals.
46 posted on 04/10/2008 10:16:39 AM PDT by Little Bill (Welcome to the Newly Socialist State of New Hampshire)
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To: Old Retired Army Guy

apparently the LA version of (Ms.) Mark Morford of SF


47 posted on 04/10/2008 10:22:20 AM PDT by wayne_b24 (every day in the Light is a good day ... John 8:12 & 14:6; Psalm 119:105; Joshua 24:15)
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To: Little Bill

OTOH, I see a strategy over there that’s working.


48 posted on 04/10/2008 10:29:40 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: hilaryrhymeswithrich

Hmmmm

Officers and Enlisted are encouraged to wear all of their authorized ribbons on dress uniforms, according to what I am reading in AR 670-1.

Not being Army (I was AF) I don’t know if they are required wear, but in the USAF all awards were REQUIRED wear when I got out of the service in 2002.

So whomever wrote that article is an Idiot.


49 posted on 04/10/2008 10:37:51 AM PDT by Rick.Donaldson (http://www.transasianaxis.com - Please visit for lastest on DPRK/Russia/China/et al.)
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To: ArrogantBustard

I agree, some of the best German Commanders in WW2 were Staff Pogies, sometimes you need Brains and sometimes you need Balls, in this case we need Brains.


50 posted on 04/10/2008 10:38:18 AM PDT by Little Bill (Welcome to the Newly Socialist State of New Hampshire)
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