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Glenn Beck said that the Purple Heart has nothing to do with honor and merit. AP Photo
Glenn Beck evidently believes the Purple Heart is some progressive invention which distorted a previous award called the "Badge of Merit." On his radio show today, Beck seemed to lessen the significance of a Purple Heart, implying that his own "Badge of Merit" will mean so much more because it has to do with "integrity and honor." Beck plans to give out his own Badges of Merit at a rally he is holding at the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of MLK's famous "I Have a Dream Speech." In handing out military honors, Beck will be playing a role traditionally filled by military officers or the President himself.
In fact, the Badge of Merit was an an award given out by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. However, it never truly gained acceptance in the military. Washington awarded three soldiers the Badge of Merit, but no other soldier was ever given the award. So, in between the Badge of Merit and its replacement, the Purple Heart, the United States military fought in the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, and World War I without a single soldier being given the Badge of Merit. Beck acts as though progressives perversely changed some commonly accepted military award. In fact, while technically still available, the reality is that the Badge of Merit had become nothing more than a historical relic.
However, what is perhaps most insulting is the idea that a Beck's Badge of Merit will somehow mean more than a "progressive" Purple Heart because it rewards "honor and integrity." For many, the mere fact that someone is willing to sacrifice their life and limb for country, and is in fact wounded, symbolizes their "honor and integrity."
Comments
I'd like to know what Purple Heart recipients think of Beck's demeaning of the award.
I listened to his show today and could not believe the arrogance of this man. He actually said that all you have to do to get the purple heart is to be wounded. That's it Glenn? JUst wounded? While fighting for your country you jackass!
I used to think Beck was OK, but he is so full of himself now. I guess he thinks he can sit in judgement of my fellow comrades now. What a jerk.
wanna bet that some soldiers start an anti-Beck website (or 2)
While Glenn has never fought for our country he has fought several addictions over the years and I think this more than qualifies him to judge our warriors and to come up with a new improved medal to supplement that purple heart.
I can't think of a better person to have next to me in a foxhole than Glenn Beck. Well at least until he starts the sobbing.
Why is this news??????
Mitch says:
"Why is this news??????"
this is a blog...who told you it was a newspaper????
I think the time has come to nail beck to a (non-religious) cross and set him on fire.
Mitch: I would also note that when I first covered Beck's golden connections that was not "news." Since that time it has been covered by the LA Times, New York Times, POLITICO, MSNBC, and yes...even Fox News. In addition, a Congressmen has called for an investigation over the matter. What is not "news" today can many times become news tomorrow.
To the poster who wrote an angry message against Beck concerning your Grandfather receiving a Purple Heart: I sympathize with your position but I can not allow that kind of language to stay up. If you rephrase I will gladly leave your comment up.
Ryan,
In between The War of Independence and WWI, there was also the 1840's War with Mexico. Also The Civil War and Various Indian campaigns.
Jaimie: Agreed. I never claimed my list was comprehensive. To be honest I just listed the three conflicts that first came to my mind as examples to illustrate my point.
No problem....I can scoop your next installment of the Beck "Gulden Boy and Nathan's Weenie saga "
......Will those Badges of Merit be supplied by Goldline.??? And if the cost is beyond the competitors' the Badge recievers will cry.........'Badges..?. .BADGES??....We don't need no stinkin ..Badges...!!!'.
You can have the byline for free......But I'm copywriting the Title LOL... Nite-nite.. :-) .
I know Glenn is getting messages from God, but there must have been a bad connection last time they talked. How many servicemen does he think are going to toss out their purple hearts and line up at his event to get their "real medals"? I wonder if he's going to push to have lederhosen be the new uniform too.
Glenn Beck is emphasizing the integrity and intent of George Washington. His point: George Washington saw fit for the first time in military history to award the common soldier a "Military Badge of Merit" "...Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service...". His event is about bringing us back to the intention of the founding fathers, bringing us back to the meaning and intent of the Constitution, and getting people thinking about how our representatives should be focused on the oath they have taken: "...and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Protect and defend, not alter, improve, and change the intent. This is about raising money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal & Navy Cross recipient would not attend if this was in any way an insult to the military or the Purple Heart. He is defending your right to be stupid. Glenn Beck Rocks
Steven Goddu says:
"Glenn Beck is emphasizing the integrity and intent of George Washington..."
George Washington was a slave owner...does Beck intend to honor his "integrity and intent" by buying slaves?
you make Gods of ordinary flawed people.
Steven Goddu you may be one of Glenn Beck's sick twisted freak followers, but his comments yesterday were a major insult to all purple heart recipients.
I hope Marcus Lutrell backs out of this strange relationship with Glenn Beck.
Well, as my ol' first sergeant said, 'You got that Purple Heart by f***ing up - you shouldn't have got in the way of that bullet!'
Of course, he had three himself.
IF Beck had ever even been around some military folks, much less served himself, he'd know that there already are several levels of awards the recognize things like "... extraordinary fidelity and essential service..." - and that mean a lot more to the recipient than Beck's pseudo-medal will.
I hope he tries to pin these things on a actual military uniform and see how far he gets with that.
I hope Glenn Beck gets the Red badge (In his case, of cowardice)
is there a bigger douchebag whose name is also a household word? Doubtful. Even Rupert Murdock pales in comparison.
Beck said nothing incorrect if you read the transcripts of both his radio show and his tv show from Monday night. In fact, read it from the veterans organization chartered by congress's website, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, that has a page dedicated to the history of the medal.
I myself am a disabled veteran and agree with Beck on the facts. Facts being that the Purple Heart was indeed derived from Washington's Badge of Military Merit. I don't see anywhere in his words where he's taking away from what veterans have given this country. However, the coverage on it is very bias.
Reminds me of something the nazis would come up with, like the picture of beck on his book cover.
I guess Beck does not understand that facing an enemy combatant who is trying to kill you takes courage. Those who volunteer to protect American and the rights we have such as free speech are doing a meritorious and honorable thing. The Purple Heart is an honor to those who have engaged our country's enemies and being wounded in the effort. If my being wounded twice defending this country is not honorable in Beck's opinion than one of us is delusional.
Very well said Old Marine Grunt! Thank you for your service to the country. Beck may not appreciate your sacrifice but we do!
On the other hand perhaps Beck is merely doing his own version of Obama's recent "Medal for Restraint in Combat".
jaime says:
"On the other hand perhaps Beck is merely doing his own version of Obama's recent "Medal for Restraint in Combat".
Uhhhhh, back to Beck and his demeaning of the Purple Heart recipients....sorry folks, for the smokescreen that jaime threw up while was trying to divert and redirect the subject at hand....the subject was Beck, Purple Hearts and Military, not Obama...the subject of Obama was no where near the subject at hand...just a conservative smokescreen that they throw up every time one of theirs is "outed".
@ "Wally's in a rut Nut",
Uhhhhhh...I already did my 'poke fun at Beck routine' below ( better than most I would add, If I wasn't so full of Humility.. ;-).)
So...what does Hitler have to do with....Oh never mind..we're talkin the Liberal Mind here...oxyMORON and all that..
So....Does YAH have Problems with the O-job's new "medal"..??? Prolly not cause you could earn one easy' nuff...by fightn' from your couch with your laptop.
Tusked One, you cannot just dismiss jaime - you have to expose the underlying falsehood of the claim.
First, the suggested medal (hasn't even reached the formal proposal stage) is not an Obama medal - it was the suggestion of British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command South commander, as a way to emphasize McChrystal's 'don't shoot non-combatants' rules.
Second, it ain't going ANYWHERE in the US military; we already have Achievement and Commendation Medals that can be (and have been) used to recognize exceptional cases of restraint. And creating a NEW medal takes years, often decades.
Just more disinformation from those who have never served.
Since we're in an educational phase for 'Wally-World'...
...you can't merely dismiss Snot's comments as trivial minutiae serving to add another 'Ace" to his 'Deck of Cards' philosophy supporting the O-Job's agenda.
Where the 'suggestion' came from IS important because it comes from a foriegn source. Much as 'opinion' from international(European) courts is sought by our Supreme Court in order to "Make Law"; as they see their role these days. ( ala Sotomayor as just one example).
But widdle Wally....It is also important to see that SNOT calls 'disinformation' the fact that a sitting President actually entertains advise form foreign powers. Nevertheless you can go back to romper room safe in the knowledge that even though this new "medal" suggestion was reported in the press....it is still just 'disinformation'.
That's how the Military(cough-cough) and Administration 'Sock-puppets' do it. Repeat after me now..."it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood, a wonderful...."
Game, set and match... as jaime AGAIN is exposed making a deliberate and intentional statement contrary to facts.
"I love it when a plan comes together."
Sorry, liar, but Obama not only did NOT seek this opinion from a foreign source - it never even reached his level.
Maj. Gen. Carter made the suggestion in a conversation with Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hall, the top U.S. enlisted member in Afghanistan. That was it. Period. It never even was submitted as a proposal.
And after Bill McMichael reported it in the Military Times papers, McChrystal quickly shot down the idea. Permanently.
Here ya go, jaime - FACTUAL information, from the original sources:
www.navytimes.com/news/2010/05/military_restraint_medal_051110mar/
www.marinecorpstimes.com/community/opinion/marine_edit_052410w/
"Snark says:
Game, set and match..." Bahahahaha...you're a legend in your own mind..a Stah ( Maybe Jimmy'Jimbo'Conners? or John McEnroe?...but without the charm).
"I love it when a plan comes together."....was Never my quote.
"it was the suggestion of British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command South commander, as a way to emphasize McChrystal's 'don't shoot non-combatants' rules."
Errr that would be Obama's Afghanistan (the one he said he would get out of)?..and...the new 'Shootin Rules" were under what Admin.?? Obamas.??
The point didn't have ANTHING to do with Armed Services publications. But with reports in the MSM. Nor did it have to do with enactment or acceptance...It had and has to with the PUBLIC SUGGESTION of such. And the continued predelection of Obama and his Alinski Communists to use foreign opinion and rules to influence US policy.
But do keep on mining those GI Joe mag.s for proof of the O-jobs greatness.
poor jaime.... culturally illiterate and doesn't recognize:
1) A 'Col. Hannibal Smith' reference
nor
2) That Military Times - as in Army/Navy/Marine Corps/Air Force Times, Federal Times, Defense News and assorted other publications - not only BROKE the story (and in fact is the ONLY source for it), they are the epitome of the MSM: They are owned by Gannett - the largest newspaper company in the nation, with more than 80 daily papers and their flagship pub, USA Today.
As for the rest, Obama said he would INCREASE troops in Afghanistan all along, in an effort to bring a resolution.
And are you now saying McChrystal is wrong in emphasizing what has always been policy and law about use of force - and that the policy instead should be to SHOOT NON-COMBATANTS?????
You honor the troops by advocating they commit war crimes? Nice.
I think you still have room, though, if you wish to stick your foot even further in your mouth.
Have you run your "erudite" opinions about actual combat past any real soldiers SNOT ??
As the B O-job has just said " He's the President and the Buck stops with him"....who am I to disagree with THAT !?
Anybody can do a Google search for the ownership octopus of ANY conglomerate.....the point is readership genius. Collateral damage or friendly fire are now 'war crimes'?? You sound like Carl Herman...S'He rubbin off on yah soldier boy.? You're slippin....it's about time for a "dipwad' slur isn't it?
Nah, jamie, you got the slander, libel and lying market down pat for now.
I gave you the links to the original source and to the first report of McChrystal's response to that article.
And the issue is NOT 'collateral damage' nor 'friendly fire' - it's being smart about not destroying any chance for trust and support among the people you're trying to help.
That was policy, law AND smart strategy long before McChrystal's orders, long before the new COIN manual was out - a fundamental lesson learned from Vietnam. It just needed to be reiterated as a priority to leaders in the field - especially because we are putting so much of the burden and split-second decision-making on young troops.
Some Brit two-star makes an idle comment to a Sergeant Major, and the clown chorus tries once again to claim Obama has no respect for the military.
And you're simply wrong about Military Times - military leaders who regularly get burned by them certainly consider them the MSM.
LOL you're not a lawyer.....you just Play one on the Internet.
That's OK BreaveHeart...everybody luvs a "playful" lil puppy now and again.
oh, li'l chickenhawk - any infantry squad leader or platoon sergeant knows more about the Law of Armed Conflict than you do; they are the ones who ensure it is followed.
It doesn't take a lawyer to know it's wrong to shoot unarmed non-combatants, even if you find that too complicated.
But cute effort to attempt to deflect from your LIE that Obama wanted to create this bogus medal.
Would have been easier to admit you made a mistake - but you prefer to promulgate your LIE.
Under the current "Coward in Cheif" (who apparently will melt in the rain).....the policy of not giving our Infantry either Air or Artillery support( if asked ) if they are close to Civilian housing was put forward. Even at the cost of US or allied casualties
Then a Foriegn Military General "suggests" a Medal for 'Doing Nothing'..for NOT firing, for restraint...even when US Military are under fire and compromised.
This is Military Fightn' Rules by Dictat from the United Nations. The BO-job and his oath to defend is the LIE here. His loyalties seem to be with the UN...Big Surprise!
Maybe He was hoping the Rain on Memorial Day would wash away that silly notion of patriotism that Americans stubbornly cling too..??
But you're right about one thing Drugstore Soldier....I got my cycle wrong...it wasn't time for 'dipwad' but for 'ChickenHawk'....Good song by Joe Turner tho.
MORE lies, jaime? WHO developed the current counter-insurgency doctrine? Under which President??
It's online, dated and everything - you can read it.
And you STILL keep lying about OBAMA proposing a 'restraint medal' when you've been shown the SOURCE MATERIAL that it was an idle comment from a Brit two-star to Senior Enlisted soldier????
Truth really means nothing to you, does it - just anything you can lie and twist to continue your attacks as a partisan hack.
How much you getting paid to be part of Armey's Army of pseudo-activists?
Didn't say who developed it...but rather,said Who PUSHED it FORWARD.
The fact that Bush and Co. turned out to be closet Socialists (via the Patriot Act, No child left with a Brain etc...)isn't part of the point that the Messiah O-man is pushing these ideas IN THE PRESS NOW.
Thank you for repeating that the 'trial Balloon' for the 'Restraint Medal' was put forward by a FORIEGN Military Officer...Can I then repeat..UN!
Dick Armey is for AMNESTY...sorry Cholly...He's one of yours!
Still lying, li'l one?
Who 'pushed forward' the COIN doctrine were the military leaders actually conducting the campaigns - the same folks who developed it: Generals like Odierno and McChrystal - WITHOUT political directives, but based only on what WORKS.
Now, cite a SINGLE statement by Obama about this alleged medal and I'll take it all back - but you can't can you?
Because as I've said, it never even got to his level; it never even was an actual proposal.
But I love how you refuse to believe the MSM on anything - unless it's something you WANT to belive, no matter how untrue it may be.
Now, on topic, tell us how Beck is really 'honoring' the troops by denigrating their Purple Hearts.
Still Obfuscating the facts 'Drug store Soldier Pundit' ??
(Without Political Directives lol?)
Any current Admin chooses their Command...remember there was a Petraeus....and now there ain't?? He's trying to keep a low profile during the Obama Regime. You keep avoiding the fact that this kind of warfare ,and the medal to "honor" it, wasn't PUSHED into the public eye until we had a closet mohammedan in office.
As to topic....my point is this "Medal For Retreat". As to being "li'l"....That would be Walrus when refering to IQ and 'other' measurements. Unless you're refering to my waist...In which case...Thanks!... :-) .
Nah, li'l one, you're clearly the s in your D/s.
Petraeus? LMAO - you dolt - He's the freaking CentCom Commander. And HE was the PRIME AUTHOR of the COIN doctrine - and he's the one who hand-picked McChrystal to recommend for the Afghan job.
But you just contionue lying - and let us all know when you get that PROOF that there's "a closet mohammedan in office."
Did the comic books you read mention the SURGE by any chance? Lot of restraint worked there Huh??
Closet or not, at least O-job didn't get wet on his lil'patriotic picnic....Memorial Day in Chicago.
Saved his suit to use in another mohammedan potentate azzkissing session. Maybe the Sudan next time.
But lookee here it's almost June 2nd, high time for you to be dissing the IDF isn't it.
Snot says,
"Nah, li'l one, you're clearly the s in your D/s."
...Mighty Oaks from little (waisted) s's grow.. wink.
And..Don't be so sure,
To paraphrase Walt Whitman.."...I am large,..I contain multitudes." ( all of them good ).
So now your idea of honoring the war dead is to have people stand around in an open field during a lightning storm - so maybe they can join the fallen?
Obama acted like a smart platoon leader: Don't have the troops take unnecessary risks.
Or as Lee Trevino said after getting hit by lightning the SECOND time: "When God wants to play through, you let Him play through."
And now you completely misrepresent the Iraq Surge - which was an implementation of that COIN doctrine, INCLUDING proportionate use of force, even while you've diss'd Obama for doing a similar thing in Afghanistan?
Every time you post, you add evidence that you are nothing put a political hack whose only goal is to oppose anything the current administration does or says.
Ahhhhh....So you're saying the SURGE under Bush was really nothing more than anticipation of Obama...that Obama is really responsible for the SURGE.
( or are you implying that buttons are pushed behind the scenes at a level beyond the "dumb" Bush or the "messianic" O-job?)
Each time you post...you show that you are a sychophant for this Administration.
Not only are you NOT a lawyer, you are not in ANY way a Libertarian. For you the Military is but an arm of the Democrat/Liberal/Socaialist party....when it's working right of course. When I show these posts to military friends we have...they shake their heads and laugh.
LOL - nice try, li'l one.
But I'm extensively on the record stating that the Iraq Surge was the just about the first thing the Bush administration did RIGHT in Iraq - both in finally putting enough troops in where they were needed and in the smart use of force.
Modified to fit the Afghan situation, Petraeus and McChrystal are attempting to do something similar - and yes, I give Obama credit for the effort to clean up the mess Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Franks left behind in Afghanistan.
I don't know if it will work; it may be too late.
Of course, it's also still not clear what Iraq will look like once we're out of there.
As to the other part... you do realize that prancing around in fetish uniforms doesn't make them real military members, right?
Being "anti-fetish" (your claim) will draw frowns from your Progressive clowns yah know.
"I don't know if it will work; it may be too late.
Of course, it's also still not clear what Iraq will look like once we're out of there. "
Iraq is NOT Afghanistan. Wholely different Demographics and Geo-Political make-up. They have a sense of independence that Iragi's don't have in their history.
If we leave too soon...Iraq will look like the same repressive dusty sh ithole it was when we entered.
Where have I EVER come out as 'anti-fetish'? That may be your most outrageous lie ever. LOL
Yeah, the two countries are different; that's that whole "Modified to fit the Afghan situation..." part.
Doesn't change the fact both are still 'at risk.'
As I've said repeatedly, Iraq should not have been done in the first place - but if it was going to be done, it should have been done right with enough troops to actually secure the place, in accordance with existing doctrine and CentCom war plans dating back to before Desert Storm.
And if JSOC had not been pulled OUT of Afghanistan for Iraq, but reinforced with conventional and SOF, we would almost certainly be done there before now - with al Qaeda decapitated and defanged, if not completely destroyed, and an Afghan government rebuilding with the aid they were promised but never got in the 1980s.
Bush the Elder failed with Afghanistan when he inherited it from Reagan - and Bush the Younger blew it again.
The only big thing modified seems to be that it includes more foreign troops.
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