So Why Exactly Do These WingNuts Always Think That the Military Will Be on Their Side?

[PopSixSquish]

I'm an ex-military wife. I have friends who have served and are still serving. Yes, I have run into some folks over the years which certainly cause the hair on the back of my neck to twitch. And yes I know some very conservative officers and enlisted personnel.

However each and every one of them swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution and obey the orders of their commanding officers and the CIC.

Sure there might be some (a small but perhaps vocal minority) who would/could join but I'm going to bet my last nickel that the overwhelming majority regardless of political affiliation would find even the suggestion of a coup to be laughable at best and you don't want to know at worst.

So every time one of these idiots writes an article they insult the very people they claim to support. They insult their integrity, their honor and their commitment to the military and to serving their country...

[RoyGBiv]

1. Because they're stupid?

Just a guess.

[harun]

14. and delusional.

[Cha]

2. They're stuck in a rut of their own design..

It's the way it use to be but, really, what does the gop do for the military except lip service?

[unpossibles]

3. I've wondered about that too, but I think it boils down to their overly-simplified views in general

For example, they generally see the left as "they hate the troops (or freedom or whatever) based on us not wanting to be in an unnecessary war. If we hate the troops, well that must mean the troops hate us too, and to some extent I do know some in the military who can't stand the Left for many reasons, real and imagined. That said, I don't know any who would actually take part in any sort of uprising or coup, although I am sure they exist somewhere.

But I really do think it has to be that simple. All this time I thought they were being "clever" in a Larry the Cable Guy way when they accused us of hating the troops or America or Freedom. Now I have to wonder if they don't really believe that. They can't seem to wrap their brains around the fact that there are liberals and moderates in the armed services, just like they can't seem to wrap their brains around the idea that I want the wars to be over because I care for the armed service members, not because I hate them.

Then again, this is the same demographic who thinks Colbert is a conservative, Rush Limbaugh is funny and informed, George Bush was a good president, and Glenn Beck is sane.

[Hangingon]

18. I don't think it is that simple.

Many military feel there have been large funding cuts under Democratic admins. Big programs have been cut but so have accounts for parts and training.

[unpossibles]

22. Despite the rhetoric, many Republican administrations have also cut military budgets and programs

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2/

Basically the idea that Dems are the only ones defunding the military is yet another right wing smear.

[jwirr]

4. I agree with you but I think those who are predicting this think that the

military leaders will side with the constitution AS THE RW INTERPRETS IT.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Many of the PRESENT General Officers who survived Rumsfeld's purge are right wing-nuts.

Remember it was a former Marine Corps FOUR STAR General who first RESIGNED his ME Peace Envoy position under Powell (SecState) and advised us before the fact - to NOT to invade Iraq? General Zinni was either ignored or dismissed.

Comments of Gen. Anthony Zinni (ret.) during a speech before the Florida Economic Club, Aug. 23, 2002:
Attacking Iraq now will cause a lot of problems. I think the debate right now that's going on is very healthy. If you ask me my opinion, Gen. Scowcroft, Gen. Powell, Gen. Schwarzkopf, Gen. Zinni, maybe all see this the same way.


Therefore, what we have NOW for the General Officer Corps out of the Pentagon is going to be of the "warmongering" breed. That's a shame. :(

[cliffordu]

5. I hated Nixon with a white hot fervor when I served, but I took an oath and

if others had tried a coup while I was in, the blood would have flowed in short order.

No one takes that oath lightly, and those that would turn their backs on it should remember that the military still hangs traitors.

[rockymountaindem]

6. I don't know, but my Marine friend proudly bragged there would be a coup if Hillary Clinton became

President, and he seemed pretty enthralled by the prospect. I reminded him that would be unconstitutional, but he didn't seem to mind much.

[olegramps]

13. How can you be friends with a traitor?

[rockymountaindem]

15. Eh, we went to high school together and we were really close back then

It's just a personal thing. I have to admit he's gone 'round the bend though. That's not even the most alarming thing he's said.

[opihimoimoi]

7. Many are of conservative bent all of their lives

[Canuckistanian]

8. The Constitution doesn't even support a permanent standing army

So any military-led government would be SO against the Constitution.

Either they love the Constitution or the Military Rule. They can't have it both ways.

[EmilyAnne]

9. Thank you! nt

[moondust]

10. I think polls of military officers

have shown a strong right-wing bias. Beyond that, the military is effectively a top-down dictatorship. People who adapt well to it stay in while more free-spirited individuals tend to get out and move on to something else.

There have also been reports (SPLC) that in recent years with the lowered bar for enlistment due to the wars the military has been getting some right wing extremists.

[ShortnFiery]

11. Please note: THE BEST leaders in the military are, by nature, NOT authoritarian.

You can function as an excellent small unit leader without an rigid ideology. In fact, it makes you "a better leader" to be creative and actually process information from your subordinates. Just as good doctors LISTEN to the input of their patients, good military leaders keep appraised of the condition and input from their troops.

HOWEVER, those military members who thrive on "authoritarian rule" are much LOUDER and AGGRESSIVE. Therefore, most of us former military officers who are "democratic" remain under the radar.

There are many democrats within the military community: Active Duty, Reserve, NG, Retired and Veteran. However, we remain low-key because our PRIMARY loyalty is to uphold the Constitution, not partake in partisan bickering with right wing authoritarians within the GOP.

In other word, you'd be surprised how many military members vote democratic. ;)

[Orsino]

16. Because the military is so goddamned MAHNLY.

The GOP is the party of simulated testosterone-fueled swagger. Whether or not military personnel side with the Republicans, the Republicans have to make that claim. They don't dare concede any differently.

[treestar]

17. They love wars

They assume the military does, too.

They project their fantasies onto the military.

They also love the nature of the military, where you have to be in perfect order and follow orders from the top without question. They wish all of life was that way.

[anonymous171]

19. Because they worship authority figures and institutions. nt

[butterfly77]

20. Because they believe that the military is ..

majority Repub.

[Odin2005]

21. Because of their delusion that "libruls hate our troops".

[conscious evolution]

23. Because the general officers corp

IS on their side.
They would not have been promoted to general if they did not toe the corporate line.