CleverBomb
On Space Out
It has been pointed out that Gov. Romney's nomination acceptance speech did not mention "the troops," or thank them.
In an interview on Fox News, he explained why he didn't do so:
"When you give a speech you don't go through a laundry list, you talk about the things you think are important."
To be fair though, he did go on to say, "I didn't use the word, 'troops,' I used the word, 'military.' I think they refer to the same thing, and I described in my speech my commitment to a strong military..."
They're not quite the same thing. For example, few would consider "employees" as a suitable synonym for "corporation."
And in the context of the original speech, there's very little to indicate an acknowledgment of servicemembers currently serving in combat, or gratitude to them or to veterans.
From that speech:
"The America we all know has been a story of many becoming one. United to preserve liberty, uniting to build the greatest the economy in the world, uniting to save the world from unspeakable darkness.
Everywhere I go there are monuments and now for those who have given their lives for America. There is no mention of their race, their party affiliation, or what they did for a living.
(APPLAUSE)
They lived and died under a single flag, fighting for a single purpose. They've pledged allegiance to the United States of America. That America, that united America, can unleash an economy that will put Americans back to work, that will once again lead the world with innovation and productivity, and will restore every father and mother's confidence that their children's future is brighter even than the past. That America, that united America will preserve a military that's so strong no nation will ever dare to test it."
Ok -- he's noticed monuments, and that dead servicemembers are all now united in the anonymity of the grave. He then goes on to declare that they all served for our economy*, which will preserve a strong military. Not, mind you, necessarily one with well-treated troops or veterans -- but they'll be strong**. And, presumably, they will have monuments.
*Shades of Gen. Smedley Butler's "War is Racket"...
**For example, consider the strength of our troops in the First World War -- then remember the treatment of the Bonus Army.
In an interview on Fox News, he explained why he didn't do so:
"When you give a speech you don't go through a laundry list, you talk about the things you think are important."
To be fair though, he did go on to say, "I didn't use the word, 'troops,' I used the word, 'military.' I think they refer to the same thing, and I described in my speech my commitment to a strong military..."
They're not quite the same thing. For example, few would consider "employees" as a suitable synonym for "corporation."
And in the context of the original speech, there's very little to indicate an acknowledgment of servicemembers currently serving in combat, or gratitude to them or to veterans.
From that speech:
"The America we all know has been a story of many becoming one. United to preserve liberty, uniting to build the greatest the economy in the world, uniting to save the world from unspeakable darkness.
Everywhere I go there are monuments and now for those who have given their lives for America. There is no mention of their race, their party affiliation, or what they did for a living.
(APPLAUSE)
They lived and died under a single flag, fighting for a single purpose. They've pledged allegiance to the United States of America. That America, that united America, can unleash an economy that will put Americans back to work, that will once again lead the world with innovation and productivity, and will restore every father and mother's confidence that their children's future is brighter even than the past. That America, that united America will preserve a military that's so strong no nation will ever dare to test it."
Ok -- he's noticed monuments, and that dead servicemembers are all now united in the anonymity of the grave. He then goes on to declare that they all served for our economy*, which will preserve a strong military. Not, mind you, necessarily one with well-treated troops or veterans -- but they'll be strong**. And, presumably, they will have monuments.
*Shades of Gen. Smedley Butler's "War is Racket"...
**For example, consider the strength of our troops in the First World War -- then remember the treatment of the Bonus Army.
