Anthony Mantova: All glory, no guts
by kos
Mon Aug 28, 2006 at 10:38:29 AM PDT
Since he is such a fan of aggressive military solutions to solve the world's problems, he should be eager to enlist. Mantova flatly refused to concede to serving the United States in the military.
The money quote from these conversations came when Mantova berated me for what he said was my "hillbilly, intellectually vacant and morally repugnant belief that `those who call for war must serve.'"
A 24-year-old, healthy man, Mantova -- hypothetically at least -- believes in "personal responsibility" and strongly defending America. He's an outstanding candidate for military service. He simply lacks the heart to sign up [...]
Mantova is very enthusiastic about combat, just so long as someone else is doing the fighting. He said it was unnecessary for him to enlist. This, despite the fact that combat tours have been involuntarily extended. Some troops have deployed into a war zone for the fourth time.
Mantova is of age, qualified to serve and has publicly, enthusiastically endorsed widening the war when there's a shortage of troops.
Why doesn't he sign up?
Mantova gave me unconvincing answers. He speculated how his enlistment might undermine civilian control of the military.
He compared himself favorably to the ancient Roman politician Cato the Elder, Winston Churchill and Socrates. Clearly, Mantova has a very high opinion of his intellectual abilities.
Finally, Mantova demeaned all service members and veterans with his "hillbilly, intellectually vacant and morally-repugnant" comments and dismissed the very notion of military service. He treated a deadly serious question as if it were a joke.
This flippant attitude is not surprising since Mantova chose to work for Morton Blackwell, someone who disgracefully mocks wounded U.S. service members.
With role models like Blackwell, you can bet Mantova will continue to "stay the course" -- the one farthest away from the recruitment office.
Via Operation Yellow Elephant, which has more.
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