Why does John Kerry think our troops are uneducated?

Question

Is he just most comfortable in the role of criticizing our military?

First he accuses them of atrocities in Vietnam, then he accuses them of terrorizing civilians in Iraq, now he says military service and education are mutually exclusive. Is he still a military hero, or should he have thrown his own medals over the White House fence instead of someone else's?

Bearlicious: You paint with too broad a brush. I joined the military and served 5 years on active duty AFTER earning two graduate degrees, and I have served four years and counting as a reservist. I've been to the war zone, and I'm ready to go again at any time. Try your line on someone else.

AlviS: Read my post above. You have no idea what you're talking about.

gatheringplace2002: There were atrocities in Vietnam, but Kerry falsely accused his fellow soldiers of committing them. And yes, I did hear his comments and he made it perfectly clear that ifyou don't get an education, you're going to Iraq.

Answer 1

Here's some stats to back up the military's "Lack of Education"

Here are some education stats for our military.

49.2 percent of officers have advanced or professional degrees; 39.4 percent have master's degrees, 8.5 percent have professional degrees and 1.3 percent have doctorate degrees.

22.8 percent of company grade officers have advanced degrees; 16.5 percent have master's degrees, 5.9 percent have professional degrees and 0.3 percent have doctorate degrees.

85.4 percent of field officers have advanced degrees; 70.7 percent have master's degrees, 12.1 percent have professional degrees and 2.5 percent have doctorate degrees.

99.9 percent of the enlisted force have at least a high school education; 73.3 percent have some semester hours toward a college degree; 16.2 percent have an associates degree or equivalent semester hours,4.7 percent have a bachelor's degree , 0.7 have a master's degree and .01 have a doctorate or professional degree.

http://www.af.mil/news/ storyprin...oryID=123027385

Uneducated? Hardly.

Answer 2

Troops follow orders of their superiors. If a few of them snap due to stress and commit atrocities, then that comes with the territory. I would never judge someone in that position until I walked in their shoes. He was making a point that the only way some underprivileged people can get an education in the USA is if they enlist in the military, and that should have to be the case. He does not think our troops are uneducated, sounds like you have some twisted logic or you are putting your own prejudiced spin on things. Remember, the thing that makes our country great is that we have not only the freedom but the duty to criticize our government when we see that they are royally screwing things up.

Answer 3

I doubt that that is what was meant. All I've seen so far is what the media has chosen to show, and they are really trying to make hay on this one.

Kerry put his foot in his mouth, no argument. So that's one for Kerry, and how many hundred for Bush?

Unlike Bush, Kerry is a combat veteran, so I'm sure his comment, which I have only seen out of context, was not intended to insult troops serving in Iraq. As for an apology, if he feels he insulted the troops, he will apologize, if as I took it he meant that if you are an uninformed voter you will end up with cheerleaders like Bush sending you overseas to die he probably will not. If Bush is insulted, good, he deserves to be in prison, not just insulted.

Answer 4

Why do you eat what the media feeds you with a spoon? Have you read the entire transcript or listened to the entire speech? That is not what he was saying.

And there WERE atrocities in Vietnam - and they WERE perpetrated by American soldiers. And some soldiers ARE terrorizing civilians in Iraq. And he has the right to say whatever the hell he chooses because he was there, he risked his life to go fight. That's a lot more than those bozos in the White House ever did.

Educate yourself on the issue before you spout off.

Answer 5

Kerry said, "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Liberals are now claiming he was talking about President Bush.
Nowhere did he mention the name of President Bush. His insult was directed just at our nrave troops.

He never did apologize. Republicans need to realize that liberals hate the military. If we allow Congress to be overtaken by the Democrats, we will surely see this war underfunded and our brave troops left without the tools to keep them safe or to win the war.

Answer 6

John Kerry, the Famous Ignoramous!!!!!!
Shame on John Kerry, If proplr have to use the military as a last resort, then part of the blame lay upon the Democrats for their lack of providing job opportunities to the less fortunate.
He whole argument is simply baseless. I recruited for four years, and the kids that sign up with me were incredibly intelligent and enlisted to get the money for college, but mostly to serve their country. He is still bitter over Nam. Did he volunteer, or did he get drafted? Either way, he is an idiot.
I think he makes a good case for having a draft, or mandatory service, then evryone who serves, would serve regardless of their social or economic status, and next time, no use of college as an excuse not to serve. Mandatory service, for EVERYONE !!!!

Answer 7

John Kerry is just a liberal who went to Vietnam to embellish his political aspirations. He was no mud dog or anything else; he did a few boat missions that were milk runs.

The biggest fear is his opinion is that of thousands upon thousands of liberals. This opinion is promulgated by the Left Wing University faculty who terrorize college kids about joining ROTC or serving thier country in the Guard or reserve. No amount of education will overcome this.

All service members must vote against this mentality if you want a strong DoD

Answer 8

Because he is a F***ing MORON!!!

He has no clue what is really going on anywhere. Most politicians don't. They rely on what their advisors say is happening and ignore the common Joe. They have never had to starve because they were faced with the choice of electricity or food, and they will never know what that is like.

Our military is one of the best in the world for a reason. If people like him would pull their heads out of their a**es, they would realize this. I support our troops. I think they do a lot for our country and should be supported. I only wish more people did the same.

Answer 9

First of all the reason why this is being blown out of proportion, is because the Republican party hasn't a leg to stand on. Therefore they are looking for any and every little things to pick on, hoping for a distraction from their own failures.

John Kerry, only ask the university students to study hard and do their homework, to prevent them from ending on the front line in Iraq. This is something every parent in America tells their children. It doesn't make him any less supportive of the troops abroad. After all, he unlike the cowards in the White House severed in war.

However; I find it ironic that those individuals who want to make a big deal; would or haven't severed in the arm forces themselves. Why is it OK for Republicans to be so up in roar about national security and quick to war, when their children or political children rarely if ever sever? Its amazing how Bush and the Gang of Liars; are quick to kill everyone else family members; but somehow are able to escape or prevent their own family members from serving!

Answer 10

John Kerry is proving himself to be the classic self-appointed pseudo-intellectual. He should know something about low grades, his GPA was lower than GWB's at Yale (but I digress).

He believes that he can say whatever fits the moment. Then later, if need be, he can handle whatever criticisms arise using his towering intellect, vocabulary and compelling gravitas (his own appraisal of himself, not mine).

It takes more than bravado and gravitas to make a real man. It also takes more than a few months in Viet Nam to make a war hero. And a lifetime of waffling, self-serving posturing will never be enough to make this guy a leader.

Thank God enough of America saw through his charade to send him back to Massachusetts in 2004. John Kerry couldn't carry John F. Kennedy's jockstrap.

But Mitt Romney could.