In her October 1 ABCNews.com story, "Should Candidates' Sons Serve on the Frontline?", Emily Friedman explored the potential problems that could arise with the sons of presidential candidate John McCain and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin serving on the front lines in armed conflict:
While Biden, 39, and Palin, 19, are just ordinary troops today, on Nov. 5, the day after the election, one of them will also be the son of the vice president of the United States of America.
A protective Secret Service detail will arrive soon after, along with the "Prince Harry question": Should they stay like any other soldier, or will they have become too tempting a target that endangers them and the other soldiers in their units? Should they be reassigned?
These are valid questions to ask, but Friedman never gets to the root reason why this is a larger issue now than when say Abraham Lincoln or FDR were president had children serving in combat.
Nowhere did Friedman ask if the media's access to deployed personnel, particularly those who are related to the president or vice president, should be curtailed in the interests of national security, or if American journalists are too prone to put their desire to get a juicy scoop above the valid concerns of the Pentagon in keeping deployment details under wraps for the safety of the troops and the success of their mission.
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I can't see Governor
October 1, 2008 - 09:53 ET by jdhawkI can't see Governor Palin's son serving in a combat unit deployed to a combat zone while she is serving as VP. I agree that the enemy would find either the capturing or killing of this young man just too tempting. Moreover, this young man would certainly make it difficult for the unit to perform its mission and may even heighten their exposure to risk.
Not as long as the world doesn't know which unit.
October 1, 2008 - 10:08 ET by c5thenthe question remains can the media keep the specifics to themselves in the interest of national Security and the interest of the troops. Isn't it enough to know that Palin is deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan with his Stryker Brigade? Do we really need to know specifically where and which unit and have Geraldo draw us a map in the sand?
I disagree. In old
October 1, 2008 - 15:31 ET by BDI disagree. In old fashioned America where the people had actual backbones, it was not unusual for the sons of presidents to serve in warzones, and even be killed in action.
The best example I can come up with is Theodore Roosevelts son Quentin who was killed in WWI. Two of his brothers were also wounded in the trenches in that conflict.
Surprisingly FDR's son Quentin who was named for his cousin posthumously was grevioiusly wounded at the battle of Kassarine Pass.
Other presidents have also endured having their children in combat including President Lincoln who watched his eldest son Robert join the Union Army.
Bottom line, it is all perception. Lately we have allowed our leaders to exempt their personal losses, but this is not historically the case.
Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
October 2, 2008 - 01:34 ET by easygoerWhile he wasn't killed in combat and his father was long dead by then, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. died of a heart attack in France in July of 1944. It is certainly possible, if not probable, that combat stress contributed to his death. I certainly don't know any doctor who would recommend combat to a man with known heart trouble. Years after the war, when someone asked General Omar Bradley what was the most heroic thing he ever saw on a battlefield, he responded "Ted Roosevelt on Utah Beach." Roosevelt was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Teddy's other son.......
October 2, 2008 - 01:45 ET by BEGRUNTKermit, was killed on the battlefields in France....I believe in 1916. He had joined the British Army to see combat, and he truly believed in the cause....ened up KIA.
If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
KR
October 2, 2008 - 18:23 ET by easygoerKermit Roosevelt did join the British Army and saw heavy combat in, of all places, Mesopotamia(Iraq). He was apparently very courageous, almost to the point of recklessness. He was awarded the Military Cross by the British Army. When America joined the war he resigned his commission and was transferred to the American Army. He was not, however, killed in battle.
Sadly, after years of chronic depression and alcoholism he committed suicide in 1943.
Biden is a LAWYER!
October 1, 2008 - 09:55 ET by ChasvsBiden is an Air Force Lawyer. They never see the Front lines unless 'forced down" like his bull shit spewing old man!
Palin is a grunt ( affectionatly called) and will be at the pointed end of the spear!
Hooah. (You know who you
October 1, 2008 - 10:14 ET by HockeyKidHooah. (You know who you are.)
My opinion is that, as much
October 1, 2008 - 10:10 ET by CortillaenMy opinion is that, as much as I would like to respect the desire to serve, these people need to be out of the combat zones. I have no problem with them serving away from the theater, but they cannot be put in a position that risks their capture by the enemy. Humans are nothing if not emotional when it comes to family, especially children, and such an event simply poses too great of a security risk, in my opinion. I considered the possibility of assigning someone a new name, putting them in a new unit, and keeping reporters away from it, but even then there is too great a chance that their identity would become known to the enemy, either before or after capture.
www.daybydaycartoon.... Proving that conservative comedy is very real.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." - Miyamoto Musashi
Missed it by that much
October 1, 2008 - 10:16 ET by nkviking75"...on Nov. 5, the day after the election, one of them will also be the son of the vice president of the United States of America."
No, on Nov. 5th one of them will be the son of the vice president-elect of the USA. On Jan. 20th he'll become the son of the VP.
But then what do you expect when Obama's campaign, some journalists, some artists, and others seem to believe that Barry is already the POTUS??
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Well
October 1, 2008 - 10:44 ET by arkansaszippersAren't we pleased with ourselves...
And your point would
October 1, 2008 - 10:58 ET by BlondeAnd your point would be?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
[yawn]
October 1, 2008 - 11:28 ET by SickofLibs[yawn]
Tough Call
October 1, 2008 - 10:32 ET by BlondeIt's a bit different for the sons (and daughters, although none are the subject of this particular discussion) of American politicians than it is for the British royals.
Prince Harry is third in line to the throne. His uncle, Prince Andrew, flew during the very hairy Falklands war as second in line to the throne.
The nature of the enemy now changes the rules, unfortunately. Terror is the end game for them. It's one thing for the children of leaders to serve, it's an entirely other thing to have them served up as targets of opportunity for terrorists.
Having said that, these fine young people deserve the opportunity to serve in their specialities. If the media would just butt out, it wouldn't be a problem. Barring that, however, the armed forces should attempt to accomodate their service. Only as a last resort should they be reassigned to less dangerous duties.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Decision To Serve
October 1, 2008 - 10:51 ET by PSPCplSince the decision to serve in this country's armed forces is voluntary and personal, we should respect that individual's choice to put themselves in harm's way on our behalf. I believe that it would be more harmful to the individual and our military as a whole if we began "protecting" these two. The military should prevent the MSM from getting within a hundred miles of these two lads and they should be given strict orders to stay away from the MSM. In no case should the Secret Service be allowed to post a detail around these two.