MoveOn.org sponsored a contest for the best 30-second pro-Barack Obama TV commercial. The winner, according to the Associated Press's article, "MoveOn ad features pro-Obama Republican," was an ad starring Air Force veteran John Weiler. The spot includes Mr. Weiler, whose military service is to be commended, saying "I've been a Republican since before I could actually vote." Not only that: "I'm a lifelong Republican and I'm voting for Barack Obama."
I don't know if Mr. Weiler is a lifelong Republican as he claims. I do know that if the Associated Press is accurate in its reporting, he must have been an extraordinary serviceman.
"He served in the Air Force from 1983 to 1989, leaving the service as a master sergeant," according to the AP. Is that not amazing? The Air Force Enlisted Promotions Fact Sheet shows promotion to Master Sergeant (E-7) requires eight years in the service. According to Military.com, "The average service wide active duty time for advancement to the rank of Master Sergeant is 17.06 years."
I wasn't in the Air Force, and I only made it to E-5, but Mr. Weiler's accomplishment is as astounding as a lifelong Republican abandoning his party for the ultraliberal Obama. Mr. Weiler says part of the reason is "We need somebody who's gonna represent the left and the right."
I would think representing, simultaneously, the left and the right would be impossible, given the differences. But I guess if you can make E-7 in six years, anything is possible.
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Dang, that almost rivals
May 12, 2008 - 21:18 ET by JerryDang, that almost rivals John Kerry's purple heart timeline. Of course, who am I to criticize someone who's probably flown over all 57 states of the union.
"We need somebody who's gonna represent the left and the right."
It's the president's job to put away politics and do what is in the best interest of the country. He is not there to represent the interests of the left nor the right nor the black nor the white nor the rich nor the poor, but the AMERICANS.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Get it right
May 12, 2008 - 21:57 ET by StayOnPointIt's actually 58 states, he said he won't be able to visit Alaskawaii
Oppose Obamunism-Elect a Conservative Congress in '08
No really
May 13, 2008 - 10:57 ET by mooreusmcIf you watch the video he says that he has been to 57, with 1 more to go, and that he cant go to Alaska or Hawii. That brings the grand total to 60 states.
So what if he is and so what
May 12, 2008 - 21:32 ET by Chris NormanSo what if he is and so what if he does? I'm sure any organization as large as the Air Force will have some members and veterans voting Democratic - I'd be shocked if they didn't. While I honor each and every member's service, that doesn't mean that they can't make bad political choices. This is why I can't stand endorsement commercials - hey, I can think for myself, thank you.
Think for yourself
May 12, 2008 - 22:01 ET by Michael M. Bates. . . hey, I can think for myself, thank you.
Do not - I repeat, do not - report to Democratic headquarters with an attitude like that.
DuNCe Headquarters
May 13, 2008 - 06:27 ET by gideonmjamesDamn right ... D-rats are the most committed group of Stalinists since ... well ... Josef Stalin.
Bunch of frickin' antichrists if you ask me ... the dead-gum Neville Chamberlain Party.
There is a difference
May 12, 2008 - 21:29 ET by BlazerThere is a difference between being a Republican and a true conservative, but the fifth column will make sure they try and blur that line and distinction more and more every day, if it suit's thier agenda.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
The Big Toe
May 12, 2008 - 21:36 ET by the strugglerThe real question is, who does Sgt. Hulka support?
"The real question is,
May 12, 2008 - 21:39 ET by Blazer"The real question is, who does Sgt. Hulka support?"
Or better yet, Gunnery Sgt. Hartman.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Gunnery Sgt. Hartman.That's
May 12, 2008 - 21:58 ET by the strugglerGunnery Sgt. Hartman.That's a good one.
How about Lt.Dan or Major Payne?
Endorsements
May 12, 2008 - 21:59 ET by Michael M. BatesAnd what about Cap'n Crunch?
veterans love over the top military characters
May 13, 2008 - 08:49 ET by JWFSorry for the confusion Mr. Bates, veterans love over the top military movie characters. We get so few since the Duke left us.
umm no,....... R. Lee
May 12, 2008 - 22:10 ET by Blazerumm no,....... R. Lee Ermey to drill Sgt.'s is kinda like Charleston Heston to biblical heroes, imho.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
How about Sergeant Hulka
May 12, 2008 - 23:25 ET by stratmanHow about Sergeant Hulka from Stripes?
A favorite bit with Hulka in this video. I still crack up about Francis starting at 2:06.
RRAM Tough!
The perfect pro-Barack Obama TV commercial
May 12, 2008 - 21:59 ET by needleIf it turns out that this ad is predicated on a bald-face lie, then at least it is qualified as the perfect pro-Barack Obama TV commercial.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Lie
May 12, 2008 - 22:03 ET by Michael M. BatesIf it turns out that this ad is predicated on a bald-face lie,
I don't think the ad mentions his rank. That comes from the Associated Press story on the ad.
MMB Ha!LoL...You got me!
May 12, 2008 - 22:01 ET by the strugglerMMB Ha!LoL...You got me!
It is possible.
May 12, 2008 - 22:11 ET by ScrapironIt is possible he made MSgt in that length of time, if he started as an officer and got busted. That's the only way. Democrats assume everyone is stupid, they are only right in the case of other democrats.
SMSgt.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Busted
May 12, 2008 - 22:27 ET by Michael M. BatesIt is possible he made MSgt in that length of time, if he started as an officer and got busted.
I didn't know that. Would the AF allow him to do a complete six years in that instance?
Thanks.
I do not think that is
May 13, 2008 - 10:49 ET by BDI do not think that is possible. The most screwed up officers I knew who were caught doing something were usually simply put out of the military in record time.
The only time I ever saw someone actually demoted from a supposed officer rank was an ROTC Cadet from Texas who declined commissioning and was inducted into the Army as a PFC with a four year degree. She had to serve out her four years as an enlisted soldier to pay off her scholarship.
I never could figure out why she did not simply accept the commission and then underperform...
I hope it wasnt an Aggie, of
May 13, 2008 - 17:17 ET by Dan The Man 2I hope it wasnt an Aggie, of course sometimes even the Aggie Corps screw up.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
You're right
May 13, 2008 - 12:02 ET by celatorI've seen one instance of an officer demoted to enlisted grade, so it does happen, but pretty rarely. On the time in grade question, it took my oldest boy 16 years to make Master, and another 5 years to make Chief Master Sergeant. He was a First Sergeant for about three years then rotated out of that slot. My second boy just made Master Sergeant with 16 years also. Both are USAF. They worked hard for it, as I am sure you did also. It's understandably difficult for people who haven't lived that life to know what goes into it, but I know you know. I just realized I called them "boys" (as their Dad, they'll always be "my boys" ;+}), but they are honorable, dedicated men, and I am very proud of them.
Actually, back in the late
May 13, 2008 - 12:34 ET by owr084Actually, back in the late 70s, the Air Force rif'd a lot of officers. Some were given the option of staying in as a buck sergeant. I am friends with the only person to go from a Commissioned Officer (Capt) to the enlisted ranks and climb all the way back up to Chief Master Sergeant.
Also, in the 80s before they changed the rules, it was possible to make Chief Master Sergeant in around 14 years.
Yes, I seem to remember that
May 13, 2008 - 12:45 ET by celatorYes, I seem to remember that happening then as well..thanks for the reminder. A Chief Master Sergeant has lots more pull than a mere captain, anyway..;+} So you're friend did well!
Oh look
May 12, 2008 - 22:32 ET by JeffWeimerThey fixed it. It now says he was a Staff Sargent. Makes more sense. We don't even make Navy Chiefs that fast - except maybe nukes, and they START at the same paygrade he ended up at after 6 years (E-5).
They fixed it.
May 12, 2008 - 22:37 ET by Michael M. BatesThank you. Wonder who brought the error to their attention. And did the AP writer make the mistake or was he given incorrect info?
The conservative AM radio
May 12, 2008 - 22:45 ET by jdhawkThe conservative AM radio talk show hosts get callers all the time that start out the conversation with, "I am a life long Republican who voted for so and so and so and so, BUT now I am voting for liberal X."
This ruse has been used for years. It's just more BS from the left.
Other interesting Obama info
May 12, 2008 - 22:48 ET by allahallahoxenfreehttp://atlasshrugs20...
Can you say Manchurian Candidate boys and girls???
CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS!!!
Military researchers?
May 12, 2008 - 23:12 ET by seanrobinsThere has to be someone out there who has the connections to get this guys records pulled and checked.
Tennis anyone?
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
Get the full name and go to
May 13, 2008 - 10:50 ET by BDGet the full name and go to Military.com's buddy finder.
Not fair BD
May 13, 2008 - 10:53 ET by JWFDid you see my post on buddy finder in this thread? I gets the credits on teh internets mister!
JWF; I concur, Mea culpa,
May 13, 2008 - 11:43 ET by BDJWF;
I concur, Mea culpa, Mea Culpa....
CPO Sharkey
May 13, 2008 - 00:23 ET by MCPO AirdaleCPO Sharkey is endorsing Millard Filmore!
Filmore '08
"Because you really don't care."
Who is Bilko endorsing?
May 13, 2008 - 07:44 ET by ricklailWho is Bilko endorsing? What about SFC Hulka (Stripes)?
"A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself." A.W. Tozer (Pharisee=modern day liberal)
Military.com buddy finder
May 13, 2008 - 00:41 ET by JWFThe buddy finder feature of military.com also shows d.o.d. records. There is a Johnathon P Weiler whose military specialty was 81170 - security specialist and home resident was California. Paygrade - E-5
A google search of a Johnathon Weiler turns up some references to a California police officer.
I of course could not find this on my own, I am a veteran and I could not find a job since I retired, (Steven King says so) being as I am stupid and broke, I beat my neighbor about the head and neck until he turned up teh internets results. *
The AP can't get a simple fact like the Mr. Weilers rank correct but experts when it comes to telling us how the war is going.
* yes, it is true, it is I, the neighbor, and I had to type this for him under threat of death.
"We need somebody who's
May 13, 2008 - 05:45 ET by Ruths husband Ben"We need somebody who's gonna represent the left and the right."
Oh, yes, then Obama's your metrosexual. I mean we have his middle of the road voting record (such as it is). And all the times he's crossed the aisle to embrace conservative issues "Just because it was the right thing to do." Not to mention his courageous stand on abortion, entitlements, and illegal immigration.
Not that there is anything wrong with being self-deluded.
“There’s nobody (white) on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any (other) ethnic group.” -Obama (talking about Imus)
(parentheticals added for clarity)
DuNCe Headquarters
May 13, 2008 - 06:21 ET by gideonmjamesDamn right ... D-rats are the most committed group of Stalinists since ... well ... Josef Stalin.
Bunch of frickin' antichrists if you ask me ... the dead-gum Neville Chamberlain Party.
Posted in Wrong Place
May 13, 2008 - 06:24 ET by gideonmjamesThink for yourself
May 12, 2008 - 22:01 ET by Michael M. Bates
. . . hey, I can think for myself, thank you.
Do not - I repeat, do not - report to Democratic headquarters with an attitude like that.
The Truth Doesn't Matter!
May 13, 2008 - 07:33 ET by ChasvsWake up America! We are being fed a pack of Lies to get this Black Liberal elected!
We are SO SCREWED!
John Weiler suffers from
May 13, 2008 - 07:37 ET by AntiMediaJohn Weiler suffers from severe BO.
"But I guess if you can make
May 13, 2008 - 08:06 ET by Killgrave"But I guess if you can make E-7 in six years, anything is possible."
With all due respect to those who serve, they do seem to play it pretty loose in the Air Force.
I'm only saying this because I worked as a civilian at Bolling Airforce Base. I saw, first-hand, rank and file airmen calling their officers by their first names, and being very buddy-buddy. There also was a lot of attention towards “sensitivity” and “diversity”. I've been in the business long enough to notice the stark differences between the different branches.
In my 20 years in the Army
May 13, 2008 - 08:40 ET by theduck6I saw a poop load of changes...and very little of them for the better.
Over the last several
May 13, 2008 - 08:52 ET by KillgraveOver the last several decades the left has completely infested and corrupted our academia, and our media to a lesser extent. Our military, apparently, isn't immune to it.
It's like an internal rot that breaks down a once strong, once proud body. The components of this rot are hubris and apathy, which the left has done nothing but exploit.
Killgrave, out of
May 13, 2008 - 17:56 ET by CortillaenKillgrave, out of curiosity, how long ago were you there? My Det Commander has also expressed concerns about that kind of thing, but he says the pendulum seems to be swinging back the other way lately. I know beyond any shadow of a doubt calling one of my superiors by their first name, or even last name without either rank or position, just a couple times would get me a Form 16, and I'm just in AFROTC. The AF reputation for being more lax than other branches may soon fade.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"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
6 years to E-7 is highly unlikely
May 13, 2008 - 09:08 ET by Semper Fi_USAAs far as I know the only branch of the military that is even possible in is the Navy, and then only because of ("Push button NCO") meritorious advancement to E-4 for Nuclear power, or Advanced Electronics.
It used to be only about 5% of E-7 selectees were in a minimum of 7 years, with the standard time in grade requirements, and the average was around 14 years... I am not sure if the Corps had any or not... But I cannot remember meeting many Gunnys with under 10 years.
So Maybe he drank the coolaid at one of Hillary's campain stops, something must be making all the liberals have such a problem with telling the truth.
Devil Dog
Old Corps
May 13, 2008 - 09:35 ET by jaywlIn my Old Corps (65-70) if we had ever seen a 7 year Gunny, he would had to have the most squared-away M-Fer that ever lived, walking stiff without starch! You're right about the Navy now, but don't forget the Air Farce, making rank is what they did back then.
The AF's changing a lot,
May 13, 2008 - 17:42 ET by CortillaenThe AF's changing a lot, recently. Heck, some changes have been instituted with the expressed purpose of making change easier in the future. It's going to be interesting time...
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"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
Another pathway:
May 13, 2008 - 09:47 ET by NL207Another pathway: Seals.
It was possible to make E-6, and possibly E-7 in 6 years in the SEAL program. I know at least one who did this in the late 60's when the MOS was known as UDT. But .... this particular individual was a combat veteran, went to OCS and was commissioned as O-1 shortly after. His final rank at discharge was O-2.
His Ribbons Are FAKE!!!
May 13, 2008 - 09:32 ET by owr084Before I get to the ribbons, the video clearly states he was a STAFF Sgt, not a Master Sgt, so that is just one more disconnect in the story. And, there is no way in heck that he could have made Master Sgt with only an Achievement Medal. To become a Senior NCO, he would have needed multiple Commendation and/or Meritorious Service Medals (none of which are on his ribbon rack).
As for the ribbons (shown at the start of the video) this is what I posted at hotair.com:
Let’s examine the ribbon rack, using http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcemedals/l/blafmedals.htm as a guide.
Bottom row, left to right: Short Overseas Tour, Marksmanship, and Training.
Middle row, left to right: Outstanding Unit (AFOUA), NCO PME Graduate, Longevity.
Whoops - hold it right there. The Longevity Ribbon is
LOWER in precedence than the Overseas Short Tour ribbon. The NCO PME
Graduate Ribbon is lower in precedence than both the Overseas short
tour and the longevity ribbon. And this guy was supposedly a Staff
Sgt?!?!? I’m sorry. As a 22 year Air Force Veteran, I’ve known Officers
to screw up their ribbons, but never NCOs. Totally inexcusable…
Now the top row, left to right: Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal.
Again, WTF? The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is
higher in precedence than the Good Conduct Medal. So, the correct order
for his ribbons from highest to lowest is: Achievement medal, AF
Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Short Tour,
Longevity, NCO PME Graduate, Marksmanship, and the Training Ribbon.
I call Bullsh*t on this joker.
rbb on May 12, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Good catch
May 13, 2008 - 09:44 ET by JWFThose ribbons look like they are from his "I love me" wall. You wear your ribbons every day. You should know what order they are in.
Was this something the clueless moveon.org people threw in without his knowledge? Or was he that friggin sloppy?
Question
May 13, 2008 - 10:02 ET by JWFWhat about that good conduct award? Back then, the Navy was giving them away after 4 years.
From the looks of it, there is at least one bar, which would indicate an additional reward, impossible after 7 years.
Of course I was not in the Air Force and maybe the angle is just bad in that video.
it was 3 years
May 13, 2008 - 17:15 ET by wizardjrback in the 'old days' ('62-'70) the Good Conduct was a three year period.
Master sergeant, staff sergeant. So, there's a difference?
May 13, 2008 - 11:44 ET by GalvanicLibs are notoriously and, I assume, willfully ignorant of military rank and organization.
In a 2006 interview, while he was successfully leading his party's recapture of the House of Representatives, Clintonista & Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel cited the growing military experience in the new Congressional candidates.
One he described as having been a "Colonel in the Navy Reserves." The other was retired VADM Joe Sestak (who was elected to a Pennsylvania seat in Congress), who had "commanded an aircraft carrier battalion."
Getting titles and names right would earn more credibility, but they don't seem too interested.
6 years to E-7 is highly unlikely
May 13, 2008 - 09:31 ET by Semper Fi_USAAs far as I know the only branch of the military that is even possible in is the Navy, and then only because of ("Push button NCO") meritorious advancement to E-4 for Nuclear power, or Advanced Electronics.
It used to be only about 5% of E-7 selectees were in a minimum of 7 years, with the standard time in grade requirements, and the average was around 14 years... I am not sure if the Corps had any or not... But I cannot remember meeting many Gunnys with under 10 years.
So Maybe he drank the coolaid at one of Oboma's campain stops, something must be making all the liberals have such a problem with telling the truth.
Devil Dog
"something must be making
May 13, 2008 - 17:20 ET by Cortillaen"something must be making all the liberals have such a problem with telling the truth." Maybe having one of their candidates appear unfazed over repeated lies has made the rest of them decide it's fine. Heh, heh.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"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
The MSM is actually correcting the story, He was a 6 year SSGT
May 13, 2008 - 10:36 ET by Ole_SargeMr. Weiler served 6 years (either one 6 year enlistment, a basic 4 year enlistment and an extension of service, or... there is some reason why he did not finish two enlistments.) But he made it it to Staff Sergeant, which for the USAF is E-5.
Okay, someone served and has been out, (almost 20 years). So how does that "sell" newspapers???
OMG!!! A cop? A USAF Security Policeman huh? Okay I married one, but Mr. Weiler must have been one of the "d-- f---s that my late husband had to spent 80% of his time on. You know 20% of your people give you 80% of your problems.
Yep, looks like it would have been better if he just appeared as a "cop" and had a photo of himself as a Airman in Basic Training in the background.
NOTE to the LEFTISTS -- Dress and Appearance regulations for ALL the military services are available on-line, complete with tables showing what medal is worn in what order for each of the military services. Have someone "look over" your "winter servicemen and women" before they embarrass themselves and lose what "little" credibility because the "fruit salad" is in the worn order, or they are wearing something they did not earn.
Correction
May 13, 2008 - 10:35 ET by jbeeebJust read the AP article as shown in the blog. They have now corrected it and said he left as a staff sergeant.
Why would they have checked the facts?
May 13, 2008 - 11:34 ET by Great DebaterOf course they didn't check the facts BEFORE they ran the story. Why? Well, when someone tells libs. a story that reinforces their pre-conceived notions, they conclude that it must all be true. So, why waste time checking facts they already know to be true (when they can just make a quick correction if they're wrong ... again). It's truly a great time to be a liberal, isn't it? It might as well be May 1976, instead of May 2008.