Chickenhawk Patriot?
The other day, Markos Moulitsas lashed out (again) at the chickenhawks of the 101st Fighting Keyboarders, i.e. all bloggers who support the war in Iraq, comparing them unfavorably to Patrick Henry:
When our nation was founded, we had men of real character and courage fighting for their nascent America, one in which liberty and freedom trumped the authorative tendencies of the monarchy. Patrick Henry gave words to those efforts:
Give me liberty or give me death!
The breathtaking cowardice of the 101st Fighting Keyboardists knows no bounds. They hide behind the American flag and our genuinely brave men and women in uniform. It’s bad enough that they wouldn’t deign to join the boots in the ground in Iraq.
Oops. It’s difficult being ignorant. It turns out that Patrick Henry was, by Kos’ definition, a “chickenhawk” himself; he didn’t serve in the Continental Army. Via Captain Ed:
It turns out that Henry never served in the Revolution — and even when given a commission and a command, he declined to serve:
- 1775 August 26: Although Henry had no military experience, he was elected colonel of the First Virginia Regiment and commander-in-chief of the Virginia militia.
- 1776 February 28: Henry resigned his military appointment.
Wow — who knew that Kos would celebrate such a chickenhawk!
Of course, that slur would be ludicrous to use on Patrick Henry. Instead of picking up a gun and commanding an army, Henry relied on his better skills and went into politics and rhetoric to fight for freedom. … All Kos did with his screed is demonstrate that he has nothing more than a facile understanding of both American history and the nature of civilian-based democratic government rather than military juntas.
Patriot Act Run Amok
Pouting Spooks
NSA wiretaps, the FBI, and Attorney-gate
Lapel pins R Us
Yes, it is the best he can come up with.