tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359698087928768667.post7103614025748442600..comments2023-11-05T07:30:16.659-05:00Comments on Obiter Dictum: The Dahr Jamail/IVAW Connection: Journalistic CollusionDenis Keohanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11931467085232813353noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359698087928768667.post-85807696884682139832008-01-09T13:33:00.000-05:002008-01-09T13:33:00.000-05:00I saw your comment in the GoE forums, but as I was...I saw your comment in the GoE forums, but as I was requested not to post there (due to my outrageous claim of being active duty military), I'm happy to answer here.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to be able to tell you what percentage of the 700+ (though I think it's up around 800 by now, that's not really updated. I know we have more chapters now.) actually served in Iraq. Unfortunately, I was taught by a sergeant who said not to bullshit answers, so I'm not going to. I flat-out don't know. <BR/><BR/>I can tell you my impressions just based on people I've met. I personally have not met an IVAW member who hasn't taken part in the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. However, this could include, say, being in a ship off the coast and helping with the flight deck. The thing about the Iraq conflict is it's really hard to say what precisely constitutes Iraq service. Do you count the medical personnel at Walter Reed who handle the wounded from the war every day? Or someone who was in Iraq physically, but never aided in a combat mission? How do you define it? That's actually a fairly serious question.<BR/><BR/>About eighty percent of the people I've met have had boots on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan, I would say. But again, I'm one person, and anecdotal evidence is hardly anything to look at. Just as my evidence for Fort Drum having more active duty military members is anecdotal: I met them. It's not really stats and figures. I don't handle that stuff-I have a day job. And a night job. And a night-and-day job. You get the picture. :)Army Sergeanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11353058340579444160noreply@blogger.com