In Which I Answer A Question And Ask One

The always reliable Steve Benen of The Carpetbagger and Salon posts as follows:

Let’s play, ‘Imagine If A Democrat Had Said This’

As a rule, insulting U.S. troops trying to keep you safe in Iraq doesn’t seem like an especially good idea. And yet, there was Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), one of Congress’ most right-wing members, reflecting on his recent visit to Baghdad, and calling one soldier he met a “two-bit security guard.”

“We spent the night in the Green Zone, in the poolhouse of one of Saddam’s palaces. A little weird, I got to be honest with you. But I felt safe. And so in the morning, I got up early — not that I make this a great habit — but I went to the gym because I just couldn’t sleep and everything else. Well, sure enough, the guard wouldn’t let me in. Said I didn’t have the correct credentials.

“It’s 5:00 in the morning. I haven’t had sleep. I was not very happy with this two-bit security guard. And so you know, I said, ‘I want to see your supervisor.’ Thirty minutes later, the supervisor wasn’t happy with me, they escort me back to my room. It happens. I guess I didn’t need to work out anyway.”

Yes, poor Patrick McHenry. An American stationed in Baghdad followed orders on Green-Zone security only to get mocked by a conservative lawmaker who never wore a uniform. Classy.

Lots of lefties have joined in but let's just highlight ThinkProgress (Invent Stuff) and Oliver Willis, both of whom share Mr. Benen's confidence that the "two-bit security guard" is a US soldier.  Oh, feel the love - let's include Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake, Steve Benen at AirAmerica, Joe Gandelman of The Moderate (but reliably lefty) Voice, and the AmericaBlog.

My question - what in the telling of this story (other than their own partisan desire, of course) makes them think the guard in question is either American or a soldier?  McHenry was a jerk, but was he a jerk to a soldier?

[MINI-UPDATE:  If Michael Goldfarb of The Weekly Standard is with me, who will stand against me?

Think Progress Screws Up Again

...Think Progress provides the video, but at no point does McHenry indicate that the "security guard" is an American soldier. In fact, if Amanda had bothered to call McHenry's office, she would have learned that the security guard was one of the foreign contractors so reviled by the left--an individual who in any other circumstance Amanda would likely label a "mercenary." I did call McHenry's office and the congressman's press secretary offered this statement from his boss:

It was a poor choice of words to describe the foreign contractor, but anyone who was there knows that I delivered a speech praising the heroism and sacrifice of those who are serving our country in harm's way.

The choice of words does not paint McHenry in the most flattering light...calling a security guard a "two-bit security guard" isn't exactly a classy move. But once again, Think Progress has failed to maintain even the minimum standards of the profession.

Oh, it's a foreign contractor?  Screw them, right?

We resume our blog post in progress...]

I am doubtful that we are talking about a full security checkpoint at the limits of the Green Zone, although even there it is possible to encounter foreign troops, Iraqi security, and (IIRC) private contractors (See TIME, 2007). But if the encounter occurred inside the Green Zone, as is likely, why couldn't the "two bit security guard" simply be an Iraqi rent-a-cop or private doorman? 

I'll accept that McHenry is not scoring huge "Reach Out To Our Allies" points with his "two-bit" characterization, and I think anyone doing security work in Baghdad is providing yeoman's service, but some of them are, I suspect, low rent security guards.  In which case, the attack theme that McHenry insulted our troops falls a bit short and it might behoove the Reality Based Community to reach out to Reality.  Of course, if you want to bust a Congressman for being a self-inflated overbearing jerk, you'll have plenty of choices, and McHenry moved himself near the front of the line here (or dare we say, head of the non-class?). 

Iraqi rent-a-cops get blown up and shot at, and if they do a slack job a bomber can walk right past them, so McHenry should not be belittling them. 

Atrios does a lot better with his line of attack:

I wonder how many two-bit security guards have been killed in Patrick McHenry's favorite war?

Monster.

And do let's note that McHenry's political opponent carefully calls the guard a  "sentry protecting U.S. personnel in Iraq" without specifying a nationality.  A clue?!?

So, is there other evidence the stalwarts of the left have failed to present?  Or are they under the illusion that all the security in and around the Green Zone is provided exclusively by uniformed US troops? Daft.

If the Reality-Based Community could be good enough to provide any evidence that we are talking about a US soldier, I will be delighted to join in what I expect will be a notable chorus.

But dare we hope that evidence will precede the sentencing?  I know it doesn't always work that way on the left, but if someone could make this small accommodation to our right-wing quirkiness, that would be lovely.

Well, I promised an answer - last October Bobby Calvan, a McClatchy reporter, was a bit overbearing with a uniformed US soldier serving in conjunction with some Ugandan troops at a Green Zone checkpoint, and yes, the right-o-sphere took notice.  Of course, in that case the incident clearly did involve a US soldier.

MORE:  Don Surber is outraged:

Congressional jerk

Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry calls soldier in Iraq a “two-bit security guard.”

I wonder if Don's answer would change if he knew for sure the guard was not an American, or not a soldier.  I know mine does and I don't think I am out of the mainstream, but I am not sure I can explain the thought process and look good doing it.  I am pretty sure that Congressman who supported this war ought to respect everyone helping our side, including Iraqis hired to guard the gym (if that is what is actually happening here).  On the other hand, a US soldier sent to Baghdad and ordered to guard a gym seems to me to be entitled to more deference from a US Congressman than an Iraqi doing the same job.

THE CAPTAIN AGAIN:  Captain Ed blasts McHenry for insulting a soldier.  Boy, I sure can pick my battles - later I will learn that McHenry puts puppies in blenders or something.

ALTERNATIVELY:  I am going to get a head start and bitterly condemn McHenry for verbally and physically assaulting this disabled US vet whose father died serving in Vietnam and whose beloved mum is battling a mortgage foreclosure while struggling to prevent her insurance company from dropping her due to a pre-existing condition.  The shame!

SECURITY:  From TIME:

The Green Zone is guarded by a crazy quilt of security personnel--Georgian soldiers, Peruvian security guards, Iraqi army, Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers. Moving around the area requires learning a peculiar patois. Upon arriving at a routine checkpoint, you are typically greeted with a succession of questions and demands, issued in Georgian ("gamarjoba," or hello), Spanish ("amigo"), English ("badge"), Arabic ("silah," or weapon) and Iraqi slang ("mamnoon," or thank you)...

Responsibility for coordinating this Tower of Babel still lies with the coalition forces. But in the coming year, more territory within the Green Zone, as in the rest of Iraq, is slated to be turned over to Iraqi government control.

I still bet there are also private guards, including private Iraqi guards.

Now Newsweek:

The Green Zone, which has officially been renamed the International Zone, or IZ, has been an odd entity since it was set up after the fall of Baghdad in 2003. It encompasses four square miles of what was formerly Saddam Hussein's choicest real estate on the banks of the Tigris River. As the insecurity increased in the rest of Baghdad, called the Red Zone in military lingo, the concentric rings of security inside the Green Zone kept getting tighter. There are checkpoints manned by Nepalese Gurkhas, by Georgians from the former Soviet Union, by Peruvians and, sometimes, by Iraqis themselves. The Thursday blast was in one of the outer cordons of the Green Zone, which is mostly screened by Iraqi personnel. The security for the Parliament building, which is directly in front of the Al-Rashid Hotel, is also run by Iraqi staff.

So what is my point - that McHenry is a jerk, but maybe less of a jerk than people think?  Compelling stuff...  Oh, well - I still like to include a bit of evidence with my daily dose of Reality.

FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE: Since these are private contractors...

They aren’t in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them.

OR WE COULD TRY DEFENDING MCHENRY:  Ok, this is a bit of a push, but it has been suggested that McHenry is mocking himself; as his story about the "two-bit security guard" unfolds we learn that McHenry was denied entrance to the gym and escorted back to his room.  Shortly thereafter, the gym was hit in a rocket attack.  McHenry then segues to a bit about the bravery of the people serving in Iraq and the YouTube clip stops.  So, the hypothesis - McHenry went on to explain that this "two bit security guard" did his job and saved McHenry's life, from which Mchenry took an important lesson about the courage and commitment of the people protecting us in Baghdad.  Since McHenry's opponents edited the tape, we can't tell (and incredibly, we don't trust them... can you believe it?).  But having sat through the full tape, it seems possible.

Comments

[MayBee]

Oh please please please please please let the two-bit security guard be a Blackwater guy.

[Porchlight]

Heh, MayBee. That would be tops.

Do soldiers have "supervisors"?

[Porchlight]

I should say, I do think McHenry's comment was obnoxious. But is he a "monster" as Atrios called him? Gosh, these guys must have desk drawers full of smelling salts - I don't know how they survive the daily outrage.

[bgates]

I can find no evidence McHenry ever said he had a "favorite war". Atrios' slur has me reeling. What an inflammatory, vicious thing to say.

Anybody remember the howls of anguish from these tender-hearted leftist sites after Kos trademarked "F__ 'em"?

[MayBee]

At the very least, McHenry sounds like a "Don't You Know Who I Am??!!!" kind of jerk.

[Appalled Moderate]

Having listened to the youtube in which the comment occurs, I have a feeling the "two-bit" remark might have been made in context of the story, rather than some petulant slam. (It's hard to tell, the you tube does not let the guy finish his story.) because, the part you don't see at the websites is his tale of the missiles subsequently hitting the green zone and demolishing the gym, and his statement on how blessed he is that he was not blasted to smithereens.

At this point, it makes you wonder who the monsters and a-holes are. The ones who play quote gotcha every chance they get, or the people who tell a story on themselves in what looks to be prelude to a celebration of our troops.

Geez, Tom. I think I did a better job debunking this thing than you did. Because -- really -- what difference does it make of the guy was military or not? People who serve in Iraq deserve our respect (unless they show a reason for not deserving it.)

[Tom Fan No. #1]

You should investigate, Tom, during your next trip to Iraq to support our troops.

That'll shut the lefties up!

[Danube of Thought]

A jerk, to be sure.

Did some strafing and bombing at some of the linked sites on the soldier/American issue. Maguire had beat me to it on at least one of them.

These clowns sure know how to lead with their chin, don't they?

[Sue]

See, I read this as a shot against himself.

It’s 5:00 in the morning. I haven’t had sleep. I was not very happy with this two-bit security guard.

What he was thinking at the time, regardless of whether it was a soldier or Blackwater. No one was going to tell him, a member of Congress, he wasn't going in there.

And so you know, I said, ‘I want to see your supervisor.’

See? That is what someone who thinks they have been insulted by an inferior would say.

Thirty minutes later, the supervisor wasn’t happy with me, they escort me back to my room.

Mr. Uppity, member of Congress, was brought down a peg or two by the supervisor he requested.

Of course, he is a bore for saying/thinking it to begin with, but I read the story originally as his own come-uppance.

[DebinNC]

McHenry's office is up the road from me, so I called. The young lady said it was a "Panamanian contractor" being described. She admitted that he used "two-bit" which he shouldn't have. She also said there was some other lie circulating about an American killed that day, which she is sending me.

[Porchlight]

AM, that is really interesting. So if I'm understanding you correctly, the context is that McHenry was telling a story on himself, about how he never should have been rude to the security guard who was only doing his job, and to whom McHenry is now grateful.

If so, that changes things quite a bit. Thanks. I need to go check out the YouTube.

[MayBee]

It changes everything.
What is it with the clean toga club that they are willing to get so upset over what they should know by now are truncated clips and out-of-context words?

[MayBee]

The Latest Video Clip at McHenry's website shows an on-the-spot version of the story. It is obviously as AM says.

Now the funny thing is that the left has been going crazy defending a contractor. Which is hilarious.

[Appalled Moderate]

Porchlight:

It isn't quite that clear cut -- but close enough for extemporaneous remarks. He's clearly telling a story on himself.

[Sue]

So I was right just from reading the quotes? Damn, I'm good.

::grin::

[Porchlight]

Thanks, AM (and Sue!). This certainly has been the week for misquotes and quotes out of context.

[Cecil Turner]

Because -- really -- what difference does it make of the guy was military or not? People who serve in Iraq deserve our respect (unless they show a reason for not deserving it.)

Bzzzt. It matters a lot. Because if the guy is a soldier, we sent him there. That guy deserves our respect; the contractor is a Joe doing a higher-paying job because it's risky . . . he deserves a bonus over similar work in a safe environment.

[clarice]

That's why they're the clean toga club. If they were normal people, they'd wait until the facts were clearer even if that meant once in a while they'd get a spot or two on their hems. Clean toga club members dash away at the mere sound of a chariot approaching the muddy intersection--they don't wait to see if it is entering it or not.

[Ranger]

And once again, the age old military saying that 'the first report is always wrong' holds true.

[Sue]

If the man wasn't telling you he was an asshole and got his, why would he have gone on to say anything about the supervisor being unhappy with him, being escorted back to his room. Oh well, didn't really need to exercise today. The whole tone of his quote says he was brought down a peg or two and deserved it.

[Appalled Moderate]

Cecil:

When it comes to whether a congressman is dissing a soldier or a civilian who is guarding property, I don't see that much difference (except maybe the guy from Blackrock and Haliburton might be able to quit). Both of them are doing jobs we here would not do for any amount of money.

[MayBee]

That's why they're the clean toga club

I am forever grateful for your introducing me to this club.
It is so perfect. Perfect perfect perfect.

[Cecil Turner]

When it comes to whether a congressman is dissing a soldier or a civilian who is guarding property, I don't see that much difference . . .

The difference is huge. The soldier has no choice, the civilian chose the job (and can tell the Congressman to f___ off without being sent to jail). More importantly, we as citizens (and even moreso as congressmen) have a responsibility to those we send into harm's way. There is no such consideration for fellow citizens who choose to be there (except the usual deference to fellow citizens--though in this case even that seems not to apply).

Both of them are doing jobs we here would not do for any amount of money.

Sorry, just wrong. The motivation for a civilian contractor is precisely money. He balances the risk with reward and decides if it's worth it. The Serviceman signs up to defend the nation, and is sent where he's needed. He gets no vote on deployments (or even conflicts), and often ends up in totally unforeseen--and particularly dangerous--situations.

[DebinNC]

Think Progress ends their McHenry entry with:

"McHenry also claimed that a person died from rocket attacks during his stay in the Green Zone. A U.S. embassy official, however, said “that there were no fatalities from that rocket attack.”

The lady in McHenry's office mentioned another lie going around, and I bet she meant the TP one above. She said a man from Oregon, an engineer she thought, died while McHenry was there. Could it be this man?

[PeterUK]

McHenry had a very narrow escape,the security guard might have collapsed in tears and have counseling for being called "two bit".Might never have been able to do the job again,compensation might have st in,McHenry could have got himself sued.

[The Other Steve]

This is hardly a compelling argument, since the game is "Imagine If A Democrat Had Said This".

John Cole has this right, we'd be hearing about it for years. Christ, I just came across some unibrow moron the other day on a blog whining about how Kos said "fuck 'em".

[Sue]

I can't believe people are going nuts over this.

[TexasToast]

Woops!

Looks like you got somthing on your shoe there, Tom .........

[viva ron paul]

The amazing thing is 5 years into this fucking mess and you have to pass a checkpoint to get into a gym IN THE GREEZONE. End this stupidity.

[MayBee]

Sue- It is like shouting into a black hole, isn't it?

[Cecil Turner]

Christ, I just came across some unibrow moron the other day on a blog whining about how Kos said "fuck 'em".

The bug-eyed moron said "f*** 'em" about guys killed, burned and hung from a bridge. McHenry said "two-bit" about a guard who wouldn't let him into the gym. Yep, that's pretty much exactly the same.

[Sue]

Sue- It is like shouting into a black hole, isn't it?

Yeah, sort of. Only I think it is more like how the hell am I the only one who gets it?

[GMax]

John Cole? John Cole the republican? John Cole the republican who sounds just like a looney lefty and has a whole melange of far lefties slobbering over him on his site? Are we talking about the same guy? Blind hogs + a certain kind of nut + statistics come to mind at all?

[Topsecretk9]

the thing is, we don't have to imagine a Democrat said this - they pretty much convey this on a daily basis, from the way they treat the stupid "halp us Jonh Karri" volunteers, our military recruiting stations, our troops killing in cold blood - Murtha etc. etc.

Heck, the General Beytrayus ad was a giant collective Democrats saying this.

[Sue]

I give up. It is like wildfire. With an 80 mph wind blowing. When even Top gets drawn into it, I don't know what to say. ::sigh::

[Sue]

Lesson to the Congressman. Keep your self-deprecating jokes simple, simple, simple.

[viva ron paul]

If you haven't heard a soldier say "fuck the x" where x=private contractor" you don't know anybody in Iraq.

[MayBee]

Lesson to the Congressman. Keep your self-deprecating jokes simple, simple, simple.

ha.

[TexasToast]

AM

I agree. Quote gotcha sucks.

Like the unmistakable spoken word difference between "AQ and Iran" and "AQ in Iran". Just no excuse for messing that up..... Must be a plot.....

[Tom Maguire]

I've stolen all of that, thanks.

[MayBee]

Texas Toast-
Did someone make Jane Hamsher go off on that quote and play quote gotcha with it?
She could have saved herself by reading the whole transcript and seeing the context.

[Appalled Moderate]

TT:

When Tom gets into these extended riffs on that sort of thing, I usually move on to the next post. Though the "and" vs. "in" was sort of an interesting demonstration of the way mistakes can be amplified all over the web.

(I don't think there is any shortage of that sort of thing on lefty websites, either.)

[Cecil Turner]

Did someone make Jane Hamsher go off on that quote and play quote gotcha with it?

No kidding. And even if it'd been what she thought, it'd amount to saying "Iran" when one meant "Iraq" (like nobody's ever done that before). If it is indicative of actual cluelessness (like Pelosi's idiotic assertion that Al Qaeda in Iraq wasn't--you know--like Al Qaeda in Iraq), then I think it's fair game. Both these latest stupidities are attempts to find something that'll stick when thrown against the wall . . . never mind how petty or dishonest. It's bad form, and calling 'em on it is righteous.

[Topsecretk9]

"AQ and Iran" and "AQ in Iran". Just no excuse for messing that up..... Must be a plot.....

"Although powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr agreed to a ceasefire after six days of fighting, Pelosi wondered why the U.S. was caught off guard by the offensive and questioned how the ceasefire was achieved, saying the terms were "probably dictated from Iran.”

I blame Pelosi.

--

The friday tax dump --His Speech Income: $51,855,599

Does anyone remember the Democrats criticizing Reagan for his like 10 grand speaking fees? Hmm mmm

[MayBee]

TM- Did you get a link to McHenry's website? He has a video there, taken that day, where he talks about what a blessing it was that he wasn't in the gym at that very moment.

http://mchenry.house.gov/multimedia/

It is the video about the Easter Green Zone attack.
It isn't the end of the story on the YouTube, but rather a precursor that explains how he felt about it.

[Neo]

By any chance was this an al Qaeda in Iran security guard ?

[Neo]

Speech Income: $51,855,599

His tongue must be sweeter than Spitzer's whore social provider.

[DebinNC]

And TM, please see my post at 3:29 which I think shows TP was wrong in claiming McHenry lied about someone in the Green Zone dying from a rocket attack while he was there:

"CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - A former Corvallis city councilman has died from injuries sustained when rockets pounded Baghdad's U.S.-protected Green Zone on Easter, a newspaper reported."

[Jane]

Hillary just released her tax returns - She and Bill made something like $109 million over the last 6 years. $51 million was from Bill prattling out loud.

Sheesh

[Sue]

Shoot. I can talk. For $51 million, I can talk a lot.