3/15/2007
Andy Rooney says I’m “The bottom of the barrel”.
Red2Alpha says,
Growing up, my mother and father watched ‘60 Minutes’ every week. The end of each show was a commentary by a grand fatherly looking man named Andy Rooney. He would question things in everyday life, like why there was a toothbrush holder next to the sink, why certain auto makers made one product and another did not. The kinds of things you would wonder about when you were older and wiser. He was funny and insightful. Not anymore.
Now he calles the new Soldiers to join the Army ” the bottom of the barrel”.
In an attempt to get the soldiers they need, recruiters have reduced the standards for getting into the Army or Navy. They have reduced the educational standards, for example, so that they’re getting more soldiers who didn’t go to high school, let alone graduate from high school.
I did graduate from high school but I know more than one excellent Soldier that only had a GED, hell, my 1stSGT in the 82nd, a former Ranger School Instructer, only had an 8th Grade education. He may have know all the words in the Oxford English Language Dictunary abut he was a fine Soldier and great Jump Master. Other Soldiers I have know, both good and bad, have only had a G.E.D. The military is nothing more than a mirco-cosum of the society it protects. You are going to find every type of person serving in uniform. Some of the most intelligent, insightful people I have very met have been in the Army with me, in the Infantry, which is derided in the military it’self as the home of the strong backs and weak minds. Hardly.
Recruiters are granting thousands of what they call “moral waivers”. A “moral waiver” it turns out means they’ll take someone who has committed a crime or even someone who has been in prison. Last year, a total of 8,129 “moral waivers” were given to men who volunteered for the Army.
I doubt recruiters are letting hard core gang members or the Zodiac killer into the military. The truth is there have always been people with checkerd pasts in uniform. And even if a recrute has been arrested for something, drunk driving, shop lifting, not paying a speeding ticket ect. who is to say the he or she does not deserve a chance to improve their lives by serving? I don’t know what these “moral wavers’ cover but I’m sure that they do not cover violent crimes. Relax, Andy, I don’t think are Armed Forces are suddenly overflowing with Ted Bundys and Hell’s Angles.
Here’s where it gets really good.
In August of 1941, I had just finished my junior year in college when I was drafted into the Army. Hundreds of my classmates were drafted at the same time. I hated everything about Army life. I hated the Field Artillery regiment I was assigned to. Most of the guys in it were high school dropouts and the Army wasn’t using the term “moral waiver,” yet but a lot of them would have needed it.They had joined before the draft so they had already been promoted to being corporals or sergeants and they were in charge of the rest of us.In 1942 we were at war with Germany and it wasn’t long before drafted college students and high school graduates dominated our military. It changed the United States Army for the better and in two years made it the best fighting force there has ever been. The Army and Navy were no longer made up of losers.
So, let me get this right? If you have a high school, or better yet, a college degree, then that makes you better than the rest of the Soldiers you serve with? Because you were able to complete assignments and turn in homework on time, in the end simply reguritate what the teacher has told you, you have transformed into a superior being then some lowly pathetic creature with a GED? And if the military does not have these people in it’s ranks then it is nothing but a group of losers. Huh? Kind of like the group of losers you served with, Andy? Like my two uncles that helped defeat Hitler but lacked your high standards in education? I would imagine that the vast majority of the men that served in World War II, and saved the world from evil, did not have a college degree. Damn… What a bunch of losers.
**Edit by AS - AS needed a moral waiver when he entered the Army, go figure!**
Filed under: General
32 Responses to “Andy Rooney says I’m “The bottom of the barrel”.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
TrackBack To This Entry (Right-Click and Copy Shortcut)
Oh boy. You hit on a soapbox issue for me. My dad ran out of money and was unable to finish college. He got a good job, got married, had two kids. Never went back to college. I do not see my dad as a loser. Oh, he was also in the Army National Guard. One of Andy Rooney’s losers b/c he didn’t have a college degree?? I.don’t.think.so.
A person is who they are NOW, not wheter or not they got a degree at 18 or 22. Those of us older than 25~look back at yourself at 18. Who of us was really making the best choices for ourselves? We are all better people b/c we have grown up. Judging people by choices they made in their teens is just silly. There are many reasons for a person to get a GED. A loser it does not make them.
okay, down off my soapbox.
What Andy Rooney said is just a bunch of bunk. He’s just a crabby old man spouting off junk.
Yeah - what tracy said! GRRRR!
I have to find the link to this. People keep sending around the email on good ole Andy being all supportive and conservative talking which is bunk. That email was false according to Snopes
Here’s the link. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/08/60minutes/rooney/main2547775.shtml
Oddly enough while I was reading your posting I got another one of the phoney Andy Rooney speeches from a SIL.
Hmm
It is the heart of an individual that determines a good soldier, not the number of degrees that individual has behind his/her name.
If that is what all one looks like, you run the risk of having educated jackasses. Look at Congress if you want an example of a number of people having college degrees, but have difficulty understanding what the real world is like.
Good point though R2.
Great article, thank you.
–Sergeant S.W. Foster
US Army Reserves
www.DesertVets.org
www.IraqfromtheWindow.com
www.SgtScorpion.com
www.Serving-in-Iraq.com
[…] Red2Alpha(he’s now blogging with AS) at American Soldier talks about has been Andy Rooney of the geriatic network (CBS) and his last Sunday editorial where Rooney talks about current recruiting with the U.S. Armed Forces. Aside from the insulting tone of Rooney’s little spiel, what Rooney seems most perturbed about is these soldiers are representing the US across the world. The “World” will get their impressions of America from our soldiers. […]
I have been adopting soldiers for over three years now. I have written almost 3,000 letters and refuse to add up how many care packages.
The American Soldier is one of the finest humans on the face of the planet regardless of education. I have never asked, I really don’t care. They are smart, interesting, funny, and never fail to tell me to “take care.” And this wonderful group of individuals (about 26 now) call me “friend.” What an honor!!!!
Bobbie
Wow–thanks for this. So Andy Rooney is just another elitist bigot trying to pass himself off as an anti-military, anti-American pseudo-intellectual. How disappointing–I used to think he was funny! And he doesn’t even try to mask his prejudice by better defending his “theory.”
“Whenever we, as a nation, decide to fight a war – in Iraq or anywhere else – it should be fought by average Americans who are drafted.”
But the college grads he’s referring to aren’t stepping forward and enlisting. If they are the intellectual leaders the US so desperately needs, why do they have to be forced into military service? How is this demonstrating leadership skills?
I don’t mean to devalue the education some work very hard to obtain–but educational degrees are a poor across-the-board measure of someone’s capability, especially in careers where common sense and practical knowledge are imperative.
I totally agree with Bobbie–it breaks my heart and simultaneously humbles me when Soldiers write and thank me for remembering them and serving as a reminder that are are still Americans that care whether they live or die. The term “support the troops” shouldn’t even exist–it should just be.
Some of the nicest guys I’ve known served in the military (one being my Dad). Some of the most abusive had master’s degrees and PhDs — the men Andy Rooney considers the best of Americans. The people who call a Soldier with a GED a loser are the same people who excuse bad behavior and ignore domestic abuse by men with successful careers and advanced degrees. College education is not an indicator of a man’s character or capability, and it’s ridiculous for Rooney to suggest that it is.
Remember the high ranking Soldier (officer?) in Saving Private Ryan that spoke German and didn‘t remember how to use a gun? If those are the guys Rooney wants defending our country, we’re all screwed.
I was a recruiter back before we “lowered the standards” to allow more moral, medical and educational waivers. I spent many days being pissed off at the “rules” because I met many young people that had for some reason had not finished high school, but in my opinion, would have made fine Soldiers. If a person goes the extra mile to get a GED that tells me that the individual has motivation and drive to accomplish a task and that is what we need in our Army today.
Has anyone else notice that when Liberals are discussing poor people with limited education in ANY OTHER CONTEXT we hear that these people are as good as anybody else, they just need the opportunity to prove it, but when it comes to recruiment, all of a sudden it’s “the bottom of the barrel”- pathetic useless people the military shouldn’t want.
Could you possibly imagine something like “Nissan has opened up a manufacturing plant in rural Mississippi, proving that auto makers are now scraping the bottom of the barrel.” or “The University of Michigan has a program to help underprepared students do better on entrance exams- they are now scraping the bottom of the barrel for students.”
It seems, to the Left, people are only to be mocked and insulted when they want to join the military. Now, I’m something of an over-educated urban northeasterner myself, but I have learned something here: If I was in great danger and I had to recruit the people who were going to save my life, and I had to choose between the audience at an avante-garde interpretive dance recital, and the audience at a NASCAR event, I’d go with the NASCAR bunch, no questions, every time.
Ben
If I had to choose between the “audience at an avante-garde interpretive dance” and Andy Rooney for protection, I’d take my chances hiding in the closet.
Look bottom line is that Americans are not falling over themselves to enlist. The American people no longer support the war, and they want their soldiers to come back home. If the American people REALLY supported this war recruiters would be able to to take only the cream. Andy Rooney is not to blame for this problem.
FWIW, the latest demographic study shows percentage of college graduates in the military is HIGHER than in the general civilian population.
Funny, these same people didn’t make an issue out of the lowering of physical and training standards to allow women entry into the West Point, Air Force and Naval Academy in 1980.
If the American people no longer support the war, and they want their soldiers to come back home, why are their Representatives tapdancing and resorting to “slow bleed schemes” to stop funding the war? If people are so strongly opposed, de-funding legislation should breeze right through Congress on a tidal wave of popular support.
The truth, John Ryan, is that Americans have not been falling over themselves to enlist for the past 40 years, recruiters met their quotas only barely during the “peacetime” periods. This “support the troops” business is BS, most Americans could care less about the troops, the “troops” constitute less than 1% of the population.
Ask any Vietnam Veteran. Politicians, take note, the neocons of Cheney-Rove, Inc., may have squandered any power projection there is left with a military response. Should China flex its muscles, we may see the day America must accept #2 status.
“College education is not an indicator of a man’s character or capability” Very good point Courtney. I agree with that statement 100%!!
Andy Rooney is still alive?
:???:
I’ve been in the military for 2 years. With regard to High School education, I am “bottom of the barrel”. I have neither a diploma nor a GED. I think my blog readers (such as AS), and my sergeants will tell you it didn’t make a damn bit of difference.
~TD
TD, the self-educated are always more interesting, inherently smarter and much, much more fun. I’m pretty durn happy you’re an American Soldier too.
Andy has lost touch with who he was and should be. Its sad to see. I used to laugh with him. Now I do not tune in.
It’s a good thing the Army is willing to dig all the way down to the bottom of the barrel. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have soldiers like AS, R2A, or TD! wink:
You guys are the best!
John Ryan,
Supporting soldiers, or supporting victory in the war ( no one actually supports “the war”, just one side or the other) does not require enlistment, any more than supporting health care requires you to be a doctor.
I did my time, that was years ago, now I build things and pay lots of taxes, which is good because someone’s got to cough up the money to pay soldiers and buy humvees, which are expensive.
Soldiering is an honest calling. So is plumbing, farming, and bus driving, America needs them all and I have nothing against anyone who opts for one and not the other.
By holding out only for those who feel the calling and volunteer, the Army truly does get the cream of the crop.
Ben
“This “support the troops” business is BS, most Americans could care less about the troops, the “troops” constitute less than 1% of the population.”
BS, Buldak, we haven’t been sending all those care packages for nothing. And any politician who suggested slashing military budgets because our guys rally don’t need armor would have a very short career (other than in Massachussets or the People’s Republic of San Francisco).
Pop econ quiz for you: If the per capita federal tax burden in this nation is about $6,800, of which 18% goes to defense, and DOD spends $130,000 per service member, how many American taxpayers does it take to train, pay, equip, and support one American soldier, on average? And based on that, what percentage of the population is the “correct” number for planners to shoot for?
Ben
I have always been of the opinion that the more educated a person was, the more likely they were to succumb to the arguments resulting in serenity and apathy, with a moral certitude they should never go into harms way. I may have been an Navy officer, but I relied on boatswain mates who improvised solutions involving Newtonian physics that amazed me, and I know none of them were great students if they did graduate from high school.
By the way Red2Alpha, I copied every one of your posts to your blog and prayed for your safe return to Wendy.
I’m going to take my turn on the soapbox.
My husband is prior active duty and currently serves in the National Guard. He served one tour in Iraq in ‘05 and we are anticipating, and preparing for, a second tour to begin sometime this summer.
He has a GED. I have two degrees. By no means does this make me better; quite the contrary. We are both successful in our jobs and are great complements to one another as well as those we interact with on a daily basis. In our day to day lives we are pretty much surrounded by people who are just like us. When he puts on his uniform and gathers with his fellow soldiers, they are a brotherhood united by a passion, their country. Their education levels vary from middle grades through PhD but they believe in themselves, each other and stand strong to unite and do as they are called upon to do. It’s their job.
I get chills every time I hear our national anthem and my heart swells with pride. I grieve with families who have lost their loved ones and I pray for those injured to heal and continue the great journey they have begun to follow. I have sent cards and care packages and prayed prayer upon prayer that God will continue to touch and enrich the lives of our soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and Guardsmen.
Before my husband served his tour in Iraq and I began following stories of service members and their families, I thought I had a valid opinion on the war. After listening to him and others, seeing pictures and meeting these fine people face to face, I realized that the only thing I had was my view from the cheap seats and, friends, you can’t see anything from there.
There is so much more than politics involved and I wish those who spew forth their ill informed opinions would actually take the time to look past what is being presented in newspapers and on television. I can show you the pictures of good. I can tell you stories that will make your heart melt. I can do it. I can do it because I have seen it first hand and lived it and I can do it because I believe in my husband and those who are united and volunteer with him. We were once a great nation and now we are a nation greatly divided. We, as Americans, are supposed to be proud of the land we call home and for the stones laid before us to get here. We are now mocked by others because of our inability to stand behind our leaders and it does not help the morale of our troops one iota. While I understand our innate craving for details and to be in the know, please understand it puts our troops who are working hard on their mission in danger. You don’t put a note on your front door as to where you hide your spare key and where your valuables are so don’t ask for details as to the placement of our troops.
Practicing freedom of speech is fine. Mudsling if you will. The old addage about the squeaky wheel gets the grease may be true but it sure irritates the hell out of the rest of us who trying to make a true difference in the lives of so many who have made a difference in ours. Step back and be respectful of those who volunteer. If you think you can do a better job, I’ve got the names and numbers of recruiters all over the country who would be glad to assist you in getting fitted for some desert boots. If say you support the troops but not the war, take this approach: Ben said it best when he wrote, “Soldiering is an honest calling. So is plumbing, farming, and bus driving, America needs them all and I have nothing against anyone who opts for one and not the other.” It’s so very true and it’s so many of these folks who are also serving our country at war. If your support is that great, contact a base or local reserve office and find out whose farm needs tending, whose company needs the phone answered and whose wife could use a hand with the yard. Use your energies for the good of others.
By the article’s definition, my husband is part of the “bottom of the barrel.” By the article’s definition I should hold myself higher than him. I’m proud to be a Guardsman’s wife. I’m proud to raise my child to be proud of the country we live in. My husband is my equal in our civilian life but when he dons his uniform, he is far more superior than I and I promise you, that of the two of us, he is the one you want in the field.
Thank you to everyone who has sent a package, letter, note, well wish and said a prayer. Thank you to everyone who has served and is serving. It is because of you we live as we do.
Sgt. L’s Wife
Dear Sgt. L’s wife,
From one Guard wife to another, THANK YOU! No one could have put it better. I am Ssgt. George’s wife and have just sent him on his 2nd tour, this one to Afghanistan. Keep your very valuable, positive outlook and keep sharing it. I do the same here and it makes me feel so good. There IS good and it IS being done.
Yours Truly,
Jodi Moore-Loers
Andy Rooney is an elitist bastard who believes having a sheepskin is the be all and end all ……………. It’s not. It only means you put in the time and $$$$ to convince a handful of academics that you knew more than nothing and could repeat back what they told you, and prattle on about it long enough to cause any listener to lose interest…………. For Andy and and his ilk, I have this quote from a HS science teacher:
“As far as science degrees, there are the BS (and we all know what BS is), the MS (that’s More of Same), and the PhD (that’s BS Piled higher and Deeper).
I joined the army in 2002. It was the best decision of my life. You know what, I met the best while in the service. People who proved themselves with actions, not pieces of paper. Who knew more about the world than a professor, could think faster than rain man, and had the guts to put it into action.
Most of my old friends went to college, and you know what, they don’t know jack about.. you know what. I can tell you stories of overhearing college kids in bars talking about how we are a bunch of goons who had nowhere else to go. I even once had a girl tell that to my face. While in the army I’ve learned to speak Bahasa Indonesian (BTW: I’m studying at a school in Java right now, and it is awesome), traveled the world, and most importantly Lived and Participated in it, learned how to follow even under stress and fear, learned how to lead even under stress and fear, been immersed in cultures from the Balkans to Arabia to Korea.
I guess this was nothing compared to all she had done.
They (the ones who stayed home) have no idea about the real world. They will be the first to tell me all about Iraq, as if I had never spent over a year of my life there. How many kids (they are still kids) at UC Berkley have set up a DC camp? Trained police in a far off country? Know how to read a map even? Let them have their pieces of paper, I have my medals. Let them have their lectures, I have my experiences. Let them have their snobby attitude, I have my honor.
When you go to a campus town, and see them enjoying the blanket of freedom you would die and suffer to keep for them; just say to yourself; Forgive them, for they know not. This we’ll defend. Drive on.
Well, I just emailed the show, wishing Mr. Rooney a welcoming of ‘loser’ Marines at the pearly gates. Ya think St. Peter will mind a curb stomp there?
Key West…
Where in Key West can I celebrate my daughter…