A while ago, I took on the whole "chickenhawk" argument, shredding it as the dishonest, dishonorable tactic it is. Its transparency hasn't diminished its popularity among its advocates, however.
A few bloggers have decided to take a leaf from Richard Pryor and some gay activists' playbooks, though, and take the idiots' most potent words (in their mind) and embrace them. Pryor led the movement to strip the power out of the word "nigger," rendering it either taboo or powerless (depending on the utterer). The gays started proudly proclaiming themselves "queer" and "fags," letting them answer what had been devastating insults with a casual "so?" dismissal.
In that vein, Captain Ed, Frank J, and Chief have decided to semi-formally incorporate the 101st Fighting Keyboardists, the Chickenhawks, whose proud slogan is "We Eat Chickens For Lunch." (Personally, I would have preferred "Fighting Keyboardiers," for a slightly more militaristic sound, but 1) nobody asked me, and B) it has a vaguely French flavor, so maybe it's better off as is.)
I can't formally commit Wizbang to joining this cause, since this ain't my page, but I would personally be proud to be listed among their ranks.
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Comments (10)
They also serve who sit and... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Paul | April 28, 2006 10:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
They also serve who sit and type.
1. Posted by Paul | April 28, 2006 10:57 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 28, 2006 10:57
2. Posted by Jay Tea | April 28, 2006 11:00 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Paul:
Really?
J.
2. Posted by Jay Tea | April 28, 2006 11:00 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 28, 2006 11:00
3. Posted by Kim | April 28, 2006 11:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Count me in as well.
3. Posted by Kim | April 28, 2006 11:02 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 28, 2006 11:02
4. Posted by Jason | April 28, 2006 1:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I thought this was a good dismantling of the "chickenhawk" meme:
Can't do it? Don't back it.
What's particularly amusing is that it's from a left-wing author who is particularly anti-god/religion, which makes him and the article pretty dang unimpeachable to them.
4. Posted by Jason | April 28, 2006 1:09 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 28, 2006 13:09
5. Posted by Steve Crickmore | April 28, 2006 2:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is probably a good tactic to counter the personal invective of others. If I'm not mistaken, this is how the the Tories and Whigs got their names in England. But I think Jay you given too short shrift to the case that most pro Iraqi invasion advocates are and were armchair 'chickenhawks" which you dismiss as a dishonrable tactic or ad hominem attacks. Let me quote you from an pre-Iraqi invasion article when there was so much gung -ho enthusiasm except perhaps significantly by many of the American military who had been through the fire themselves, ex-generals like Schwarzkopf and Zinni who said "It's pretty interesting that all the generals see it the same way, and all the others who have never fired a shot and are hot to go to war see it another" I think it is fair to say that many of those who have never seen action or will never see action are more likely not to entertain action the further they are from the front lines. The doesn't necessarily make the argument for war or not, right or wrong but it is as the two ex-generals say "pretty interesting".
5. Posted by Steve Crickmore | April 28, 2006 2:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 28, 2006 14:29
6. Posted by MacStansbury | April 28, 2006 3:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
for some reason, the chickenhawk label doesn't apply to me
6. Posted by MacStansbury | April 28, 2006 3:10 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 28, 2006 15:10
7. Posted by s9 | April 29, 2006 12:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I am in awe.
7. Posted by s9 | April 29, 2006 12:25 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2006 00:25
8. Posted by mantis | April 29, 2006 1:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well there's not much to say when you guys are just going to parody yourselves.
8. Posted by mantis | April 29, 2006 1:22 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2006 01:22
9. Posted by Semanticleo | April 29, 2006 10:44 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You are what you eat.
9. Posted by Semanticleo | April 29, 2006 10:44 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2006 10:44
10. Posted by Rich Casebolt | April 30, 2006 5:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Being a chickenhawk sure beats being a turtledove ...
... for it's kind of hard to soar with eagles, when you keep your head in the shell, to maintain a facade of "peace".
10. Posted by Rich Casebolt | April 30, 2006 5:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 30, 2006 17:29