al.com: Alabama congressman: HBO comedian's remark "borders on treason"

[unhappycamper]

Alabama congressman: HBO comedian's remark "borders on treason"
5/23/2005, 5:40 p.m. CT
By JEFFREY McMURRAY
The Associated Press

http://www.al.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1116887384219020.xml&storylist=alabamanews

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Alabama congressman says comedian Bill Maher's comment that the U.S. military has already recruited all the "low-lying fruit" is possibly treasonous and at least grounds to cancel the HBO show.

Republican Rep. Spencer Bachus takes issue with remarks on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," first aired May 13, in which Maher points out the Army missed its recruiting goal by 42 percent in April.

"More people joined the Michael Jackson fan club," Maher said in giving a comic twist to his commentary. "We've done picked all the low-lying Lynndie England fruit, and now we need warm bodies."

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[Gman]

1. Treason?

The Congressman needs to get a life.

[Bluzmann57]

2. "Don't think, don't speak"

"Unless it's what we want to hear". It's doubtful that HBO will cancel Maher's show because of a piece of work like that guy. As long as people subscribe to HBO because of Maher's show, they'll keep it on. It's called free enterprise and trying to make a profit. This guy Bachus doesn't seem to understand that or free speech. Now I'm not the most educated person, so maybe someone can tell me how what Maher said is treasonous? Sigh. Another freaky wing nut, possible Idiot's list?

[designforce]

3. Treason....no

Truth is always the first casuality in war and during coups against a government.

This is just another attempt to divert attention, make us obedient, turn us into slaves, and ensure that they maintain power.

No time to let up on these people, no rest, if we rest, we will lose our country.

[rfranklin]

4. I think it is even simpler than that...

this guy thinks he can make some political points with his constituents from whose ranks much of the military is drawn.

[Inland]

11. LIke the military didn't already don't know. nt

[roscoeroscoe]

6. pretty freakin' weak to get worked up over a comedian's comments...

...here in tikrit we had a comedian come through doing uso shows for the troops. he did a great show, tossing in a lot of jabs at senior officers, including the ones they suckered into sitting in the front row...
if an army colonel can sit in the front row and take the heat, congressman, i think you should sit down and learn to laugh along with the grunts too...

[harlinchi]

12. Any comment beginning with "Here in Tikrit"...

...gets my undivided attention. Any commenter beginning with such remarks has my respect and good wishes!

I'm glad you're able to continue to respect your Colonel, despite the things you must have seen. Be careful. Be alert. Be able to come home!

I'm glad your Colonel could "take the heat". Perhaps he could instruct his higher-ups...

[teryang]

5. The free labor market is voting with their feet

The shortfall in recruitment is young people deciding after an evaluation of the government and media marketing effort (replete with unethical misrepresentations) that pre-emptive war and colonial conquest isn't for them.

This is the free market at work. Republicans should be happy about it. Accusing someone of treason for commenting on it is simply bad propaganda. Best not to call any more attention to the empire's bloody hands.

The cost benefit analysis on elective war for corporate profit doesn't work for the individuals who have to make a real decision about it. This is why you can't get away from military presence in our nation's high schools. It is also why the enticements and inducements offered by the recruiters aren't working.

I have lifelong republican friends, one of whom is a retired career NCO who no longer support the Bush cabal or the war. Opposition to the war is much more widespread than the media and the government reflect.

[Tesla]

7. Don't tell him about Jon!

Talk about treason!!!!

[cyclezealot]

8. Don't think they don't have their influence.

Ratings don't guarantee success...They own the FCC which now promises to review cable, even the internet..The FCC is headed by a Fundie nutjob...
after all they pressured Moyer, didn't they...
and this accounts for Maher's timidity to really vent on Dubya's Iraq...We all know for several shows he has been talking about the success of Iraq..Right!....
Just trying to sound reasonable...? must be the effect of our great intellect - Gore Vidal that caused Maher to say what he really thinks....
wonder where Lynddie England is from..Think West Virginia...?I know the local Wal Mart paints her as a heroine.

[amber dog democrat]

9. So, the concept of the All-Volunteer Army is that fragile ?

Maybe it is.

We may well HAVE to reconsider the draft eventually as the cost of this never ending occupation continues to mount. Too bad we can't hold certain people accountable for getting us into it in the first place.

As bad as it was people were still voluntarily enlisting all through the Vietnam War. I imagine more were getting drafted until 1972.

Maher was right. I have no clue how this will play out but as this war drags on military service is a harder sell. I'd think seriously about the Navy, Airforce or Coast Guard if I had to go in, but maybe they are more selective about whom they accept.

[MSgt213]

10. Bill's main point was those who supported the war should now go

his use of England could have been taken any number of ways. But I think his main thrust was that the administration has used up all the suckers who bought their lies. Now it's time for all the gung ho lets go to war crowd to pick up their packs and get on the plane for Iraq. Mainly GOP.
I notice the congressman managed to steer very clear of that point.