If we don't hurry up and lose this war, we might win it Tom Smith

Via instapundit here.

But the L.A. Times doesn't see it that way.  Please notice the sophisticated methodology used by the reporter to measure morale among the troops.

Comments

[GK]

It is useful to remind leftists why Republicans are always happier people than Democrats.

http://futurist.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/07/the_demographic.html

Also, why Bush voters corelate with success much more than Kerry voters.

http://futurist.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/06/a_take_on_the_l.html

[Garett Jones]

The evidence seems pretty good to me. Cindy Williams, the MIT scholar cited in the article, is a mathematician, not some "victim studies"-type social scientist. Her credentials and experience sound pretty good to me....

http://web.mit.edu/polisci/faculty/C.Williams.html

The LA Times article itself combines anecdotes, data, and expert opinions to tell the story. I came away thinking the that "8 out of 10" morale ranking sounded a little spin-doctored, but not too far from the truth. Perhaps half the soldiers would give it a 5, and half an 8 or 9. Does that sound about right?

[Al Fin]

It sounds most unlikely, Garett. But then, if you're desperate to lose a war, you're apt to go to almost any length to project a losing portrait.

It reminds me of the Nazi sympathizers in WWII who never lost an opportunity to project a sense that Hitler was winning . . .

If Hitler had won, yes, if Hitler had won. It gives one a sour feeling in the gut, just like the feeling if the islamo nazis were to win this particular battle. Not good.

[NH]

Depends, is this the same Cindy Williams who claimed that troops are overpaid, because of their lack of intelligence and opportunities in the civilain marketplace? I belive it is. (I remember this because of a stink raised while I was in the Marine Corps, her remarks were attributed to the comedianne of Laverne and Shirley fame.) So when she is quoted in the article you need to take her views of the military into account.

[Matty_J]

Wow, this is stunning! The writer found 6 soldiers in Iraq who "don't want to be there!"

Oh
MY
GOD!

That means that they writer found that lest that .003 percent of the troops have low morale!

Oh, yeah, the suicide rate is up.

let's see. That would have been what, something like 17.5 per whatever?

Hmmm

What's the suicide rate among civilians in the States?

OH
MY
GOD!

WE NEED TO REDEPLOY FROM THE US!!!!

SUICIDE RATES ARE UP!

DISSATISFACTION IS UP!!!

RUN!!!!

so, for the learned author...

It wasn't even a GOOD attempt.

Back to your ivory tower, foul beast!

[Fred Beloit]

As a former infantryman, I couldn't stop laughing when I read this DUH-inducing paragraph describing the incredible conditions that the fighting part of the Army and Marines were facing "outside the wire", i.e., not in garrison:

"But these posts often lack basic amenities such as running water, flush toilets, telephones and Internet access, which troops at the forward operating bases enjoy, along with food courts and athletic facilities. Being on the front lines, troops in outposts also face greater danger than those at bases."

Tina Susman, this reporter, seems like one of those reporters who doesn't know a squad from a platoon nor a battalion from a brigade. Highly qualified for military assignments.