Ben' resPonse

JAMES ("JIM?")

Sure, there are some neoconservatives who have children in the military. But not that many, certainly not in a greater proportion than the nation at large. And why would neocons groom their kids for the military? BECAUSE --- BELIEVE IT OR NOT --- THEY BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY BELIEVE --- AND SO DO MANY OF THEIR CHILDREN. Most prominent, policymaking neo-cons are ivory-tower Beltway types or upper-East siders whose children would have had better options in life and for whom joining the military just would not make any sense.

Here's an (incomplete) list of neocons and remarks on the service records of their children.

-IRVING KRISTOL: Bill Kristol never served. Did Irving have any other kids who did? DON'T KNOW.

-DICK CHENEY: Neither Elizabeth nor Mary Cheney have served. DICK AND LYNNE HAD CHILDREN --- WHICH GRANTED AN AUTOMATIC EXTENSION FROM THE DRAFT.

-G.W. BUSH: Obviously, Jenna and Barbara are not military and I doubt they ever would be. NO, BUT GWB FLEW JETS --- NOT A JOB FOR THE CHICKEN HEARTED,

-RICHARD PERLE: Jonathan Perle is in mid-20s, has not served in the military, and in fact was pursuing a law degree as recently as 2 years ago. Perle has no other kids. BUT HE HAS A RIGHT TO AN OPINION DOESN'T HE? LAST I HEARD --- AS WE SAID AS KIDS --- "IT'S A FREE COUNTRY, AIN'T IT?"

-NORMAN PODHORETZ & MIDGE DECTER: Son John never served. Any other kids? ONE OF THEIR GRANDCHILDREN WAS IN THE NAVY.

-ROBERT KAGAN: Any clues about Elena and David? DON'T KNOW.

-BEN WATTENBERG: You've got four kids. Danny never served in the military. Not sure about Ruth, Sarah or Rachel but my guess is No. NO COMMENT ABOUT ABOUT IMMEDIATE FAMILY. I SERVED IN THE USAF. I VOLUNTEERED --- WITH TREPIDIATION --- AS A PILOT/NAVIGATOR/BOMBARDIER. HAH ! I ENDED UP AS THE SPORT'S EDITOR OF THE BASE NEWSPAPER AT A HARDSHIP POST (NOT) IN A WONDERFUL CITY CALLED SAN ANTONIO TX.

-DON RUMSFELD: Son Nicholas is an internet entrepreneur. Did he serve? I assume daughters Joyce and Valerie did not. I BELIEVE RUMMY WAS A NAVAL AVIATOR. CARRIER LANDINGS ARE CALLED "CONTROLLED CRASHES." GOOGLE HIM IF YOU WISH TO CONFIRM.

-PAUL WOLFOWITZ: I was not able to find any references to his children's service, but since they were all born after 1977, their careers probably aren't very far along. POSSIBLY CORRECT. PAUL'S PARENTS I BELIEVE, WERE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS.

-DANIEL PIPES: Any of his three daughters serve? DON'T KNOW.

James, NY