March 16, 2007
America Loves a Winner
When I watched "Patton" again the other night for the upteenth time, I thought about its opening speech and that Americans would do better to take Gen. Patton's advice from back then rather than that of the Democrats today. Patton's speech is worth reading and hearing to remind us of American pride and our will to win. The actual written words and the video recreation can still inspire those of us today who want our nation to succeed.
Many forgot Gen. Patton's WWII advice during the Viet Nam conflict, and those people who let us down were not the soldiers fighting. Today, we face a similar problem with people who put their politics above our nation's success and reputation. Just so that others of us can remember and appreciate the message of winning, let's take time to absorb it one more time.
Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight. When you, here, everyone of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players.Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American.
Here is a link to the entire actual and unedited speech of Gen. Patton to his troops along with an interesting and detailed description of it. It comes from the first chapter of a book titled The Unknown Patton by Charles M. Province. Take the time to read it and think about what this should mean for us today.
Next, view the below recreation of the speech in the film's opening scene. As fine a performance as George C. Scott provides, I can only imagine what the real speech must have been like and how it motivated our troops and made them determined to win.
There's nothing that I can add. The speech says it best. Just think about how this applies to us today.
That's all.
Posted by Woody M. at March 16, 2007 09:10 PM | TrackBackWoody, I'm sure you meant George C. Scott's presentation when you said "Many forgot Gen. Patton's advice during the Viet Nam conflict," because Patton Died in an Accident in Germany in 1945 after an automobile accident.
Posted by GM at March 16, 2007 08:47 PM
My dad knew Patton and stood up to him. He beat him on protocol. In our family that's known as doing your homework.
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Mark A. Yorkie, AKA RJY:
My dad knew Patton and stood up to him. He beat him on protocol. In our family that's known as doing your homework.
Yorkie, you don't tell us if you dad (at the time) outranked General Patton (he wasn't a general all the time you know) or if he was an E-1 recruit who, like you, mouthed off not knowing what he was doing/saying etc. More likely, like you, he mouthed off (you must have learned that crap somewhere). Too, you don't tell us any thing substantive regarding what your father's "superior knowledge of protocol" was (/sarcasm). In other words yorkie, I'm calling you a liar. I know your dad served, and for that I honor him. Know also that my dad served for 32 years, went in as a private in 1940 and retired in 1972 as a full-friggin-Bird-Colonel. My dad too knew something of protocol but had the common sense to let his actions speak louder than his words when in the company of a superior officer. Mostly, my dad was right and at least once he paid that price.
I have serious doubts about your claim, because as we've seen many a time, you not only failed to do your homework (remember your claim about being the youngest ever eagle scout?) but you frequently lie about what you have accomplished. Oh, yes, and yorkie, why would you want to continue to find ways to skirt a banning on a site that obviously holds you in massive disdain? You have been banned from so many sites because of your inane mental meanderings I'm surprised you keep it going. Your dad may have done his homework, you haven't.
Posted by RJY at March 16, 2007 10:21 PM
That's about as much as Woody knows about history. It's Paul Simon song actually. So appropriate.
Posted by RJY at March 16, 2007 10:23 PM
Yeaaaaa! The commenting is working again. Here's what I tried to post two days ago.
G.M., I meant what I wrote, but what I wrote didn't communicate the idea correctly. However, since it caused some confusion, I'm making a small change. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Why do I think that RJY is really Mark A. York, who G.M. thought he had blocked from commenting, whose comments have that familiar ring of bitterness, and whose dad was Russell J. York (RJY), who served in WWII but not under Patton's command? Nah, it's just a coincidence.
Posted by Woody at March 18, 2007 06:47 PM
Okay, that part of the liar argument lost me, but I admit I haven't read every thread exhaustively. I'm pretty sure I'm not interested in the full explanation, either. I am wondering what, exactly, is a Paul Simon song in this discussion. Was there an especially stupid or profane comment deleted? Or was there an especially stupid or profane criticism of... never mind, I just don't get it.
I think Woody's comment could easily have meant "During Vietnam, many forgot the advice that Patton had given about war over two decades before."
FWIW, my stepfather served under Bradley, and he always thought that Patton was reckless with the lives of those under him. I have no idea whether that was true, or simply what was believed by some at the time. In the fog of war, rumor and supposition sometimes become information.
Posted by Assistant Village Idiot at March 18, 2007 07:09 PM
AVI, my impression of Patton is that winning took priority over minimizing losses. Conversely, Montgomery was conservative, which created problems for others who were counting on his progress. I would have a very tough time as a commander discussing "acceptable losses."
Posted by Woody at March 18, 2007 08:17 PM
Patton holds the record for the number of times I've watched a film on the big screen. My most memorable viewing was on an Israeli kibbutz.
Patton remains a controversial figure, it would appear. Several WWII veteran, including one who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and whose unit was the first to cross the Rhine, still call Patton a glory hound.
On the other hand, the father of one of my best friends served under Patton, if I recall correctly, and was a definite supporter. He also firmly believed that Patton had been assassinated and the the investigation was a cover-up.
In any case, the movie portrayed Patton as a believer in America and its mission to the world. We could use more with that attitude today when our self-confidence and the legitimacy of America itself is under increasing attack, not just in Iraq and from jihadists, but also here at home.
Posted by civil truth at March 18, 2007 09:25 PM
