Deranged Defenders of Our Troops' Internet Use

Think Progress has a post about the U.S. Military's decision to limit soldiers' access to MySpace and YouTube:

Multinational Force in Iraq to get YouTube waiver.

Noah Shachtman at Danger Room reports that while the Pentagon has bannedsoldiers from accessing YouTube, MySpace, and other social networking sites, it will give officials with the Multinational Force (MNF) in Iraq a waiver so that they can continue to maintain the MNF YouTube channel. May 17, 2007 6:36 pm

Posted by Amanda

Now, I agree that it is disappointing that our military has sought to limit soldiers' access to websites while fighting a war. In fact, many websites such as Hot Air, and Pat Dollard have criticized the policy. Although, the military has also relaxed some of the restrictions.

However, none of the talk has been as vile as comments found below this Think Progress post:

Turning on the military isn’t going to be good for the neocons… Don’t they understand what we’ve trained those brave people to defend?Comment by unbelievable — May 17, 2007 @ 6:42 pm

Yes, keep the propaganda channel going.Comment by Spudge_Boy — May 17, 2007 @ 6:50 pm

Controlling the message and the access to the information, just like the democracies of yore. Of course, back then they called it “tyrannical regimes” or “dictatorship” or “oppressive monarchies”.

To quote lyrics written by Kris Kristofferson and brought to life beautifully by Janice Joplin; “Freedom’s just another word for ‘nothing left to lose’”. From what I can see, we are almost at a state of complete freedom.

Welcome to the U.S.S.A.

Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up! — May 17, 2007 @ 7:35 pm

republicans and their apologists can burn in hell with falwell. Comment by Bob (not the hacker) — May 17, 2007 @ 7:46 pm

This is Stalingrad! The front on the Volga!Comment by Jägermeister — May 17, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

Let no opportunity to call for the killing of Republicans to pass! This incident only strengthens their resolve that we live in a semi-authoritarian state under Bush, despite the fact that the same complainers can type away all day and night at their computers with impunity.

But let us not be bothered by facts.

While I do not condone the military's policy, there is certainly an abundance of precedent. I cannot get YouTube or MySpace from my work computer. And this past March, I couldn't even go to the Yahoo! NCAA Basketball Pool website. The U.S. military is simply adopting the same policies that our domestic corporations practice.

And as I pointed out, the military turned around and relaxed the restrictions only days after they were to be implemented. That's power to the people. Why can't the socialist Think Progress readers at least admire that much?