
College freshman David Hogg apparently still has some gaps in his education.
A snarky comment about “US military imperialism” earned the anti-gun activist survivor of last year’s high school shooting in Parkland, Fla., a brutal schooling from a Purple Heart recipient and a response from the U.S. military.
“Alexa, what does US military imperialism look like?” the 19-year-old tweeted Tuesday, linking to a Yahoo News article.
Alexa, what does US military imperialism look like? https://t.co/p0awbnnDgO
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) April 23, 2019
Hogg made his remark in reference to the piece which analyzed U.S. military operations in Africa, many of which occurred between 2012 and 2016. But he would have done better asking Alexa to elaborate on who was commander-in-chief during those important years that the “military imperialism” took place.
The article presented a “list of 36 operations and activities that are (or were until recently) ongoing in Africa” and almost all of which “are unknown to the general public.”
Notably missed by Hogg is the fact that the majority of the operations began during the Obama administration.
According to the Yahoo News article:
Between 2013 and 2017, U.S. special operations forces saw combat in at least 13 African countries, according to retired Army Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc, who served at U.S. Africa Command from 2013 to 2015 and then headed Special Operations Command Africa until 2017. Those countries, according to Bolduc, are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan and Tunisia. He added that U.S. troops have been killed or wounded in action in at least six of them: Kenya, Libya, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan and Tunisia.
Hogg not only revealed his ignorance, he was given a swift and scathing rebuttal by decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and New York Times Bestselling author, Sean Parnell, who offered the simple advice, “Wise up kiddo.”
When Hogg says things like this he impugns the legacy of my men who fought & bled on foreign soil for the freedom of others & asked nothing in return for it.
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) April 23, 2019
Parnell slammed Hogg’s “nonsensical talking points” as harmful to those who serve and those who have lost loved ones in service.
When people thoughtless criticize policy w/ nonsensical talking points, how do you thing that makes men & women serving on the front lines feel? It cheapens the altruism behind their service.
What Hogg said isn’t fair to those who lost loved ones in support of global freedom.— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) April 23, 2019
Others also blasted the former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student.
And you can now say thank you to them, for the freedom to tweet horseshit like this, son.
— Lizzy Lou Who? (@_wintergirl93) April 23, 2019
How about you read up on what this brave “American Imperialist” was doing when he was killed by Islamic terrorists two years ago while assisting Niger’s military in fighting Al Qaeda?
You won’t look so much like an ignorant moron. https://t.co/F9erzVCphF
— Brian Cates (@drawandstrike) April 24, 2019
Alexa, how do I virtue signal on something, that I don’t know shit about ?
— Deadplate (@_Deadplate) April 24, 2019
you’re not very good at this https://t.co/y1llcc4zok
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 24, 2019
Naturally, Hogg had his fan base on the left rise to his defense, as MSNBC analyst and Time Mag contributor Elise Jordan fired a shot at Parnell, a former U.S. Army airborne ranger who served in the legendary 10th Mountain Division.
Can you imagine how low your self-esteem has to be to go around hate-tweeting a rising college freshman? https://t.co/6b6yuRJsoZ
— Elise Jordan (@Elise_Jordan) April 24, 2019
But the American Warrior Initiative co-founder, who received two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart, was having none of it.
Hell, I had 20 men that were his age getting shot at & wounded everyday.
He’s entered the political arena time & again spewing nonsensical garbage. In this case, garbage that impugns the legacy of our troops.I think Hogg can stand to take some well deserved criticism. https://t.co/jPXH1SF8wi
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) April 24, 2019
U.S. Africa Command responded as well, reiterating what the article – which Hogg apparently didn’t bother to read – said about the mostly peacekeeping operations.
“What’s most important to know is that our command is dedicated to assisting partner nations in their efforts to bring stability and security to their people. We view our mission through a whole-of-government lens, and strive to enable capable, responsive African governments that serve the interests of their citizenry,” Major Karl Wiest, a spokesperson for U.S. AFRICOM, told the Washington Examiner.
“U.S. Africa Command, with our partners, strengthens security forces, counters transnational threats, and conducts crisis response in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity,” he said. “Ultimately, the core mission of U.S. Africa Command remains one of helping our partners to strengthen defense capabilities. We concentrate our efforts on helping African nations and regional organizations build capable and professional militaries that respect human rights, adhere to the rule of law, and more effectively contribute to stability in Africa.”
Hogg’s clueless and snarky comment, as well as the liberals defending him, sparked plenty of criticism on Twitter.
Hogg is an adult who chose to become an activist on the public stage and use his platform to say vitriolic and stupid things. Criticism directed towards him is perfectly acceptable and richly deserved. https://t.co/TwYQznbUgY
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) April 24, 2019
He’s David Hogg! When you enter the political arena to the degree that he has, you lose your cover or leeway https://t.co/HZ58osiv72
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 24, 2019
Sure, Elise. The problem is @SeanParnellUSA, not the adult with nearly a million followers tweeting out ignorant drivel about “military imperialism.” It’s so “imperialistic” to offer aid to allies like France and help African nations in their counter-terrorism efforts. https://t.co/JXv7B8i6am
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) April 24, 2019
“He has to find his own healthcare now! Give him a break!”
“Why are you attacking a newlywed?”
“He just became a father! Leave him be!”
“Stop it! He’s coaching soccer and shouldn’t be treated like that!”
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) April 24, 2019
Wait.
Did we raise the age of acceptable criticism for public comments again? https://t.co/9tAxeXSzfg— Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) April 24, 2019
He’s fair game. Stop running interference for the moron.
— JWF (@JammieWF) April 24, 2019
If you didn’t want him to be a national political activist that is subject to public criticism, then maybe you shouldn’t have elevated him to that status to begin with. https://t.co/hp4TYAlexQ
— neontaster (@neontaster) April 24, 2019
David Hogg is a political activist. If he can’t handle disagreement, he should try something else.
— Some guy tweeted something ??♂️ (@jtLOL) April 24, 2019
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