The Washington Post's national/homeland security columnist crossed the line Tuesday. William Arkin, who served four years as a military intel guy in Europe in the mid- to late-'70s followed by jobs with every left-wing group from Greenpeace to the National Resources Defense Council and Human Rights Watch, made the mistake of watching an NBC Nightly News report in which several soldiers encouraged the American people at home to support both them and their mission.

These reasonable pleas brought forth a wave of hatred and vitriol which is usually restricted to fringe bloggers on fringe Web sites.

These soldiers should be grateful that the American public, which by all polls overwhelmingly disapproves of the Iraq war and the President's handling of it, do still offer their support to them, and their respect.

Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder, the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command order.

According to Arkin, Abu Ghraib and Haditha weren't examples of "bad apples" or evil President George W. Bush's illegal orders, but evidence that American sailors, soldiers, Marines and airmen are uniformly and intrinsically murderers and rapists.

The slanders continue.

So, we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every possible way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and responsibilities to speak up because they are above society?

I think most Americans would agree that the troops should be paid much more than they currently are -- from buck private to four-star general. I've seen military housing -- it's sometimes adequate. Medical care and social support could be better.

But what's truly disgusting about this is that Arkin would just like the troops to shut up; the anti-war types know what's good for you. Do you think he's of the opinion that Lt. Ehren Watada should shut up too?

As for "obscene amenities" -- Arkin's just pulling that out of his rectum. A soldier replied in the comments:

What, pray tell, does Arkin mean by "obscene amenities"? Did I miss news of free subscriptions to Penthouse to our soldiers over there?

Perhaps Arkin is referring to the diesel-fired tent heaters which keep our military members from freezing to death. Maybe it is the bottled water which is the only potable source available. Maybe it is the big screen TV in a rec center so those taking a well deserved break can get away from it all for a couple of hours. Perhaps it is Friday night steaks at the chow hall. Maybe it is Eminem CDs in the PX. Obscene to some, but they have to [buy] the CDs, they are not free.

What truly stuns me is the pure elitism which believes it's Arkin's place to comment on military members, but not in the military member's place to comment on the likes of Arkin.

Arkin's drivel continues:

I can imagine some post-9/11 moment, when the American people say enough already with the wars against terrorism and those in the national security establishment feel these same frustrations. In my little parable, those in leadership positions shake their heads that the people don't get it, that they don't understand that the threat from terrorism, while difficult to defeat, demands commitment and sacrifice and is very real because it is so shadowy, that the very survival of the United States is at stake. Those Hoover's and Nixon's will use these kids in uniform as their soldiers. If I weren't the United States, I'd say the story end with a military coup where those in the know, and those with fire in their bellies, save the nation from the people.

But it is the United States and instead this NBC report is just an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary - oops sorry, volunteer - force that thinks it is doing the dirty work.

I'm not sure what Herbert Hoover has to do with this. And Arkin's tinfoil hat belief that the military would stage a coup would be hilarious if it weren't part of all this other drivel. It's not uncommon for truly deranged liberals to imagine that they're going to be tossed in the gulag any moment now. Or that American democracy will end at the hands of the neocons. (See Ted Rall believing the 2004 presidential election would be canceled, Paul Krugman's repeated assertions that he'd be arrested and tossed in Gitmo, and this one.)

The "mercenary" slam against American troops is also uncalled for, beyond the pale and disgusting.

For more eviscerations of Arkin:

Op-For.

Blackfive.

Powerline.

*On a media culture note*

I'd like to invite readers to scan my post from earlier this week "No cautious optimism allowed" and ponder the reaction of the New York Times to their reporter's comments on the Charlie Rose show compared to what the likely reaction will be from the Post regarding Arkin's comments.

First, what I would do if I was editor of the Post: (This is also the reason that I will never be given this type of responsibility at any newspaper in this country.) I state that the Post will continue to provide a wide range of opinions on all matters. I point out that Arkin's column was beyond the pale. I fire Arkin. I chastize whoever approved his hiring as a homeland/national security blogger when he is obviously so far out of the mainstream. I wish Arkin good luck in his new job at The Nation.

Second, what's likely to happen: Arkin will not be reprimanded. We'll get a CYA column from ombudsman Deborah Howell stating the obvious -- that Arkin has a point of view and that people were angry about it.

Third, the Post's ongoing problem: Arkin's credibility is shot as far as the non-tinfoil hat-wearing public is concerned. When it comes to anything having to do with the military or homeland security, I wouldn't trust Arkin's word if he was telling me the sky was blue. Arkin has revealed himself as part of the lunatic fringe and there's no rehabilitating that.