In their own very special way–by telling them to STFU! Kind of a combination of John “Dumb Students Get Stuck in Iraq” Kerry and Markos “Screw ‘em–I Feel Nothing ” Moulitsas.

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….

….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?….

….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’ll accept that the soldiers, in order to soldier on, have to believe that they are manning the parapet, and that’s where their frustrations come in. I’ll accept as well that they are young and naïve and are frustrated with their own lack of progress and the never changing situation in Iraq. Cut off from society and constantly told that everyone supports them, no wonder the debate back home confuses them.

The author? Washington Post “National Security” columnist William Arkin.

But they support the troops! Except when they don’t. Like when the troops have the audacity to actually speak for themselves, which is what Arkin is responding to.

UPDATE: Arkin finds himself in a hole, and keeps digging.

[Hat tip to Powerline. Cross-posted to Stubborn Facts.]