# Remember the MSM hype about recruiting shortfalls? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 16, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023 "2006-05-16T20:08:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jebus\_H.Christ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/1 "2006-05-16T20:08:24Z")
> [@](#): > > May 16, 2006: In the last seven months, the U.S. Army has met or exceeded all of its recruiting goals. In that time, over 160,000 people have enlisted, or re-enlisted. The total strength of the active duty and reserve forces are 1.2 million men and women, all of them volunteers. > > Except for a few months in 2004-5, the military has been able to maintain its strength, despite wartime conditions. The biggest problem has not been casualties (only about 10,000 soldiers have been killed or disabled so far, less than one percent of overall strength), but the disruption to family life caused by so many troops getting sent to combat zones. This discouraged re-enlistments in reserve units, although mainly among the non-combat troops. In combat units, re-enlistments were at record levels. > > The army adapted to the shortfalls by increasing signing and reenlistment bonuses for key jobs, paying attention to not sending troops overseas any more than needed, and allowing a few percent more of the recruits to come from the lower end of the recruit pool. Think the MSM will admit they were wrong? No, they never do (see Dan Rather and Memogate). [http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20060516.aspx](http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20060516.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/2 "2006-05-16T20:12:51Z")
I thought I was pretty well up on all the dirt, but - “MSM”??? ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/3 "2006-05-16T20:22:24Z")
“Mainstream media”, I think - that well known monolithic entity which obviously speaks with one voice. As for how the armed forces lowering standards to meet recruiting goals proves the “MSM” were wrong to report genuine shortfalls in the past, well - there I can’t help you. And regarding the senior armed forces members who appear to simultaneously be [part of the MSM conspiracy](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/04/politics/04recruit.html?ex=1147924800&en=9fcd85c64c37b13e&ei=5070), one can only assume that the strain of leading such a confusing double life had taken its toll. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/4 "2006-05-16T20:34:21Z")
> [@Dead Badger](#): > > “Mainstream media”, I think - that well known monolithic entity which obviously speaks with one voice. oh, them guiys. > [@](#): > > As for how the armed forces lowering standards to meet recruiting goals proves the “MSM” were wrong to report genuine shortfalls in the past, well - there I can’t help you. And regarding the senior armed forces members who appear to simultaneously be [part of the MSM conspiracy](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/04/politics/04recruit.html?ex=1147924800&en=9fcd85c64c37b13e&ei=5070), one can only assume that the strain of leading such a confusing double life had taken its toll. didn’t those rat bastids (MSM) also publish something about the military lowering their goals? When you’re grading on the curve t’aint too difficult to hit mid stride. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/5 "2006-05-16T20:40:43Z")
When someone refers to the MSM, it’s safe to assume one of two things: 1. The post is by someone who doesn’t understand why not everyone else can’t see that the Moon Landing was **so fake**! I mean, come on! or 1. The post should be parentetically started with “Sean Hannity says”, and all references to “MSM” should be mentally changed to “Librul Media”. PSA over. -Joe, ASP ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/6 "2006-05-16T20:49:29Z")
**Jebus** , I notice that all nine of your posts to date are in threads you’ve started. You’ve started five threads, four of which you’ve never participated in after posting the OP. You’ve yet to participate in a single Pit thread you’ve started, nor any thread started by someone else. This is a trend I’d like to see stop. This isn’t a warning, but if the trend continues, it will be. ::mean moderator look:: ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/7 "2006-05-16T20:56:29Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > This is a trend I’d like to see stop. This isn’t a warning, but if the trend continues, it will be. ::mean moderator look:: You’re just a typical heavy-handed MSM’er. OSWALD WAS INNOCENT! WAKE UP, PEOPLE! BUSH IS A LIZARD ALIEN! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/8 "2006-05-16T21:01:05Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > You’re just a typical heavy-handed MSM’er. You know, it’s clear from posts like this that my mean moderator look is passive and ineffectual. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/9 "2006-05-16T21:07:27Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > **Jebus** , I notice that all nine of your posts to date are in threads you’ve started. You’ve started five threads, four of which you’ve never participated in after posting the OP. You’ve yet to participate in a single Pit thread you’ve started, nor any thread started by someone else. > > This is a trend I’d like to see stop. This isn’t a warning, but if the trend continues, it will be. ::mean moderator look:: It’s obvious you need to go back to whatever Nazi Moon world you come from and stop repressing us. Did you see 'im repressing us?! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/10 "2006-05-16T21:08:02Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > BUSH IS A LIZARD ALIEN! :eek: and all this time I thought he was a monkey alien… ---
**Author:** ![samm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@samm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/11 "2006-05-16T21:28:59Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > You know, it’s clear from posts like this that my mean moderator look is passive and ineffectual. [Is this the mean moderator look?](http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/10d-1/giraffe-closeup.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/12 "2006-05-16T21:29:42Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > You know, it’s clear from posts like this that my mean moderator look is passive and ineffectual. Naw, **Merijeek** is just an extraordinarily tough guy. I, on the other hand, was genuinely terrified. No, really! I’m not just saying that to make you feel better … ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/13 "2006-05-16T21:29:54Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > You know, it’s clear from posts like this that my mean moderator look is passive and ineffectual. Does it look like [this?](http://www.cbreaksculpturepark.com.au/images/Gallery3/Colour%20Flaming%20Giraffe.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/14 "2006-05-16T21:33:40Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Does it look like [this?](http://www.cbreaksculpturepark.com.au/images/Gallery3/Colour%20Flaming%20Giraffe.jpg) Well _I’m_ scared. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/15 "2006-05-16T21:34:45Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Naw, **Merijeek** is just an extraordinarily tough guy. I, on the other hand, was genuinely terrified. No, really! I’m not just saying that to make you feel better … However, the thought of an 18-inch tongue that is also prehensile makes me quiver in terror. Fortunately I don’t know anyone like that. -Joe, FINALLY got to ‘Moving Pictures’, still sees **Ponder Stibbons** and thinks ‘Pork Chop’ ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/16 "2006-05-16T21:36:09Z")
> [@samm](#): > > [Is this the mean moderator look?](http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/10d-1/giraffe-closeup.jpg) Mods get Knob pattern baldness? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/17 "2006-05-16T21:44:34Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Naw, **Merijeek** is just an extraordinarily tough guy. I, on the other hand, was genuinely terrified. No, really! I’m not just saying that to make you feel better … Well, OK then. That’s better… ::struts:: ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/18 "2006-05-16T21:54:20Z")
> [@wring](#): > > I thought I was pretty well up on all the dirt, but - “MSM”??? It’s tin-ear conservative gasbag shorthand for “strawman that I’m about to shred mercilessly.” It refers to “mainstream media” which means “whatever out-of-context news story my local talk radio host read to me out of a newspaper”. You can safely ignore anybody who uses the term MSM as it is a shibboleth for upstanding citizens of Crazytown. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/19 "2006-05-16T21:54:42Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > ::struts:: ::_sticks foot out, **Giraffe** trips…_:: ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023/20 "2006-05-16T21:58:36Z")
> [@wring](#): > > ::_sticks foot out, **Giraffe** trips…_:: Ouch. For him especially, that’s a long way to fall, too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-msm-hype-about-recruiting-shortfalls/357023.md?page=2)