Is this for real?

Hugh Hewitt was discussing this on his show yesterday, and posted it on his blog.

I couldn't believe it when he read it on the air. As some alluded, it was almost funny in the way its funny when someone says something so stupid you can't believe they said it. But it also had a surreal feeling to it. I couldn't believe it was real. It must be a joke, right? Not a very good one, but the author couldn't be serious. I watched Hugh's space during the night and checked back this morning, just in case there was some update. I also read the piece on line and goggled the author - just to see if there were other bloggers talking about it and to see if anyone had the "real scoop" - the real scoop being that this was somehow a joke or something. But I found nothing.

I still don't get it. Perhaps satire? It would be very interesting to know the author's intent. If I here more, I'll post an update.

Here is the full article, reproduced here in case the link eventually goes away on the LA Times site.

Apocalypse again -- call up the Vietnam vets
Where else can Bush get 21,500 trained soldiers for his 'surge'?
By Paul Whitefield, PAUL WHITEFIELD supervises the editorial pages' copy desk.
January 21, 2007

LISTENING TO President Bush's speech on Iraq earlier this month, my first thought was: "Where the heck are we going to get 21,500 more soldiers to send to Iraq?" Our Reserves are depleted, our National Guard is worn out, our Army and Marine Corps are stretched to the limit.

Then it hit me: Re-up our Vietnam War veterans and send them.

They're trained. They're battle-hardened. Many already have post-traumatic stress disorder. Also, some have their own vehicles — Harleys mostly, which are cheap to run, make small targets and are highly mobile. I'll even bet that lots of these guys still have guns (you know, just in case).

OK, some vets are a bit long in the tooth (or don't have teeth — because of Agent Orange?). Or their eyesight isn't what it was. Or their reflexes have slowed. But with today's modern weaponry, how well do you have to see?

Too out of shape, you say? Listen, if Rocky Balboa can step back into the ring at age 60, all these Vietnam War vets need is a little boot-camp magic and they'll be good to go. I mean, who doesn't want to drop a few pounds?

Don't want geezers fighting for us? Well, let's face it, our young people have greater value right here. Most of us want to retire and collect our hard-earned Social Security, and we need those youngsters here, working and paying taxes — lots of taxes.

Finally, these Vietnam War guys are hungry for revenge. After all, they fought in the only war the U.S. ever lost. And they didn't even get a parade. So this is their chance. We can throw them that big parade when they come marching home.