Military

[Hallen]

First of all, thank you for your service. It is appreciated by the majority of Americans, even if it doesn't feel that way sometimes.

I was in for 20 years. Although there are a lot of things to NOT like about the military, in the end, we are the best that there is. I was proud to serve and proud of what I did and what I accomplished. Without the military, I would not be the man I am today.

Those of us who serve understand the issues. I can tolerate an Army veteran complaining about conditions in the Army, etc. You've been there, you can complain. I can't stand to listen to civilians who have never served bad mouth the military. They have as much experience with it as I have with going to the moon.

What has happened in Iraq is an overall good thing, even if the decisions to go there were flawed (if they even were... history will tell). You have freed millions of people. They are now going to have to stand on their own and they are in a good position to succeed if they choose to do so.

What the military has done for the world in the last 20 years is amazing. I hope in the future that we never need to use our soldiers in anger again. I know that isn't possible, but I can hope for it.

All these dumbass protesters know about is the worthless and inaccurate crap they get fed by the media. They simply don't understand that the only reason that they are safe and can actually take the condescending attitude that they have is because of people like you. They really, really don't understand. They take a polarizing position because that is what all the other losers they hang out with do. Then they go out and think they are actually doing good by badmouthing what soldiers have to do. Unbelievable. If anybody badmouths any of you, then you are perfectly justified in busting them in the chops. If they fight back... they just contradicted themselves. ;-)

[deutschman]

i have never had anything against the military or against fighting wars and almost joined the USMC my self, but i have never really liked the fact that we got involved in iraq. i have no problem with the fact that we are in afganistan because that was justified. i just don't really think that we ever had a good reason to go into iraq. everyone now knows that the wmd's were foobar and there are many places in the world that have dictators just as bad if not wors then that prick we hung over in iraq and we have never gone into those countries and liberated them. i don't know... i think we could have saved a lot of american lives by not going into iraq. i have always had an america first attitude, and i think we have plenty of our own problems here that we should fix before we going freeing people in other countries, and that the american people should come before any iraqi.

[deutschman]

ps
thank you for fighting for our country! it takes balls and guts to do that, and i think about you guys a lot.

[Collin]

I have nothing but love and respect for the men and women serving in our armed forces, and I'm very liberal.

I don't think it's fair to judge a large group of people for the actions of a few, liberal does not equate to soldier hater.

I know for a fact both liberal and conservative groups have chosen very poor places and times to make their voices heard.

The Iraq war is a failure of our government at it's highest levels, no man on the ground should ever be held accountable for the deeds of politicians.

Thank you to all the members of our military that have served bravely and with distinction!

[h0lmes]

I have nothing but love and respect for the men and women serving in our armed forces, and I'm very liberal.

I don't think it's fair to judge a large group of people for the actions of a few, liberal does not equate to soldier hater.

I know for a fact both liberal and conservative groups have chosen very poor places and times to make their voices heard.

The Iraq war is a failure of our government at it's highest levels, no man on the ground should ever be held accountable for the deeds of politicians.

Thank you to all the members of our military that have served bravely and with distinction!

This is a good post. I am very liberal and have nothing bad to say about the military. I have even considered, and still consider joining.

What I have a problem with is using the military as a political tool rather than a means of self defense. Now im not going to ramble on about Iraq because everyone knows the story, but the truth is that the Bush administration used the military to further their own neo-conservative agenda. There were a bunch of different reasons why we invaded Iraq and not one of them was WMD's. But that is what us civilians and you soldiers were all told by the people we were supposed to trust.

Now my question to you is. How do you feel about being lied to by your commander in chief? How do you feel about your friends dieing for this lie?

[BigWaveDave]

I was in for 20 years. ;-)

Thanks for yours!

I appreciate everybody's thanks. But, I did not want the thread to turn that way. Again thanks.

deutschman,

I am not going to bash you, just request you use proper grammar. As far as you not liking the fact that we got involved in Iraq. Is that your reason for not joining the Corps? You do know that military members do not choose where we fight. Also, as a member of the USMC (or any armed forces) you are expected to take a life if called upon (not the real mission, just an example), maybe even give your life. You can think the war is unjustified and that is your opinion. But I ask, Where are you getting your information that the war was not justified? News sources? Have you ever sat and talked with anyone that has done anything related to the actual strategy of the Iraq Campaign? Do you understand that Osama bin Laden actually said that the fall of America or the fall of the Taliban with be decided on the battle grounds of Iraq. Do you understand that Saddam had 6 or more months to move his WMDs out of Iraq before he granted NATO inspectors to do their job? 6 months! Do you think that you could move WMDs out of your country into a country nieghboring country like Syria or Iran? Hmmm, they don't like us either and are harboring Terrorist.

We could have saved 4K + American brothers and sisters lives from being taken on Iraqi soil. But would you rather tally up that than the lives of Civilians that would be lost on American soil if we had not? I am not downplaying my brother's sacrifice, RIP, but 5/6 years in a war and only 4,000 lives. Have you looked up WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and countless other operations that have happened. All for the benefit so we can sit here and play armchair quarterback.

[h0lmes]

Have you looked up WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and countless other operations that have happened. All for the benefit so we can sit here and play armchair quarterback.

This is the biggest misconception of all. The Korean government wasn't threatening your life, Vietnam wasn't affecting your life, Saddam wasn't threatening your life. They were political wars, fought for power and money in the hands of an elite few men and they had nothing to do with your freedoms. Stop fooling yourself into thinking that you are somehow more free because of the sacrifices soldiers made in Vietnam. It's bullshit.

There have only been a few wars that were actually fought for worthy causes. The Revolutionary War, The Civil War and World War II. Maybe World War I as well.

[BigWaveDave]

Now my question to you is. How do you feel about being lied to by your commander in chief? How do you feel about your friends dieing for this lie?

What lie did he say directly to me? I was told to go somewhere and carry out a mission. I am not at liberty to make those calls on what we might accomplish. They see the bigger picture than I. Also, I know what is said on the news, I also know what reports I receive and missions I carry out, and you know whats funny. The news most of the time, seems to have things 180 out from what I have read. Also, if you talk to most people who work in intel/comm/fore front/outside the wire type people, the vast majority will have agreed with the big man in white house. Just because CNN/Fox/AP/whoever says it, does not make it gospel.

My friends dieing for a lie? None of my friends ever died for a lie. They died protecting people too weak to protect themselves. They died for the right cause. The died because they knew that one day, they just might have to give their life. Do I feel sorry for their families? Yes I do. But more than that, I wish I could take their place.

[BigWaveDave]

This is the biggest misconception of all. The Korean government wasn't threatening your life, Vietnam wasn't affecting your life, Saddam wasn't threatening your life. They were political wars, fought for power and money in the hands of an elite few men and they had nothing to do with your freedoms. Stop fooling yourself into thinking that you are somehow more free because of the sacrifices soldiers made in Vietnam. It's bullshit.

There have only been a few wars that were actually fought for worthy causes. The Revolutionary War, The Civil War and most of all, World War II.

Not WWII, only Japan threatened us. Korea was because of communism and we still have bases their. Vietnam, hmm Communism. Is that the only reason we have wars? Political reasons? Ummm, the Revolutionary war, Politics. Civil war, Politics. WW2, Politics. The root of all of them is politics.

I never used those wars as justification of me being "more" free (did not know there was such a term) I used it as the lives lost/years fought.

[atomic]

My friends dieing for a lie? None of my friends ever died for a lie. They died protecting people too weak to protect themselves. They died for the right cause. The died because they knew that one day, they just might have to give their life. Do I feel sorry for their families? Yes I do. But more than that, I wish I could take their place.

That is one POWERFUL statement...


Thanks again for everything you and your brothers have done and sacrificed for us...

[Edev]

That is one POWERFUL statement...


Thanks again for everything you and your brothers have done and sacrificed for us...

can i get an Amen?! i totally agree. i thank all whom have, or are currently serving. My older brothers are both in the military. Mike is in the USMC, and has been since '05. David is in the USAF and has been since '06. love em both. major respect to those who are and who have served.

[h0lmes]

Not WWII, only Japan threatened us. Korea was because of communism and we still have bases their. Vietnam, hmm Communism. Is that the only reason we have wars? Political reasons? Ummm, the Revolutionary war, Politics. Civil war, Politics. WW2, Politics. The root of all of them is politics.

I never used those wars as justification of me being "more" free (did not know there was such a term) I used it as the lives lost/years fought.

It is a fallacy to say that communism is bad unless you think that egalitarianism and freedom from authority are wrong. That is true communism. Considering most of America endorses these principles, you simply cannot argue that communism justified our entrance into Korea and Vietnam. It sure as hell threatened all the rich capitalists though and their so called way of life. But you don't belong to that group. You might know them as the ones who make all the "important" decisions but don't actually sacrifice anything themselves.

When I think of why we fought the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II, the first thing that comes to mind is civil rights. Each of these wars was fought against an entity which was restricting the rights and freedoms of human beings and threatening their very way of life. That is what makes violent conflict justified. War is not justified however when it means making money, acquiring land or possessions, gaining power and influence. Every war since World War II and the majority of wars before then were fought for these selfish purposes.

Also, you can't make the argument that your friends died for people to weak to protect themselves. First, you're implying that anyone that isn't in the war is weak. Second, did you ever stop to think that some people never asked for protection? I never asked for protection from Saddam but I was fooled into thinking I needed it. If he came knockin at my door I would defend myself. You really shouldn't feel all high and mighty walking down the street telling yourself that all the "weak" people around you need you, because they sure as hell don't.

[LINUS]

It is a fallacy to say that communism is bad unless you think that egalitarianism and freedom from authority are wrong. That is true communism. Considering most of America endorses these principles, you simply cannot argue that communism justified our entrance into Korea and Vietnam. It sure as hell threatened all the rich capitalists though and their so called way of life. But you don't belong to that group. You might know them as the ones who make all the "important" decisions but don't actually sacrifice anything themselves.

When I think of why we fought the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II, the first thing that comes to mind is civil rights. Each of these wars was fought against an entity which was restricting the rights and freedoms of human beings and threatening their very way of life. That is what makes violent conflict justified. War is not justified however when it means making money, acquiring land or possessions, gaining power and influence. Every war since World War II and the majority of wars before then were fought for these selfish purposes.

Also, you can't make the argument that your friends died for people to weak to protect themselves. First, you're implying that anyone that isn't in the war is weak. Second, did you ever stop to think that some people never asked for protection? I never asked for protection from Saddam but I was fooled into thinking I needed it. If he came knockin at my door I would defend myself. You really shouldn't feel all high and mighty walking down the street telling yourself that all the "weak" people around you need you, because they sure as hell don't.

Holmes -

You should print your post, plant it with some soil & a MJ seedling, and grow that into the biggest plant EVAR - because it's full of "nutrients"

From the 1st sentence on, that's the biggest pile I've ever seen you post.

[h0lmes]

Holmes -

You should print your post, plant it with some soil & a MJ seedling, and grow that into the biggest plant EVAR - because it's full of "nutrients"

From the 1st sentence on, that's the biggest pile I've ever seen you post.

Why? Because you don't agree with it? I have read that post a few times now and it is valid and sound. The OP's posts however, are full of holes.

[gwb72tii]

It is a fallacy to say that communism is bad unless you think that egalitarianism and freedom from authority are wrong. That is true communism. Considering most of America endorses these principles, you simply cannot argue that communism justified our entrance into Korea and Vietnam. It sure as hell threatened all the rich capitalists though and their so called way of life. But you don't belong to that group. You might know them as the ones who make all the "important" decisions but don't actually sacrifice anything themselves.

When I think of why we fought the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II, the first thing that comes to mind is civil rights. Each of these wars was fought against an entity which was restricting the rights and freedoms of human beings and threatening their very way of life. That is what makes violent conflict justified. War is not justified however when it means making money, acquiring land or possessions, gaining power and influence. Every war since World War II and the majority of wars before then were fought for these selfish purposes.

Also, you can't make the argument that your friends died for people to weak to protect themselves. First, you're implying that anyone that isn't in the war is weak. Second, did you ever stop to think that some people never asked for protection? I never asked for protection from Saddam but I was fooled into thinking I needed it. If he came knockin at my door I would defend myself. You really shouldn't feel all high and mighty walking down the street telling yourself that all the "weak" people around you need you, because they sure as hell don't.

yes, lets see holmes, communism is good
tell that to the 30,000,000 chinese killed by communists (yes, yhat number is correct)
the ignorance of youth