[quote]malonetd wrote:
The only thing I want to add is that you definitely can support the troops without supprting the war. I don’t agree with the war in Iraq, but I definitely support the troops. I am an ex-Marine, and I know servicemen often have to do things that they don’t believe in or agree with. I guarantee that there are many men and women in Iraq right now that don’t think they belong there, but they know they have a job to do.
With that being said, even if I did support the war, I can’t join in the efforts. I can’t re-enlist.[/quote]
This is exactly how I feel. Someone actually gets it. I also was a Marine, and was in fact part of the initial invasion (which is exactly what it was). I have many, many good freinds over there, and lost one a few months ago. What was so pressing about removing Saddam right then and there, particularly since we were already stretched so thin in Afghanistan? It just as easy to blindly support this war as it is to oppose it. But when your friend, who just became a widow, is crying on your shoulder, you tend to take a long, hard look at what we really accomplished (if anything) in Iraq.
I have to agree with Beatnik that America seems a very polarised nation, and that in most cases things seem to be spelled out in such basic for/against good/bad terms. You’re either for the war, or against it. Bush’s classic ‘You’re either with us, or you’re with the terrorists’ is an example. What a moronic thing to say to the world.
Reading this part of the forum, no-one sees to come in with an open mind. Everyone already has their mind made up and looks to attack the other’s point of view without looking at it’s merit or, even denying truth.
It’s like the person I saw interviewed on TV who said ‘I hate that movie(F 9-11). It’s full of lies. I’ll never go watch it.’
What was so pressing about removing Saddam right then? That is a great question that probably doesn’t deserve a reply if you don’t know by now.
Did your buddies know what they signed up for when they joined the MARINES. Was there some confusion about the part that every Marine is a rifleman? I think that has been around for over 200 yrs.
If I recall it goes something like this " We will defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic" Do you remember that?
With an all volunteer military everyone that signs on the bottom line knows what they are getting into.
Yes it is sad people have to die. Our way of life has a price and there are many men and women that have paid it, they are the heroes.
You have a very good point. Contrary to the nonsense Lumpy puts out, I don’t think Bush made the Decision to send men to die lightly. I’m sure a president’s considerations are beyond the ability of the general public to understand fully. Not all important facts are available on the internet. He cannot make public everything he knows. Soldiers go in knowing when it comes time for the Decision to be made, that it will come from the Commander-in-Chief. This is how it must be. It is the great sacrifice of serving your country.
I hope the people of Iraq will forever look upon these brave men as the noble warriors who brought their country out of darkness. I hope everything can be accomplished that the President has set out to do. The Decision has been made, the troops are still on the ground. So, it is too early for the final analysis.
If you have not read some of the good news from Iraq via my link above, you owe it to yourself to read it.
I am IN. But, none of the arm forces would take me. I have two medical condition. 1st is I had heart surgery when I was 6 weeks old, second I just got finished with Chemo treatments for Lympohma cancer. Also when I was a senior in high school I did apply for the military but I was disquafied for my health conditions…
Lumpy, rainjack is right PUT OR SHUT UP. The ball is on your court now.
If I wasn’t too long in the tooth, Lumpy, I’d sign right the hell up on two conditions:
That my immediate commander be one William Jefferson Clinton- it would give him the chance to redeem himself for his earlier draft dodging and ‘loathing’ of the military.
That his commander be John Kerry, so that when I injure myself superficially three times and get out quick-like after I punch my ticket he would understand. Hopefully I could do a few heroics, or get credit for them who knows, just as long as the script reads right.
You are forgetting pulling Bush out of the dental cockpit and into the fighter cockpit! We would need him pitching in on the action with Clinton. Whether its Oxford or the champaign unit you’re still avoiding combat. At least you have to get into Oxford on your own mental merits!
I would fight and die for my country, Especially if some extremists tried to take my right to vote away. You don’t get the whole picture. Everyone has a role to play and not all of those roles can be military ones. Yet that does not beget the fact that I have just as much value as a human being as you do or anyone in the military.
Elk - It seems like you have that same argument saved to your clipboard so you can just keep posting it over and over, contribute somthing else once in a while will ya? I know you were in the service and you think you are so special. My uncle just gave up his retirement, left his 4 kids and wife home alone and signed up to go back over to Iraq. Why? Because it is what he does. People all have their own path in life and it is not for you to advise other people who you know jack shit about on what life paths they should take. That would be like hearing you complain about credit card debt and telling you you should quit your current job and learn to be a debt counselor because if you see a problem you need to try to help fix it. It’s bogus and bullshit. Get over yourself.
That’s not the point. Lumpy can’t seem to find anything wrong with Bubba the Draft Dodger save the stained dress, Clinton was elected over two genuine war heros. Now I am supposed to pick a war hero over a fighter pilot, because apparently he is a war hero and that’s all of that. Oh, and that draft dodger did take his country to war and get innocents killed, based based on what the left would call a lie.
Why doesn’t the left come clean and just say our politics are based on the hatred of Dubbya. It’s America, you can, that’s your opinion and nobody can take that away from you.
OK, maybe I can’t say someone is a blankin’ idiot when he calls others f’n hypocrities, but can I call him f’n stupid, as the evidence indicates?
Elk is a man of honor that deserves to be RESPECTED. He ain’t sucking his own dick when he puts his 2 cents in, he’s voicing an opinion which is the purpose of this forum. Instead of telling him to get over himself, why don’t you thank him instead. I think he deserves that much. RLTW
[quote]shamr0ck wrote:
right or wrong. i don’t know. but i have to admit, i respect lumpy for having the guts to say what’s on his mind and taking the consequences.
I tried signing up for the Marines last summer, and as much as they wanted me being there, my 9 felony convictions and four years in state prison was not acceptable. This was even after the recruiter told me that it wouldn’t be a problem. They said I would have a better chance if the draft is ever reinstated.
Even when I tried signing up I have to admit I was a bit reluctant to do so. The idea of bunking up with immature 18-20 kids was not very appealing - I already did four years of that, which stretched my nerves and patience to the end. But as you put it, I had to either put up or shut up, right? I totally agree in my case, but I don’t think it applies to every one who supports the war. If someone has a good job and children, I would advise them to stay home.
My little sister who’s in Iraq right now keeps telling me that it was a blessing in disguise that I wasn’t accepted because of all the bullshit that goes on there. Still, I don’t like the idea of her being there while I’m over here. Maybe when we have another attack on our soil the recruiting standards will change. Until then I’m not welcomed.
Role to play? Quit playing your role! You sound off why the war is so critical then you sit on your ass while others fight it! You’re not elderly, you don’t have children, you don’t have a disability, your support rings hollow when you’re not willing to man up yourself!
Wow, RangerTab again our views may differ on this war, but I have got mucho respect for you! Thank you for the good words! I hope every American in harms way comes back safe and sound!
I tried joining the Army, got disqualified for vision, tried a second time with a “surefire loophole” (according to the recruiter) once again dq’d.
By the way, one of my friends from work is planning to volunteer to go to Iraq. He’s in the national guard and because his unit was already recently deployed (on something other than Iraq) it isn’t eligible. He says he wants to go anyway because that’s what he’s been training for and he feels his country needs him.
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of so many people that “tried, but they wouldn’t take me”.
In my experience almost anybody can be “disqualified” from enlistment. If you really want to join you just hide or lie about the disqualifying factors.
[quote]malonetd wrote:
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of so many people that “tried, but they wouldn’t take me”.
In my experience almost anybody can be “disqualified” from enlistment. If you really want to join you just hide or lie about the disqualifying factors.[/quote]
The thing is I really wanted to go to the Army,Marines or be one of the special force guy. I went with the army the first go around since I wanted to jump out of planes and be a Airborne Ranger I went MEPS and they tdq me which means temporailly disqulifaction. Then I tried the Marines figure they take anyone, I even ran w/ them on the weekend when the recruites did PT, did pull-ups and sit-ups. They also TDQ me. I also tried singing up for the NAVY which was the absolute last resource. They finally PDQ me and advise me not to try and join the military…
I am not making excuse I would definate go to fight in Iraq. I would go if there is a draft and I hope I get drafted… I love the USA and what it stand for and I wish other people can experince it thats what are Troops are doing in IRAQ given Liberty and Freedom to someone you don’t know.
