what is worng w/ this pic?

[jtval 0]

ok before this starts out as some political rant i just wanna say...um...i don't know...this post may end up getting deleted but if you have an opinion please say it w/o hacking on ppl in this forum if i piss anyone off pm me!
ok that said here is my bitch.
what is up with these ppl who are saying we need to feel sympathetic for our enemies?(taliban/media kidnappers/etc)
if that is your opinion you are welcome to it but if you live in amearic/are american do they not realize that they are our enemies b/c they are killinmg americans? not just military, but our civilians. this turn the other cheek attitude i've seen bug me out!
this is the same attitude that allowed the "COLE" to be bombed killing 19 of our navy bro's and sis's! this is the same attitude that allowed for the bombing of the kobar towers.killing 19 our our bro's and sis's.
it bug's me out that, yes we signed up for this "JOB" knowing the risks, but it seems when military ppl die know one notices. if a dale earnhardt dies he becomes a nat'l hero? what is wrong with this picture? (Im not saying dale wasn't important to his sport i wouldnt know, dont watch much tv)
but yes, we defend the right for the american civilians to have their freedom.and its not like im coming home from vietnam and getting spit on. i know we all have a liitle more respect for the military now-a-days but i just dont understand this sympathy for our killers attitude? if you care to comment please keep it light and informational b/c i really wanna try to figure this thought process out! although i'll never agree with it i wanna understand it.
your comments here__________________________
getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[kmcguffee 0]

I was in the Army for 9 years and just got out a year ago. One thing that really surprises me is how little the civilian community understands what the military does and how much their families sacrifice. I get paid considerably more, work less hours, and spend no time away from home in my current job as compared to when I was in the military. Yet my coworkers think they are overworked, underpayed, and deserve better.
My point? Most of the US just does not understand what sacrifices members of the military make in their day to day lives. This leads to a lack of sympathy and compassion for the American soldier. Whose fault is this? The military's for not addressing the issue and the media's for their constant badgering and ridiculing of everything the military does. IMHO, the military needs to take a more active role in the public relations side of this.

[jtval 0]

well put.
getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[StevieBoy 0]

I think alot of people have this attitude because of the social stigma, the Click they are in, they dont want to upset the circle they have spent years become part of, but deep down, "I feel" quite a few people feel the same as you.
I'm English & have felt a huge loss for your (US) recent events because the people were innocent, so sad.
Army is Army, you are trained for conflict & given the wepons to back it up.
I have my own opinions what SHOULD be done & voice them without fear, what do I lose, idiot so called friends who are not on my wavelengh, BIG LOSS.
"Skydiving's a source, it'll change your life, swear to God"

[Skyrose7 0]

I feel sorry for the civilians that are killed in all countries involved. Some fanatics wanted to get America's attention, well, I think they have no idea how vengeful that attention will be. I just hope that this doesn't encourage this terrorism trend to keep building. It is so sad that these terrorists believe that their cowardly ways are justified by religion. just my opinion.
The mind is like a parachute--it works better when it is open. JUMP.

[skySue 0]

Isn't it interesting that none of the "sympathisers" have replied. You made an open, 'safe' offer, and no takers!
Anyway, I think the media are mostly to blame. They publish what sells papers/TV - controversy, amongst other crap. People believe what they read, and they believe TV. You can print anything and people will believe it is what MANY other people think, (not what one bored journalist thought up) and so they jump on the band-wagon. I hope you know that they are a minority and they can't think for themselves - but I know it hurts. The defence forces PR people need to get their act together also, and make the TRUTH general knowledge. How you do that I don't know, given that the media will always be against you, but they could make much more of an effort.
BTW - I thank you and all the service men and women and their families for your dedication, committment, sacrifices whether you are at war or at home. If people thought about it they would realise that we need you for our very survival. (I mean that for those in my country and yours and our other allies)

[jtval 0]

im not sure there were sympathizers here, to reply to my question, sue. i know there are some who dont understand or agree with the political stuff which is fine but i dont think i've ever read anyone post about to that extreme. but if some one feels this way i would like them to post their thoughts. but so far i think we've reached total agreemnet here. which is fine too. im not trying to stir the shitgetting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[bbarnhouse 0]

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, and I'd proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today cause there ain't no doubt I love this land......God Bless the USA! ~ Lee Greenwood ~
I say Amen and ThankYou to all that serve or have served this GREAT NATION.
It only takes a little pixie dust......

[NtheSeaOrSky 0]

I agree. One quote I saw somewhere (dont remember, probably on a monument), but has always stuck with me: For those who fought, freedom has a taste the protected will never know. (As closely as I can recall)

[rgoper 0]

you can bet your rig i couldn't have gotten away with that one.
Richard

[rhino 0]

I spent 8 years in the Marines and I feel the same way.. It's a shame it took 3,000+ innocent people dying to bring out patriotism.. Better late than never. And I hope it lasts.. Our brothers fighting for our freedom diserve all the support they can get. It is VERY hard being away from family like that. One of the first Marines that died in Afghanistan was a friend of mine. If I wasn't fighting for custody of my son I would be back in already.. Kicking some ass!!
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[jtval 0]

i hope you can get you son rhino. ive heard way too many stories about skydiving= an unfit parent. i hope you have an educated judge or at least one who wont automatically assume you're wreckless.
hey thanks for serving for and with us!
getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[skymedic 0]

JT....like I told ya before man...ya keep me proud my friend...ya really do....plus it helps you are a nice dude on top of it too....
marc
AOL-skymedic5
Yahoo-skymedic5
msn-skymedic5@hotmail.com

[jtval 0]

sshhhhh! ppl are gonna start to believe ya! well i thinkwe all do a good job of keeping each other proud.if that were to change i would have to excuse myself from this community(not b/c of the gas! i'll share that w/ ya's getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[Phil 0]

No doubt, when you need the job done, you have to send in the troops and you might get your hands dirty. When you have a opponent that doesn't give a shit about human rights etc. why bother of giving them the courtesy of the same. Taking care of business the way it was done was and is the only way to go.
I have just a little side note or food for thought: when England was/is struggling with Northern Ireland, one of the biggest Allies of the UK did not feel it to be necessary to cut of the money supply to the IRA, this list could be extended at will. As the majority of you all know.
The sad part about it is, that when politics fuck up – the cavalry has to go and clean up the mess and will get a shitload if they do it to well.
My respect to all servicemen out there that are doing their best at what they’re good at.
Blue skies
Phil

[kmcguffee 0]

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when England was/is struggling with Northern Ireland, one of the biggest Allies of the UK did not feel it to be necessary to cut of the money supply to the IRA

I agree. We didn't do the right thing in that situation. Too many influential politicians sympathetic to the IRA.

[AndyMan 7]

I don't think we should have sympathy for them, but we should have a basic human respect.
We don't have to look back very far into history to see what happens when leaders and military's lose the basic respect for life. We can point to Hitler and the jewish people, Milosovic and the servs, or any other of the despots the world has risen againt.
On a lesser scale we can point to the smaller attrocities like the Canadian Airborne in Ruanda (sp?)
It's not just American citizens that have rights. I'm a Canadian citizen living in the US. Do I have rights?
If we igonre the human rights of our enemies, are we any better then them?
Or, more pragmicatic - if we treat our enemies without at least some form of respect, then American soldiers should expect the same treatment should they ever get captured.
I guess since you didn't point to any concrete examples in your post, It's hard to write this. I might actually agree with you.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[kmcguffee 0]

I think one big thing you have to remember about the humane treatment of our enemies is that our soldiers have to live the rest of their life dealing with what they did during war. If the military leaders (I was an Army Infantry Officer) allow soldiers to commit atrocities in the heat of the moment or as a matter of standard procedure then they are doing the US soldiers a grave disservice. Combat is hard enough to live with afterwards in the best of circumstances. Can you imagine having to live with the fact that you killed innocent women, children, and men on purpose? Or even unnecessarily torturing or causing undue suffering to noninnocent combatants. If it can't be avoided then that is just war. You know 'war is hell' and all. I don't think I could live with myself if I did it or allowed it to happen. This is in addition to the factors already stated, but was one of my major concerns as a company commander and platoon leader.

[scottbre 0]

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but it seems when military ppl die know one notices. if a dale earnhardt dies he becomes a nat'l hero? what is wrong with this picture?

It is sad that some people feel this way. I could have honestly cared less when Dale Earnhardt died. When soldiers die it is usually for something more important than a bunch of cars driving in circles. But I think someone already said this, the thing that gets the most attention is the one that sells newpapers and advertisements. That may not seem right but that's the way it is.

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but yes, we defend the right for the american civilians to have their freedom

Call me a cynic, but I think that this would be more appropriate to say that "we defend the right for the american government to decide what freedoms to give its civilians." Especially as of lately.

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I was in the Army for 9 years and just got out a year ago. One thing that really surprises me is how little the civilian community understands what the military does and how much their families sacrifice. I get paid considerably more, work less hours, and spend no time away from home in my current job as compared to when I was in the military. Yet my coworkers think they are overworked, underpayed, and deserve better.

This doesn't fly with me. Everyone who serves in a military capacity chose to do so. If they don't like their "working conditions" they have every right to feel overworked, underpayed, and that they deserve better too. All this "I'm a sacrificial lamb, love me for it" stuff is stupid. If you don't like the respect you get with your job, get a different one. There are a lot of people out there who sacrifice a lot and get paid very little for professions that are just as noble, if not more, than being in the military. Such as teachers, police officers, firemen, and any numbers of others. But you don't hear people complaining about how they need more recognition, and they sure don't complain about it, they just do the jobs that they have chosen to do. I have never been super-patriotic, but I am glad that I live in the United States, even with all of its problems, but it seems to me that if you want to honor people who make this country great, then maybe you should start with people who actually have an influence on the people within the country.
Finally, my proviso to try to not get destroyed with flames. Yes being in the military is probably a tough job. One that I will never do or understand the motivation for. But it is still a job, and if it is your job then you knew what you were getting into from the beginning, and whatever happens to you is a result of the decisions that you made. And if you say you didn't know what you were getting into, well too bad, shoulda checked your spot before jumping.
"Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . "

[kmcguffee 0]

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There are a lot of people out there who sacrifice a lot and get paid very little for professions that are just as noble, if not more, than being in the military.

I am not belittling anyone elses sacrifices. There are alot of people who have noble professions besides the military and I respect them for it. We should honor these people more also.

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But you don't hear people complaining about how they need more recognition

I didn't mention anything about 'recognition'. What they need is respect and appreciation. My father and grandfather were police officers and my mother and sisters are teachers and their jobs are hard and deserve respect, but it doesn't compare to the military. Believe me.

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If you don't like the respect you get with your job, get a different one

This thought process works until you look back and the only people in the military are criminals and derelicts who can't get a job anywhere else. Then we have a problem. You don't have to honor these people if you don't want to, It's a free country. But, don't take them for granted. They do what they do because they love it not because they want money or fame. The least we can do, the ones benefiting from their service, is show them respect and thank them for the sacrifices they are making.

[jtval 0]

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I guess since you didn't point to any concrete examples in your post, It's hard to write this. I might actually agree with you.

yea i dont think we should try to torture enemies etc and before this get misconstrued, I ahve never fired a weapon at anybody. so what I pOst here is purely from a 2nd hand view piont!

scottbre--
no flames here. your welcome to your opinion. i have just been seeing alot of protesters against what the US military is doing.(within the US as well as withOUT) I know we arent at war with a country but we are in those countries b/c some of its enhabitants need to be brought to justice! I honestly hope this war can be done cleanly and quickly but we all know some casualties are bound to happen(thats what started this whole thing!) this wasnt a self righteous cry for recognition. this was a general post to see if i could get some opinion with the mod squad having to shut us down. so far so good!
getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[rhino 0]

o.k. Fact of the matter is.. These people are threatening our very way of life in OUR own country. My son has a right not to be scared in school or for that matter at work when he grows up. Our children shouldn't have to wonder "Is it o.k. to drink this water today or is it o.k. to cross this bridge today?"
These people are not human nor do they diserve to be treated with any sort of dignity. They lost that right when they KILLED 3000 innocent families on Sept 11th. SCREW THEM!!
We should torture and maim these animals so badly and make people SOOOOO SCARED to even be associated with terrorists that they break up and die out of fear alone. They should be killed and their families should be killed as well and the only way you as a family member doesn't get the bullet is to turn this person in yourself. That will instill FEAR and DOUBT as to wether or not it is WORTH being a terrorist to these idiots.
And we should stop using the word terrorist. That is where the press is screwing up. Terrorist this, terrorist that.. Replace the word terrorist with IDIOT, or SNOTNOSE.. So instead of Bin Laden's terrorist group it is plastered all over the news Bin Laden's IDIOT group. Quit giving him credit for being an asshole and start telling it like it is.. This guy and these people are sick assholes that have to be killed so our kids can grow up. Simple. This whole thing pisses me off..
And NO. Until now the military hasn't really gotten the recognition it DESERVES.. The military IS NOT like civilian life.. In NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM. The sacrifices made and the time invested are IMMENSE. Not to be compared with civilian life. These are two TOTALLY separate worlds. They do more work, train more, spend more time away from their families, work for less, and expect less for it than any business man on the planet. And they do it because they want their country to love them as much as they love their country. These people diserve two thumbs up and whatever other support they can get from us..
Goto the services web sites and find the different units on deployment and pick a person and send them a thank you card.. Just thank you for fighting for my freedom!! Thank you for giving me the right to jump out of this plane or play with my child in the streets. A simply thing like that keeps those guys moral high and it keeps them motivated.
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[kmcguffee 0]

Woo! You alright man? Maybe you ought to go lay down for a while.

[rhino 0]

I'm fine :) lol
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[scottbre 0]

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These people are not human

You're wrong there. They are human, just like you. They just have a different belief structure than you do. It's sort of funny how the word humane came to mean what it does, considering that humans are probably one of the species that is best at destroying others within the species.
And your "They killed 3000 innocent americans, kill them all and their families too" attitude really isn't any better or less fanatical that their "America does what it wants to make life more cushy for itself, so lets destroy a symbol of their arrogant capitalism" attitude.
"Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . "