Don't Close Your Blinds

[dcentity2000]

I never thought this war was the right thing, but I respect the men and women who are over there and who will be over there and who have been over there, because I don't have to believe in the war to support the troops who are dying for it.

Quite right, very well put.



Rich::

 

[momof2inPA]

I took the Dad in the story to be a soldier, and I hope you aren't suggesting that soldier's aren't good people?

My DH is preparing to go to Iraq with his Guard unit. As much as everyone has the right to question the politics, our soldiers still deserve our respect.

I took the dad to be George Bush and that he was trying to scare his son, who represents his mindless base into believing this simplistic made-up scenario justifies invading Iraq. It's not that simple, and of course, we didn't go to Iraq to defend anyone. We went for our own reasons and fixed the pre-war intelligence around these reasons. I could have gone on about the dad hiring his teenage neighbors, who desperately need the money, to go and confront the bad guy and a few of them get shot during the invasion, but there are just too many details to add to the story to make it more accurately fit the real picture. They could have captured a few neighbors they suspected were involved with bad guy #1, stripped them naked, taken them to a shed, and posed them in sexually suggestive positions, maybe the dad would decide to wire tap the entire block just in case someone was involved with the bad guy, etc.

My sister is in the Navy, my BIL in the Airforce. I feel no disrespect for the military, but our current government leaders are another story.

 

[momof2inPA]

This is not what this thread was suposed to turn into. I received this e-mail and thought it was worth sharing but I really didn't expect such a negative reaction. I know everyone has their thoughts and opinions but why turn this into a debate. No matter what is done with any government everyone will not be happy. We as a country need to look at the positive that has come from this and keep on trying to make a difference.

If you want a friendlier environment, you could always take it to the "conservative" thread. If you post something political on the Community Board, it is open to comment from people throughout the political spectrum. A lot of times that's good. People here will tell you the opinions you will never hear from your friends. Part of the reason people join our military is to protect our rights, including our right to debate the efficacy of our politicians and their decisions.

I see your ticker. Have a great trip!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

"Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop him," my husband says.

I guess that's a not too veiled shot at sovereign countries such as Canada making decisions for themselves instead of accepting the party line from Washington.

FWIW, there are a few thousand Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan -- our snipers were putting the US shooters to shame -- but our Parliament decided against joining the Kool Aid line on the road to Iraq.

 

[va32h]

After reading all of the postings, it becomes clear who the people are that don't want to do anything until its to late, then they become the loudest one's when they start complaining that nothing was done, or that they want help. So Sad!

I don't even know what this means, actually.

Complaining that nothing was done about what? Wanting help with what? Too late to do what?

Why are so many posters nodding in agreement when the statement makes no sense?

 

[dis ms.]

I don't even know what this means, actually.

Complaining that nothing was done about what? Wanting help with what? Too late to do what?

Why are so many posters nodding in agreement when the statement makes no sense?

I don't know, but I think it has something to do with Kool-aid.

I would ask the poster what he/she meant by that statement, but I don't usually do anything until it's too late.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

After reading all of the postings, it becomes clear who the people are that don't want to do anything until its to late, then they become the loudest one's when they start complaining that nothing was done, or that they want help. So Sad!

I don't even know what this means, actually.

Complaining that nothing was done about what? Wanting help with what? Too late to do what?

Why are so many posters nodding in agreement when the statement makes no sense?

My take on this... the other poster was referring to people who do not support the war ("the people...that don't want to do anything until its to late"). The accusation is that "these people" will be the loudest people complaining that nothing was done (i.e., no one called the police or came to help etc. a la the email) or they will complain loudest when they need help themselves.

Basically a cheap shot.

 

[shortbun]

The parent in this story is exactly the kind of person I keep my son away from. He's the kind of Dad who would walk away from his child and say " good bye" when he wanted the child to follow. He's the kind of Dad who would overdramatize anything and make it scary to get his child's compliance. He's the Dad who tells his child, "you scream like a little girl" and " take it like a man." No thanks!!!! Dumb story and poor analogy. How about telling the story of the man who's parents gave him everything when he was little and then as he was growing up they paid his way or made everything easy for him with their money. Then this man grows up to be President of the United States and because people disagree with him, he calls them "traitors" and "evil." So this man decides he's bored and wants to play soldier. He dresses up like a soldier and lands on big aircraft carriers. He sends real people into harm's way to have his way and for fun. He's a spoiled, arrogant brat and yet people listen to him because he's a bully and they are afraid of him. Now there's a sad and scary story.

 

[hucifer]

If you want a friendlier environment, you could always take it to the "conservative" thread. If you post something political on the Community Board, it is open to comment from people throughout the political spectrum. A lot of times that's good. People here will tell you the opinions you will never hear from your friends. Part of the reason people join our military is to protect our rights, including our right to debate the efficacy of our politicians and their decisions.

Well said!

 

[TCPluto]

I guess that's a not too veiled shot at sovereign countries such as Canada making decisions for themselves instead of accepting the party line from Washington.

FWIW, there are a few thousand Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan -- our snipers were putting the US shooters to shame -- but our Parliament decided against joining the Kool Aid line on the road to Iraq.

I think this is your paranoia and guilt coming into play.

I didn't think of Canada when I read this, rather, I thought of all of the global "neighbors".

How in gods name would you know about anyones snipers putting anyone elses snipers to shame??? Are their reports on such things?

For crying out loud, you sound like you belong on a school yard....

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I think this is your paranoia and guilt coming into play.

I didn't think of Canada when I read this, rather, I thought of all of the global "neighbors".

How in gods name would you know about anyones snipers putting anyone elses snipers to shame??? Are their reports on such things?

For crying out loud, you sound like you belong on a school yard....

FWIW, I have no guilt about Canada not following the lies of the Bush administration into a war in Iraq. We were more than willing to put our troops into harm's way in Afghanistan, but the WMD stories didn't fly in Canada and we chose to side with the United Nations. It would seem that the Canadian decision was the right decision for Canada.

And yes, there are reports about the amazing job Canadian snipers did in Afghanistan -- substantiated by their American commander. Take for example the words of the American sniper in this article when he gives the Canadian sniper his rifle, "Here, you know how to use this better than I do." 2430 meters is a heck of a shot.

Rakkasans, everyone of them.

Unfortunately, four Canadians returned home in coffins because the USAF pilots couldn't differentiate between small arms fire during a scheduled training exercise at a well known range and anti-aircraft fire. Sounds like a good reason to put a 500 lb. bomb into the place.

 

[bratus913]

Then, when they go in guy #1's house, the dad says, "Whoops he didn't have any bomb, but lets take his gas cans from the garage while we're here because our lawn mower is empty.. "

I haven't seen MY lawn mower filling up any cheaper!!! Not at over $2.15 a gallon!

 

[hucifer]

I haven't seen MY lawn mower filling up any cheaper!!! Not at over $2.15 a gallon!

Do you even HAVE a lawn mower? I thought it went up in flames.

ETA: And yes, I'm stalking you.

 

[bratus913]

Do you even HAVE a lawn mower? I thought it went up in flames.

 

[snowwite]

The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at war ..My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then told my son to go stand in our front living room window. "
Please dont flame me. I have a couple of thoughts after reading this post which is the same as a SPAM mail I got.
This appears to be a Hoax email.There are sites that can help you to spot them.If you google the quote above a whole bunch of radical sites pop up and it appears to be a couple years old.The earliest date I saw was 2004.
For everyone worried about this poor traumatized child it does not appear he is real.
I understand that the intent is to make people support the war.I would hope no real parent would abuse thier child by saying such things to him. I am a Navy brat married to an ex marine.We consider ourselves very patriotic and love our counrty.That said, I do not think being patriotic and a good American means blindly going along with and agreeing with everything the president says or does.The man is just that, a man and he will make mistakes. I am very angry that the US was attacked and I do think we need to find a way to stop terrorists.I dont know that this war is the way to do that.It seems that the people responsible for WTC have no real country because they are terrorists.Even if we made Iraq into a parking lot I dont believe for a minute there would not be another nut right behind them from some other coutry willing to kill innocent Americans. Having more of our troops die over there does not seem to be the answer.I think we need to close our borders and make our own country's securtiy and defense stronger so that they cannot sneak in and do it again.I feel decieved when I recall the speeches about Weapons of Mass destruction.We were told that was the reson for the war.I didnt see any so why didnt we go home? Then there was the speech from the ship where we won the war.If we won why are there still people dying over there?They had thier election and the troops were to come home after that but it does not appear it will be anytime soon.My dad started a project gathering items for troops and we help with that, trying to support them. see, we do support the people over there defending our country but I would be a lot happier if thay could all come home.
God Bless America!