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Originally posted by seeker1977
reply to post by SplitInfinity
Absolutely Split Infinity, when I was in we actually did more humanitarian duties than any attacks on anyone. Our entire crew of the ship earned the humanitarian service medal when we saved something like 200 people from a ship on fire in the middle east. Not everyone was able to take part in the direct effort of saving them because many were on duty but without everyone on the ship doing their jobs it couldn't have happened so everyone did earn it. We didn't care who they only that they needed help and I can tell you they did not speak english.
We delivered supplies to various countries in some serious hard times. Many sailors volunteered on several occasions to build various needed buildings for communities in third world countries.
You can bet though when we do fight it is against som of the most worthless scum in the world. It may not be for the reasons outlined although everyone we've fought in recent history were some of the worst uncaring, murdering, genocidal, psychopathic regimes there were. The world is a better place without Saddam Hussein and the Taliban is not much better. Anyone that supports their kind of violent history while attacking our troops for fighting is the worst kind of hypocrite there is.edit on 17-2-2012 by seeker1977 because: typo's
Originally posted by eriktheawful
The US Military is not defending anyone's freedom? I surely hope you meant that in being deployed to areas overseas to fight wars you feel we should not be involved in, is not "defending anyone's freedom". Else you are saying that we don't need a military period. Which in the case of a perfect world, you would be right. But we don't live in a perfect world, and if the military was not there, exactly who do you think would keep another country from just marching in and taking over?
Originally posted by petrus4
Originally posted by eriktheawful
You don't have more information than we do. The opinions that military people express on this forum, consistently demonstrate their level of ignorance.
Wow, how much can you display your level of ignorance. The military actually goes to these places and gets first hand knowledge of the things going on. Many civilians sit at home feeling all superior having never seen the horrors in some countries judging others that put their lives on the line for anyone.
Tell me since you are so ALL knowing, and your knowledge is so superior to any troopsthat actually went to places and witnessed things first hand, what is this supposed information that no one else has.
Again our military does NOT murder anyone, they go out of their way to protect non-combatants in any conflict which is more than could be said for anyone we fought recently.
Originally posted by petrus4
Originally posted by eriktheawful
The US Military is not defending anyone's freedom? I surely hope you meant that in being deployed to areas overseas to fight wars you feel we should not be involved in, is not "defending anyone's freedom". Else you are saying that we don't need a military period. Which in the case of a perfect world, you would be right. But we don't live in a perfect world, and if the military was not there, exactly who do you think would keep another country from just marching in and taking over?
It's primarily the GWOT, yes. WW2 is usually considered a just war; but in that scenario, it depends on who you ask. Vietnam was a sick joke; and that is the reason why when the troops came back from it, they got the reception they did from the civilian population, because said civilians felt that the military were gullible in accepting the government's rationale for it.
You don't have more information than we do. The opinions that military people express on this forum, consistently demonstrate their level of ignorance. Your superiors don't want you knowing an excessive amount about the backgrounds of various conflicts, because if you did, it might compromise your willingness to murder the people you've been ordered to.edit on 18-2-2012 by petrus4 because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by SGTSECRET
I've seen alot of anti-military stuff here on ATS and much of it is from people who don't seem to know what they are talking about. Saying the troops are 'x' or 'y' and robotic killing machines and such really makes no sense. There are different kinds of troops, just as their are different kinds of civilians, and there will be bad apples wherever you go. The military personnel are not the ones who should be constantly blamed for the current situation with the wars, but I suppose it's easier to blame us than it is to blame the government that is no longer representing the citizens.
Originally posted by petrus4
d] Soldiers who think that they're inherently superior to me. Sorry, but you aren't. You're another human being, who enlisted for whatever reason you did, and have had a particular set of experiences. In most cases, you're likely to have a fair degree more physical strength and dexterity than me, yes; but from most of my observation of you here at least, you're also usually vastly less intelligent.
Originally posted by petrus4
Originally posted by SGTSECRET
I've seen alot of anti-military stuff here on ATS and much of it is from people who don't seem to know what they are talking about. Saying the troops are 'x' or 'y' and robotic killing machines and such really makes no sense. There are different kinds of troops, just as their are different kinds of civilians, and there will be bad apples wherever you go. The military personnel are not the ones who should be constantly blamed for the current situation with the wars, but I suppose it's easier to blame us than it is to blame the government that is no longer representing the citizens.
I can accept this; but there are consistent behaviour patterns that I observe among the troops on this site, which are extremely tedious.
a] Throwing tantrums and declaring that they are either leaving the thread, or the site in general, because they can't cope with us making statements that they don't like; as if we should care whether they leave anyway. You've been shot at with live ammunition, yet you can't handle someone disagreeing with you on an Internet forum?
b] Soldiers who not only accept the "fighting for freedom," canard themselves, but who aggressively attempt to ram it down the throats of the rest of us. If you want to be deluded and brainwashed, then you have every right to be. My only objection, is when some of you try and insist that I accept said delusion myself.
c] Soldiers who insist that I (or anyone else) should automatically be grateful to them for what they are doing in Afghanistan or Iraq. Sorry, but you're not getting my gratitude; and the main reason why you aren't, is because I honestly can't see any reason why you deserve it. From my own perspective, you're in those countries not to defend anyone's freedom, but actually to make sure that individuals within said countries, who actually are fighting for their own freedom, are unable to obtain it, which also at times involves committing attrocities against them. That to me is nothing that I should feel positive towards at all.
d] Soldiers who think that they're inherently superior to me. Sorry, but you aren't. You're another human being, who enlisted for whatever reason you did, and have had a particular set of experiences. In most cases, you're likely to have a fair degree more physical strength and dexterity than me, yes; but from most of my observation of you here at least, you're also usually vastly less intelligent.
Originally posted by usmc0311
reply to post by petrus4
Honestly, you are being very narrow minded by putting us in groups like that. I do not fit in any of those groups. I don't demand respect from anyone and I don't go around saying I fought for your freedoms either. I also do not see myself as superior to any human being. I could talk about constant patterns from people on this site, but I try not to group people together under the same assumption becaue everyone is different. Anyway, just thought I would point a few things out.
Feel free to come back at me with a slew of insults and a few jabs at my intelligence please.edit on 18/2/12 by usmc0311 because: added material
Originally posted by CaticusMaximus
These two quotes are quotes to live by, and espouse principles that truly could pave the way to a better world. I think they are pertinent to the topic where it is now.
"The pioneers of a warless world are the young men and women who refuse military service." - Albert Einstein
"There is no way to peace; peace IS the way". - Gandhi.
For those who truly want peace in their hearts, but misguidedly think supporting a military who is the play thing of corrupt and wicked men is the answer, ruminate on those two quotes for a while. They are both profound statements steeped in deep wisdom, and so very elegant in their simplicity.
They are especially relevant at a time like now when the United States is the sole aggressor, and there is no real external threat that in any way, shape, or form, justifies the campaigns of offense having been waged for over a decade now based on a false flag event.edit on 2/17/2012 by CaticusMaximus because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by tangonine
As a member of the armed forces of the US, I'll tell you with no reservation that the person that prays for peace the most is the soldier.
But you tipped your hand with the "United States is the sole aggressor" bit. That naivete is the root of the problem. You actually think, that of the billions of people on this earth living under oppressive regimes, the US is the aggressor? You spent too much time on your knees in your lit professor's office, girl.