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Originally posted by CaticusMaximus
Originally posted by tangonine
So the guy on the carrier that cleared the F-18 for a strike mission he has NO IDEA where it's going isn't worthy of your respect. Or the pilot that got a target package 20 minutes after wishing his daughter happy birthday over a milsatcom vehicle maintained by some AF guy who had to work a triple shift due to the snow... they don't deserve your respect... Well, at the end of the day, I'm **certain** they hold you in the same regard.
All cogs, gears, sprockets, pinions, racks, nuts and bolts, belts and chains in the same machine of war.
I dont DISrespect them. I just dont see them, as willing integral pieces of a war machine, to be in respectable lines of work. Sure, they are brave, tough, resilient, and some are probably even pretty intelligent... but that doesnt make their chosen career an honorable one.edit on 2/16/2012 by CaticusMaximus because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by GrumpyCanadian
In my 16th year of service as a "foot soldier" I've come to realize certain things.
One being that when I'm back home I treat this career as it is, a job. It pays the bills, taxes, donations to charity's and all the normal creature comforts one would desire in a middle class(lower middle I guess) home.
The second thing I've realized and it makes my job a little easier sometimes, is that I support the current government that's in power. I can't change their decisions, thats not my position. It's the civilians opinions that should influence the gov. decisions. Not mine.
These are opinions when I'm at home.
Once I'm deployed the only thoughts on my mind are the mission, getting my men home safely and to ensure that my decisions are made with as much good morale standing as possible.
I'm not going to take that "spitting" thing literally, you'd have to have a death wish or really good health insurance if you want to try that. What I do agree with is that unfortunately the military is used as an instrument in ways that can be questionable at times.
I go where I'm told. I do what I'm told. Not so you can set up your pvr for Ancient Aliens episodes. I do it because of the men and women beside me.
Airborne.
Originally posted by FinalAccount2008
Should people spit on each other? No.
Should Muslims kill people? No.
Should Christians Kill people? No.
Should agnostics and people of all different belief systems spit on and kill each other? No.
What is so complicated?
Originally posted by tangonine
"some are probably even pretty intelligent"
That bit right there is telling enough.
Would you like to explain to everyone why those terrorists crashed those planes into buildings? (hint: It has nothing to do with our freedoms)
Originally posted by MBF
The only part that I agree with in the OP is the fighting for freedom part. They are not fighting for our freedom. What they are fighting for is to stop a bunch of nut cases from hijacking our airplanes and flying them into buildings, to stop terrorist from taking over our country.
Just to let you know, the military doesn't regulate airplane safety. Also, one could argue that this goes against your claim of "terrorists taking over the country".
I think they have done a good job so far because none of them have hijacked another plane since the wars have started and nearly 5,000 of them have given their lives in the process.
Originally posted by FinalAccount2008
What is so complicated?
Originally posted by LrBc1275
From being in the military myself. First of all...I welcome you to try to spit on me. We will see how you make out with that...coward!. Secondly, I can't speak for all military persons but I think I can speak for a lot: we are not fighting for Bush, or Obama, or for oil fields or for global chess moves. We are fighting for ourselves...to get our ass home alive, and we are fighting for the guy next to us to make sure he makes it out so no friends death is on our hands.
War sucks....but its a job you sign up for. Think about that next time you bitch and moan about the "private sector" or union pensions, or whatever else you complain about while you sit nice and safe. Why dont you put your aggression toward real problems and not people who are just trying to make a living.
Originally posted by Snoopy1978
Excellent post, op. The hypocrisy on this subject is boundless. Bombing families for our "freedoms" for 11 years straight yet the warmongering chinckenhawks pretend it's for a righteous cause. Drop the act, you murderous criminals, even the most moronic out there can see through you.
Originally posted by CaticusMaximus
Originally posted by tangonine
"some are probably even pretty intelligent"
That bit right there is telling enough.
Its a logical statement. Would you say more than "some" are pretty intelligent, as in say the top 5% of the intelligence curve? I think you are still presuming I have some "animosity" for military personnel. I dont, as Ive explained.
Could you also answer my other question? I assume we are on the same page regarding the nebulous "it" since you didnt say I was wrong?
"So you know its wrong... but you do it anyway? Or do you and the others who sit the back room honestly believe you are fighting some good fight?
Some poster mentioned that RP has the majority of the military supporting him. Obviously, many of you know the war machine is wrong, and want it to end. Yet for some reason, you become a cog in it anyway, again, and again, and again?"edit on 2/16/2012 by CaticusMaximus because: (no reason given)