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Thread: US Terrorism

  1. #1
    Sadhu bjf's Avatar
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    wow! powerful stuff and very

    sad! it almost sounds like a vietnam all over again! why are the attacks against civilians necessary with all the

    satellite networks that can beam down and send visual images surely there must be a better way!!!! although i'am

    canadian and not american i believe in fighting terrorism tooth and nail but who are the terrorists civilians????

    not! this needs to be handled with a different approach

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    Doctor of Scentology DrSmellThis's Avatar
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    That is more sadness than I am

    capable of feeling in a lifetime. God have mercy on us all, here and there; and give us the courage and vision to

    open our hearts and minds.

    I know there are differences of opinion among military people, but I have talked to

    a few soldiers, and have friends with relatives there. I guess we all do. But they all said something along the

    lines of feeling disgusted about our government and the war. The other night at a gig a soldier back from Iraq for a

    short time, but on his way back, told me never to believe anything the press tells us about what is happening there.

    He hinted about things like civilian casualties, low morale, widespread disgust with our political leaders, and

    equipment/supply problems, but just stressed that I shouldn't believe the press reports and said he couldn't talk

    any more. He was a really nice guy. At least he enjoyed the music.

    Someday soon I might share a letter another

    soldier there sent my friend, if can get permission from the soldier.
    DrSmellThis (creator of P H E R O S)

  4. #4
    Sadhu bjf's Avatar
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    This country spreads lies, and they

    use all sorts of language as propaganda. Good vs. Evil? What the fuck? No, this is the United States vs. our

    Enemy. An innocent American life > innocent non American life.

    Bottom line is, the

    irresponsible killing of innocent people is just as wrong when it is committed by a government

    sancationed effort as opposed to a terrorist one.

    9/11 touched me deeply, I was more pissed off than anyone.

    I trusted our government when they claimed what they did about Iraq. I thought the hippies sleeping in tents to

    protest the war needed to get a job. I thought the thousands of people marching down my street during the war

    protests were a nuisance.

    I'm no tree hugger, but the whole Iraq situation is beyond contempt. Now we

    have Bush in the white house for ANOTHER 4 fucken years because the the public relations effort has gone well enough

    to hide what is going on.

    The situation in Iraq will be bad, for a long long time. It is funny, we might

    have killed more civilians than have died in 9/11, attacked a country for reasons (WMDs) that turned out to be wrong

    and haven't gotten Osama; yet the people still believe in Bush.

    At his presidential news conference

    yesterday, he was claiming he had "the will of the people" on his side and "political capital" that he is now going

    to spend. Nearly half the people in this country didn't vote for his ass, but he's not interested in representing

    that half. A reporter followed with a question regarding that circumstance, his answer showed he didn't understand

    it.

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    Full Member DAdams91982's Avatar
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    And you believe being Ex

    Military he can really say any of this???

    And as for the reason we invaded and all that shit... agendas

    change... how would you feel to live in fear day in an day out that the ruller of your country, would have you hung

    so he could go rape your wife??? or his sons would feed you to lions if you didnt play well in a soccer game...

    everyone here is bashing what we are doing over here... but all you play off of is the media... the media isnt going

    to show Iraqis shaking your hand, or giving hugs saying thank you for what you are doing... yes things are bad over

    here... but everyday they are getting better... and they are already better off than before the invasion... they can

    actually own refridgerators for cold beverages and food... they can actually own Air Conditioners, beating the heat

    that comes through here.

    Unfortunately civialians die... 9/11 didnt just try to attack the military, and some

    civialians died as a result... no we are actually actively persuing a certian group of people... the people that

    frighten Iraqis more than any military person here... Insurgernts wont hesitate to blow a car near a group of kids

    just so they can round up mulitple people close that area to do it again, and get the bigger masses. These are

    things you dont see us fixing... 90% of the shit we blow up.. we fix it back up... renovate it, and hand it back to

    the people... You never see this shit on CNN.

    Adams

    PS... You cannot blame everything on Bush (Though I

    think he is a Great President/Leader)... The President cannot do anything without Congress behind him... and these

    are the people that the majority voted in... some for MULTIPLE terms... so they must be doing something right.

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    Administrator Bruce's Avatar
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    I'm going to assume Adams is really

    over there and go with what he is saying. I voted for Kerry, and maybe I wish we hadn't gone to Iraq for various

    reasons, but I certainly don't think that we are a worse alternative to the insurgents and anarchy over there.

    Civilian deaths are very unfortunate, but it is a hell of a lot easier for us to make moral decisions in our safe

    living rooms over here than it is for you guys wondering if the approaching van is packed with explosives over

    there. Bottom line is
    Our guys are over there getting shot at
    The insurgents are nasty folks that mean no

    good to anyone.
    Nobody "likes" the insurgents. They just fear them.
    The truth be known, the "silent

    majority" over there must certainly perfer that the insurgents get wiped out and a stable democratic system gets set

    up rather than total tribal wars, stone age anarchy for God knows how long

    Actually, I wish Sadam were back

    in power. Let him worry about the terrorists. But that is no longer an option and we can't just "go home" now,

    because that is what we did in Afganistan way back and look what happened there. So, let's just do it, and give

    Adams here some support. Hopefully, there is a good turning point coming up. I guess there must be some sort of

    learning curve in play.

    Bruce
    To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.

    - Buddha


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    Phero Dude DCW's Avatar
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    Can someone explain to me why we

    glorify war so much in this country? I'm sure you have seen the History channel, Mail Call, Wepons of War, Walter

    Cronkite Presents, Time Life videos..etc etc..

    Bush's relection was no surprise to me.


    DCW

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    Sadhu bjf's Avatar
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    I'm not bashing the soldiers at all,

    you have my full support. Which is why I feel the way they do. You can't ask kids to give away there lives without

    being sure of what you are doing.

    We messed up big on the WMD's. Colin Powell was against the whole thing,

    and had real problems with Chaney and Rumsfield, but in the end, he had to support the adminstration, and testified

    before the UN.

    I don't blame anyone for worrying about insurgents, the soldiers on the ground are doing what

    they have to do. But the administration underestimated what the people on the ground would be up against, and as a

    result, they're put in bad positions.

    A couple of top military people testified before congress what the

    reconstruction effort would take (before the war, the number of troops, and they both turned out to be on the $).

    One, the did a PR campaign to discredit his claims, another got fired (but rumsfeld). This was a documentary about

    the Bush admin on Frontline, and I recommend everyone see it, if they can.

    The administration completely

    messed up. No, now we can't just leave, but that is a different story. Americans should be able to see the dirty

    side of war so we can make informed decisions. Adams you say "the media isnt going to show Iraqis shaking your

    hand, or giving hugs saying thank you for what you are doing." I have seen this covered in the media. I think

    people realize that the insurgents are still in the minority, and not always even Iraqi.

  9. #9
    Bad Motha Holmes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DCW
    Can someone explain to

    me why we glorify war so much in this country?
    Testosterone, baby.
    Last edited by Holmes; 11-05-2004 at 01:34 PM.
    If a guy's a cocksucker in his life, when he dies, he don't become a saint. - Morris Levy, Hitmen

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    Man of La Pancha
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    Think sports, the olympics,

    etc. Competition, fighting, etc. is interesting to people.

    Countries such as the US are the winners of many

    wars. Winners love the thing they win at.

    War has been the symbol of freedom in this country. The country was

    founded on a war. War spurs patriotism. War sparks the human spirit. War gives people a reason to live just like

    religion, family, etc.

    As for the History channel, you learn from war. You learn about history of the world

    through war as it's one of the most important aspects of human civilization. "War and Peace"...instead of "Peace

    and Boredom"...


    Pick one of the above reasons...



    That all said, I'm not all about war. I hope

    there never comes a time where war is necessary (WWII) and I have to pick up a gun and kill someone as I have no

    desire to do so. I will, however, serve to protect those I care about if it became necessary. The problem with the

    most recent war is that it wasn't necessary. It wasn't too bad because we rid the world of a major toolbag, but a

    country should solve its own problems like so many before Iraq have done. I forgot when the US became the perfect

    country and babysitter to all other countries. I miss the pre-WWII US when we minded our own business. You don't

    see anyone mad at Canada...

    (That said, now that we went and put our nose into other people's business, it's

    only fair to help them attempt to regain stability in their country. I hope the people who are making that happen

    take care of themselves. They're doing the right thing in helping others...no matter what caused it in the first

    place.)

  11. #11
    Full Member DAdams91982's Avatar
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    BJF... you are completely

    right... most of the insurgents are Iranian or Jordanian... its these people that do not want Iraq to have a stable

    democracy or government for that matter... Iraq has discraced them in the past (BEcause of Saddam), and these people

    want all the iraqi people, and anyone who wants to help them to pay.

    As for the world solving their own

    problems... the thing is over here... It wouldnt have happened... The people over here were either to scared, or

    didnt know what the hell to do period... it would have went on pretty much forever, for these people knew no other

    means... That said, we are a world superpower... we are a means to an end... we have the power to help... So why

    not??? Would you just stand idly by, and watch alot of men taking a female against her will, to be raped, and left

    for dead??? I sure in the hell wouldn't.

    Eh.. I dont know where I am going with this, or what points I am

    trying to fight... Im just trying to say that there are soilders over here fighting something they truely believe

    in... and maybe think about that when you say that everything that we are doing over here is wrong... saying that

    is saying that our men and women that fought and died over here... died in vain.

    Adams

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    Sadhu bjf's Avatar
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    DAdams,

    When I heard about

    some of the atrocities Saddam had done, when Bush was trying to justify the way before he attacked, I figured we had

    good reason to go in there regardless of whether he had WMDs or not, and that basically we were irresponsible for

    not intervening sooner. Hell, they torchered their national team athletes for heaven's sake.

    Of course, I

    nor most people expected some of the problems in Iraq, especially because Afgahnastan went so smooth.

    I

    sure as hell hope nobody died in vain, a lot of lives were saved that would have been lost if the Saddam regime

    still was in power. I hope our goverment can start going about things better, though. Because I do fear people are

    losing their lives for nothing.

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    Full Member DAdams91982's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bjf
    DAdams,

    When I heard about some of the atrocities Saddam had done, when Bush was trying to

    justify the way before he attacked, I figured we had good reason to go in there regardless of whether he had WMDs or

    not, and that basically we were irresponsible for not intervening sooner. Hell, they torchered their national team

    athletes for heaven's sake.

    Of course, I nor most people expected some of the problems in Iraq, especially

    because Afgahnastan went so smooth.

    I sure as hell hope nobody died in vain, a lot of lives were saved that

    would have been lost if the Saddam regime still was in power. I hope our goverment can start going about things

    better, though. Because I do fear people are losing their lives for nothing.
    Im very glad we can

    agree on this at least!!!

    Ive always looked at everything that goes on day to day... as this... things can

    ONLY get better.

    And nobody please think I was telling you that you were wrong... you have to think my way...

    I was trying to say that soldiers read this day to day... that are very heartfelt about what we are

    accomplishing.

    Adams

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    Moderator Mtnjim's Avatar
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    With all due respect!

    "And

    you believe being Ex Military he can really say any of this???"

    BUT, if you are refering to G. W. Bush,

    SORRY, but he was a "Week end wannabe", "legal draft dodger"; not "ex military". He spent his weekends flying around

    U.S. airspace and sucking down beers at the "O Club", not flying over Hanoi getting shot at. This is from a "real"

    ex-military from the same time period!!
    Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite.
    --Lazarus Long

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    Full Member DAdams91982's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mtnjim
    With all due

    respect!

    "And you believe being Ex Military he can really say any of this???"

    BUT, if you are refering

    to G. W. Bush, SORRY, but he was a "Week end wannabe", "legal draft dodger"; not "ex military". He spent his

    weekends flying around U.S. airspace and sucking down beers at the "O Club", not flying over Hanoi getting shot at.

    This is from a "real" ex-military from the same time period!!
    No actually I was refering to the

    article.

    You can say what you like (Hell that is what i am protecting)... but my view is that GW Bush is a

    GREAT commander in chief. I am not going to believe one side or the other... cause I F*CKING hate buying into

    rumors of eitherside... so I only live through what I expierience day to day.

    Adams

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    Doctor of Scentology DrSmellThis's Avatar
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    Dadams, you have my support

    and gratitude for what you are doing! God bless you. Thanks for filling in the picture here for us. You are

    obviously doing your best to stabilize Iraq.

    These days it's crucial to keep in mind the difference between

    supporting the war (or leadership) and supporting the warriors. It is our moral responsibility to try to hold this

    complexity in our hearts and minds.

    I don't know anyone personally who blames regular soldiers for anything

    (notwithstanding Rudy G.). Our country has been through this before with Viet Nam, and can therefore wrap their

    minds around the complexity of it (most of us). But one compelling thing about that letter was the guy's

    understanding that everything is approved all the way up the chain. I have no reason whatsoever to doubt him, just

    as I don't doubt Dadams' experiences. He seems sincere to me. Following multiple orders to kill who one finds out

    later were innocents is traumatic, to say the least -- to look them in the eyes. He is now ex-military because he

    was following his conscience, as far as we know. The fact that there must be civilian casualties in a war does not

    mean that more cannot be done by leadership and the intelligence community to minimize it. I believe "hugs and

    handshakes" have been covered in the media, but not as much as it should. But the ugly underside of it has hardly

    been covered at all in the mainstream press, except as "abstract claims by the other side," the implication being

    that we should disbelieve it. All the coverage is lacking. We need truth here. That is how America functions, and

    how democracy corrects itself to right wrongs it is perpetrating. Truth sets the checks and balances in motion, and

    people from other places can witness this process; and it gives them great faith in America. Sadly, truth has been

    in short supply -- by design of course -- and I think the consequences of that are devastating for everyone.
    DrSmellThis (creator of P H E R O S)

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    Bad Motha Holmes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrSmellThis
    Dadams, you

    have my support and gratitude for what you are doing! God bless you.
    Hear hear!
    If a guy's a cocksucker in his life, when he dies, he don't become a saint. - Morris Levy, Hitmen

    Holmes' Theme Song

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    Man of La Pancha
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    I think we just threw the

    checks and balances out the window when we elected a Republican Congress and President who will be appointing

    Supreme Court judges in the near future and has the majority of the popular vote despite whatever resistance has

    risen.

    Checks and balances mean one branch is supposed to keep the others in line, but it seems to me that

    Groupthink has taken over and there is only one way to look at things now in the government. However, I don't

    blame W or anyone else in the government for this mess. I blame the country now. After all, we had a chance to

    restore balance and only caused a one-sided fear fest. "United" is a word you won't hear for quite a while unless

    it's before the word "States".

  19. #19
    Phero Dude DCW's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pancho1188
    Think sports, the

    olympics, etc. Competition, fighting, etc. is interesting to people.

    Countries such as the US are the

    winners of many wars. Winners love the thing they win at.

    War has been the symbol of freedom in this

    country. The country was founded on a war. War spurs patriotism. War sparks the human spirit. War gives people a

    reason to live just like religion, family, etc.

    As for the History channel, you learn from war. You learn

    about history of the world through war as it's one of the most important aspects of human civilization. "War and

    Peace"...instead of "Peace and Boredom"...


    Pick one of the above reasons...



    That

    all said, I'm not all about war. I hope there never comes a time where war is necessary (WWII) and I have to pick

    up a gun and kill someone as I have no desire to do so. I will, however, serve to protect those I care about if it

    became necessary. The problem with the most recent war is that it wasn't necessary. It wasn't too bad because we

    rid the world of a major toolbag, but a country should solve its own problems like so many before Iraq have done. I

    forgot when the US became the perfect country and babysitter to all other countries. I miss the pre-WWII US when we

    minded our own business. You don't see anyone mad at Canada...

    (That said, now that we went and put our

    nose into other people's business, it's only fair to help them attempt to regain stability in their country. I

    hope the people who are making that happen take care of themselves. They're doing the right thing in helping

    others...no matter what caused it in the first place.)
    Define many, Korean? Vietnam?

    The truth

    is with the exception of 911 and because of geography this country has never had enemy tanks roll down our main

    streets, if that was the case our gung ho attitute towards war would be different.

    We are fighting a real war

    against each other with the number of gun realted homicides that occur on our streets, and in our homes every single

    day.


    DCW

  20. #20
    Sadhu bjf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pancho1188
    I think we just

    threw the checks and balances out the window when we elected a Republican Congress and President who will be

    appointing Supreme Court judges in the near future and has the majority of the popular vote despite whatever

    resistance has risen.

    Checks and balances mean one branch is supposed to keep the others in line, but it

    seems to me that Groupthink has taken over and there is only one way to look at things now in the government.

    However, I don't blame W or anyone else in the government for this mess. I blame the country now. After all, we

    had a chance to restore balance and only caused a one-sided fear fest. "United" is a word you won't hear for quite

    a while unless it's before the word "States".
    Pancho, I was originally mad at Americans (because

    Bush was re-elected), but realized what DST so eloquently put: there is a shortage of truth.

    To form opinions

    on everything that is going on, people have to know what is going on.

    Once you have the full truth, then you

    can make informed decisions. If you are for the war to save human lives, than acknowledge that you will accept the

    human cost of the loss of innocent iraqi lives and our own kids who haven't yet even lived their lives yet. I

    think the government is completely hiding what the human cost is in this operation, and I don't agree with that at

    all. People really can't make informed decisions without the full truth.

    At a certain point, I wondered if

    the media failed (for failing to get out the truth), but I don't know. Maybe they don't want to seem like they

    are demonizing America. I really don't know.

  21. #21
    Doctor of Scentology DrSmellThis's Avatar
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    Default Truth, democracy and the world

    The whole truth would doubtless be upsetting for us here, would decrease troop morale, and would increase unrest

    abroad. Confusion would abound -- for a while. But the truth comes out eventually anyway, in one form or another. To

    quote Bush, "you can run but you can't hide."

    But that is what we got ourselves into when we decided to have a

    free and democratic country way back when. We have to live up to the responsibility of that, as hard as it is.



    Fortunately, it would not "demonize" America at all in the long term, since with a transparent process based on

    truth people everywhere could and would understand what is going on in America and admire the larger process of

    checks, balances and change (as opposed to hating us because of whatever bad things we did as a country). People

    could get that we are working through our faults, and can compare it to the governments they have. They would not

    have to identify us with our leadership. Tragically, with the election, I'm afraid too many will now unreservedly

    identify us with Bush, Rumsfeld, and Cheney. Convincing the world we've been lied to as citizens and lack a voice

    (thanks Diebold) will be difficult, and might not be enough to help us.

    As long as we're responding to the

    truth, everyone has a voice, and our checks and balances are in play, we can go naked in front of the world without

    fear or shame!
    This is called national integrity, and is a crucial quality sorely missing from current

    leadership, in so many ways. They just don't get it, and don't respect democracy. People don't have equal voices,

    and they don't have truth. We don't have to hide from the world or ourselves, but we do. It's small minded

    foolishness based in fear, selfishness and self-loathing.
    DrSmellThis (creator of P H E R O S)

  22. #22
    Man of La Pancha
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    Quote Originally Posted by DCW
    Define many,

    Korean? Vietnam?

    The truth is with the exception of 911 and because of geography this country has never had

    enemy tanks roll down our main streets, if that was the case our gung ho attitute towards war would be different.



    We are fighting a real war against each other with the number of gun realted homicides that occur on our streets,

    and in our homes every single day.


    DCW
    WWII, Civil War (you may say we were the winners and the

    losers, but technically the United States won vs. the Confederacy), Iraq, Afghanistan, Spanish-American War,

    American Revolution, French and Indian War (wasn't the US at the time, but were the ancestors of the founding

    fathers), Cold War, WWI, etc...

    I didn't include Vietnam, Korea, War of 1812, Seven Years' War, Cuban missle

    crisis, Iran conflict, etc. for various reasons (wasn't sure if you could consider them "wins" or even "wars"

    (hell, Vietnam was a 'conflict') or couldn't remember what they entailed ...)

    That's about a dozen

    wars...is that enough or should I reacquaint myself with our nation's history?

    IIRC, the capital was burned to

    the ground once by the British. Whoops.



    You're right about the other stuff (don't forget Pearl Harbor!

    Not a main street, but an attack nonetheless)

  23. #23
    Phero Pharaoh a.k.a.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrSmellThis
    Someday soon

    I might share a letter another soldier there sent my friend, if can get permission from the

    soldier.
    I can imagine. Most of my friends are ex military, but I don't believe any have experienced

    anything like Iraq.

    Here's a link to some heart wrenching letters from Iraq, posted on a great site by Iraq

    veterans:


    [url]http://optruth.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKe y=hearHome&lnav=1[/ur

    l]
    Give truth a chance.

  24. #24
    Doctor of Scentology DrSmellThis's Avatar
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    Thanks, AKA. That's a site I

    was trying to remember earlier but couldn't. It's important that people hear from our men and women over there.

    We're lucky to have DAdams.

    So Dadams, if you don't mind me asking and have time, where are you stationed?

    What is your rank? What is the main responsibility of your unit? How stable is it where you are?
    DrSmellThis (creator of P H E R O S)

  25. #25
    Phero Enthusiast PHP 87's Avatar
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    Default Here's who else thinks America is a terrorist state:


  26. #26
    Full Member DAdams91982's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrSmellThis
    Thanks,

    AKA. That's a site I was trying to remember earlier but couldn't. It's important that people hear from our men

    and women over there. We're lucky to have DAdams.

    So Dadams, if you don't mind me asking and have time, where

    are you stationed? What is your rank? What is the main responsibility of your unit? How stable is it where you

    are?
    I cant say exactly where I am stationed... just I can say Iraq... My rank is SrA... and I work

    directly to support and train Iraqs security... (Military... and Police). I cant really say where I am is stable...

    because I am always traveling around iraq... so I have seen the good, and the bad.

    When I see cities that we

    have rebuilt, and are 10 times better living conditions for the people that reside there... You just know things

    are better off... (That and the iraqis tell you strait up).

    People hating war is inevitable... no matter how

    strong the public opinion in the beginning... it always fades... and people forget (9/11 is really what spawned

    this... and Im sorry... but I am still MAJORLY pissed about that)... it happened in the past... and it happened

    again.

    Like I said... Im sure there are other troops on here... that come here to get a little encouragement

    from fellow people on the board... some who were in the war or are in the war.... who have a full belief that this

    is right... just think about that when you plan to disgrace what is being done over here.

    Adams

    PS... YOu

    would sleep better at night with Kerry representing America??? Who called our ally Allawi a liar strait up?

  27. #27
    Doctor of Scentology DrSmellThis's Avatar
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    Dadams, you are doing a great

    and crucial thing by training Iraqis to protect themselves and their own interests. Of that there can be no doubt,

    and both mainstream Democrats and Republicans agree on that. My heartfelt thanks go out to you and yours.

    I used

    to live and work in the WTC for a short time. I was also unbelievably enraged about 9/11; and believed strongly that

    the war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda made sense. I supported Bush's initial efforts. Then I found out we went

    to war in Iraq on the premise of fabricated WMD and a fabricated Al Qaeda connection; and found out more about the

    web of lies and alterior motives perpetrated by our administration. I disagree that invading Iraq was in any way

    justified by the tragedy of 9/11. But I have always said that, since we are already there, we need to secure

    Iraq before we leave; and also, persevere to a point where we restore what we have torn down, pay for it to be

    restored, or some combination. In short, we need to leave as soon as, or to the extent that, the peace and

    prosperity would be greater with us gone; or as soon as the growth of peace and prosperity could continue better

    without us. There should be debate about how and when this point would be reached. In my way of thinking, we're not

    fighting for Bush at all -- but for America, Iraq, Middle East stability, and the world. Bush just happens to be

    making the decisions on the conduct, strategy and tactics of the war, as that is his job. Two wrongs don't make a

    right, so leaving Iraq should not be done without meticulous care; in abandonment; or to "cut and run" (as Bush

    says). Moreover, I support the troops in an unconditional sense, as I said in the other post above. So any

    soldier that reads my words knows I believe they have a very good reason to continue their good work, at present; as

    far as I can tell from not being there. What is more, you all have my love, appreciation and prayers, no matter

    what.


    But if troops are coming here for unqualified support of the Iraq war only, they might want to

    reconsider where they are surfing. I can only encourage in an honest way. Condoning a decision to go to war that was

    based on lies, deception and stupidity; to make a certain portion of people feel better temporarily, is not in my

    ethical world; with all due respect.

    I would feel immeasurably better with Kerry representing America,

    supporting the troops by telling them the truth; fighting a smarter war, and bringing them home ASAP with greater

    international support. A lot of top generals agreed. But that's neither here nor there. Bush is all we've got now,

    but I hope the bitter campaign has moved him to rethink some of his ways of doing things.

    The fact of someone

    being our "ally" does not give them a blank check to misrepresent that everything is going just great in Iraq,

    though I am glad you see progress. General Sanchez himself, and many other military people at the top and bottom

    have seen it differently. As far as I heard, Kerry said he felt Bush and Allawi were spinning it as too positive,

    but did not call Allawi "a liar point blank." If I tell my friend he is misrepresenting something, that does not

    mean he or she is no longer my friend. I do not need to accept full responsibility for my friend's misspeaking. If

    I do that the relationship becomes unhealthy, and I have lost my sense of appropriate boundaries. It works the same

    way between nations.

    I'm open to all information about progress in winning the peace, but have not been sold on

    Bush and Rumsfeld's master plan. I do have faith in our soldiers in general doing their best in the field with

    bravery and valor, however.

    Although I am humbled by the fact that I'm not there; my information is that a

    great many soldiers also feel betrayed, disillusioned, alienated, and alone. Soldiers and their families

    supported Kerry significantly more than the general population
    , in fact. Those soldiers need our support too,

    and many of them feel alone in their feelings, and feel the need to strengthen their reason for being there and

    fighting. It's not easy to look at this rationale with mixed feelings, in a complex, qualified (yet clear, I

    believe) way; but you surely can't build a lasting motivational foundation on total BS either. Maybe your rationale

    for being there wouldn't work for someone else, and maybe that other person deserves and needs support too. Like

    many soldiers, I'm not a conservative Republican, but I understand fully if you'd prefer to listen to others who

    do share your particular reasons. The only thing that matters is that you are there doing a good thing, after

    all. Just come back home safe. I'd be delighted to know you were having a beer in the states somewhere thinking

    about how "full of it" I am, or forgetting that this individual exists entirely, for that matter. Disagreement is

    essential to America's greatness. Americans are a motley crew with minds of their own, whether here or there.



    So in addition to the excellent website AKA linked, here are the other important sites I know of that give a voice

    to soldiers who feel less positive about our decision to go to war, the way things are going, and their experiences

    there. I get the impression that having these outlets is healthy and theraputic -- even a godsend -- for them.



    Here is the touching Military Families Speak Out site:

    www.mfso.org

    And

    here is the excellent Iraq Veterans Against the War site:

    www.ivaw.net



    There is also a good article in Mother Jones (Nov./Dec 2004) on Iraq soldiers' views of the war. The article

    contains a version of the story bjf posted.
    Last edited by DrSmellThis; 11-06-2004 at 03:25 AM.
    DrSmellThis (creator of P H E R O S)

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    Default elections, war

    here's Frenchie

    again !
    I was really surprised by the elections results, as eveybody here said Kerry was ahead. But we all know

    statistics don't mean very much...
    I was hoping that America would wake up - that Democracy would wake

    up...
    It didn't.
    And now we'll have war again, and this makes me very sad...
    Sorry, I forget my

    english... emotion, I guess

    Frenchie

  29. #29
    Doctor of Scentology DrSmellThis's Avatar
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    A big welcome back,

    Frenchie!!
    DrSmellThis (creator of P H E R O S)

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    Smile

    thanks, Dr SmellThis !

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