LOL military appreciation nights

[lil'mo]

appreciation for what exactly? being unintelligent and getting cheated on while deployed? doing a job they get paid for? these jerseys are so stupid btw tbh.

[Malik Hairston]

:lol..

For throwing puppies off cliffs, and killing their wives after suffering from PTSD..

[DJR210]

OP would never join the military as he is afraid of the possibility of conflict. Afraid of the military as he is afraid of fast cars and pussy.

:tu Stick to your gardening bro

[rogues]

:lol OP with the truth bombs

[lil'mo]

rofl, I'm too smart to enlist in the military :lol

[DJR210]

AKA obvious homosexual, policy wouldn't allow it

[lil'mo]

don't ask don't tell breh

[lil'mo]

this loss is on the us military

[Stabula]

Real talk. Military is for morons that didn't know what else to do with their evidently pointless lives

[howbouthemspurs]

I joined to serve my country.
I've been deployed twice, helped save a lot of lives, got to shoot some cool weapons, finished school, traveled the world, met some amazing people, got married to the most beautiful woman ever, had a kid, and I've done more in 10 years than most people do their entire lives.
The military has been good to me! But then again I am in the medical field so experiences may differ in other occupations.

I can say, some of the most intelligent people I ever met were in the infantry.

Some of you pussies who bash the military for no other reason but just to troll, better keep praying they don't bring back the draft cause i'm sure you all would be pissing in your panties.

[AFBlue]

Putting aside the fact that this schtick from the same five or six posters at every event/day celebrating the military is old and tired...it has nothing to do with the Spurs. This ridiculous take belongs in the Club.

Request for a mod to move or delete please. Thanks.

[Godbama]

The jerseys definitely are stupid though. You'd figure they'd come up with better camo/military-themed jerseys that don't look like balls. I mean I think even the Raptors camo jerseys are preferable.
Still, not as gross as all the new sleeved jerseys I've seen unveiled lately (lol at the new Celtics one)

[lil'mo]

I joined to serve my country.
I've been deployed twice, helped save a lot of lives, got to shoot some cool weapons, finished school, traveled the world, met some amazing people, got married to the most beautiful woman ever, had a kid, and I've done more in 10 years than most people do their entire lives.
The military has been good to me! But then again I am in the medical field so experiences may differ in other occupations.

I can say, some of the most intelligent people I ever met were in the infantry.

Some of you pussies who bash the military for no other reason but just to troll, better keep praying they don't bring back the draft cause i'm sure you all would be pissing in your panties.
what makes your job any different from any other?

[Clipper Nation]

:lol War Propaganda Night

[Silver&Black]

I joined to serve my country.
I've been deployed twice, helped save a lot of lives, got to shoot some cool weapons, finished school, traveled the world, met some amazing people, got married to the most beautiful woman ever, had a kid, and I've done more in 10 years than most people do their entire lives.
The military has been good to me! But then again I am in the medical field so experiences may differ in other occupations.

I can say, some of the most intelligent people I ever met were in the infantry.

Some of you pussies who bash the military for no other reason but just to troll, better keep praying they don't bring back the draft cause i'm sure you all would be pissing in your panties.

Another 11 bang bang brother here...

Don't bother with these trolls dude....

[lil'mo]

:lmao

brainwashed to believe you're important

[DMC]

rofl, I'm too smart to enlist in the military :lol
Then you should qualify to be an officer.

[DMC]

what makes your job any different from any other?
Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

[sook]

I joined to serve my country.
I've been deployed twice, helped save a lot of lives, got to shoot some cool weapons, finished school, traveled the world, met some amazing people, got married to the most beautiful woman ever, had a kid, and I've done more in 10 years than most people do their entire lives.
The military has been good to me! But then again I am in the medical field so experiences may differ in other occupations.

I can say, some of the most intelligent people I ever met were in the infantry.

Some of you pussies who bash the military for no other reason but just to troll, better keep praying they don't bring back the draft cause i'm sure you all would be pissing in your panties.

Thats actually pretty awesome man, sounds like an amazing experience that would help most people grow as individuals rather than sit in front of their Xstation or playbox w.e

[Malik Hairston]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

:lmao..

[Arcadian]

:lol yeah...I don't appreciate the military-industrial complex...and the jerseys are horrible.

[lefty]

appreciation for what exactly? being unintelligent and getting cheated on while deployed? doing a job they get paid for? these jerseys are so stupid btw tbh.

:lmao TRUTH BOMBS

[lefty]

:lol OP with the truth bombs


rofl, I'm too smart to enlist in the military :lol


Real talk. Military is for morons that didn't know what else to do with their evidently pointless lives


:lol War Propaganda Night


:lmao

brainwashed to believe you're important
:lol

[Uriel]

I'm not an American, but I appreciate the military, and I'm thankful that they do the things that they do so most normal people like us don't have to.

But I don't think the US government should be spending more money on the military than health, education, social services, or any other thing of consequence. If the newly elected Republican legislature is serious about shrinking the size of government, they can start by cutting funding to the military.

[Stabula]

The massive military budget is necessary because America's economy operates outside the bounds of sanity and legality. Our massive debt can be called in any moment and the only reason it isn't is because the world fears our military might.

[tmtcsc]

appreciation for what exactly? being unintelligent and getting cheated on while deployed? doing a job they get paid for? these jerseys are so stupid btw tbh.

You want them on that wall....YOU NEED THEM ON THAT WALL!! OP needs a Code Red for being a thankless ignoramus.

[tmtcsc]

I joined to serve my country.
I've been deployed twice, helped save a lot of lives, got to shoot some cool weapons, finished school, traveled the world, met some amazing people, got married to the most beautiful woman ever, had a kid, and I've done more in 10 years than most people do their entire lives.
The military has been good to me! But then again I am in the medical field so experiences may differ in other occupations.

I can say, some of the most intelligent people I ever met were in the infantry.

Some of you pussies who bash the military for no other reason but just to troll, better keep praying they don't bring back the draft cause i'm sure you all would be pissing in your panties.

:toast Thanks for your service.

[pgardn]

:lmao TRUTH BOMBS

Furthest thing from the truth.

What is mental mo's current occupation?

[xmas1997]

Furthest thing from the truth.

What is mental mo's current occupation?

Panhandling.

[pgardn]

The massive military budget is necessary because America's economy operates outside the bounds of sanity and legality. Our massive debt can be called in any moment and the only reason it isn't is because the world fears our military might.

What d o you think would happen to the rest of the world's economy Einstein, if they cashed out on T-bills?
Think for one Fkn moment in your life as to why other country's buy our T-bills. Can you do this?
I await your answer, why does THEWORLD buy US backed securities over ANY other investment? Why?

[Trainwreck2100]

appreciation for the money they give the local economy.


And wtf was with the jerseys, last years camos were decent why did the change it

[pgardn]

Sorry Xmas, can't read your degenerate replies.
Hope you are still alive.

[pgardn]

The massive military budget is necessary because America's economy operates outside the bounds of sanity and legality. Our massive debt can be called in any moment and the only reason it isn't is because the world fears our military might.

All in for Russian, Indian or Chinese government bonds?
Idiot...

[AFBlue]

...and this garbage is still upstairs where it doesn't belong. I'm tired of wading through the unmoderated shit that has become the norm on this forum.

It's sad really. I wasn't one of the originals, but I've been around long enough to see this place at its best. Before timvp left it leaderless (his prerogative) and people decided the uglier they could be the better. Because they can be as rude and uncivilized as they want to be with the benefit of anonymity.

It's not as if those things didn't exist before...this isn't revisionist history. It just wasn't as rampant. Now I can't read two threads without one of them resulting in offensive name calling and personal attacks. Like this thread for instance...going out of your way in the wrong forum to make uninformed negative generalizations about military service members for no apparent reason. Classless.

It's no longer worth it. Until and unless this place returns to some form of moderated order, I'm done.

[xellos88330]

This thread reeks of butthurt.

Every military appreciation or veterans day, the same people start the same military bashing threads. It makes me wonder if they lost their women (or men considering the amount of gay talk), to military service members.

[jeebus]

tbh lil mo was ethered in this thread, with his only backup scattering. step up your troll game.

[lefty]

This thread reeks of butthurt.

Every military appreciation or veterans day, the same people start the same military bashing threads. It makes me wonder if they lost their women (or men considering the amount of gay talk), to military service members.

Lol butthurt post

[DJR210]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

:lol

[DJR210]

The Spurs should have homosexual appreciation night complete with rainbow themed jerseys, just for the OP

[KL2]

If I was a hired killer I would rather be a hit man than a US soldier, you'd make way more money killing people than the lousy salary from the military. Cash money, you could go home at night instead of staying in some shit infested 3rd world country for years. Those private military group guys have the right idea, they make a killing.

[jeebus]

If I was a hired killer I would rather be a hit man than a US soldier, you'd make way more money killing people than the lousy salary from the military. Cash money, you could go home at night instead of staying in some shit infested 3rd world country for years. Those private military group guys have the right idea, they make a killing.
Uh, most of those private contractors are former military. They get free training from the government and have experience.

No one is gonna hire a "hired killer" whose only experience is playing call of duty with fingers covered in cheetos dust.

[KL2]

Uh, most of those private contractors are former military. They get free training from the government and have experience.

No one is gonna hire a "hired killer" whose only experience is playing call of duty with fingers covered in cheetos dust.

I know that, I've seen documentaries on them. Just saying they've got the right idea, they formed their own company, making bank.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

:lmao....

Lol still i kinda feel sorry for those poor fucks fighting for old rich white men and the Halliburton oil companies. Lol neoconservative pawns basically

[lil'mo]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

:lmao anybody that works fast food must contemplate suicide daily. I don't see any other way :lol

[lil'mo]

You want them on that wall....YOU NEED THEM ON THAT WALL!! OP needs a Code Red for being a thankless ignoramus.

I'm not thankless. I'm just no more thankful for military personnel than I am any person that does their job.

[lil'mo]

:toast Thanks for your service.

:lmao

[RD2191]

If any soldier thinks he's fighting for freedom or safety of the USA then they must be pretty stupid. You also aren't fighting for your family. You're fighting to keep the rich rich and to protect a lifestyle.

[lil'mo]

...and this garbage is still upstairs where it doesn't belong. I'm tired of wading through the unmoderated shit that has become the norm on this forum.

It's sad really. I wasn't one of the originals, but I've been around long enough to see this place at its best. Before timvp left it leaderless (his prerogative) and people decided the uglier they could be the better. Because they can be as rude and uncivilized as they want to be with the benefit of anonymity.

It's not as if those things didn't exist before...this isn't revisionist history. It just wasn't as rampant. Now I can't read two threads without one of them resulting in offensive name calling and personal attacks. Like this thread for instance...going out of your way in the wrong forum to make uninformed negative generalizations about military service members for no apparent reason. Classless.

It's no longer worth it. Until and unless this place returns to some form of moderated order, I'm done.

Then get out of here. Run away when people's opinions differ from yours :lol not sure what I've said that you could possibly argue to be untrue.

[PingPong]

LOL, the U.S Mlitary: iliterate, unskilled, useless rapists thinking they are any good.

[lil'mo]

This thread reeks of butthurt.

Every military appreciation or veterans day, the same people start the same military bashing threads. It makes me wonder if they lost their women (or men considering the amount of gay talk), to military service members.

:lmao yeah women love overly aggressive guys with ptsd who are hyper-sensitive to perceived disrespect of their "service".

[lil'mo]

If any soldier thinks he's fighting for freedom or safety of the USA then they must be pretty stupid. You also aren't fighting for your family. You're fighting to keep the rich rich and to protect a lifestyle.
bingo

[PingPong]

The freedom offers great opportunities. Too bad the ex-military aren't skilled or literate enough to get them.

http://jobs.halliburton.com/iq/basra-jobs

[tmtcsc]

I'm not thankless. I'm just no more thankful for military personnel than I am any person that does their job.

You gotta be kidding, what you're saying is completely insulting and thoughtless. I'm thankful for anyone who puts their life on the line for my benefit. Military, firemen, police, etc. And for the record, these people aren't unintelligent, the people who put them in harm's way for their own misguided reasons are. The men and women of the military are following orders.

Everyone of you people disparaging veterans are disgusting. Spend some time with the ones who come back from war with missing limbs, horrific burns and mental disorders before making your off-hand remarks about them. I guess the firemen who went up the stairs of the two WTC buildings to save lives were stupid too, huh? They had to be unintelligent to risk their lives for others right? It's gotta be because they were incapable of doing something else , right?

Unbelievable.

[313]

The massive military budget is necessary because America's economy operates outside the bounds of sanity and legality. Our massive debt can be called in any moment and the only reason it isn't is because the world fears our military might.
Lmao most of the US debt is to ourselves, and the most of the rest is to China. Those Chinese midgets depend on our economy for their economy to flourish. If they decide to demand us to pay then we'll just cut off our import/exports with them.

[313]

God, that was poorly worded but oh well

[313]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.
:lol

[Biernutz]

LOL trust fund baby's living in mom's basement acting edgy to impress each other.......

[Solid D]

Consider lil'mo's insecurities exposed.

[milkyway21]

rofl, I'm too smart to enlist in the military :lol

Huh! You not just ruling out the importance of the military & saluting what they have done for you country, risking their lives, you are also implying they are not smart by serving for your security, genious.
I love the NBA but : Military>NBA

I agree with the jerseys though. Eye-sore :rolleyes

[DMC]

If any soldier thinks he's fighting for freedom or safety of the USA then they must be pretty stupid. You also aren't fighting for your family. You're fighting to keep the rich rich and to protect a lifestyle.
The same lifestyle your relatives swam the Rio for, walked miles across private hunting leases carrying water jugs and uncooked beans, set up shop in shitty parts of town... that lifestyle?

[PingPong]

The same lifestyle your relatives swam the Rio for, walked miles across private hunting leases carrying water jugs and uncooked beans, set up shop in shitty parts of town... that lifestyle?

Don't say it. Nowadays, a impressive number of U.S. military are latinos and black people. The illegals can get a green card serving the army.

[RD2191]

The same lifestyle your relatives swam the Rio for, walked miles across private hunting leases carrying water jugs and uncooked beans, set up shop in shitty parts of town... that lifestyle?
Nice try fatass. My family isn't from Mexico.:lol

[lefty]

Nice try fatass. My family isn't from Mexico.:lol
Well if they speak Spanish, they are from Mexico

[RD2191]

Well if they speak Spanish, they are from Mexico
Yeah, because we all know if you speak Spanish in the US you must be Mexican.:lol

[lefty]

Yeah, because we all know if you speak Spanish in the US you must be Mexican.:lol
it's automatic!

[PingPong]

Like some people in latin américa call any english spoken movie or song 'american', even if it's australian, irish or swede.

[DMC]

Yeah, because we all know if you speak Spanish in the US you must be Mexican.:lol
Right, you're from Spain. Sure.

[lefty]

Right, you're from Spain. Sure.
That Mexican can tell who is Mexican or isnt

[superbigtime]

Like most sane people I appreciate the military. Military appreciation night is cool in a military town like SA. But the jerseys...they suck. Why does there have to be a different jersey on military appreciation night in the first place, much less camo jerseys.

[BackHome]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

Dude come on now "TACO BELL MANAGER" your giving this fool way to much credit.

[RD2191]

Right, you're from Spain. Sure.
:bobo

[byrontx]

The military and ex-military get socialized medicine then vote to deny it for the taxpayers that fund it for them.

[xellos88330]

The military and ex-military get socialized medicine then vote to deny it for the taxpayers that fund it for them.

Wow.

You might want to get your facts straight before you state something so ignorant. Military personnel pay taxes. We are taxpayers too. Would you vote to have even more money taken away when you already have a job that provides the service? The military member doesn't make very good money unless you are a general or something and that could take a shitload of years in service to achieve.

We have already put our lives on the line, why should we vote to pay more of our money to help you all out? Your remarks and this thread don't make things any better.

EDIT: I forgot to add in that the Military does have a strict code of conduct that one must follow. If you fuck up just once, you could lose all of your benefits as well as face difficult times outside of service. Good luck trying to find a job that has a big fat "Dishonorable Discharge" from your service. You will be doomed to working with lil'mo at Taco Bell for the rest of your life.

[LarryDavid]

You gotta be kidding, what you're saying is completely insulting and thoughtless. I'm thankful for anyone who puts their life on the line for my benefit.

What part of the Iraq War did you benefit from?

[xellos88330]

What part of the Iraq War did you benefit from?

Do you have a car?

Whether you like the war or not, if you have anything that uses oil, you are benefitting.

[boutons_deux]

Do you have a car?

Whether you like the war or not, if you have anything that uses oil, you are benefitting.

bullshit. Repugs/BigOil invaded Iraq for oil, but there was, is no benefit. BigOil, US/UK, aren't getting significant if any oil from Iraq, and even that will probably drop to nothing when Iraq comes apart.

[lefty]

What part of the Iraq War did you benefit from?
BOOM :lmao

[milkyway21]

You should be thankful and the first ones to give honor to those people in uniform - two of the San Antonio Spurs greats are from the military the admiral David Robinson (navy) & Popovich (air force), you hypocrites.

[lefty]

You should be thankful and the first ones to give honor to those people in uniform - two of the San Antonio Spurs greats are from the military the admiral David Robinson (navy) & Popovich (air force), you hypocrites.

:cry

[Splits]

You should be thankful and the first ones to give honor to those people in uniform - two of the San Antonio Spurs greats are from the military the admiral David Robinson (navy) & Popovich (air force), you hypocrites.

Can you imagine the universe if Pop and DRob didn't come back from those dangerous deployments when their "life was on the line"?

95% of military personnel are moochers who couldn't get into college and have to suck off the government teet for work. Sure, I respect the other 5% who are forced to go fight as pawns to maintain billionaire's rule of the world, but GTFOH with "military sacrifice". My brother is on a fucking Navy frigate in the Panama canal right now intercepting coke coming from South America. His life is not "on the line" and that is not a military mission. It's a waste of money, resources, and time.

[Interrohater]

This has gone too far mainly because if you haven't experienced something, you don't have the clarity of vision to be able to see it in its proper context. It doesn't really matter what you think of the war or the reasons for why one joins or serves; but to insult people who do the job of a servicemember as stupid is just stupid in itself. In your civilian job, how often have you had to calculate the trajectory of a mortar in order to not hit the soldiers who are calling in the artillery? And before you say that computers do it, think again. They have to learn it and apply it in the event that electronics go down. Of course, that's only one job in particular.

Just to be promoted above the rank of E-4 (and sometimes just to get TO the rank of E-4), you have to stand before a panel of your leadership and be judged on how well you know the Uniform Code of Military Justice, your particular MOS, various Army Regulations and Field Manuals, not to mention hypothetical questions on how you would react as a leader.

Do you know how to properly apply a tourniquet? Or administer an IV? How about performing a needle decompression if a buddy has a tension pneumothorax or applying a seal for a sucking chest wound? What about being able to disassemble and reassemble, fire accurately, and troubleshoot more weapons than you've ever seen up close? How about learning different cultures and learning the local dialect in order to properly communicate with those around you to identify dangerous situations? These are just a few of the basic skills that EVERY soldier, not only the medic, has to learn.

For my MOS, there was obviously quite a lot I had to learn and test out of just to be certified enough to perform. A lot of soldiers didn't make it and were dropped from the Army, left themselves, or were transferred to a different MOS. I became an expert in body language and deception.

These are not the jobs and experiences of idiots. Sure, just as with any job, you have some people who aren't so bright. But if you had even a modicum of respect for the process, you'd already know that not everyone can get in. I personally know a guy right now who is trying to get in but he can't pass the ASVAB test. The days of just accepting any live body are gone and have been for a long while.

To me, it just sounds like jealousy. You'll never admit to it, but you must be intimidated that there are people who believe in higher ideals than you. Whatever you think about the government and whatever you think about the wars that have been fought, you can't disregard the courage that it takes to leave everything you've ever known and embark upon a life-changing adventure that could result in a very quick death. When I was deployed, I thought many times about how I didn't agree with what we were doing, but when you're there, it becomes less about the politics and more about your buddies beside you. They're your best friends and they have wives and moms and dads and sisters and grandparents. I gathered intelligence so that my buddies weren't leaving the wire into an ambush. I did my job well so the next convoy wouldn't come back missing a truck. I agree that companies control the forces, but that can be said for any profession or career. To call soldiers and other servicemembers stupid for being some of the most intelligent and capable people you would ever meet is plain ignorance. Trust me, when shit hits the fan, you'll want a veteran by your side. If you're ever lucky to be in the position of hiring someone, you'll be impressed by every veteran who applies. If you ever have a daughter, you'll want her to meet a servicemember.

[Splits]

Just to be promoted above the rank of E-4 (and sometimes just to get TO the rank of E-4), you have to stand before a panel of your leadership and be judged on how well you know the Uniform Code of Military Justice, your particular MOS, various Army Regulations and Field Manuals, not to mention hypothetical questions on how you would react as a leader.


http://images.tcj.com/2012/07/Abu-Ghraib.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01391/abu-ghraib-460_1391517a.jpg

http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/Images/2013/7/15/2013715184225399734_20.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/AbuGhraibAbuse-standing-on-box.jpg

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/50ed59c3eab8ea2b5800001c/us-defense-contractor-pays-5-million-over-abu-ghraib-abuse.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Abu_Ghraib_prison_abuse.jpg

https://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/Images/ARTH200/orientalism/abu_ghraib_harman2.jpg

So much honor in the code of military justice :cry

[Splits]

If you ever have a daughter, you'll want her to meet a servicemember.

I would teach her to run away as fast and as far as possible unless they admitted they were conned into following a disingenuous murderous lifestyle

[howbouthemspurs]

Splits.... I really hope you get banned for that... but i'm sure it will get overlooked again like all other stupid posts on this board!

[Splits]

Splits.... I really hope you get banned for that... but i'm sure it will get overlooked again like all other stupid posts on this board!

Banned for what, admitting my brother is Navy?

[milkyway21]

This has gone too far mainly because if you haven't experienced something, you don't have the clarity of vision to be able to see it in its proper context. It doesn't really matter what you think of the war or the reasons for why one joins or serves; but to insult people who do the job of a servicemember as stupid is just stupid in itself. In your civilian job, how often have you had to calculate the trajectory of a mortar in order to not hit the soldiers who are calling in the artillery? And before you say that computers do it, think again. They have to learn it and apply it in the event that electronics go down. Of course, that's only one job in particular.

Just to be promoted above the rank of E-4 (and sometimes just to get TO the rank of E-4), you have to stand before a panel of your leadership and be judged on how well you know the Uniform Code of Military Justice, your particular MOS, various Army Regulations and Field Manuals, not to mention hypothetical questions on how you would react as a leader.

Do you know how to properly apply a tourniquet? Or administer an IV? How about performing a needle decompression if a buddy has a tension pneumothorax or applying a seal for a sucking chest wound? What about being able to disassemble and reassemble, fire accurately, and troubleshoot more weapons than you've ever seen up close? How about learning different cultures and learning the local dialect in order to properly communicate with those around you to identify dangerous situations? These are just a few of the basic skills that EVERY soldier, not only the medic, has to learn.

For my MOS, there was obviously quite a lot I had to learn and test out of just to be certified enough to perform. A lot of soldiers didn't make it and were dropped from the Army, left themselves, or were transferred to a different MOS. I became an expert in body language and deception.

These are not the jobs and experiences of idiots. Sure, just as with any job, you have some people who aren't so bright. But if you had even a modicum of respect for the process, you'd already know that not everyone can get in. I personally know a guy right now who is trying to get in but he can't pass the ASVAB test. The days of just accepting any live body are gone and have been for a long while.

To me, it just sounds like jealousy. You'll never admit to it, but you must be intimidated that there are people who believe in higher ideals than you. Whatever you think about the government and whatever you think about the wars that have been fought, you can't disregard the courage that it takes to leave everything you've ever known and embark upon a life-changing adventure that could result in a very quick death. When I was deployed, I thought many times about how I didn't agree with what we were doing, but when you're there, it becomes less about the politics and more about your buddies beside you. They're your best friends and they have wives and moms and dads and sisters and grandparents. I gathered intelligence so that my buddies weren't leaving the wire into an ambush. I did my job well so the next convoy wouldn't come back missing a truck. I agree that companies control the forces, but that can be said for any profession or career. To call soldiers and other servicemembers stupid for being some of the most intelligent and capable people you would ever meet is plain ignorance. Trust me, when shit hits the fan, you'll want a veteran by your side. If you're ever lucky to be in the position of hiring someone, you'll be impressed by every veteran who applies. If you ever have a daughter, you'll want her to meet a servicemember..
.

Well said soldier.

That's why we build monuments, statues, do memorials for those people who made a difference. That separates the good men and those who don't care on how they will be remembered by their sons & daughters & the next generations when they grow up.

[tmtcsc]

What part of the Iraq War did you benefit from?

Nice, I see what you did there.

I'm not defending politicians, I'm standing up for the soldiers who followed orders and fought for what they believed and what we were sold as the right reasons. In that case, they fought and risked their lives so I didn't have to.

[Texas_Ranger]

If any soldier thinks he's fighting for freedom or safety of the USA then they must be pretty stupid. You also aren't fighting for your family. You're fighting to keep the rich rich and to protect a lifestyle.

:tu

[tmtcsc]

http://images.tcj.com/2012/07/Abu-Ghraib.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01391/abu-ghraib-460_1391517a.jpg

http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/Images/2013/7/15/2013715184225399734_20.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/AbuGhraibAbuse-standing-on-box.jpg

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/50ed59c3eab8ea2b5800001c/us-defense-contractor-pays-5-million-over-abu-ghraib-abuse.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Abu_Ghraib_prison_abuse.jpg

https://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/Images/ARTH200/orientalism/abu_ghraib_harman2.jpg

So much honor in the code of military justice :cry

Right...because the 11 people who did this represented the best of the Armed Services right? You know they got busted for this don't you? That another soldier who found the photos on a CD-ROM turned them in? Its easy to be cynical and make generalizations about a whole group of people, but its also irresponsible.

[xmas1997]

I, for one, appreciate our military.

I thank all of you for protecting our right to freedom.

[Interrohater]

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-09-26-england_x.htm

I assume that you have no idea what you're talking about, so I'll just leave that there for you to read. The UCMJ is not about honor more than a strict set of laws and rules that go far beyond what civilian courts will dole out. For instance, if you receive a DUI, you'll not only be punished on the civilian side in a court of law, but then you will also be punished in the military side.

You don't want to use Abu Ghraib as an argument against me, however easy a target it may seem for you. The behavior of those individuals was an aberration, not the norm, and they have been justly dealt with. You may use it as an ignorant example of the state of a soldier's morals, while I will use it as a case to demonstrate that it is not tolerated and we follow the guidelines laid out in the Geneva conventions in regards to common decency. You'll always have outliers and people who do the wrong thing, especially when in a hive mindset, but it would be highly inaccurate to assume that it was a rampant and oft-used holding procedure.

[Solid D]

appreciation for what exactly? being unintelligent and getting cheated on while deployed? doing a job they get paid for? these jerseys are so stupid btw tbh.

I can't wait for the "LOL Mother's Day and LOL Father's Day appreciation" threads. There are bound to be some deep-rooted emotional issues with some souls here which need to surface and be worked-through.

[lefty]

http://images.tcj.com/2012/07/Abu-Ghraib.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01391/abu-ghraib-460_1391517a.jpg

http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/Images/2013/7/15/2013715184225399734_20.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/AbuGhraibAbuse-standing-on-box.jpg

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/50ed59c3eab8ea2b5800001c/us-defense-contractor-pays-5-million-over-abu-ghraib-abuse.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Abu_Ghraib_prison_abuse.jpg

https://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/Images/ARTH200/orientalism/abu_ghraib_harman2.jpg

So much honor in the code of military justice :cry
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzxiyu8Btb1qj3i85.gif

[Interrohater]

If any soldier thinks he's fighting for freedom or safety of the USA then they must be pretty stupid. You also aren't fighting for your family. You're fighting to keep the rich rich and to protect a lifestyle.

You have no clue, and that much is obvious. There are not many people who fight for the rich, except when they're being paid well or extorted. Everyone over there was and is fighting for their family. Yes, we fight to protect and maintain the lifestyle that allows us to write on stupid message boards like this. To maintain the lifestyle that keeps us as a first world country. To maintain the lifestyle that allows you to walk the streets without being searched and detained at every bridge crossing or when entering another city. To maintain the lifestyle that can almost guarantee you on a DAILY basis that you won't be one of the numbers reported on the news "another 300 dead in a brutal bus station bombing". The lifestyle that says there are no curfews and you will not be arrested for being out after sunset. It's probably a lifestyle that you take as granted, but only granted to you by servicemen and servicewomen who have gifted it to you. Yes, that lifestyle also coincides with a certain ugly side that the media outlets ignore. Yes, there are billion-dollar companies who are vying for a share of the pie. Yes there are ulterior motives for some politicians when sending your bravest off to fight a war for you that is only so much ink on a sheet of paper. However, the thought and idea behind what every soldier is doing has nothing to do with any of that. Each individual soldier is just that; an individual. A Free thinking individual, not a mindless robot. We make our own choices, which is why we do have the greatest and strongest military the world has ever seen. We're a volunteer force. People CHOOSE to do this job and that's the main tenet behind it all. We each had our own reasons, and I would guess that the biggest reason is family. Enjoy your lifestyle; trust me, it's way better than the alternative.

[xmas1997]

I can't wait for the "LOL Mother's Day and LOL Father's Day appreciation" threads. There are bound to be some deep-rooted emotional issues with some souls here which need to surface and be worked-through.

Why do they do this up here in the Spurs forum instead of appreciating what we have?

What happened to common civil decency and respect in this country and on the internet?

[xmas1997]

You have no clue, and that much is obvious. There are not many people who fight for the rich, except when they're being paid well or extorted. Everyone over there was and is fighting for their family. Yes, we fight to protect and maintain the lifestyle that allows us to write on stupid message boards like this. To maintain the lifestyle that keeps us as a first world country. To maintain the lifestyle that allows you to walk the streets without being searched and detained at every bridge crossing or when entering another city. To maintain the lifestyle that can almost guarantee you on a DAILY basis that you won't be one of the numbers reported on the news "another 300 dead in a brutal bus station bombing". The lifestyle that says there are no curfews and you will not be arrested for being out after sunset. It's probably a lifestyle that you take as granted, but only granted to you by servicemen and servicewomen who have gifted it to you. Yes, that lifestyle also coincides with a certain ugly side that the media outlets ignore. Yes, there are billion-dollar companies who are vying for a share of the pie. Yes there are ulterior motives for some politicians when sending your bravest off to fight a war for you that is only so much ink on a sheet of paper. However, the thought and idea behind what every soldier is doing has nothing to do with any of that. Each individual soldier is just that; an individual. A Free thinking individual, not a mindless robot. We make our own choices, which is why we do have the greatest and strongest military the world has ever seen. We're a volunteer force. People CHOOSE to do this job and that's the main tenet behind it all. We each had our own reasons, and I would guess that the biggest reason is family. Enjoy your lifestyle; trust me, it's way better than the alternative.


Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This take is right-on.

I think Rob is just kidding.

And if you are in the military, I thank you.

I make it a point whenever I see a man or woman in uniform to go over and shake their hand and thank them, they deserve it, they are our front line of defense, they are not mercenaries!

And then I see some young punks sneer whenever I do this, but others, usually the mature older people in the crowd, nodding their heads in agreement, and I know I am doing the right thing to do.

[RD2191]

You have no clue, and that much is obvious. There are not many people who fight for the rich, except when they're being paid well or extorted. Everyone over there was and is fighting for their family. Yes, we fight to protect and maintain the lifestyle that allows us to write on stupid message boards like this. To maintain the lifestyle that keeps us as a first world country. To maintain the lifestyle that allows you to walk the streets without being searched and detained at every bridge crossing or when entering another city. To maintain the lifestyle that can almost guarantee you on a DAILY basis that you won't be one of the numbers reported on the news "another 300 dead in a brutal bus station bombing". The lifestyle that says there are no curfews and you will not be arrested for being out after sunset. It's probably a lifestyle that you take as granted, but only granted to you by servicemen and servicewomen who have gifted it to you. Yes, that lifestyle also coincides with a certain ugly side that the media outlets ignore. Yes, there are billion-dollar companies who are vying for a share of the pie. Yes there are ulterior motives for some politicians when sending your bravest off to fight a war for you that is only so much ink on a sheet of paper. However, the thought and idea behind what every soldier is doing has nothing to do with any of that. Each individual soldier is just that; an individual. A Free thinking individual, not a mindless robot. We make our own choices, which is why we do have the greatest and strongest military the world has ever seen. We're a volunteer force. People CHOOSE to do this job and that's the main tenet behind it all. We each had our own reasons, and I would guess that the biggest reason is family. Enjoy your lifestyle; trust me, it's way better than the alternative.
So in other words fighting for a lifestyle. That's what I said.

[RD2191]

I'm not kidding about anything. US soldiers aren't fighting for freedom. Who's threatening my freedom? Is a country invading the US? I can fight and protect myself if that ever happens. I'd probably die fairly quickly but hey, that would really be dying for my freedom.

[RD2191]

http://disinfo.com/2011/08/our-troops-do-not-protect-our-freedom-and-we-should-stop-thanking-them-for-doing-so/

[xmas1997]

I'm not kidding about anything. US soldiers aren't fighting for freedom. Who's threatening my freedom? Is a country invading the US? I can fight and protect myself if that ever happens. I'd probably die fairly quickly but hey, that would really be dying for my freedom.

What about 9/11, and the latest beheadings by ISIS?

[xellos88330]

bullshit. Repugs/BigOil invaded Iraq for oil, but there was, is no benefit. BigOil, US/UK, aren't getting significant if any oil from Iraq, and even that will probably drop to nothing when Iraq comes apart.

Do you use a car? If you use crude oil in any way, you are benefitting whether you like it or not. So far approximately 100 million barrels of oil have been imported from January to August 2014 according to the EIA.

You can blame Big Oil or republicans all you want, but so long as you use foreign oil (expensive or not) you are benefitting from the product. You are living in a fantasy world, and I suggest you wake up to see how things really are. Bottom line, the military has assisted in procuring oil so you can continue your way of life.

[RD2191]

What about 9/11, and the latest beheadings by ISIS?
9/11 was a terrorist attack, not an invasion of any sort. And even then we were attacked by an idea, you can't kill an idea/belief. We can nuke the entire middle east and we still wouldn't be able to kill it. And what about ISIS ? Some guys got beheaded for being in a place where they were told not to be in or they would be beheaded? Come on man. Don't get me wrong, the military is useful and I do appreciate some things that they do but this thank soldiers for our freedom thing is bullshit. Soldiers in the past, yes. But not soldiers of today.

[xmas1997]

If you want to throw blame, throw it at the politicians we elect, not the military.

[xmas1997]

9/11 was a terrorist attack, not an invasion of any sort. And even then we were attacked by an idea, you can't kill an idea/belief. We can nuke the entire middle east and we still wouldn't be able to kill it. And what about ISIS ? Some guys got beheaded for being in a place where they were told not to be in or they would be beheaded? Come on man. Don't get me wrong, the military is useful and I do appreciate some things that they do but this thank soldiers for our freedom thing is bullshit. Soldiers in the past, yes. But not soldiers of today.

I know, but we even had a sick religious fanatic beheading a co-worker in Oklahoma recently.

I don't think she was in the wrong place, her workplace, and I doubt her surviving family is ok with it.

Insanity like that needs to be stamped out in this world, and if we don't do it, no one will IMHO because it will only get worse.

And we are supposed to be living in an enlightened age, not back in barbaric times.

Hopefully when our grandkids gandkids grow up they won't have to deal with sickness like that.

[xellos88330]

I'm not kidding about anything. US soldiers aren't fighting for freedom. Who's threatening my freedom? Is a country invading the US? I can fight and protect myself if that ever happens. I'd probably die fairly quickly but hey, that would really be dying for my freedom.

Why don't other countries invade the US? Iran hates us, but they have done nothing. The USSR hated us, but they did nothing. North Korea can't stand us, but they do nothing. If you take away the military, what is stopping those nations from taking us out? You think that Iraq is only about oil? It is also showing the world that we have a pretty big fucking stick to beat them with if they try anything stupid.

The soldiers there are dying for your freedom whether you want to admit it or not.

[RD2191]

No they're not.:lol

[RD2191]

If and when a country ever tries to invade us and US soldiers die trying to stop the invasion then you can say soldiers are dying for our freedom.

[Splits]

:lol "freedom"

US ranks 12th in economic freedom by the Heritage foundation, behind bastions of freedom like Estonia and Chile: http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

US ranks 46th in press freedom by Reporters without Borders behind so many countries there are too many to list: http://rsf.org/index2014/en-index2014.php

US ranks 38th in human rights by the CIRI Human Rights Data project: http://www.humanrightsdata.com/p/data-documentation.html

US people are 17th in "happiness" according to the UN behind, wait for it... MEXICO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Happiness_Report#2013_ranking_.282010-12_surveys.29


I could go on.

The bottom line is that there are many countries with more freedom, much higher quality of life and happier people that spend a fraction of what we spend on military. Basically the American taxpayer is subsidizing all of our allies "defense" when the only actual enemy is a couple 100 crazy people living in caves or roaming the Syrian desert. 1 out of every 5 tax dollars collected goes to "defense". Yet the American people are too stupid and believe the ridiculous propaganda that is spoon fed to them like the happy little denizens the government wants them to be, so they can loot all the money for themselves and their big money friends. It's a fucking scam, wake up.

Thanks military/industrial complex!

[RD2191]

http://snarkypenguin.wordpress.com/2006/06/27/what-the-fuck-is-with-this-defending-my-freedom-bullshit/

[xellos88330]

If and when a country ever tries to invade us and US soldiers die trying to stop the invasion then you can say soldiers are dying for our freedom.

Why aren't the countries invading? You aren't answering the question.

[RD2191]

Why aren't the countries invading? You aren't answering the question.
Why would they? For what? We don't need soldiers for freedom. The
We can protect ourselves.

[RD2191]

How is fighting a war in the middle east against religious fanatics protecting my freedom?

[RD2191]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_without_armed_forces

[RD2191]

I don't see anyone invading those tiny ass countries.

[xellos88330]

I don't see anyone invading those tiny ass countries.

Ever wonder who their allies are? Ever wonder what their economic situation is? Ever wonder how limited their natural resources are?

The last tiny country to be invaded was Kuwait. Hmmm.... I wonder why.

[boutons_deux]

Do you use a car? If you use crude oil in any way, you are benefitting whether you like it or not. So far approximately 100 million barrels of oil have been imported from January to August 2014 according to the EIA.

You can blame Big Oil or republicans all you want, but so long as you use foreign oil (expensive or not) you are benefitting from the product. You are living in a fantasy world, and I suggest you wake up to see how things really are. Bottom line, the military has assisted in procuring oil so you can continue your way of life.

USA has imported 100M barrels FROM IRAQ?

If not, then would USA have been able to import 100M barrels WITHOUT invading Iraq?

the Repugs BROKE THE MIDDLE EAST and THEY OWN IT. The US military and US taxpayer got raped by the Repugs.

[xellos88330]

Why would they? For what? We don't need soldiers for freedom. The
We can protect ourselves.

LMAO!!! How do you intend on shooting down a high altitude bomber, or an ICBM for that matter?

Look at all the natural resources the vast US territory contains. Look at how the US has one of the largest areas to grow food. Look at how wealthy the nation is. How did the nation get so wealthy?

You are just being flat out ridiculous now. Nice troll job btw.

[RD2191]

http://www.salon.com/2013/11/11/stop_thanking_the_troops_for_me_no_they_dont_prote ct_our_freedoms/

[RD2191]

LMAO!!! How do you intend on shooting down a high altitude bomber, or an ICBM for that matter?

Look at all the natural resources the vast US territory contains. Look at how the US has one of the largest areas to grow food. Look at how wealthy the nation is. How did the nation get so wealthy?

You are just being flat out ridiculous now. Nice troll job btw.
You're speaking about hypotheticals now. If you wanna thank soldiers fighting for your freedom then go ahead. I won't.

[xmas1997]

How is fighting a war in the middle east against religious fanatics protecting my freedom?

Rob, think about it, we are not "isolationist" anymore.

Our citizens travel all over the world.

While you have a good point about some being stupid by going into countries where they literally put their heads at risk, still I believe we need to wipe out those religious radicals and fanatics in other parts of the world where they have killed innocent Americans who were only over there trying to help make those countries a better place to live.

Many are only over there giving aid to people who are dying or trying to cure diseases or keep them from becoming a world pandemic.

Others are getting killed in bombings in otherwise civilized countries.

Are you saying that Americans cannot go and vacation abroad anymore?

I don't think you are advocating that.

[xellos88330]

USA has imported 100M barrels FROM IRAQ?

If not, then would USA have been able to import 100M barrels WITHOUT invading Iraq?

the Repugs BROKE THE MIDDLE EAST and THEY OWN IT. The US military and US taxpayer got raped by the Repugs.

Yes it was from Iraq.

It is definitely possible to get oil from those nations without having to invade. Then you would have to ask yourself if it is worth the cost. How much would it be per barrel?

[RD2191]

"We need not thank the troops for every breath we take. When we do, we reduce our entire existence as free people to something that only exists at the whim of the U.S. military, and suffocate critical thought about the military and what it’s actually doing in the world."

[RD2191]

You guys are reading to much into this. I just said soldiers aren't fighting for my freedom or any American for that matter. They're not and haven't in a long time.

[xellos88330]

You're speaking about hypotheticals now. If you wanna thank soldiers fighting for your freedom then go ahead. I won't.

I might be speaking with hypotheticals, but it is a hell of a lot better than them being fact. If the military doesn't exist or isn't as powerful as it is, kiss all we have goodbye.

[RD2191]

"The combination of unanimous, entirely uncritical appreciation for the military, and the irrational belief that we owe gratitude to the troops for virtually everything we cherish in life, up to and including freedom itself, is very dangerous for our intellectual culture. It stifles any potential for rational, coherent discussion on these matters. It makes us, free citizens of a constitutional society, meek and excessively obeisant. During the World Series games, under the hashtag “TroopThanks (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23troopthanks&src=typd&f=realtime),” Americans tweeted their appreciation for the troops. One such tweet (https://twitter.com/drewnielsen7/status/371337418537852928) thanked the troops for allowing us to “live free.” Another (https://twitter.com/ajyawnsin/status/395012511428526081) offered a stern “reminder” that we are only able to enjoy the World Series “because of those who protect our freedoms every day.” This is, of course, preposterous, but it is hardly a fringe belief. It reflects many decades of highly effective propaganda that has convinced generations of people that there is virtually nothing for which we should not thank the troops."

[RD2191]

I might be speaking with hypotheticals, but it is a hell of a lot better than them being fact. If the military doesn't exist or isn't as powerful as it is, kiss all we have goodbye.
You don't know that.

[RD2191]

Also I'm not ripping on soldiers or anyone in the military. I respect them as a person, not because they're a soldier.

[xellos88330]

You guys are reading to much into this. I just said soldiers aren't fighting for my freedom or any American for that matter. They're not and haven't in a long time.

That is because you have no idea what the military is like. You have no idea what other countries are like. You are only looking at a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.

[xmas1997]

Yes it was from Iraq.
It is definitely possible to get oil from those nations without having to invade. Then you would have to ask yourself if it is worth the cost. How much would it be per barrel?

Special interests, corporations like Halliburton, the oil companies, etc., and politicians are at fault, such as what happened in the Vietnam war, not the military.

And we need to change our dependency on oil for sure, which was going to be one of Obama's directives. But that never happened.


"We need not thank the troops for every breath we take. When we do, we reduce our entire existence as free people to something that only exists at the whim of the U.S. military, and suffocate critical thought about the military and what it’s actually doing in the world."

No critical thought should ever be suppressed and it should go along with civilized non-violent action.

I am also a huge proponent of a world wide free press which acts as a deterrent to uncivilized actions across the globe, not just in the USA.

But even in countries like Mexico the free press is being wiped out.

[xellos88330]

You don't know that.

Yes I do. All of history shows it will happen. I mean hell, we did it to the native americans.

[Brazil]

roberto doing work tbh

:tu

[boutons_deux]

Yes it was from Iraq.

It is definitely possible to get oil from those nations without having to invade. Then you would have to ask yourself if it is worth the cost. How much would it be per barrel?

proof that 100M barrels came from Iraq?

cost of oil imported to US is based on the world price, not the cost of US/UK BigOil produce in Iraq.

And if you want to consider costs, what about the $3T+ US taxpayers paid/pay for invading Iraq? What the cost of a barrel of Iraqi including the cost of the invasion and 10+ years of occupation, and now $100Bs more to try to stop ISIS created by the US invasion?

Does Bible-humping make you Christians so intellectually constipated, limited, erroneous in all other areas of your lives?

[DPG21920]

In any debate, we should have numbers. It would be pretty easy for one side to prove their point statistically. If you claim military members are generally dumb, post the stats on how many people get into the militiary with no college degree (what percentage). Post IQ scores for the average military person. For those defending the military, post the numbers in your favor.

[DPG21920]

Also, the one thing that bothers me is the "following orders" thing. Military or not, wrong is wrong. So if on one hand you admit that you don't believe in the things we do as a country, with our military, you can't on the other hand absolve soliders just following orders. People are smart and know right from wrong. Just following orders, in the face of something you believe is wrong is dangerous.

Imagine that logic in any other place in the world. Imagine not placing blame on people carrying out things you believe to be wrong because they were just following orders.

[Interrohater]

Guys, so many of you are missing the point. The invasion is not a physical one, the invasion is an economic one. Honestly, it's what makes America what it is. Good or bad, America is run by money and exists BECAUSE of the desire for money. So you can say that soldiers are not protecting your freedom, but you would be wrong because you've only scratched the surface of what goes on behind the scenes. I won't pretend that I know everything because I surely do not, but you're missing that without having a foothold in the Middle East, we wouldn't be able to exert any sort of pressure on oil-producing countries. Without oil, our country would grind to a halt. Imagine a scenario where fuel skyrockets to $8/gallon. Just a simple change such as this can bring this country to its knees. Truckers would stop operating because they might be operating at a loss. The price of food would shoot through the roof in order to pay the truckers that will continue to ship lettuce to your local HEB. People wouldn't be able to afford that fuel to get to work or to look for jobs and the unemployment rate would also jump. All of the services that we take for granted as a good business to get into would disappear. What good is having a fully functional AC unit in your house if you can barely afford to eat? Unfortunately, this country has become so reliant on fossil fuels that our cities are now laid out in ways that your job might be 20 miles from your home. Would you be walking to work or pay the $5 bus fare? Those who can't get by would resort to what? Rioting? Theft? Murder? Once this starts happening, do you think that martial law would be far behind? This is a very precarious economy and world that we live in and it is absolutely based on money. To think otherwise is folly. So yes, soldiers abroad that are protecting the business interests are also protecting your personal freedoms.

[Interrohater]

Also, the one thing that bothers me is the "following orders" thing. Military or not, wrong is wrong. So if on one hand you admit that you don't believe in the things we do as a country, with our military, you can't on the other hand absolve soliders just following orders. People are smart and know right from wrong. Just following orders, in the face of something you believe is wrong is dangerous.

Imagine that logic in any other place in the world. Imagine not placing blame on people carrying out things you believe to be wrong because they were just following orders.
Great point. Soldiers are not able to use the "just following orders" excuse. I'm sure that's simply rhetoric because any soldier knows that what he or she does, he or she will be held accountable for their actions. In a position of leadership, we punished the soldier on their actions, regardless of their orders. Then, the leadership would be punished as well for giving orders that may have resulted in deviant behavior. It's not uncommon for a high-ranking officer to be tried for abusing power.

[xellos88330]

Great point. Soldiers are not able to use the "just following orders" excuse. I'm sure that's simply rhetoric because any soldier knows that what he or she does, he or she will be held accountable for their actions. In a position of leadership, we punished the soldier on their actions, regardless of their orders. Then, the leadership would be punished as well for giving orders that may have resulted in deviant behavior. It's not uncommon for a high-ranking officer to be tried for abusing power.

Very true. There are two types of orders. Lawful orders and unlawful orders. The soldier reserves the right to apply his own moral judgment to decide whether or not to follow the order or his superiors. Should he choose not to follow the order and the order is deemed unlawful, the issuing officer is the one that is punished, not the lower rank. If he follows and the order is deemed unlawful, both parties are subject to punishment.

[xellos88330]

proof that 100M barrels came from Iraq?

cost of oil imported to US is based on the world price, not the cost of US/UK BigOil produce in Iraq.

And if you want to consider costs, what about the $3T+ US taxpayers paid/pay for invading Iraq? What the cost of a barrel of Iraqi including the cost of the invasion and 10+ years of occupation, and now $100Bs more to try to stop ISIS created by the US invasion?

Does Bible-humping make you Christians so intellectually constipated, limited, erroneous in all other areas of your lives?

Most of the middle eastern countries don't like the USA much. Why would they sell us oil?

Bible humping huh? Intellectually constipated, limited??? Perhaps. Then again, I am happy to know that people work in more ways than 1+1 = 2. There is much more than pure logic that operates in the world. Are you so limited to not see it? With matters involving people, you also have to determine emotional states, personalites, beliefs, etc. These things aren't easily quantified. Perhaps that is why you choose to ignore it and remain a slave to your reasoning. You cannot see what a person is for who they really are. That makes you blind, deaf, and ignorant to the people around you.

eia.gov This is where the references are pertaining the oil imports. You are also deflecting in order to avoid an answer. What reason do countries in the middle east have to sell us oil?

[PingPong]

proof that 100M barrels came from Iraq?

cost of oil imported to US is based on the world price, not the cost of US/UK BigOil produce in Iraq.

And if you want to consider costs, what about the $3T+ US taxpayers paid/pay for invading Iraq? What the cost of a barrel of Iraqi including the cost of the invasion and 10+ years of occupation, and now $100Bs more to try to stop ISIS created by the US invasion?

Does Bible-humping make you Christians so intellectually constipated, limited, erroneous in all other areas of your lives?

The U.S. didn't invaded Iraq because the oil was expensive or anything like that. The U.S. invaded Iraq because Dick Cheney was the vice-president and major stock holder of Halliburton. Nowadays, Hallburton makes billions in profit from their Iraq operations so does Cheney.

The ISIS isn't related with the former regime of Saddam Hussein, but they grew in his absense under the Saudi Arabia(american allie) influence AND funding. The only worries from U.S. about ISIS is the fact they represent a threat to Halliburton and several other american corporations operating (and profiting) in Iraq. Americans don't give a fuck about freedom, it's all about profits. The U.S. gave ammunition, training to the talibans to fight against the soviets. If the Al Qaeda didn't fucked the WTC, they should be in charge in Afeghanistan until nowadays. As the dictator Mubarak stayed in charge for decades because he was an american allie. U.S. doesn't give a fuck about freedom, this is all bullshit to brainwash the iliterate dumbfucks.

[DPG21920]

Very true. There are two types of orders. Lawful orders and unlawful orders. The soldier reserves the right to apply his own moral judgment to decide whether or not to follow the order or his superiors. Should he choose not to follow the order and the order is deemed unlawful, the issuing officer is the one that is punished, not the lower rank. If he follows and the order is deemed unlawful, both parties are subject to punishment.

Just as much as legal, there are moral concerns. I think the point the OP/others are making (even though OP is not smart IMO) is that soldiers are either not smart enough to realize the orders they follow arent for the reasons they are given or worse yet that they do know why they are doing what they do & don't care because they are being paid to do a job.

It's not my belief, but I think the issue is your view of our military and the use of military & if you think its legal and/or moral. At that point, depending on where your beliefs are, you either don't think they should be applauded or you do because you believe that they do the right things for the right reasons.

[DJR210]

Oh wow, wtf happened here?

[ElNono]

Guys, so many of you are missing the point. The invasion is not a physical one, the invasion is an economic one. Honestly, it's what makes America what it is. Good or bad, America is run by money and exists BECAUSE of the desire for money. So you can say that soldiers are not protecting your freedom, but you would be wrong because you've only scratched the surface of what goes on behind the scenes. I won't pretend that I know everything because I surely do not, but you're missing that without having a foothold in the Middle East, we wouldn't be able to exert any sort of pressure on oil-producing countries. Without oil, our country would grind to a halt. Imagine a scenario where fuel skyrockets to $8/gallon. Just a simple change such as this can bring this country to its knees. Truckers would stop operating because they might be operating at a loss. The price of food would shoot through the roof in order to pay the truckers that will continue to ship lettuce to your local HEB. People wouldn't be able to afford that fuel to get to work or to look for jobs and the unemployment rate would also jump. All of the services that we take for granted as a good business to get into would disappear. What good is having a fully functional AC unit in your house if you can barely afford to eat? Unfortunately, this country has become so reliant on fossil fuels that our cities are now laid out in ways that your job might be 20 miles from your home. Would you be walking to work or pay the $5 bus fare? Those who can't get by would resort to what? Rioting? Theft? Murder? Once this starts happening, do you think that martial law would be far behind? This is a very precarious economy and world that we live in and it is absolutely based on money. To think otherwise is folly. So yes, soldiers abroad that are protecting the business interests are also protecting your personal freedoms.

smh, you should've stopped in your previous post, tbh... the US has been a net exporter of oil for at least a couple of years. Has that stopped the wars? No. Why does it export so much if there's such high internal demand? Because Mr OilCo doesn't give a shit about 'Murica or the peons living within it. He will sell it to the highest bidder, stash the earnings in Luxembourg away from Uncle Sam and move on. When he's called out, he'll cry that he employs X peons, funnel some hush money to Y SuperPAC, then get some cozy tax breaks. If the amount of outright stealing is egregious, they'll get a slap in the wrist.

Now I can't pin all that on service members, because they obviously don't write policy (especially policy that supports such behavior which directly hurt Americans). That said, somebody could make an argument they're the de facto enforcers of some of those misguided policies, and I think this is where DPG is making the argument about the morality of acting on behalf of companies/entities that don't really care about America or Americans in general.

Anyways, this is obviously a much more complex topic (and I haven't even touched the MIC, another can of worms), that probably belongs on the Political forum.

[Solid D]

Lol robdiaz. Why would anyone want to invade us? :rofl

Forget the ("hypotheticals" lol) amazing water resources or existing/potential farmland. If someone invaded and took control of the free Wikipedia servers, what would you do then?

[PingPong]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

Soldiers aren't smart enough to be a Taco Bell manager, at least they should be ordinary clerks.

I see the diference.

[Interrohater]

To be fair, you've only given two options there. On one hand, a soldier is not intelligent if he follows orders given, and the other is they follow orders because they are being paid to do it. While there are a myriad of reasons why someone joins the service, I'll focus on one: duty.

A soldier's duty is to "stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat" as "a guardian of freedom and the American way of life". When I joined in 2004, it was because of duty, and I can confidently say that the majority of those with whom I fought were there for the same reason, whatever shade of grey it may have been. After 9-11, there was a strong sense of duty to protect what was ours. A lot of you might forget, or maybe were even too young to have properly grasped how the nation felt as a community. There was outrage, sympathy, empathy, denial, suspicion, and every other emotion, but the call to duty was stronger. So we volunteered to fight what we thought at the time was the good fight. To protect what was ours; our way of life. Keep the fighting on their soil and off of ours. What does this have to do with intelligence? Nothing at all. What does it have to do with following orders? Nothing at all. This is my point. We joined for reasons other than those that you so easily type. Not a single person makes the decision to join lightly. This is a life-altering decision; one that will change the very fabric of your being. Throw your beliefs into upheaval. You put some clothes in a backpack and you head out to protect your homeland without a single person that you've known your entire life; without the comforts that you've always known. Without the very same freedoms that you've sworn to protect, as you sign your life away under the penalty of incarceration. Again, what does this have to do with following orders or intelligence?

Once we were there, the politics were meaningless. My opinion changed when I saw the chaos that we had started. When I saw the homes we had destroyed. Then my opinion changed again when I saw the Iraqi people hugging us and thanking us; inviting us in for dinner and laughter. Again, my opinion changed when I lost a friend. What was it all for? And again, another change of heart when we rescued some Iraqis who were being held hostage and were on the verge of execution; the tears that the mother shared saturating my balaclava. Yet again when I sent a young soldier to her death by trying to do the right thing. The life of a soldier isn't one so easily classified as "stupid" or just "being paid to do a job". There are a lot of ups and downs. Yes, we followed orders and the majority of those orders are given with safety in mind: the safety of US personnel and the safety of host-nation civilians. But following orders is not inherently an evil thing. It can guide you; prepare you for an inevitability. Make you ready for an attack, or keep your unit together so you can all get home. The term "following orders" is a heavy one, wrought with mental images of big brother, brainwashing, or a robotic execution of malicious plans. However, the truth is that the choice to follow orders is a personal one that has numerous implications for each person who decides to do so. Most of us don't have to make those life or death choices within a couple of seconds. are you so sure that you would fare any better? Just as we on this board question the management of our favorite teams from the comfort of our homes without the complications of direct involvement, so can we decide that we would have made the better choice; realistic or not.

[DMC]

Soldiers aren't smart enough to be a Taco Bell manager, at least they should be ordinary clerks.

I see the diference.

case = rested

[DPG21920]

I just listed the options that OP was referencing. There's two sides: OP side that thinks in terms of the two options & the other side that doesnt agree with that (I.E. People join out of pride/duty & believe the wars they fight are for what's being said at face value).

My entire family (except me) was military & while I believe much of what you said there's a lot of hyperbole too. I have personally known several people who took the decision to enroll lightly. They used it as a last ditch effort to overcome the troubles they got into and/or because they had limited other options. I also know people that actively decided to go & several that did so after they obtained their college degrees (from Westpoint or other schools).

[DMC]

smh, you should've stopped in your previous post, tbh... the US has been a net exporter of oil for at least a couple of years. Has that stopped the wars? No. Why does it export so much if there's such high internal demand? Because Mr OilCo doesn't give a shit about 'Murica or the peons living within it. He will sell it to the highest bidder, stash the earnings in Luxembourg away from Uncle Sam and move on. When he's called out, he'll cry that he employs X peons, funnel some hush money to Y SuperPAC, then get some cozy tax breaks. If the amount of outright stealing is egregious, they'll get a slap in the wrist.

Now I can't pin all that on service members, because they obviously don't write policy (especially policy that supports such behavior which directly hurt Americans). That said, somebody could make an argument they're the de facto enforcers of some of those misguided policies, and I think this is where DPG is making the argument about the morality of acting on behalf of companies/entities that don't really care about America or Americans in general.

Anyways, this is obviously a much more complex topic (and I haven't even touched the MIC, another can of worms), that probably belongs on the Political forum.

Trying to distinguish between who "cares" about America and who doesn't is a daunting task. Take that to a corporate level where the detail of the day/week/year is shareholder profit and suddenly patriotism is just a neat little pin on the lapel of the ops manager, because many in the corporation aren't even Americans. However even if it was a completely up and up patriotic endeavor, it would be smacked down as being patriotic bullshit without people in mind, elitism and such.

If you haven't served in an armed forces unit anywhere in the world, you probably don't understand the viewpoint from a serviceman's perspective. You probably view it as a job where people didn't sign their lives away and are under a completely different set of laws than you or I (but have to also abide by ours) and they don't get fired or laid off, they cannot come in late for work, cannot call in. They are there or they are AWOL. Volunteered though, so yes they get what they paid for (heh) but then we get what we paid for as well, as we can sit in our 2 story brick homes and post shitty opinions about things we probably know little to nothing about, and yet no one is kicking our doors in, dragging us into the street and publicly executing us for speaking out. Someone has to defend that, it's not an innate gift we cannot ever lose. Granted, there's shitty things done in the name of freedom, but done also in every other name you can imagine. You wouldn't call every NBA player a piece of shit just because SBC center raised it's ticket prices and they are making millions.

[Brazil]

the whole point here is to say that to have a military appreciation nights or giving a big round of applause to the 5 vet inside the buiding is dumb.

Military are professionals, they chose to serve and are paid to do so so why would these citizens being special ? Why not an appreciation night for the surgeons who are paid to save lives ? why not a big round of applauses for the nurses ? why not for the workers building cars so we have freedom to travel ? etc...

[DMC]

I just listed the options that OP was referencing. There's two sides: OP side that thinks in terms of the two options & the other side that doesnt agree with that (I.E. People join out of pride/duty & believe the wars they fight are for what's being said at face value).

My entire family (except me) was military & while I believe much of what you said there's a lot of hyperbole too. I have personally known several people who took the decision to enroll lightly. They used it as a last ditch effort to overcome the troubles they got into and/or because they had limited other options. I also know people that actively decided to go & several that did so after they obtained their college degrees (from Westpoint or other schools).

This describes the majority of the people I knew in the service to a tee. Few join to fight, those that do end up in special units but they are there often for egotistical reasons, not for patriotic ones. Soldiers should not be put on a pedestal, but they should not be frowned upon either.

[DMC]

the whole point here is to say that to have a military appreciation nights or giving a big round of applause to the 5 vet inside the buiding is dumb.

Military are professionals, they chose to serve and are paid to do so so why would these citizens being special ? Why not an appreciation night for the surgeons who are paid to save lives ? why not a big round of applauses for the nurses ? why not for the workers building cars so we have freedom to travel ? etc...

Why not testicular cancer, where people wear semen colored ribbons?

[Brazil]

Why not testicular cancer, where people wear semen colored ribbons?

ya this too

[Interrohater]

the whole point here is to say that to have a military appreciation nights or giving a big round of applause to the 5 vet inside the buiding is dumb.

Military are professionals, they chose to serve and are paid to do so so why would these citizens being special ? Why not an appreciation night for the surgeons who are paid to save lives ? why not a big round of applauses for the nurses ? why not for the workers building cars so we have freedom to travel ? etc...

Well if that's how you feel, then why honor anybody on Earth? Why not just throw our dead into a pit and plant carrots on top? the logic is circular and has no point. At the end of the day, you're probably simply upset that you're left out of the celebration. Here's an idea: let's horde our thanks and appreciation as if there's a finite supply! "Oh noes! You're not getting me thanks, little soldier boys! I haz much more important things in mind for these beautiful congratulatory moments! How precious they are, so small and shriveled!"

[Brazil]

Well if that's how you feel, then why honor anybody on Earth? Why not just throw our dead into a pit and plant carrots on top? the logic is circular and has no point. At the end of the day, you're probably simply upset that you're left out of the celebration. Here's an idea: let's horde our thanks and appreciation as if there's a finite supply! "Oh noes! You're not getting me thanks, little soldier boys! I haz much more important things in mind for these beautiful congratulatory moments! How precious they are, so small and shriveled!"

or better we stop doing special appreciation day or night for guys doing their job... what about that ?

I'm not upset of anything dude... I'm European and I live in Brazil and there is no big round of applause or appreciation nights for dudes doing their job knowing that, cherry on the cake, military support functions that never ever put their lives in line represent I don't know ? 80-90% of the total ? Yaaa let's give a big round of applause for our Irak war vets based in Saudi Arabia to organize food supply :lol

[PingPong]

case = rested

WoW that's na impressive argument. I'll change my OS to the english because the anglo barbarians doubled the letter 't'. Okay.

[littlecoyotecoin]

or better we stop doing special appreciation day or night for guys doing their job... what about that ?

I'm not upset of anything dude... I'm European and I live in Brazil and there is no big round of applause or appreciation nights for dudes doing their job knowing that, cherry on the cake, military support functions that never ever put their lives in line represent I don't know ? 80-90% of the total ? Yaaa let's give a big round of applause for our Irak war vets based in Saudi Arabia to organize food supply :lol

There is no country of Europe. You mean Putinistan, right? He would take it, if not for US. Of course, we're so weak right now, he's already rattling his sabre.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Why not testicular cancer, where people wear semen colored ribbons?

The semen of testicular cancer patients is pink, so we're all good with the ribbons.

[xmas1997]

To be fair, you've only given two options there. On one hand, a soldier is not intelligent if he follows orders given, and the other is they follow orders because they are being paid to do it. While there are a myriad of reasons why someone joins the service, I'll focus on one: duty.

A soldier's duty is to "stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat" as "a guardian of freedom and the American way of life". When I joined in 2004, it was because of duty, and I can confidently say that the majority of those with whom I fought were there for the same reason, whatever shade of grey it may have been. After 9-11, there was a strong sense of duty to protect what was ours. A lot of you might forget, or maybe were even too young to have properly grasped how the nation felt as a community. There was outrage, sympathy, empathy, denial, suspicion, and every other emotion, but the call to duty was stronger. So we volunteered to fight what we thought at the time was the good fight. To protect what was ours; our way of life. Keep the fighting on their soil and off of ours. What does this have to do with intelligence? Nothing at all. What does it have to do with following orders? Nothing at all. This is my point. We joined for reasons other than those that you so easily type. Not a single person makes the decision to join lightly. This is a life-altering decision; one that will change the very fabric of your being. Throw your beliefs into upheaval. You put some clothes in a backpack and you head out to protect your homeland without a single person that you've known your entire life; without the comforts that you've always known. Without the very same freedoms that you've sworn to protect, as you sign your life away under the penalty of incarceration. Again, what does this have to do with following orders or intelligence?

Once we were there, the politics were meaningless. My opinion changed when I saw the chaos that we had started. When I saw the homes we had destroyed. Then my opinion changed again when I saw the Iraqi people hugging us and thanking us; inviting us in for dinner and laughter. Again, my opinion changed when I lost a friend. What was it all for? And again, another change of heart when we rescued some Iraqis who were being held hostage and were on the verge of execution; the tears that the mother shared saturating my balaclava. Yet again when I sent a young soldier to her death by trying to do the right thing. The life of a soldier isn't one so easily classified as "stupid" or just "being paid to do a job". There are a lot of ups and downs. Yes, we followed orders and the majority of those orders are given with safety in mind: the safety of US personnel and the safety of host-nation civilians. But following orders is not inherently an evil thing. It can guide you; prepare you for an inevitability. Make you ready for an attack, or keep your unit together so you can all get home. The term "following orders" is a heavy one, wrought with mental images of big brother, brainwashing, or a robotic execution of malicious plans. However, the truth is that the choice to follow orders is a personal one that has numerous implications for each person who decides to do so. Most of us don't have to make those life or death choices within a couple of seconds. are you so sure that you would fare any better? Just as we on this board question the management of our favorite teams from the comfort of our homes without the complications of direct involvement, so can we decide that we would have made the better choice; realistic or not.

:tu

[ElNono]

Trying to distinguish between who "cares" about America and who doesn't is a daunting task. Take that to a corporate level where the detail of the day/week/year is shareholder profit and suddenly patriotism is just a neat little pin on the lapel of the ops manager, because many in the corporation aren't even Americans. However even if it was a completely up and up patriotic endeavor, it would be smacked down as being patriotic bullshit without people in mind, elitism and such.

Well, you would expect Congress to actually care and draw the line on what's largely good for their constituencies (America) or not. After all, that's exactly why they are there for. But it's a process that unfortunately has been largely co-opted by special interests. Companies are not going to draw the lines themselves, that much is clear.


If you haven't served in an armed forces unit anywhere in the world, you probably don't understand the viewpoint from a serviceman's perspective. You probably view it as a job where people didn't sign their lives away and are under a completely different set of laws than you or I (but have to also abide by ours) and they don't get fired or laid off, they cannot come in late for work, cannot call in. They are there or they are AWOL. Volunteered though, so yes they get what they paid for (heh) but then we get what we paid for as well, as we can sit in our 2 story brick homes and post shitty opinions about things we probably know little to nothing about, and yet no one is kicking our doors in, dragging us into the street and publicly executing us for speaking out. Someone has to defend that, it's not an innate gift we cannot ever lose. Granted, there's shitty things done in the name of freedom, but done also in every other name you can imagine. You wouldn't call every NBA player a piece of shit just because SBC center raised it's ticket prices and they are making millions.

I just don't really care how anybody feels about their job or the decisions they made, it's really out of my control. That goes for the army guy, the Wall Street stockbroker or the art major... which doesn't mean I don't have my own opinion about some of those decisions, but really, everybody largely makes their own bed, then lie on it, and then we deal with it or not. The "dragged on the street" argument is really relative (extraordinary rendition comes to mind). I would just say that, largely, we've understood that dissent and criticism are integral parts of a healthy society. The question is what to do with those societies that didn't get the memo. Bombing the living shit out of their cities and killing their families in the name of their own freedom sometimes sends the wrong signal, IMO.

Now, notice that none of the above really involve service members decision-making, that's why I don't pin any of that on them.

[Splits]

The question is what to do with those societies that didn't get the memo. Bombing the living shit out of their cities and killing their families in the name of their own freedom sometimes sends the wrong signal, IMO.



We've only blessed like 7 or 8 countries with our freedom bombs the past few years, what's the big deal?

[Brazil]

There is no country of Europe. You mean Putinistan, right? .

nice come back faggot

there is no country of Europe but there is the word European in all dictionaries...go figure

[lil'mo]

No one has explained to me why the military deserves more thanks than any other American who does his or her job that they get paid for?

[lil'mo]

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This take is right-on.

I think Rob is just kidding.

And if you are in the military, I thank you.

I make it a point whenever I see a man or woman in uniform to go over and shake their hand and thank them, they deserve it, they are our front line of defense, they are not mercenaries!

And then I see some young punks sneer whenever I do this, but others, usually the mature older people in the crowd, nodding their heads in agreement, and I know I am doing the right thing to do.

:lmao Xmas when is the last time you went up to your trash collector, shook his hand, and thanked him for his service?

[The Reckoning]

The massive military budget is necessary because America's economy operates outside the bounds of sanity and legality. Our massive debt can be called in any moment and the only reason it isn't is because the world fears our military might.


the US has never defaulted...

[littlecoyotecoin]

nice come back faggot

there is no country of Europe but there is the word European in all dictionaries...go figure

I'm crushed, and you're on display as a piece of shit. No surprise you missed the whole point, dumbass. But, kudos. Yes. The word "European" is in the dictionary. You get a gold star.

[xmas1997]

:lmao Xmas when is the last time you went up to your trash collector, shook his hand, and thanked him for his service?

So you are saying my trash collector is putting his life on the line by collecting trash?

We should also have appreciation nights for our firemen and policemen IMHO.

[The Reckoning]

the military is necessary because americans suck at parenting.

[xmas1997]

the military is necessary because americans suck at parenting.

:lol

[lil'mo]

The military is glorified so they can keep enlisting people. Soldiers get paid well, get great benefits, get to travel. It's a great opportunity, but do we really have to suck their dicks also? When I see douchebags like Xmas running up to these military guys who intentionally wear their camp fatigues out in public (:rolleyes) I just laugh and shake my head. Hey I'll be the fest to thank a real veteran, guys who were drafted during the real wars of wwii and Vietnam, but these days it's just a job.

[The Reckoning]

hindsight should just join the military, save up and use the GI bill to pay for your education. reap all the government tax payer benefits, save up, and invest everything else into a Roth IRA and mutual funds. plus dumbasses think you're some kind of special kid because you get to sit on base all day with free room and board watching TV rofl.

[milkyway21]

:lmao Xmas when is the last time you went up to your trash collector, shook his hand, and thanked him for his service?

DO garbage collectors risk their lives for you? :rolleyes

[xmas1997]

The military is glorified so they can keep enlisting people. Soldiers get paid well, get great benefits, get to travel. It's a great opportunity, but do we really have to suck their dicks also? When I see douchebags like Xmas running up to these military guys who intentionally wear their camp fatigues out in public (:rolleyes) I just laugh and shake my head. Hey I'll be the fest to thank a real veteran, guys who were drafted during the real wars of wwii and Vietnam, but these days it's just a job.

Vietnam was a Police Action, not a war, dictated by our politicians. It was completely political and for our oil corporations.

If we had fought it to win rather than merely contain, it might have had a different outcome, it is called a war now as was the Korean conflict, but it is in name only.

[lil'mo]

So you are saying my trash collector is putting his life on the line by collecting trash?

We should also have appreciation nights for our firemen and policemen IMHO.
There are inherent risks to life and safety in every job.

[Johnny RIngo]

So you are saying my trash collector is putting his life on the line by collecting trash?

No, but your trash collector is providing you a much more valuable service than the military.

[DPG21920]

No one has explained to me why the military deserves more thanks than any other American who does his or her job that they get paid for?

It's really not that hard to understand when you accept reality. It's no different than a doctor who makes good money but saves your kids life. You appreciate that more than the Taco Bell guy who fills your taco because although both are paying jobs, there's a level of committment and sacrafice that makes it more than the norm.

It's no different than honoring someone who did something heroic or overcame something really difficult. By your logic, it would be stupid to honor a cancer survivor because they didn't even have to work to get cancer. It was just something they got for free.

The point is a lot of this is historical too. There was a time (and it's not really a good thing) where some of the work/wars soldiers had to fight were of unbeliveable significance to defending the freedom of the country and the world. Those wars, where it was more straightforward with regards to what people were fighthing for are long gone at this point, but the stigma still exists. I'm somewhere in the middle on the matter, but less because of the soldiers and more because I am not quite sure the real reasons why our government uses the military as it does. But there are still lots of good people doing good things.

Just because someone gets paid for doing something, doesn't mean they don't deserve credit. I'm not saying everyone in the military should be put on a pedestal, but the "they got paid" argument is kind of silly. We need certain jobs which is why they have to pay for them, but it's not like some jobs aren't more important than others.

[xmas1997]

There are inherent risks to life and safety in every job.

This is true, my profession had many extremely hazardous potentials, but nothing like the military or the fire and police depts.

[DPG21920]

I also think that one thing that is hard to distinguish or at least seperate is that while there are a lot of people that enlist that aren't the most educated and are doing so to escape limited opportunities, that doesn't mean they can't change. So while someone may have entered into something with no real honorable intentions, many do learn, change and grow as people too.

[lil'mo]

DO garbage collectors risk their lives for you? :rolleyes

If they did I'd expect them to get the fantastic benefits and life experience that soldiers get... But I wouldn't be more thankful to them than I would be any person who does their duty which they chose to undertake.

[lil'mo]

This is true, my profession had many extremely hazardous potentials, but nothing like the military or the fire and police depts.

Thank you for your service, you should have a special day and people should stand and applaud for you on airplanes.

[DPG21920]

There are inherent risks to life and safety in every job.

:lol I bet you are the same guy that likes to argue percentages. You will try and argue that 10% of 1000 is the same as 10% of 1,000,0000 dollars because they're both 10%.

[lil'mo]

:lol I bet you are the same guy that likes to argue percentages. You will try and argue that 10% of 1000 is the same as 10% of 1,000,0000 dollars because they're both 10%.

nuh that doesn't make any sense at all. But 10% is 10% :tu

[Splits]

Garbage collection is a more dangerous job than both a police officer and a firefighter.

[DPG21920]

If they did I'd expect them to get the fantastic benefits and life experience that soldiers get... But I wouldn't be more thankful to them than I would be any person who does their duty which they chose to undertake.

So if your little girl had her life saved by a doctor who had to undergo years of intense schooling then operate under circumstances where every decision they made was the difference in your little baby dying vs living, you would feel no more grateful than the guy who hands you 2 dipping sauces for your chicken nuggets at Wendy's?

[DPG21920]

nuh that doesn't make any sense at all. But 10% is 10% :tu

It makes perfect sense because you are equating "paid" to "the same". All paid jobs are not equal in terms of sacrifice nor importance. For you to reduce your argument to "trash man" vs "military" because they both get benefits/paid is the same thing as arguing 10% is 10% when in reality 10% vs 10% can be very different things.

[RD2191]

So if your little girl had her life saved by a doctor who had to undergo years of intense schooling then operate under circumstances where every decision they made was the difference in your little baby dying vs living, you would feel no more grateful than the guy who hands you 2 dipping sauces for your chicken nuggets at Wendy's?
A job is a job.

[DPG21920]

I'm not even sticking up for the military tbh..I just hate bad logic.

[DMC]

Well, you would expect Congress to actually care and draw the line on what's largely good for their constituencies (America) or not. After all, that's exactly why they are there for. But it's a process that unfortunately has been largely co-opted by special interests. Companies are not going to draw the lines themselves, that much is clear.

Largely? The federal government has been co-opted by special interests from the onset. Congress is made of congressmen and women, many of whom has sat on boards of large corporations that have interests abroad. They are all trying to move all the marbles to their side of the sand box, and it's a time honored tradition of brotherhood among thieves/wealthy to choose bros before hoes (common folk being the hoes). I wouldn't expect anything less. From the common man though, who doesn't have aspirations of amassing great wealth and power, some honor creeps in.

Congress/corporations... all the same.


I just don't really care how anybody feels about their job or the decisions they made, it's really out of my control. That goes for the army guy, the Wall Street stockbroker or the art major... which doesn't mean I don't have my own opinion about some of those decisions, but really, everybody largely makes their own bed, then lie on it, and then we deal with it or not. The "dragged on the street" argument is really relative (extraordinary rendition comes to mind). I would just say that, largely, we've understood that dissent and criticism are integral parts of a healthy society. The question is what to do with those societies that didn't get the memo. Bombing the living shit out of their cities and killing their families in the name of their own freedom sometimes sends the wrong signal, IMO.

Now, notice that none of the above really involve service members decision-making, that's why I don't pin any of that on them.

"Our troops" is about service members. A troop is one service member (odd terminology I agree). Certainly no one is showing appreciation for the Pentagon.

[lil'mo]

It's no different than honoring someone who did something heroic or overcame something really difficult. By your logic, it would be stupid to honor a cancer survivor because they didn't even have to work to get cancer. It was just something they got for free.
.
:lmao

[DMC]

A job is a job.

Bullshit. If you felt that way you'd not think Cesar Chavez did anything special.

[DMC]

Garbage collection is a more dangerous job than both a police officer and a firefighter.

How many garbage collectors died in the line of duty last year?

[DMC]

Thank you for your service, you should have a special day and people should stand and applaud for you on airplanes.
^Jealous that no one applauds dead beat dads.

[Splits]

How many garbage collectors died in the line of duty last year?

Not my numbers, come from Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/11/12/the-15-most-dangerous-jobs-in-america/

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2013-8?op=1

[howbouthemspurs]

This topic should really be moved to another area.

[DMC]

18 fatalities vs 146 fatalities.

Having stupid people doesn't make the job dangerous. It makes the people dangerous.

Also, traffic accidents that kill a person who's driving a work vehicle doesn't really count as a work related hazard. We all face the same driving risks. 59% of cops who died did so due to violence. With garbage collectors, it was heavily slanted to traffic accidents (60%).

So sure, you can twist the numbers to say whatever you like.

[lil'mo]

So if your little girl had her life saved by a doctor who had to undergo years of intense schooling then operate under circumstances where every decision they made was the difference in your little baby dying vs living, you would feel no more grateful than the guy who hands you 2 dipping sauces for your chicken nuggets at Wendy's?

First off I hate fast food, don't touch the stuff 'cept for some Chick-fil-a action :hungry

Secondly, if I were to hypothetically purchase some Wendy's nuggets I guess I would be thankful for the two extra sauces but I don't really need them and if he refused to provide be with said sauces I have some ketchup at home. The surgeon I would be eternally grateful towards because of his years of practice and I will have witnessed his work saving my daughters life.

One thing I could do without, one I couldn't live without, of course I'm more thankful towards the surgeon.

I see what you are saying. Soldiers are handing out freedom sauce for our nuggets, but I'm telling you I have freedom ketchup of my own in the fridge at home. Life saving surgery is something only a skilled doctor can perform. Any idiot can fire a gun or fry French fries.

[RD2191]

How many garbage collectors died in the line of duty last year?
How many people would have died if they hadn't picked up the trash?

[lil'mo]

This topic should really be moved to another area.
lol shove off, pussy :lol

[lil'mo]

^Jealous that no one applauds dead beat dads.

Lmao I am anything but a dead beat dad, let's stick to reality :lol

[DMC]

How many people would have died if they hadn't picked up the trash?


Refer to your family history.

[DPG21920]

First off I hate fast food, don't touch the stuff 'cept for some Chick-fil-a action :hungry

Secondly, if I were to hypothetically purchase some Wendy's nuggets I guess I would be thankful for the two extra sauces but I don't really need them and if he refused to provide be with said sauces I have some ketchup at home. The surgeon I would be eternally grateful towards because of his years of practice and I will have witnessed his work saving my daughters life.

One thing I could do without, one I couldn't live without, of course I'm more thankful towards the surgeon.

I see what you are saying. Soldiers are handing out freedom sauce for our nuggets, but I'm telling you I have freedom ketchup of my own in the fridge at home. Life saving surgery is something only a skilled doctor can perform. Any idiot can fire a gun or fry French fries.

You are shifting your argument. Your argument was never about skill or scarcity - it was about a job being a job because someone is paid.

The fact you just stated you would treat a surgeon different than someone at Chick-fil-a illustrates my point (and others) as to the "why" certain people may be appreciated/recognized more than others despite being paid. So now your argument is shifiting from the basic reduction of "paid" to scarcity/skill/inherent danger or importance to the community.

Much different argument but we can continue down the path.

[DMC]

First off I hate fast food, don't touch the stuff 'cept for some Chick-fil-a action :hungry

Secondly, if I were to hypothetically purchase some Wendy's nuggets I guess I would be thankful for the two extra sauces but I don't really need them and if he refused to provide be with said sauces I have some ketchup at home. The surgeon I would be eternally grateful towards because of his years of practice and I will have witnessed his work saving my daughters life.

One thing I could do without, one I couldn't live without, of course I'm more thankful towards the surgeon.

I see what you are saying. Soldiers are handing out freedom sauce for our nuggets, but I'm telling you I have freedom ketchup of my own in the fridge at home. Life saving surgery is something only a skilled doctor can perform. Any idiot can fire a gun or fry French fries.

lol, already free... didn't need anyone to get you there...

[Splits]

18 fatalities vs 146 fatalities.

Having stupid people doesn't make the job dangerous. It makes the people dangerous.

Also, traffic accidents that kill a person who's driving a work vehicle doesn't really count as a work related hazard. We all face the same driving risks. 59% of cops who died did so due to violence. With garbage collectors, it was heavily slanted to traffic accidents (60%).

So sure, you can twist the numbers to say whatever you like.

Moving the goalposts. What I stated is fact, garbage collection is a more dangerous job than police officer. There's a higher death rate. It's pretty simple math.

[RD2191]

Refer to your family history.
Answer the question.

[DMC]

Moving the goalposts. What I stated is fact, garbage collection is a more dangerous job than police officer. There's a higher death rate. It's pretty simple math.
No, driving is inherently more dangerous for garbage collectors than policemen because policemen are trained to drive and hopefully don't come to work drunk or high. Odd though, because cops get into high speed chases and yet have a lower incidence of traffic related deaths, and garbage men drive big fucking tank like trucks and smash Jose there in the back against a light pole.

Doesn't make the job dangerous. It's just creative accounting.

Also, who says death is the measurement of danger? What about injury?

[ElNono]

Largely? The federal government has been co-opted by special interests from the onset. Congress is made of congressmen and women, many of whom has sat on boards of large corporations that have interests abroad. They are all trying to move all the marbles to their side of the sand box, and it's a time honored tradition of brotherhood among thieves/wealthy to choose bros before hoes (common folk being the hoes). I wouldn't expect anything less. From the common man though, who doesn't have aspirations of amassing great wealth and power, some honor creeps in.

Congress/corporations... all the same.

I'm not arguing it's "surprising", I merely stating that's a sad state. It's difficult to tell anybody else to care about America if the elected democratic representatives don't care themselves. It wasn't always like that. Back in the WW2 days, we did our deals that commercially favored America, but we really didn't go full-blown war until Pearl Harbor. This whole "world police" position we're currently sitting on is very debatable, IMO.


"Our troops" is about service members. A troop is one service member (odd terminology I agree). Certainly no one is showing appreciation for the Pentagon.

Nor we should, IMO. Then again, I'm with you there shouldn't be glorification nor pity about it.

[DMC]

Answer the question.

No one dies. There was no garbage collector when I was growing up. We hauled it to the dump. No one died.

[RD2191]

No one dies. There was no garbage collector when I was growing up. We hauled it to the dump. No one died.
Given how lazy people are today I'm sure the toll would be significant.

[lil'mo]

You are shifting your argument. Your argument was never about skill or scarcity - it was about a job being a job because someone is paid.

The fact you just stated you would treat a surgeon different than someone at Chick-fil-a illustrates my point (and others) as to the "why" certain people may be appreciated/recognized more than others despite being paid. So now your argument is shifiting from the basic reduction of "paid" to scarcity/skill/inherent danger or importance to the community.

Much different argument but we can continue down the path.

It's not the job, it's the product I'm appreciative of. I like that my trashcans are emptied twice a week, but I'm much happier that my daughter is alive. I'm not changing my argument, we've just established that I'm more appreciative of the surgeon that saved my daughters life than I am of people who have regular jobs like trash collectors and soldiers. I don't know how anyone could think differently .

[DMC]

Given how lazy people are today I'm sure the toll would be significant.
Since you're sure...

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It's making amends for half the boomers dodging the draft and then spitting on the ones that actually were forced to go to Vietnam when they got back.

It's now a volunteer army and that there are volunteers means there is no draft for the wars we have been steadily fighting since vietnam. I appreciate that. E-1 through E-5 gets paid poverty level wages.

[lil'mo]

It's making amends for half the boomers dodging the draft and then spitting on the ones that actually were forced to go to Vietnam when they got back.

It's now a volunteer army and that there are volunteers means there is no draft for the wars we have been steadily fighting since vietnam. I appreciate that. E-1 through E-5 gets paid poverty level wages.

They get paid more than if they weren't afforded the opportunity to advance their lives in the military. Free education and vocation training. Free benefits for themselves and their families. What more thanks and appreciation do they want? :lol

[Splits]

No, driving is inherently more dangerous for garbage collectors than policemen because policemen are trained to drive and hopefully don't come to work drunk or high. Odd though, because cops get into high speed chases and yet have a lower incidence of traffic related deaths, and garbage men drive big fucking tank like trucks and smash Jose there in the back against a light pole. Doesn't make the job dangerous. It's just creative accounting.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/091/284/eso_es_racista.gif?1294075992



Also, who says death is the measurement of danger? What about injury?

The news articles I linked to.

[it's me]

Not my numbers, come from Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/11/12/the-15-most-dangerous-jobs-in-america/

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2013-8?op=1

We need a fishing appreciation day .... remove your hat and say a fucking prayer next time you eat some filet.

[DMC]

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/091/284/eso_es_racista.gif?1294075992




The news articles I linked to.

You either don't understand the concept of risk or you're being intentionally obtuse.

[lil'mo]

We need a fishing appreciation day .... remove your hat and say a fucking prayer next time to eat some filet.

The jerseys can have a fish scale pattern on them

[DMC]

They get paid more than if they weren't afforded the opportunity to advance their lives in the military. Free education and vocation training. Free benefits for themselves and their families. What more thanks and appreciation do they want? :lol

^ not understanding the concept of "free"

[littlecoyotecoin]

18 fatalities vs 146 fatalities.

Having stupid people doesn't make the job dangerous. It makes the people dangerous.

Also, traffic accidents that kill a person who's driving a work vehicle doesn't really count as a work related hazard. We all face the same driving risks. 59% of cops who died did so due to violence. With garbage collectors, it was heavily slanted to traffic accidents (60%).

So sure, you can twist the numbers to say whatever you like.

It's a stretch not to call getting hit by a car in traffic NOT a work related accident, or crushed by machinery. And, to assume a significant amount of the fatalities are due to their own stupidity is a little presumptuous. A firefighter slipping and hitting his head on the corner of the pool table at the firehouse during a game of nine-ball doesn't make it a work related injury, either. If we are going to beat up on people, I'm all in for firemen. Waiting around playing Call-of-Duty on the taxpayer's big screen tv, pensions putting municipalities in bankruptcy, and to be honest, I think I've fought two fires since I've ever seen a fireman do it in person, if ever. Although, darn good they are at lifting weights, cooking chili, and training for firefightin', and complainin' about having to work a whole day to get the next two off. I know a lot of firemen, and not totally throwin' them under the bus, but the guys on 9/11 bought them a whole lot more praise than due.

[lil'mo]

^ not understanding the concept of "free"

It's free in the sense that they are training and accrediting you for their purposes but when you've served your term, the education is yours, you get to keep it and use it too meet qualifications for whatever job you get post-military. Shame that many are too stupid to see the opportunity in that and come out, claim as many disabilities as they can, and bitch about unemployment :lol

[DPG21920]

Lil mo - so basically, since you have your freedoms and it's not an important job, you then think that if the military went away your freedom would still exist? Iron Man going to keep watch.

[xmas1997]

A lot of people feel entitled these days and take things for granted.

It's really sad.

[lefty]

So you are saying my trash collector is putting his life on the line by collecting trash?

We should also have appreciation nights for our firemen and policemen IMHO.

:lol policemen
:lol donuts
:lol let mafiosos do their thing but arrest innocent people
:lol law enforcers
:lol 10 trained cops tasering or shooting 1 unarmed skinny dude
:lol tough because they have a badge
:lol cowards

[lil'mo]

I don't think military should go away. I just think it's ridiculous the praise that's showered upon them these days. I don't think there should be animosity towards the military like during Vietnam, but what's with the over glorification? It's just silly and unnecessary. Like America NEEDS heroes to look up to. I gotta hand it to Uncle Sam, he's done his job and the war machine will always keep rolling

[lil'mo]

I'm just saying I'm not buying it, I'm not falling for it. Military is necessary but not more important than any of the other necessary roles that people play to make world turn

[DPG21920]

What's hilarious is that if its so easy & they get paid so much and they get all this praise why didn't lil mo join:lol?

Tbh, if he believes what he's saying it should be a no brainer & he can coast to riches while being adored by all.

[lil'mo]

A lot of people feel entitled these days and take things for granted.

It's really sad.

Yeah it is , glad I'm not one if those people.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Also, you're missing a key point that most garbage man traffic accidents happen with man vs vehicle. Whereas the cop is in vehicle vs vehicle accidents more predominantly, probably. I doubt you're going to find a whole lot of guys in the cab of the garbage truck dying from vehicle collisions.

Last error, we do not all have equal liklihood of dying in traffic accidents. If you drive for a living, in addition to all of your personal driving, you are at incrementally greater risk. That incremental risk is work-related, as it doesn't exist for someone that doesn't do that same driving for their job.

[RD2191]

I don't think military should go away. I just think it's ridiculous the praise that's showered upon them these days. I don't think there should be animosity towards the military like during Vietnam, but what's with the over glorification? It's just silly and unnecessary. Like America NEEDS heroes to look up to. I gotta hand it to Uncle Sam, he's done his job and the war machine will always keep rolling
Lil mo dropping nukes.

[lil'mo]

What's hilarious is that if its so easy & they get paid so much and they get all this praise why didn't lil mo join:lol?

Tbh, if he believes what he's saying it should be a no brainer & he can coast to riches while being adored by all.

Nobody in the military is coasting to riches, I knew that a LONG time ago. Truth be had I did enlist just after 2001 but not enough time had passed since a shoulder surgery. By the time I qualified I had wised up and cooled down about 9/11 :lol It would have been a great opportunity but things have worked out well for me anyway :tu

[littlecoyotecoin]

I don't think military should go away. I just think it's ridiculous the praise that's showered upon them these days. I don't think there should be animosity towards the military like during Vietnam, but what's with the over glorification? It's just silly and unnecessary. Like America NEEDS heroes to look up to. I gotta hand it to Uncle Sam, he's done his job and the war machine will always keep rolling

Some of it may be over-the-top praise, but the criticism is over the top, as well. This is what draws out those that defend the troops. Not all of them are worthy of praise, and not all of them are doing anything dangerous, and some of them might not have been able to get a job doing anything else, but when the critics start using those groups as typical examples of who we are showing support for when we show our support, you can see where there might be some ire drawn.

[milkyway21]

It's not the job, it's the product I'm appreciative of. I like that my trashcans are emptied twice a week, but I'm much happier that my daughter is alive. I'm not changing my argument, we've just established that I'm more appreciative of the surgeon that saved my daughters life than I am of people who have regular jobs like trash collectors and soldiers. I don't know how anyone could think differently .

Right with the doctors, but degrading the military rule in our lives is non-acceptable. You did not send those trash can collectors to set up camps to control the spread and quarantine ebola patients in Africa. You used the military to do it for you and for those people.

[DPG21920]

Like I said, the logic is poor. It's not even that I entirely disagree with the main premise, but your line of thinking (i.e. it's a paid job, so it's the same) is dumb.

I don't necessarily think all soldiers deserve praise, but I also don't begrudge people or communities that have ties to military their right to celebrate them. It's also kind of odd, because your logic almost points to the fact that they don't deserve to be celebrated because they weren't drafted and because there isn't a war that is meaningful. Well, just because over the years the military has done their job and theres nothing going on (largely due to their patrol) doesn't mean it's not a valuable job.

That's a "what have you done for me lately" scenario to the extreme. It's more about honoring the tradition that allowed us to get to this point more than anything IMO.

[lil'mo]

Right with the doctors, but degrading the military rule in our lives is non-acceptable. You did not send those trash can collectors to set up camps to control the spread and quarantine ebola patients in Africa. You used the military to do it for you and for those people.

I didn't use the military for anything, they did that on their own.

[Splits]

:cry Hoops for Troops :cry on NBATV

[howbouthemspurs]

lol shove off, pussy :lol

:lmao I am what I eat!

With that logic, you must be your mom's big fat cock! :lmao

[Spurs9]

:lol people in this thread continuing to argue about dangers of garbage men

[tmtcsc]

I'm not kidding about anything. US soldiers aren't fighting for freedom. Who's threatening my freedom? Is a country invading the US? I can fight and protect myself if that ever happens. I'd probably die fairly quickly but hey, that would really be dying for my freedom.

:lmao Bitch, you'd run for your freedom. Don't even play. And yes, if they caught you, you'd die quickly.

[tmtcsc]

US soldiers aren't fighting for freedom. Who's threatening my freedom? Is a country invading the US?

So, our enemies have to invade the U.S. before we protect ourselves? Did Hitler invade the U.S. ? Did the Japanese? Should we have stayed out of those wars too or did fighting in them make us baby-killers? Did you ever think for one second that no one is currently threatening your freedom because the most powerful military in the world is a pretty strong deterrent? Dude, stop sharing your links to where you get your ignorant propaganda.

http://sinsip.com/Sr.gif

Its bad enough that your Spurs' takes are awful, now this...

[Brazil]

I'm crushed, and you're on display as a piece of shit. No surprise you missed the whole point, dumbass. But, kudos. Yes. The word "European" is in the dictionary. You get a gold star.

what's your freaking whole point dummy ?... that without military Putin would invade Europe ? :lol

What prevent Putin to not invade Europe is called nuclear threat... I guess we should give a huge round of applause to Oppenheimer and French and UK scientists to give their country a nuclear arsenal

you were on display to be a piece of shit on your bb takes, ebola and now that... keep the good work faggot

[Brazil]

Like I said, the logic is poor. It's not even that I entirely disagree with the main premise, but your line of thinking (i.e. it's a paid job, so it's the same) is dumb.

I don't necessarily think all soldiers deserve praise, but I also don't begrudge people or communities that have ties to military their right to celebrate them. It's also kind of odd, because your logic almost points to the fact that they don't deserve to be celebrated because they weren't drafted and because there isn't a war that is meaningful. Well, just because over the years the military has done their job and theres nothing going on (largely due to their patrol) doesn't mean it's not a valuable job.

That's a "what have you done for me lately" scenario to the extreme. It's more about honoring the tradition that allowed us to get to this point more than anything IMO.

Nobody is saying it's not a valuable job, of course it is a valuable job... the whole point is about over glorification of a job. Military became a job a long time ago... over the whole military guys only a fraction are putting their lives in danger not because there is no conflict but becaise the support areas became much much bigger than guys on operation.

what is poor logic is to give round of applause on every occasion for whatever dude with a military outfit and not for firemen, surgeons, ya in some cases policemen, scientists.... Freedom and peace are more linked to nuclear threat than any military operations or forces. If not for nuclear threat, India and Pakistan would already be a bloodbath... not saying something very bad won't happen there but if you want to thank somebody for freedom and peace give a statue to Oppenheimer

[RD2191]

:lmao Bitch, you'd run for your freedom. Don't even play. And yes, if they caught you, you'd die quickly.
We aren't all pussies like you, tbh.:bobo

[jag]

Let's compare to yours to be more specific:

Him: Get up before dawn, kevlar vest, primary weapon, side arm, full battle gear, possibly a ruck.. convoy of tanks or armament, moving though hostile territory where people are trying to kill you.

You: Get up before dawn, put on your Taco Bell manager suit, drive to the local convenience store for cheap coffee and gas, go to Taco Bell, panic because most people called in again, lock yourself in your small office and post on ST about your home in Breck.

Yeah, I see a difference.

:lol

[tmtcsc]

We aren't all pussies like you, tbh.:bobo

Robdiaz training for ISIS invasion:

http://www.markallencam.com/victorskinny.jpg

Protect us Robby!!

[RD2191]

Robdiaz training for ISIS invasion:

http://www.markallencam.com/victorskinny.jpg

Protect us Robby!!
Son of a bitch where did you find my pics?

[davidbowie]

What the hell is wrong with being a manager at Taco Bell lol

[xellos88330]

I just listed the options that OP was referencing. There's two sides: OP side that thinks in terms of the two options & the other side that doesnt agree with that (I.E. People join out of pride/duty & believe the wars they fight are for what's being said at face value).

My entire family (except me) was military & while I believe much of what you said there's a lot of hyperbole too. I have personally known several people who took the decision to enroll lightly. They used it as a last ditch effort to overcome the troubles they got into and/or because they had limited other options. I also know people that actively decided to go & several that did so after they obtained their college degrees (from Westpoint or other schools).

This is exactly the point I want to make. This thread is clearly targeting ALL military personnel. Hence, why I took offense.

I understand very well that there are some bad apples in the military as I have personally known some of them, however, I have also known the good ones. OP claims he is too smart to join the service, however, this is clearly only based on stereotype and normally that isn't a very smart thing to do.

[xellos88330]

I'm just saying I'm not buying it, I'm not falling for it. Military is necessary but not more important than any of the other necessary roles that people play to make world turn

Isn't there a Labor day as well? That is a holiday to celebrate the working people of the USA. You don't see me bashing all employees saying they don't deserve any praise. Why? Because I know better.

[xmas1997]

Hard to imagine so many upset with or unappreciative of the military.

Who would have thought?

But it's a free country, so all opinions and feelings are represented.

[Jodelo]

:lolMilitary
:lolAppreciate a "job" :lmao
:lolYour fault for joining when something happens

Not sure why everyone has to aprreciate what they do. It's pretty big in the US and i don't get why...

[webshad]

Yes appreciate a bunch of coward soldiers.

They went into Iraq knowing very well it had no WMDs, however if Iraq did have WMDs they wouldn't dare invade it.

North Korea was showing off it's WMDs live on television, yet all they can do is condemn it and not invade it. My definition of cowards.

Now they face a challenge with ISIS, but this "superpower" is going around the world begging other nations to fight in the frontline, my definition of cowards.

If I was Canada, Turkey, KSA, UAE, Jordan, etc, I would simply tell them "you went into Iraq with a fake WMD stories and created this mess to begin with, now FIX it on your own cowards".

I truly despise american politicians, such evil human devils. And these soldiers are too dumb to be appreciated in the first place.

[xmas1997]

Yes appreciate a bunch of coward soldiers.

They went into Iraq knowing very well it had no WMDs, however if Iraq did have WMDs they wouldn't dare invade it.

North Korea was showing off it's WMDs live on television, yet all they can do is condemn it and not invade it. My definition of cowards.

Now they face a challenge with ISIS, but this "superpower" is going around the world begging other nations to fight in the frontline, my definition of cowards.

If I was Canada, Turkey, KSA, UAE, Jordan, etc, I would simply tell them "you went into Iraq with a fake WMD stories and created this mess to begin with, now FIX it on your own cowards".

I truly despise american politicians, such evil human devils. And these soldiers are too dumb to be appreciated in the first place.

Wow, such vehemence!

Sure, the politicians are not great, maybe even bad.

But evil human devils?

Such harshness, such animosity!

As bad as they are, name me one country with better.

:lol