Veterans Day Slap-In-The-Face!

[Hohn]

write this one in your diary

That's right-- I (for the first time) am speechless. Baby. driver it is a sad testament that you are not able to see a connection between the military and your freedom.



To me it's like not making the connection between that third-degree burn on your hand and the fact you just grabbed the exhaust manifold after pulling a 15K 5ver. Somethings just follow.....

 

[snowracer69]

Quote:

“We sleep safely in our beds, because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those that would do us harm. ” ----- George Orwell





You others said it way better than I could. Do you have any military history in your family backround baby. driver?



Josh

 

[baby.driver]

Thank You

Fest3er

Sregorb



Thank both of you Gentlemen for those excellent explanations.

My hat's off to you both.



So much for threats from foreigners. Now about those threats domestic.

Considering the freedoms/rights/liberty legislated out existence or done away with through bureaucratic fiat, shouldn't our military be doing something about that?



Jay



p. s. Again thanks Fest3er, Sregorb.

 

[baby.driver]

Snowracer

Yes, Pop navigated bombers out of Italy and later out of Japan in '52 for Korea.

 

[Wayno]

Well I am not posting here to add to this typing fight but I have been saying for the last few years that it is starting to look like that a lot of our veterans have died for nothing because we go to war with a foreign country and whip that country's @ss then we let that country's people come over here. Well here is a good example the Alamo. I bet old Davey Crockett is turning over in his grave right about now. Oh and hey - fest3er - you need to move to Texas and you will see that Mexico going to "RECLAIM" Texas and their not going to fire a shot doing it. I can't wait to see whats going to happen to Texas when we get a lot more south of the border politician in office in Texas. BUT this time We Told Old Tony To Get On Down The Road !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sregorb]

Actually it's not the military's place to impose or enforce domestic laws. Case in point is posse comitus. The military is not in the business of "policing" it's own unless in EXTREME cases where available resources are inadequate(ie national guard call outs). Domestic will be where the FBI, FEMA, local police departments, etc come into play. Foreign policy will be the military, CIA, diplomats/ambassadors. The military should always be held in check so that there never is a situation where the military "usurps" the authority of the people (ie military overthrows the government). We don't want military rule, ever, unless in dire crises and existing civilian channels are closed or ineffective. Then and only then should the military TEMPORARILY step up to the plate. The moment the situation stabilizes control should be promptly handed back to the civilian arena.

Short of that, the military is not to impose policy on it's own citizens. Actually it's exactly the opposite. The military is to follow the policy set by the civilians.

Keep in mind that the military members are also voting members of the public, which allows their voice into that policy development. That's their "in" for input on how their own organization should be run by shaping policy from the civilian side. Hot topics that are being debated by the population for implementation within the military (somewhat recently) are: women in the military, environmental impacts, nuke arsenal capacity, etc. Currently being debated in our society, some topics include: homosexuals in the military, women in combat, non-lethal weaponry, etc.

The best way to describe the point is to take it to an extreme---

If the majority of the civilian population wants to disband the military, guess what, the funding dries up, paychecks stop, and the military disbands (albeit grudgingly and complaining the whole way). The realization that the public MUST recognize is that by taking that step the next time an attack happens or there is a need to project power into a hostile area there will be NO trained people, organization, equipment to deal with it. The situation can be overcome though, but it's cost will be measured in lost life and blood that exceeds what would have been experienced had the military been maintained. That's even without bringing the money factor in.

Anyway, bottom line is (not to sound like a skate out but) it's not the military's job to start shelling congress just cause they legislate a bad law. The system allows mistakes (hopefully fewer than other comparable systems) just like prohibition (sp?) where alcohol was outlawed (remember dukes of hazzard?). The majority of people came back and said "That's stupid! Change it!" and it changed back. That's the flexibility of the constitution! We in the military took an oath to protect the constitution and its values. If we disagree with legislation or laws we VOTE to change it (or the people in positions to influence) and meet the spirit of the oath by exercising CIVILIAN rights.





Brian

 

[Sregorb]

Wayno,

Does it really give the impression of a typing war???



I had hoped not.



I can't even imagine how bad it'd get if after every conflict/war we are involved in we "assimilate" that territory into our nation and tried maintain a presence in that country to deal with insurrections. After WW2 Japan and Germany were bad enough. Tack on Somolia/Bosnia/Iraq/Afganistan/Georgia(the country),Philipines/etc and the military is going to be inadequate if not built to unprecidented proportions. What are the other options? I'd rather have the immigration of people from a former hostile area (happens every day Russians, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, ETC, ETC, ETC) into our society IF THE INTENT IS TO MAKE A STRONGER/BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. I agree that it would be less-than-ideal if the society got way too off-balance by incorporation of too many of one type, but that only means the laws/compromises/business would swing toward what works. It shouldn't be an us/them dilemma, it lends itself too much toward a win/lose mentality.

Many different cultures are flooding into America and I have the faith that what happens in Texas will be balanced by what happens in California, and the East Coast, and Alaska, and ... .....

This is something bigger than Texas.



Brian

 

[Ron Bissett]

Your sky over your head is protected by the Air National Guard day and night . Reserve solders and sailors marines in uniform and agents of the federal government work to protect our country. vigilance is the price of freedom. Most regular troops are training for or in some mission or training other soldiers sailors , Air men and marines for their part in ongoing missions or helping some place in the world . Don't think that we Old soldiers haven't seen and heard every excuse not to take part in any war like it immoral not our cause or against my religion or any thing that is the popular at the moment. Remember the guy that after hearing the story of the police man called a pig stated that next time you are in trouble call a hippie as they seem to have taken over . Hell no we wou't go was a way for the coward to hide there shame and still be a coward I know of one that every one seems to think as a hero but he is still a coward and he did not go . My country right or wrong . Ron in Louisville KY Msg USA ret

 

[Alan Reagan]

How has the military done WHAT, baby driver? I can tell you this, sir... ... had we not weighed in during WWI and WWII your freedom and rights wouldn't even be a memory. Remember Hitler, Mussolini? Yeah, the US military and their allies kicked those "freedom lovers" a$$es.



And as far as St Xavier or whatever that school is, we protect their rights, too. That's the ironic part of this situation. Kirstein or whatever his name is needs to go teach in Afghanistan or Iran. He'd look good on a soccer field over there if you know what I mean.



And as far as some people feel about whether or not people like me protect your rights. I don't feel like you owe me anything, but I don't deserve comments that insult, belittle or degrade what I do. I darn sure don't do it for the money or the fun. I do what I do because I think that enough of us have to do the dirty work so that everybody else can continue to live with the freedoms we have in this country. But you know... ... many more insults and I'll say it's every man for himself. But until I reach that point, I'll continue to do what I can to protect our way of life and the freedoms and rights that go with it. Have a nice day, and be thankful that somebody will protect and fight for your freedom and rights if you can't or won't do it yourself. That's the least you can do.



To those of you who appreciate what the military does for you, thanks for your support and sentiments.