RRC Archives

mcrib wrote:"Sometimes nothing is a pretty cool hand."

That's my favorite line from the movie. I hear the book is pretty good, too.

ZSpider

Well, I'm not really sure why I'm saying anything here, but there were a couple of random comments I thought I'd make. One, Iraq should not be one country. The only time there has ever been "peace" in the geographic region of Iraq throughout history is when there has been a heavy handed tyrant who ruled, and even then there were constant rebellions. This is going back to the beginning of Islam and it's expansion and conquests. They are separate peoples, and what is good for one group is not always good for the other. Much like what is good for California is not good for Texas. I don't believe there will ever be "peace" in Iraq, as I don't believe there will ever be "peace" in Israel. The Phillistines/Palestinians have always been at odds with the Jews, and I expect always will. I don't understand this, as I have associated with both, and liked them both.

I am currently a soldier in the Army. I am currently stationed at Fort Bragg at the JFK Special Warfare School. One thing that our cadre read us at our formations always starts out the same and we always know what it is immediately. SFC Joe Smith was born on Feb 21st 1980 and enlisted in the army on... These are SF soldiers who have died. People like me and the guys next to me.

We all have different reasons I suppose, but we know that we're going into harms way. Sometimes you can get out of the way, sometimes you can't. We go through a hell of a lot of shit in order to earn that right. When I'm deployed, it won't be in defense of my nation. It will be in defense of her interests, and I do thank God that our nations interests have to at least appear moral. Do I believe that we invaded Iraq just to help out the poor oppressed people? If there was no oil we wouldn't be there in force. However, we are there, and I believe we are doing good. Our motto is De Oppresso Libertas, to Free the Oppressed, but there is evil everywhere. We stop it where we can, but the United States can't afford to police the world, and wouldn't be welcomed to in any case. There are bad people in the world. Someone has to stop them.

I know that I can die, and I am very frightened of that. I want to live and tell my grandchildren stories. But I believe that I do a job that someone has to. Many millions have already done their part, and someone else has to step up to the plate. A good friend of mine was on an ODA in Iraq. He told me to always wear my body armor, because everyone catches a bullet at sometime or another. I'm losing track of what I was talking about here, I suppose, but there was just one more thing I wanted to say. I believe that the rights we are given in our country were earned by blood. And I believe it is only by blood that these rights will be given to other people. And I don't believe someone who disparages that blood is worth a damn.

"By default I thank anyone for their service in the military. Some of what I hear anymore makes me wonder about that" - gulliver

That's my monologue. And oh, for the record, Atlas Shrugged was ridiculously long winded. The Fountainhead was considerably better, though I found both of them very disturbing.

SPC Michael J. Campbell

Hey man, I'm not crazy about this administration, but I support you guys 100%.

always a plug against "the administration".....

Every chance I get.

Dink Dink states....
I believe that the rights we are given in our country were earned by blood. And I believe it is only by blood that these rights will be given to other people. And I don't believe someone who disparages that blood is worth a damn.

I could'nt agree more, I told you before and I'll say it again, keep your head down,
your canteen full, did'nt drop it, don't pick it up, and listen to your bro's that have been there, it worked for me and it will work for you.
Corp. T. Brooks
U.S. Army 89-94
Cold War, Desert Storm

Some of the blood came from activists in the streets here as well as from soldiers in other lands. If it weren't for activists we'd still have no minimum wage (though it's a bit of a joke at the moment), women wouldn't be able to vote or buy birth control, and minorities wouldn't be able to use the same restrooms or stay in hotels with whites or vote. Who knows how long it would've taken us to get out of Viet Nam if it weren't for protestors, some of whom were shot by soldiers. Nothing is black and white.

so you have to ask yourself, if I was a Gangster of Love- would I be accused of a stick up or a hold-up?

The voice of reason says.....
Nothing is black and white.

Here! Here! I was not leaving anyone out on purpose, just agreeing with my fellow soldier on his base statement, those other people deserve kudos as well.
I tend to be biased towards soldiers, but can/do embrace other types of soldiers
(protestors/grass roots activists) these people are warriors in they're own way
reguardless if you don't like what they're saying........

I'm really tired of the mass labelling of "hero" for a group of people. There are an awful lot of firemen that start fires, cops that extort money, EMS people that steal drugs, and soldiers that would shoot their fellow Americans. Most of the aforementioned occupations (except cops) are generally good, honest folks. But to just say "all soldiers are heros" is false. It's similar to the way the Nazis made themselves the most honorable of people in Germany. It wasn't true but they said it a lot and punished you if you disagreed. And yes, I'm calling the current mindset of around half of this country "fascist."