Nit.

Post #125,367 by mmoffitt 11/12/03 2:27:57 PM Reply	Nit. Being unwilling to go to Iraq != being a coward. And, I'm sorry, but none of them died for me. They died for Halliburton. bcnu, Mikem Java, Junk. Both start with a "J", both have four letters. Coincidence? I think not.
Post #125,371 by jbrabeck 11/12/03 2:36:22 PM Reply	Nit Nit.. The troops didn't die for Halliburton, they died in defense of this country. They never enlisted in the Halliburton expansion force, they enlisted to defend the US. The current regime has abused its position, power and resources by involving the US in an illegal, unethical and/or immoral war. While I don't support the regime, I do support the soldiers fighting and dying around the world. That's sergeant to you, not sir. I work for a living.
Post #125,374 by mmoffitt 11/12/03 2:44:13 PM Reply	Nit.Nit.Nit. > The troops didn't die for Halliburton, they died in defense of this country. Clearly that must have been what was in their minds. But I'm talking about the reality of the situation. And the reality of the situation (as opposed to what the troops believed to be the reality) is that they died for Halliburton. Iraq never was a threat, let alone an imminent threat to the United States. The troops dying is indeed tragic - no sane person would argue that point, but to make the claim that "they died in defense of this country" is a far greater stretch than I'd be willing to make. Compromise I can live with: "they died believing that they were defending their country." bcnu, Mikem Java, Junk. Both start with a "J", both have four letters. Coincidence? I think not.
Post #125,375 by jbrabeck 11/12/03 2:56:12 PM Reply	I accept the compromise... The "slippery slope" that I'm trying to avoid is the shift from "they died for..." to the "you served for ...". Vietnam deja vu. Troops were vilified for having served in Vietnam. Don't want to see that happen again. Resist the regime. Vote it out or impeach it now, but support the poor soldiers who are paying the price. "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
Post #125,379 by deSitter 11/12/03 3:25:57 PM Reply	Re: I accept the compromise... I've heard some of the officer corps mouth the same jingoism we hear from the Administration and its proxies. That does not please me at all. I'm with you on the fighting Joe - but in general, the Pentagon has been as much to blame for this mess as the CAIC (chief AWOLer in charge) and his chickenhawks. Therefore, some of the blame rightly falls on the military itself, for allowing itself to be abused. -drl
Post #125,520 by jbrabeck 11/13/03 2:24:08 PM Reply	Agree Company grade (Lt and Cpt) officers and below are the "grunts". Once an officer hits field grade (Maj, LTC, Col) he must start to learn "politics". Once they get that star (Generals) it's a political game. "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
Post #125,521 by deSitter 11/13/03 2:43:07 PM Reply	Re: Agree I had a good drinking buddy in Atlanta who was a retired Army lt. col. active in Vietnam. Man, he had stories...He was on the last level where is was remotely possible to take of of troops in the field (battalion level). -drl

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