The Army's hard sell

I agree.

 

I'd just like to know for the record how many on this thread have spent time in a war zone and have been shot at?

 

Probably zip, Hardsheller. Unless you count video games or paint ball.

Doncha know, the BB is full of arm chair generals. Me included.

 

"In a war zone--and shot at"--a curious survey.

For the record:

Many have been in a "war zone" but not necessarily "shot at". One can be in "harms way" getting ready for battle--which many of us have done--yet never "shot at" by an enemy.

I am a retired platoon sergeant after 22 years of military service--11 during the Vietnam Era. I have never been in a "fire fight" nor an "ambush". I went where ever the orders said--the retirement paper says "faithful service". I will still "defend Her(the Constitution) until the end"--I was programmed that way.

Of course, God is first--there is no retirement in the Lord's Army; family is second.
Priorities can be an ordeal.

God's grace is sufficient.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

US hegemony http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2002/477/477p11.htm

The entrenchment of the US presence comes despite the clear military victory Washington has won in Afghanistan: the Taliban regime has long collapsed and its forces have been thoroughly routed; Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda fighters have either been killed, captured or have fled to Pakistan; and a pro-Western government has been installed in Kabul. Surely, US forces should be heading home?

That would be the case if Washington's only goal was to end the Taliban's harbouring of al Qaeda fighters bent on destabilising US puppets in the Middle East and Gulf states and launching terrorist attacks against the US. But that was never the main reason for its one-sided attack on Afghanistan, merely the convenient justification.

Some on the left will point to a permanent US presence in Central Asia as evidence that Washington wants to control the Caspian oil fields so that US big business can exploit them. While that undoubtedly is an important factor in US policy-makers’ thinking, it is not the decisive one.

Since the end of World War II, the US ruling class has pursued as its overarching strategic goal the maintenance of its overwhelming military, economic and political dominance over any rivals and the prevention of the emergence of other great powers that could challenge that position.

Hab. 2:5,8-9
5. ....(America) is arrogant and never at rest, Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. NIV

8. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

9. Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin.

 

Kids aren't stupid. As the facts on WMD and "adjusting" intelligence reports come out, they are understandably reluctant to die for Bush's political reputation.

But we can't let go now. We should never have blundered into this war, but now that we are in it, we have to see it through.

If we leave now, it's another Vietnam.

If we stay, and do what's necesary, we can still win it.

But Bush (like Johnson) greatly understated the cost, and now people are turning against him.

I deplore Bush's lack of integrity and recklessness. I mourn for the thousands of wasted American lives. But for the sake of our country, we have to finish this now.

 

I wonder why you wonder that? Are you trying to imply that those taxpayers who have never been to war should not have an opinion about war? Why that is a stupid assertion filled with empty liberal anti-war rhetoric.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Is that why almost all branches of the military are currently meeting and exceeding their recruiting goals?

But we can't let go now. We should never have blundered into this war, but now that we are in it, we have to see it through. [/QUOTE]

That is the most reasonable argument I have heard from the anti-war left in a long time. If only the DEMS would embrace that message instead of the messages of hate that are given by Durbin, Kennedy, et al, they would not be in the mess politically that they are in right now. Truthfully, I hope they continue to ignore the more moderate message that you just stated and continue with the Dean screech.

If we leave now, it's another Vietnam.

If we stay, and do what's necesary, we can still win it.[/QUOTE]

I don't think I have ever agreed with you more. I would only ammend that by saying, we are winning and will win. There is no doubt about it. The only way we could possibly lose is if we follow the lead of the loser party of Durbin, Kennedy, and Dean and run like cowards.

But Bush (like Johnson) greatly understated the cost, and now people are turning against him.[/QUOTE]

We have lost less American lives than any other war I remember in history that has lasted this long. If he underestimated anything, it was the duplicity of the UN and certain European Nations in the oil for food scandal while wasting his time trying to get them on board before the war, and the lengths the liberals in this nation would go to in order to try and turn this war into another Vietnam for political gain (shameful).

I deplore Bush's lack of integrity and recklessness. I mourn for the thousands of wasted American lives. But for the sake of our country, we have to finish this now. [/QUOTE]

I applaud President Bush's integrity in sticking with the just cause even in the face of adversity and liberal pressure to turn this into the next Vietnam for political gain. The only way these American lives will have been wasted is if we give the Anti-war liberals and the terrorists what they want and leave. They gave their lives for the mission, and if we complete the mission, their deaths do have meaning and are not wasted. I will never spit on their memories by saying their sacrifice was wasted for nothing.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I wonder why you wonder that? Are you trying to imply that those taxpayers who have never been to war should not have an opinion about war? Why that is a stupid assertion filled with empty liberal anti-war rhetoric.

Joseph Botwinick </font>[/QUOTE]I wonder that because I think the perception of the war is much different from those who are there than from those who aren't.

Every American has a right to his or her opinion.

The opinions that should weigh the most are the ones from the war zone where men and women are putting their lives on the line every day.

 

And I'll go ahead and say it.

I don't think any American aged 18-30 should think himself or herself too good to serve this country in uniform.

Furthermore the ones in that age bracket on this list should volunteer.

It's July 4 weekend, the Birthday of our Nation's Independence. Give your Country a gift and Enlist in the U.S. Military this week to show your gratitude for being able to live in a free country where your liberty has been bought with the blood of your countrymen.

 

Agreed. But a lot of times, their opinions must be kept to themselves until they get back home and are discharged from the military.

 

Amen! Put your money where your mouth is. And that goes for the President's two daughters, too.

 

The ones who want to are volunteering.

I am amazed that those who think the Bush administration is taking away our rights want to tell other people what they should do with their own lives.

 

I see. So now you want to tell other adults what they should do with their own lives. Some friend of individual liberty you are.

 

Gee. Last year, it was the anti-war nuts accussing the Pro-war Republicans of wanting a draft. Now, they are trying to tell others what they should do. You sound as if you would be happier if there were a draft. I guess that would just give you and the rest of your anti-war buddies something to gripe and complain about.

I am exactly the opposite. I think that patriots who want to volunteer to fight for their country and sacrifice their lives for freedom and democracy ought to sign up. And the elitist anti-war liberals who don't give one rip about the military unless they are exploiting them for political gain should not look down their noses on those who choose another route in life. The men and women who want to be there have signed up and in many cases reenlisted after recovering from injuries. Those are the people I want to be there. If my nation decides they need me there and draft me, I will not run like a coward like so many in the anti-war movement did in Vietnam by going to Canada. I will go and do my duty. But, don't you dare look down your collective noses at me because of the road I chose to take in life. Who gave you the right to be so judgemental about my life. Sounds a bit like the pharisees of Jesus' day to me.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I'm an anti-war nut?

I don't think so. Joseph you haven't been reading the posts very carefully.

I'm saying support the War on Terror. Support the Troops. And Prove your support by Enlisting.

I would be in Iraq today if I were not too old to serve AGAIN!

Don't want to join the Military? Fine. Apply for a job with the Border Patrol.

 

The ones who want to are volunteering.

I am amazed that those who think the Bush administration is taking away our rights want to tell other people what they should do with their own lives. </font>[/QUOTE]Ken,

You have never known me to accuse the Bush administration of taking away our rights. I have gone on record as being in favor of the Patriot Act and every other action the President has taken in this War on Terrorism.

I am a Bush Supporter.
I am a Troop Supporter.

I am calling for all true Patriots between the ages of 18-35 to enlist in the military.

Prove your Patriotism by Enlisting. It's pretty simple to do, call your recruiter this week.

 

I don't have to do any of these things to show my support. And, I have a job already, thank you. I am a teacher.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Some individuals like me have medical conditions that disqualify them. Before I knew my condition disqualified me, I wanted to go into the military. Of course, then God called me into ministry, but that's another story.