Soldier Support

[britbird 4]

Actually, he absolutely DOES have to deploy. It's part of his job. If he doesn't then he gets fired and has to pay for the training they have given him. He may not face a court martial, but the consequences are pretty much the same.

The way the military treats spouses and military families leaves a lot to be desired. No wonder so many people are leaving to work for contractors.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

What if Germany and Japan weren't stopped in WW2? Would we be enjoying freedom of speech under their rule?

All wars are not neccesarily good or bad. But they are neccesary.

We don't know that we wouldn't, do we? it's all speculation. But I will agree that that one was necessary

but tell me what was so necessary about invading and occupying Iraq?

Umm OK. Go ask the 6 million Jews (plus millions of others) how they are enjoying their freedoms. Oh.. nevermind.

speculation LOL

edit. I never meantioned Iraq.

I thought we were talking about OUR freedom of speech?

You said all wars are necessary. Does the Iraq war not count as a war now?

Read my post again I said "but they are neccesary" not "they are all neccesary". War is a neccesary tool. Only history (and the victor) will truly determine if it was truly necessary.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm not sure I'm completely with you on that last point, Reinhard. Do you really think the rights we tend to assume are part and parcel of democracy, like freedom of speech, would have been gained without some unfortunate violent revolution?

I don't think a revolution is the same as a war.

[pax 0]

That's a rather convenient distinction, isn't it? After all, aren't we supposed to believe we're part of a revolution in Iraq?

[pedroh 21]

a revolution that maybe they didnt want.. i think counts as one lol

[faith 0]

a revolution that maybe they didnt want.. i think counts as one lol

A revolution that some of them wanted.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's a rather convenient distinction, isn't it?

Not really. A revolution is a people rising against their government. A war is one people attacking another.

After all, aren't we supposed to believe we're part of a revolution in Iraq?

Not sure what we're supposed to believe. But we're no part of no revolution in Iraq. It's our people attacking theirs. That's a war. Edited March 30, 2006 by ET-US2004

[pax 0]

Ah, okay, I see the distinction now. Point taken.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

On the subject of the nazis, I think its important to point out that only the SS were actually members of the nazi party. The regular german army were not nazis, but the fact that any german soldier serving in WW2 is (often mistakenly) characterised as a nazi validates what I was saying.

As I said, regardless of how honourable you are - by serving as a member of the armed forces (like it or not) you are characterised by the broader context of the conflict in which you are serving.

Many civilians were nazi party members too. Most government workers had to join the party.

True. Historically speaking the nazi label is thrown around quite liberally, often including people who weren't members of the nazi party but were considered so merely by association.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think a lot of Vietnam vets had a choice about serving

You're right. But there were a lot of people who (for various reasons) dodged the draft and ended up getting fined or sent to jail. Whatever their reasoning the choice was made not to go.

The soldiers who went became (whatever their personal motivations) the physical extension of a deeply controversial and unpopular government policy.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

And a lot of men who avoided combat had connections to get them in the national guard or to avoid the draft through legal means because daddy knew people -- are their "personal motivations" superior to those who don't have access to these connections. A lot of the people who were drafted didn't have a lot of options in life. Going to jail or being fined sounds pretty easy when it's not a choice you have to make yourself.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

And a lot of men who avoided combat had connections to get them in the national guard or to avoid the draft through legal means because daddy knew people -- are their "personal motivations" superior to those who don't have access to these connections. A lot of the people who were drafted didn't have a lot of options in life. Going to jail or being fined sounds pretty easy when it's not a choice you have to make yourself.

True, but its a better option than getting dead.