Don't be a fool and die for your country. Let the other sonofabitch die for his.
-- General George S. Patton
April 12, 2004
Pro Troops, not Pro War (Bullshit!)
A few days ago I read an essay on Mamamontezz's blog city site that rekindled a flame of distaste. As you will all learn, I am an Airman. A SSgt by rank a Combat Arms Instructor by profession and always an Airman at heart. I am very proud of my service and all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and my fellow Airman that I call brother or sister.
Now, the question I pose is how can a person claim to be against the war, but support the troops? How can you support a person when you denounce all that they stand for.
Everyday you see or hear of another protest of our involvement in the war on terrorism and the liberation of Iraq. While their frequency is dictated by the eb and flow of casualties in the middle east (because most Americans are wishey-washey) the rhetoric has become the same. The anti-war protests have become a trend that started shortly after the average american lost interest in our actions in Afghanistan. While the initial patriotism post 9/11 was astounding it fleeted. Many Americans seem to have forgotten the countless lives that were lost to a senseless act of terrorism on that September day.
Many Americans (and others abroud) frequently protest the war. What these protestors fail to realize is that they lack all credibility in their efforts. How can you protest the actions of war, but try and save face by claiming to support the troops? Don't run your mouth if you can't stand by your own convictions. These protests do far more bad than good. A public tear is not going to change the fact that we handed Saddam his ass in only three weeks. A public tear will not bring back the 300 plus Americans who have died in Iraq so that those people can have a better life and so that we have less to worry about in the realm of State Supported Terrorism. A wasted tear and a protest sign won't bring back the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. Nor will it bring back the thousands of Americans who thought they were just going to work like any other day.
It is very difficult for many who do not have family in the service, or whom have never served themselves to understand just how important it is to the troops to know that they are supported. Morale can win or lose wars just as quickly as superior technology or numbers. Most war fighters are just like anyone else. They need the pat on the back when they have done good. They need to know that the very people they protect support and appreciate them. The difference between the warfighters and the protestors is not opportinity or wealth. The difference is that some have chosen a life of service. All branches of service are filled with people from all walks of life. In fact todays Air Force is better educated than most civilians ever will be. We have decided to set aside fame or fortune to defend the Constitution of the United States and the freedoms that allow arrogant spoiled youth to protest the actions of our troops as set forth by our federal government and commander in chief.
To the protestors I say, stop the protests, stop cowering behind your signs and stop whining about something that you can't influence. The only ones who will ever affect the outcome of any war are those who brave the combat and those who support their efforts. I invite all opinions, beliefs and interests on the subject, but be forwarned if you are that protestor and we meet in public you will see that I am the better man.
Posted by SlagleRock at April 12, 2004 08:01 PMWell said and a good start up for your weblog. I have to disagree with your closing remarks.."The only ones who will ever affect the outcome of any war..etc". I feel it is pretty much a proven fact that the protestors and those "cowering" behind their signs had a definite affect on the out come of Vietnam. That fact has been pretty well documented. Other than that, you are IMHO right on.
Thanks for a good read and keep hammering the keyboard. Looking forward to seeing this site grow.
Wyostk
Posted by: Paul aka Wyostk at April 14, 2004 05:34 AMThanks, Paul. While protests can sway the opinions of political leadership which directly effects the outcome of war they will not sway my opinion or deter my resolve to do what is right
Posted by: SlagleRock at April 14, 2004 03:04 PMCATM!!!!! I was a combat arms instructor at the YCAS school (M-60 course) at Nellis AFB, Nevada in the mid-'80s!!! Red Hats 4-Ever!!!!!
:D
Ooops! YCAS = TCAS...
Posted by: Tuning Spork at April 14, 2004 06:15 PMI agree and like your blog.
Too many have never been in the position of being deployed to a combat zone and don't have a clue what happens to morale when all you hear is negative from those supposedly supporting you.
To come home, be heckled, spit on, be denied employment and accused of murder is no way to treat any serviceman, support my ass, they are not my countrymen, they weren't then and are not now.
These servicemen and women have been and are still putting their lives on the line to protect the freedoms and values that the ignorant and oblivious take for granted. They still need our support and they have mine.
I don't support the UN taking over anything, they've bled us for over 50 years and subverted our efforts. Now that we are pulling troops out of Korea maybe those commies rioting in the streets against the U.S. can protect themselves, another UN "peace" that we've enforced for 50 years, let them bleed for their own fatherland.
Thank you for providing the skills and training to ensure our service personnel can survive the rigors of battle. God bless you.
Here are some sites about, Korea, the UN and Komrad Kerry.
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/breaking_3.html Troop pullout korea
http://www.mikenew.com/koreatreason.html UN Treachery
http://ydr.com/story/letters/21698/ Kerry & the UN
Posted by: Jack at April 15, 2004 08:09 PMWell said, well spoken SlagleRock. It is all too often that people who have never served speak out against freedoms that we defend so they can speak openly. Ask someone who has lived in a country who was oppressed for their lives and comes to this country what it is like to live a free life and they will tell you that this is the greatest country in the world. There are too many people who take the rights that they are given by birth here for granted. God bless this country and all who serve!
Posted by: Da Maz at April 15, 2004 11:26 PMWell said, well spoken SlagleRock. It is all too often that people who have never served speak out against freedoms that we defend so they can speak openly. Ask someone who has lived in a country who was oppressed for their lives and comes to this country what it is like to live a free life and they will tell you that this is the greatest country in the world. There are too many people who take the rights that they are give by birth here for granted. God bless this country and all who serve!
Posted by: Da Maz at April 15, 2004 11:26 PMWell said, well spoken SlagleRock. It is all too often that people who have never served speak out against freedoms that we defend so they can speak openly. Ask someone who has lived in a country who was oppressed for their lives and comes to this country what it is like to live a free life and they will tell you that this is the greatest country in the world. There are too many people who take the rights that they are give by birth here for granted. God bless this country and all who serve!
Posted by: Da Maz at April 15, 2004 11:27 PMVery nice comments you guys have here, congratulations and thanks to allowing my post...
Posted by: Phendimetrazine at April 15, 2005 01:49 PMTo the protestors I say, stop the protests, stop cowering behind your signs and stop whining about something that you can't influence.
----
Yah, great. If no one can influence the decisions of goverment then why the hell do we even bother? We're just wasting our time. It's not as if the Constitution says that people have the right to peacefully lobby and protest.
*If people can no longer influence their leaders as you say, then it's not a democracy anymore*
happy trails dipshit
God Bless America
Fighting for peace is like screwing to get your virginity back. Man land with all its supporters male and shemale is going up in flames, in case you didnt notice. How will you get your warm fuzzies when there is no one left to kill. Commit suicide perhaps?
Posted by: gabriel at August 12, 2005 06:01 PMOK, I'll start with Dan. First of all, you'll notice I didn't say Dan the Dick Head, or Dan the Dumb Ass. I simply said I'd start with Dan's comments. Second, you'll notice I won't call "Dan" any name other than the one he was given at birth (or chose to use on this site). Yah, great. If no one can influence the decisions of goverment then why the hell do we even bother? We're just wasting our time. It's not as if the Constitution says that people have the right to peacefully lobby and protest.
*If people can no longer influence their leaders as you say, then it's not a democracy anymore*
happy trails dipshit
God Bless America
People can influence their government and its leaders, but the leaders are who they should share their beliefs with. Don’t protest the troops for doing their jobs. Don’t picket outside of military bases. These bases are the homes of America’s heroes. No one pickets in front of your house when you do something they disagree with. I have had friends jumped and beaten by "peaceful protestor" at public businesses. In every incident where an American service member has been accosted their have been numerous "peaceful protestor". So peaceful they can’t fight their own battles, they need slobbering ignorant mobs.
Don't call names Dan and read the post, if you don't understand the intent, just ask. As the expression goes look before you leap. The intent was merely that you shouldn’t condemn all that a people stand for in one breath and in the next imply that you support them.
Now for Gabriel, first, let’s start with your bumper sticker logic. "Fighting for peace is like screwing to get your virginity back." If you are going to quote something quote it correctly. It's "Fighting for peace is like f*cking for virginity". Second, if you want to share your opinion please come better prepared than stealing the cliff's notes off of your Yugo’s bumper. Finally, I don't get my "warm fuzzies" killing people. I get my "warm fuzzies" knowing that I and people like me secure this great nation, we are here to answer the call, while the extreme left makes poster board signs, holds hands and sings protest songs. I don't agree with everything our government does, and I don't agree with our involvement in many of the foreign lands we are in. However, as a patriot I support my government and the people who preserve our freedom. I may not always agree, but I’ll always answer the call!
SlagleRock Out!