Thank a Vet?

[JBeee]

[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]by [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Laurence M. Vance[/FONT][FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]​

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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]We’ve all seen the bumper stickers: "My son is in the Air Force," "If You Can Read This in English, Thank a Marine," "Proud Vietnam Veteran," "Fly Navy," and of course, "Thank a Vet."[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Why should we?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Why should we call them heroes, give them military discounts, grant them veterans preference, express our support for them with ribbons on our cars, honor them with a holiday, hold military appreciation church services for them, and thank them for their "service"?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to commemorate the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. It had nothing to do with honoring current and former members of the military like Veterans Day is celebrated today. And if the sole purpose of Armistice Day was to honor World War I veterans, it should never have been celebrated since no American soldier did anything honorable by intervening in a European foreign war. And it doesn’t matter if he was drafted or not.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Britain’s last World War I combat veteran, Harry Patch, died last year at the age of 111. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]He boasted that he hadn’t killed anyone in combat. "War isn’t worth one life," Patch said, it is "calculated and condoned slaughter of human beings." In his autobiography The Last Fighting Tommy, Patch wrote that "politicians who took us to war should have been given the guns and told to settle their differences themselves, instead of organising nothing better than legalised mass murder." In the last years of his life, Patch warned some young naval recruits that they shouldn’t join.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Frank Buckles, age 109, is the only American veteran of World War I still living. When asked while being honored for his service at a 2007 Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery what he thought about being there while the United States was at war, he replied: "I’m no authority, but I’m not in favor of war unless it’s an emergency." I think that Buckles is more of an authority on the horrors of war and the folly and wickedness of war than the current members of the Joint Chiefs.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]It is only because World War I did not turn out to be the "war to end all wars" that the holiday was changed to Veterans Day as a tribute to all soldiers who fought for their country.[/FONT]

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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Although I believe World War II to be neither necessary nor good, I come not on this Veterans Day to criticize the "greatest generation," who, it turns out, were also great at pillaging and carousing. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]For reasons I explained in "U.S. Presidents and Those Who Kill for Them," World War II marks the permanent establishment of the American military as the president’s personal attack force to kill by his decree Koreans, Vietnamese, Laotians, Cambodians, Grenadians, Panamanians, Yugoslavs, Serbians, Afghans, Iraqis, Somalis, Yemenis, and Pakistanis. Next on the list is Iranians. Sometimes these presidential decrees are rubberstamped by a congressional authorization to use force, but they are always preceded by presidential lies and warmonger propaganda.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]So why should a Vietnam veteran be proud? He was typically young, ignorant, deceived, and drafted. He may have fought obediently, valiantly, selflessly, and fearlessly, but since he had no business fighting in Vietnam in the first place, I have nothing to thank him for. And I certainly can’t thank him for preventing the Viet Cong from turning America into a socialist republic. Besides, LBJ beat Ho Chi Minh to that anyway. Many Vietnam veterans have written me and expressed shame, remorse, anger, and resentment – not pride – for having been duped into going thousands of miles away from American soil to intervene in another country’s civil war. In fact, I have found that it is those who are not Vietnam veterans who are the most vociferous defenders of the war in Vietnam.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The most undeserved and oftentimes disgusting outpouring of thankfulness I have ever seen is over those who have fought or are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The praise and adoration of those fighting in "the front lines in the war on terror" reaches its apex on Veterans Day, which has become a day to defend U.S. wars and recognize all things military. These soldiers certainly have done nothing worthy of thanks. Sure, they have rebuilt infrastructure – after bombing it to smithereens. They no doubt removed a brutal dictator – and unleashed American brutality in the process. And yes, they have rescued orphan children – after blowing their parents and brothers and sisters to kingdom come.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]What is there to thank our soldiers for? They are not defending our freedoms. They are not keeping us safe from our enemies. They are not protecting us from terrorists. They are not guaranteeing our First Amendment rights. They are not defending U.S. borders. They are not guarding U.S. shores. They are not patrolling U.S. coasts. They are not enforcing no-fly zones over U.S. skies. They are not fighting "over there" so we don’t have to fight "over here." They are not avenging 9/11. They are not safeguarding the American way of life. Oh, and they are not ensuring that I have the liberty to write what I do about the military.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]What, then, should we thank our soldiers for? Should we thank them for fighting an unconstitutional war, an unscriptural war, an immoral war, an offensive war, an unjust war, or a senseless war? Should we thank our veterans for helping to carry out an aggressive, reckless, belligerent, and interventionist foreign policy? Should we thank the military for sucking $1 trillion out of the federal budget?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]But, some will say, these soldiers are just doing their jobs. They can’t help it if the U.S. military sends them to fight in an unjust war in Iraq or Afghanistan. They are just following orders. They didn’t enlist in the military to kill people.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]What would any sane man think about a doctor who takes a job at a hospital knowing that the hospital instructs its doctors to euthanize old and sickly patients – and then says he was just doing his job, following orders, and didn’t take the job to kill people? [/FONT]

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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Why are soldiers treated so differently? Why do they get a pass on committing or supporting those who commit murder and mayhem?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]But, someone else says, the military has lowered its recruiting standards and is scraping the bottom of the barrel. Many soldiers are ignorant about the true nature of the military and U.S. foreign policy. Why should we fault them for their ignorance? Why should they be criticized for unjustly killing Iraqis or Afghans or Pakistanis? They are just following orders.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Let’s go back to the doctor I mentioned. Suppose that after he takes a job in ignorance at what he thinks is a reputable hospital he is instructed to euthanize old and sickly patients? What should he do? I don’t know of anyone who would say anything else but that he should quit his job or at least refuse to euthanize anyone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Again, why are soldiers treated so differently? Why do they get a pass on committing or supporting those who commit murder and mayhem?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]But, comes another reply, soldiers have a term of enlistment. They can’t just quit their jobs. Doctors can walk away from their jobs at any time. Then I guess it all comes down to morality: Be a mercenary and kill for the state or refuse to do so and suffer the consequences of dishonorable discharge and/or imprisonment.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]It is high time that Americans stop holding veterans and current members of the military in such high esteem. It is scientists, engineers, inventors, businessmen, industrialists, software developers, and entrepreneurs that made America great – not veterans of foreign wars. It is doctors, iron workers, taxi drivers, bricklayers, writers, electricians, and cooks that positively contribute to society – not soldiers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]I would like to be able to thank a vet – on Veterans Day and every other day of the year – but I’m still searching for a reason.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]November 11, 2010[/FONT]​

 

[YukonJack]

Another hateful thread from the usual suspect.

 

[Unforgiven]

There is good cause to fight only the good fight. I think that holds up under the strictest scrutiny. But those who will not fight at all no matter the call to war are bitter slaves waiting to serve the new brutal master just on the other side of those who take a stand.

 

[lone wolf]

I'd like to think up some reason for this thread. Perhaps it can be the Last one?

 

[YukonJack]

There is good cause to fight only the good fight. I think that holds up under the strictest scrutiny. But those who will not fight at all no matter the call to war are bitter slaves waiting to serve the new brutal master just on the other side of those who take a stand.

Unforgiven, I could not agree with you more. Right in line with the words of Benjamin Franklin.

 

[JBeee]

We live in a two-faced joke of a society run by the media and the almighty dollar.

Its a shame our fore-fathers had to fight and die for the sick culture we call `democracy` today.

Still we cheer on our latest dupes doing America`s dirty work and mourn, for just a moment, the returned body bags then back to our usual, sick war-mongering ways.

Hypocrites, the lot of us.

 

[DaSleeper]

 

[Kreskin]

Lawrence Vance doesn't need to remember anyone. I hope someone remembers to kick Vance in the nuts at the next opportunity. That'll give him something to remember.

 

[DaSleeper]

Dedicated to JBeee


YouTube - Merle Haggard -- The Fightin' Side Of Me

 

[Kreskin]

Dedicated to JBeee


YouTube - Merle Haggard -- The Fightin' Side Of Me

Is Jbee one of the "squirrelly guys"?

 

[YukonJack]

We live in a two-faced joke of a society run by the media and the almighty dollar.

Its a shame our fore-fathers had to fight and die for the sick culture we call `democracy` today.

Still we cheer on our latest dupes doing America`s dirty work and mourn, for just a moment, the returned body bags then back to our usual, sick war-mongering ways.

Hypocrites, the lot of us.

It is shame your fore-fathers produced you.

So, go ahead and report me for offensive post. Since your post and you offend more decent people in one day than I could in a year, I would be happy to have time out just to prove you wrong.

 

[DaSleeper]

Is Jbee one of the "squirrelly guys"?

Dunno.........:smile:

Maybe he looks like this;-)

 

[petros]

Yukon Jack, He's right no matter how much reality offends you.

 

[talloola]

I thank all of those who fought, and those who perished in the wars.

It is sad to look back and remember, and on this day, it is also sad to realize there is truth to the first post.

It doesn't take away from the gratefullness I feel for the vets, but I think it is a good thing,
because more and more of us are waking up to the reality of war, and realize what a horrible thing it really is.

And, yes, the politicians are responsible, and the truth is that all of those wars should never have happened at all.

Again, it's the 'sickness' at the helm of government, and it's a shame that so 'few' can have
power over so 'many', because most of us would never start a war, ever.

I just hope, as we all look back and realize the horribleness of war, and see the actual pictures
of the dead and suffering 'on' the battlefield, we will stand up and insist, in a stronger way,
that our leaders 'do not' easily give in to the participation.

The example of hitlers actions, give leaders no other decision 'than' to defend themselves, but
hopefully the hitlers of the past are becoming fewer, and better people lead.

 

[ironsides]

Democratic goverment knows best policies are the reason that right wingers like this got into office. As I have mentioned many times before Goverment works for me.


"* In August 2007, when discussing illegal immigrants, she said on her show, "If you commit a crime while you're here, we should hang you and send your body back to where you came from, and your family should pay for it."
* She became infuriated at illegal immigration after she called Comcast (cable network) and the recording said, "Press 2 for Spanish."
* She said at a rally, with West standing by, "Calling illegal immigrants 'undocumented workers' is like calling a drug dealer a pharmacist without a license." She was furious that children of illegal immigrants were educated in public schools and received health care at emergency rooms. "There are people who want to change your way of life, and some of them may be your gardeners," she said."

"Joyce Kaufman" newly Chief of Staff to Tea Party winning candidate.

 

[JBeee]

Report you? Now that would be a `squirrelly` thing to do.

Just the thought you carry that your words offend me or my post has `offended` you or anyone else sort of reinforces my view of what flakey wimps now occupy our gov., the fawning, politically correct media and our `speak no evil-hear no evil-see no evil` general population.

Rather than speak out and call a spade a spade when our cowardly ass-kissing leaders follow in lock-step with our terrorist neighbour to the south, we coil up in fear of `offending` meanwhile cry crocodile tears as our dupes are carted home with missing limbs and worse. Just this week I caught a few (2 minute) news clips of our injured military dupes and the lack of funds to keep those returning from living on the streets.

Yea...a proud Canadian I`m not.

It is shame your fore-fathers produced you.

So, go ahead and report me for offensive post. Since your post and you offend more decent people in one day than I could in a year, I would be happy to have time out just to prove you wrong.

 

[Colpy]

Report you? Now that would be a `squirrelly` thing to do.

Just the thought you carry that your words offend me or my post has `offended` you or anyone else sort of reinforces my view of what flakey wimps now occupy our gov., the fawning, politically correct media and our `speak no evil-hear no evil-see no evil` general population.

Rather than speak out and call a spade a spade when our cowardly ass-kissing leaders follow in lock-step with our terrorist neighbour to the south, we coil up in fear of `offending` meanwhile cry crocodile tears as our dupes are carted home with missing limbs and worse. Just this week I caught a few (2 minute) news clips of our injured military dupes and the lack of funds to keep those returning from living on the streets.

Yea...a proud Canadian I`m not.

Oh, so you want to call "a spade a spade" huh???

Okay, here it is for you, you trolling piece of dog excrement.

You thank Veterans for their service to the nation, to the collectivity, to YOU, arsehole.

This ****ing idiot Vance engages in verbal diarrea about things far too complicated for his minor excuse of an intellect to possibly comprehend: for instance........the Second World War was undertaken to stop a fascist evil that not only attacked our friends and allies, but was set on world domination, and the enslavement and eventual eradication of all but the "pure white" races. This moron, who has probably never been in so much as a school-yard shoving match (he would have peed his panties), owes the fact he can mouth off like the drooling idiot he is because Veterans went through absolute Hell to prevent the world slipping into fascism.

The Cold War kept us from slipping into the other, even worse great evil of the twentieth century........Communism.....which murdered 100 million people. The line needed to be drawn, and it was drawn in Korea. If you lovelies think Korea was not worth it, I ask you to take a short comparative look at the starvation slave looney state of North Korea.....and compare it to the democratic rich state of South Korea. Not that I think the comparison will matter, as you are obviously to ****ing stupid to see the nose in front of your face.

Vietnam was a massive miscalculation, a disaster.....but those soldiers that fought there did so in service to their nation, the tragedy was hardly of their doing, and you OWE them.......for service, for going through Hell, for bearing much of the hatred, the scorn of the people for acts that were the responsiblity of the politicians that YOU elected.

As for the current clash of civilizations, we were attacked, dumbass.......and we have not been successfully attacked in North America since we kicked ass in Afghanistan.........enough said. I would try to explain a little more of the geo-political reasons for our sacreifices in that nation, but it's kinda like trying to teach nuclear physics to an intestinal worm....

My apologies to intestinal worms everywhere.....

Troll

.

 

[Avro]

Firstly I'd like to say Jbee is a douche on many levels and I think we can all agree on that point with the exception of a few other conspiracy loons like petros.

WW1 was a war that was created by people who wanted a war. One goof wearing a tight jacket killed by a terrorist group caused the domino effect of men eager to fight.

WW2 was a direct result of how the Germans surrendered and a long depression which saw the ascension of a madman.

Cold war era was based on misplaced fear and a need to feed the industrial military complex which has also caused much of the economic woes you see in the US today.

Vietnam and Korea were both events based on this misguided fear.

Iraq....fear and really bad intelligence led to this unnecessary conflict that broke international law and made the US administration war criminals.

Afghanistan was a knee jerk reaction to a horrible event. I went along with it because I was pissed, but soon realized I was mistaken like many other Canadians. Saying that we haven't been attacked since is like saying the grass in your yard keeps lions away....it's a specious argument.

Having said all that, I fully support all of our men and women in all conflicts that we have taken part in.

 

[petros]

set on world domination, and the enslavement and eventual eradication of all but the "pure white" races.

As usual you're way the **** off track.

To me it seems we forgot some people to thank.

All the women involved from nurses, doctors, admin, air ferrying, and millions of USI volunteers.

 

[JBeee]

`we` were NOT attacked on 9/11...unless you consider this nation another American state.

But like the ass-kissing nation we`ve become, we certainly did stick our noses into something the Americans had long coming to them.

I believe you, Colpy, are knowingly stretching it when trying to defend the US for it`s bullish ways in the world both past and present wars it started and failed to win.

I admire those old folks that fought in the 1st and 2nd WWs, my old man being one of them.

What sickens me is how todays culture can whip up a war based on lies, our insatiable need for oil, greed and religion and think it can deliver using our `smart` technology and fawning Jewish-run media to propagate those lies.

We`ve sewn the seeds of our own destruction and all that our fore-fathers fought and died for, imo.

Oh, so you want to call "a spade a spade" huh???

Okay, here it is for you, you trolling piece of dog excrement.

You thank Veterans for their service to the nation, to the collectivity, to YOU, arsehole.

This ****ing idiot Vance engages in verbal diarrea about things far too complicated for his minor excuse of an intellect to possibly comprehend: for instance........the Second World War was undertaken to stop a fascist evil that not only attacked our friends and allies, but was set on world domination, and the enslavement and eventual eradication of all but the "pure white" races. This moron, who has probably never been in so much as a school-yard shoving match (he would have peed his panties), owes the fact he can mouth off like the drooling idiot he is because Veterans went through absolute Hell to prevent the world slipping into fascism.

The Cold War kept us from slipping into the other, even worse great evil of the twentieth century........Communism.....which murdered 100 million people. The line needed to be drawn, and it was drawn in Korea. If you lovelies think Korea was not worth it, I ask you to take a short comparative look at the starvation slave looney state of North Korea.....and compare it to the democratic rich state of South Korea. Not that I think the comparison will matter, as you are obviously to ****ing stupid to see the nose in front of your face.

Vietnam was a massive miscalculation, a disaster.....but those soldiers that fought there did so in service to their nation, the tragedy was hardly of their doing, and you OWE them.......for service, for going through Hell, for bearing much of the hatred, the scorn of the people for acts that were the responsiblity of the politicians that YOU elected.

As for the current clash of civilizations, we were attacked, dumbass.......and we have not been successfully attacked in North America since we kicked ass in Afghanistan.........enough said. I would try to explain a little more of the geo-political reasons for our sacreifices in that nation, but it's kinda like trying to teach nuclear physics to an intestinal worm....

My apologies to intestinal worms everywhere.....

Troll

.