My friend is shipping off to war...

He's leaving for Afganistan for 45 days and is going to be a gunner in the convoys they have. He's a little freaked out cuz he's been a desk jockey pretty much his whole military career. The seals and Marines are going to give him and the 3 others a crash course in urban combat. He works on the camera systems in the C-130's and has to train the other nato countries how to use it. I feel for him.

Man, that really sucks. His own fault though

I have a hard time believing anyone joining up believes they're never going to see combat, especially these days. It may freak him out, but he must have known the possibilities when signing up. Good luck to him.

i agree with those above but also wish him good luck.

Hurry up and break his leg.

I have a sister and brother inlaw in the army, brother inlaw has been to afganistan, never wants to go back....

Thank your friend for risking his life to protect our freedoms. I greatly admire him )

Tell your friend good luck.
Tholek is right though, if you sign up for the military, you are bound to go overseas. Luckly for him its only going to be 45 days.

Well if he hates it enough he can just say he's gay...

[quote928fa1bf75="mnx12"]His own fault though[/quote928fa1bf75]

Meaning...?

[quote7c2d115850="bballp6699"][quote7c2d115850="mnx12"]His own fault though[/quote7c2d115850]

Meaning...?[/quote7c2d115850]

Ya...

Best of luck to him. I hope he stays safe.

mnx-

If you disagree with the war, that's fine, you have every right to do so, but you should AT LEAST respect the men and women that are risking their lives.

Cousin came back in November from Iraq. Luckily he was not in any battles. Although his Brother, my cousin too, leaves soon for basic and perhaps one day for either of the those two places.

[quote522e24ccbe="mnx12"]Well if he hates it enough he can just say he's gay...[/quote522e24ccbe]

Well aren't you just full of nice little comments today...

He's been in for over 10 years now. He doesnt want to lose his retirement. I just hope his retirement isnt in the next 30 days in a 6 foot grave. I have working with him giving him pointers. I was in the Marines and did time in Mogadishue <Spelling> and Cuba. Somalia was the worse though. A white boy in military greens just couldnt show his face.

[quote6e696f37f0="J4320"][quote6e696f37f0="mnx12"]Well if he hates it enough he can just say he's gay...[/quote6e696f37f0]

Well aren't you just full of nice little comments today...[/quote6e696f37f0]

Nothing new.. he's not one to contribute much, he just usually pops in to make negative comments about things.

[quotebf72c5ab2a="mnx12"]Well if he hates it enough he can just say he's gay...[/quotebf72c5ab2a]

Talking from experience?
Coward.

[quote40eb8004a6="tylerc"]If you disagree with the war, that's fine, you have every right to do so, but you should AT LEAST respect the men and women that are risking their lives.[/quote40eb8004a6]I never said I disagree with the war (well i do, but yeah). All I said is that it sucks he has to go out there. I very much respect the people out there, I just feel bad for them. Also, about the gay thing, I brought that up because I think it's wrong they don't accept gays to defend their country...

You didn't have to say you disagreed with it, you are an emo kid who supports PETA, I can only assume you don't support the war either.

[quote3c151f5a77="tylerc"]You didn't have to say you disagreed with it, you are an emo kid who supports PETA, I can only assume you don't support the war either.[/quote3c151f5a77]Hmmm no I don't really like peta that much, and i'm definitely not emo. Close though...

[quote91588c6f63="mnx12"][quote91588c6f63="tylerc"]If you disagree with the war, that's fine, you have every right to do so, but you should AT LEAST respect the men and women that are risking their lives.[/quote91588c6f63]I never said I disagree with the war (well i do, but yeah). All I said is that it sucks he has to go out there. I very much respect the people out there, I just feel bad for them. Also, about the gay thing, I brought that up because I think it's wrong they don't accept gays to defend their country...[/quote91588c6f63]
Democrat...not that theres anything wrong with that...

Not all Democrats are against the war, just as all Republicans aren't necessarily for the war.

No one likes war, everyoe knows what war brings. But I do support the men and women our age out there And I pray that they all come home safe.

Support the Troops

Hate the War (Cause)

[quoteadb8235362="O4F-Manofice"]Hurry up and break his leg.

I have a sister and brother inlaw in the army, brother inlaw has been to afganistan, never wants to go back....[/quoteadb8235362]
Gives new meaning to "break a leg." wink

I have to admit when I joined (1998), I never thought I'd ever see combat, especially just as an Army Reserve. Needless to say when I saw the second plane hit the WTC I started packing. Within 2 hours I was on "alert". Another hour later I was told to report. Orders for 2 years in Afghanastan.... Luckily it was only 18 months.

And yeah, if you don't like the war or what it stands for, at least stand up and support the troops.

Petieroman, wish him luck, 45 days ain't nothin though. He'll get back before you know it.

A friend of mine just got out of the army...his 4 years is done. He got back from iraq about a month ago, a tank mechanic. He says it sucked, but nothing major. His big story is riding in the passenger seat in a Hum-Vee on a patrol (he only did one) and they found a dead body on the side of the road. His stupid commander ran up and kicked it...luckily it wasn't booby trapped.

[quote752f35ebdf="tinkerjenn"]Thank your friend for risking his life to protect our freedoms. I greatly admire him )[/quote752f35ebdf]

Uh, where have you been the last 5 years? The war in Iraq isn't about "our freedom," it's supposedly about "their" freedom.

[quote621756263d="dupebag"][quote621756263d="mnx12"][quote621756263d="tylerc"]If you disagree with the war, that's fine, you have every right to do so, but you should AT LEAST respect the men and women that are risking their lives.[/quote621756263d]I never said I disagree with the war (well i do, but yeah). All I said is that it sucks he has to go out there. I very much respect the people out there, I just feel bad for them. Also, about the gay thing, I brought that up because I think it's wrong they don't accept gays to defend their country...[/quote621756263d]
Democrat...not that theres anything wrong with that...[/quote621756263d]

Republican...there's lots of things wrong with that...

Knock off the flaming.

[quote3d3ed8e813="BlueX"][quote3d3ed8e813="dupebag"][quote3d3ed8e813="mnx12"][quote3d3ed8e813="tylerc"]If you disagree with the war, that's fine, you have every right to do so, but you should AT LEAST respect the men and women that are risking their lives.[/quote3d3ed8e813]I never said I disagree with the war (well i do, but yeah). All I said is that it sucks he has to go out there. I very much respect the people out there, I just feel bad for them. Also, about the gay thing, I brought that up because I think it's wrong they don't accept gays to defend their country...[/quote3d3ed8e813]
Democrat...not that theres anything wrong with that...[/quote3d3ed8e813]

Republican...there's lots of things wrong with that...[/quote3d3ed8e813]
Yah ok...i guess being a good person is bad in a Democrat's mind....figures

Okay guys, drop the partisan flaming please...

Libertarian FTW!

Whether it's his own fault or not he deserves our respect and gratitude. No matter what his reasons for joining are, this fact remains He'll be in harms way in the name of ours and others freedom while we're sitting safely at our computers trading greens. I'll admit that I'm not brave enough to join the military.

[quote438a48282d="CollidgeGraduit"]Okay guys, drop the partisan flaming please...[/quote438a48282d]

Flaming or debating ?

[quote2210be092f="BlueX"][quote2210be092f="CollidgeGraduit"]Okay guys, drop the partisan flaming please...[/quote2210be092f][/size2210be092f]

Flaming or debating ?[/quote2210be092f]

"Republican...there's lots of things wrong with that..." is NOT debating. So quit flaming, and quit being a smartass.

OMG CG j00 must be a democrat.

[quote4429dbc01b="BlueX"][quote4429dbc01b="CollidgeGraduit"]Okay guys, drop the partisan flaming please...[/quote4429dbc01b]

Flaming or debating ?[/quote4429dbc01b]
Like CG said, nothing you've posted in this topic would qualify as "debate." Debate would be defined as an intelligent discourse on a topic with both parties expressing their opinions in a respectful manner, while also being respectful of the opposing viewpoint. When it devolves into expressing one's own opinion as categorical fact, it is not debate, it is argumentative. When it devolves further into ad-hominem attacks, it is considered flaming.

Bottom line is, the OP is expressing his concern over his buddy being deployed. I doubt his intent was to get yours or anyone else's hyperbolic opinion of the politics behind the deployment. This just isn't the proper topic for that, so if you can't post something relevant, then just don't post.

dmorris I know you are but what am I.

[quote129977d9b0="givmea1032"]I have to admit when I joined (1998), I never thought I'd ever see combat, especially just as an Army Reserve. Needless to say when I saw the second plane hit the WTC I started packing. Within 2 hours I was on "alert". Another hour later I was told to report. Orders for 2 years in Afghanastan.... Luckily it was only 18 months.

And yeah, if you don't like the war or what it stands for, at least stand up and support the troops.

Petieroman, wish him luck, 45 days ain't nothin though. He'll get back before you know it.[/quote129977d9b0]

Thanks, Also, Our D.I. allways said "people are so willing to spend that dollar in their pocket, but who will fight for it!"

[quote7dc546813d="Braden"]Whether it's his own fault or not he deserves our respect and gratitude. No matter what his reasons for joining are, this fact remains He'll be in harms way in the name of ours and others freedom while we're sitting safely at our computers trading greens. I'll admit that I'm not brave enough to join the military.[/quote7dc546813d]

The troops are the reason you have the right and freedom to sit at that computer.

[quote48b006c6b1="petieroman"][quote48b006c6b1="Braden"]Whether it's his own fault or not he deserves our respect and gratitude. No matter what his reasons for joining are, this fact remains He'll be in harms way in the name of ours and others freedom while we're sitting safely at our computers trading greens. I'll admit that I'm not brave enough to join the military.[/quote48b006c6b1]

The troops are the reason you have the right and freedom to sit at that computer.[/quote48b006c6b1]

As much as I support the troops (and have an interest in joining the military), I must disagree. There are plenty of countries that are not actively fighting for their "rights" and "freedoms" that have just as many rights as us.

In fact, most of the world has the same access to computers and internet as we do, and most of them are not at war.

[quote965f4a4d41="ilanbg"][quote965f4a4d41="petieroman"][quote965f4a4d41="Braden"]Whether it's his own fault or not he deserves our respect and gratitude. No matter what his reasons for joining are, this fact remains He'll be in harms way in the name of ours and others freedom while we're sitting safely at our computers trading greens. I'll admit that I'm not brave enough to join the military.[/quote965f4a4d41]

The troops are the reason you have the right and freedom to sit at that computer.[/quote965f4a4d41]

As much as I support the troops (and have an interest in joining the military), I must disagree. There are plenty of countries that are not actively fighting for their "rights" and "freedoms" that have just as many rights as us.

In fact, most of the world has the same access to computers and internet as we do, and most of them are not at war.[/quote965f4a4d41]
While I agree with your point in a literal sense, I think he was speaking historically. The war they're fighting at the moment does not necessarily guarantee or protect our rights in the immediate sense, but they are doing so for someone else. And have done so for us in the past. If it weren't for a strong defense, no doubt we would never have won our independence from England and the rights we DO have. Or we might be speaking Japanese, German, Spanish, or Arabic. Or God forbid... Kanuckistanian. ;) P

Granted, even if that were the case, we'd still probably have computers, but we wouldn't be the United States of America that we are today.

[quote280e9df354="petieroman"][quote280e9df354="Braden"]Whether it's his own fault or not he deserves our respect and gratitude. No matter what his reasons for joining are, this fact remains He'll be in harms way in the name of ours and others freedom while we're sitting safely at our computers trading greens. I'll admit that I'm not brave enough to join the military.[/quote280e9df354]

The troops are the reason you have the right and freedom to sit at that computer.[/quote280e9df354]

Exactly my point.

[quote6cb2f371f8="CollidgeGraduit"][quote6cb2f371f8="BlueX"][quote6cb2f371f8="CollidgeGraduit"]Okay guys, drop the partisan flaming please...[/quote6cb2f371f8][/size6cb2f371f8]

Flaming or debating ?[/quote6cb2f371f8]

"Republican...there's lots of things wrong with that..." is NOT debating. So quit flaming, and quit being a smartass.[/quote6cb2f371f8]

Calling me a "smartass" is also flaming.

Anyways, back to the debate.


The troops are the reason you have the right and freedom to sit at that computer.


Sure, our troops fought and died for our independence, later to save the nation in the Civil War, later to defend other countries in WWI/WWII and for other causes that have given us our freedoms. Agreed.

The current situation in Iraq (and this statement aligns with the Vietnam incident) is different. Our freedoms and rights are not being saved because our troops are fighting in Iraq. That has nothing to do with it. We're in Iraq (at least, the reason as of today we are there) because of trying to promote democracy and save their nation from power-abuse and possible civil war (which is arguably already a civil war, according to many high-ranking officers who've witnessed first-hand).

and on a side-tangent

I believe democracy is the best form of government. I believe, given human nature, it is the only truly long-term working type of government. I don't, however, believe we should impose this shared American belief on other societies. Just because we believe we are helping them does not mean we are. Look at the situation in Vietnam. We went in to try and help some people out and after years of lost lives on both sides, nothing was accomplished. Sure, we've taken out Iraq's leader, created a new form of government, but if we ever take out our troops, their country collapses. It is inevitable. Should we keep all of our troops there forever? Under Bush's "don't leave until it's done" principle, we will always be in Iraq. I heard a figure recently that we are spending $1,000,000,000 in Iraq every week.. That's money that could be going to other causes that could make a MUCH bigger difference (fighting cancer, aids, HIV, blah blah, a UN force to help with African genocides, fighting poverty at home and abroad). Our money is not being distributed into fiscally efficient places.

We will feel the repercussions (sp) of Iraq eventually. Everything seems fine and dandy right now, but once the time comes when America has had enough (which was proven when Bush's approval rating was in the low 30 percentage) and wants our loved troops back home, we will see Iraq fall apart and we will see economic distress.

Once there is a party change in the executive branch (most likely 2008, but we obviously won't know until closer to the next election), drastic changes will take place and we need to prepare for that.

Calling you out as a smartass, particularly by an admin, is not flaming. It isn't critical of your opinion, but rather your behavior. Besides, the staff here are immune from the rules -- FiPG isn't a democracy. ;)

As to the rest of your post, that's more like it -- an intelligent, well-thought-out expression of your opinion. I can respect that, even if I don't agree 100% with every detail.

However such a debate still wasn't the purpose of this topic, unless the OP wants to take it there.