The war in Iraq has never had anything to do with American freedom in any way shape or form. If anything its oppressed the American taxpayer with a huge bill for nothing in return.
If you choose to sacrifice your life for a people (not US citizens) that will not hesitate to stab the US in the back at first chance, its your own mistake. Don't expect anyone to feel sorry for you.
Its no different than Vietnam, no business being there, waste of human life and taxpayer money all in the name of "stopping the spread of communism'. Same song and dance just substituted with "terrorism".
Its all political fear mongering to trick people into thinking that theres actually a purpose. It's not Team America World Police, let the rest of the world deal with its own problems theres more than enough piling up here that aren't being addressed. You know things like social security, hell with all the money wasted in Iraq they could have fixed that, you know for people that actually are retired and fought in a war that actually had something to do with American freedom.
Think anyone else would lift a finger to help this country in a time of need? Forget about it. This country is too concerned with its PR and public image that it ignores the concerns of its own citizens. When the Tsunami hit there were American ships there the next day. When Katrina hit ppl were dying in the streets for days before anyone ever showed up. Where were the soldiers sacrificing anything for those people?
Dying in Iraq (as stated has nothing to do with American freedom) might not be so easily classified as "serving your country", its serving a political posture thats pretty far removed from anything having to do with the American living in this country or following ill advised orders from the top. Two completely different things.
Wow, this got bad, quick lol. Guys, your loyalty to our country, and military is very appreciated. I thank you for it, while I serve here... but I have to say, I was in iraq in the early days... Rodimus primes' first post here, (and a few others honestly), is DIRECTLY on point. It couldn't have been any more truthful, or complete, I'm sorry to say..
But he's still wrong on a few points.
as far as expecting anyone to feel sorry for us? We dont. not us as soldiers, down here at the individual level. not even at the division level..
And as far as serving your country? Is going to iraq actually, and directly SERVING your country? No, I don't feel it is either.
Heres the deal. The individual soldier, or, at this point civilian, when he signs up to the military, besides some of the side benefits involved, he's doing it to 'serve his country'. at this initial point in his career, he thinks it's the right thing to do. He feels he's completing a portion of his 'duty' to his country, just as I have. You feel like you want to help. You feel like, your country, and your military needs you. so you go. You go with nothing but the best intentions. both to serve your countrymen, and to help others out abroad. You think, like I did, that your government, does the research, and determines who actually needs the help. or, answers the call, of foreign nations, when they need a little boost. No problems. I was very proud to do this.... as i grew up in the military, i realized (especially about my 5th month in iraq) that even though us down here, are here for the right reasons, were nothing more than the 'soldiers' or 'enforcers' for the local Don, in sicily... were just the hired guns of the mafia, shaking down the local business owners for 'protection' money.. . again, this isnt' US down here, it's our leadership. the 4 star generals and above. mostly the men in suits, who were never in the military lol.
TECHNICALLY, unless you've been physically invaded, red dawn style, you're not really serving YOUR country. You're just serving the presidents needs that's all. You're just doing what your cinc (commander in chief) told you to do. Still though, at the individual level, we are all here, doing our best, for the people around us at that time. Whether or not the president and his thugs have their best interests in mind. Which we all now know is no lol.
Before any red dawn moments arise, the best way you can serve your country directly, is by getting up each morning, puttin the uniform on, and showin up to work. Every day. What this is called, is a 'deterrent'. When people say ''why do we need a military?? Noones invading our country" Yea... ya moron, that's WHY noone's invading lol. It's because WE HAVE a military. That shows up every day. Why don't you go breaking into someones house then? Cuz you fear you may get shot in there, right? There ya go. Noones invading, cuz were all getting up each morning, and showing up, to make SURE you don't come a knockin. That's all we need. We need our men and women, to show up each day, to ensure our continued freedom. All of those joes I hear, that say "Ive never been deployed. I feel as if I'm not doing my part." is hogwash. It's honourable, but not necessary. You don't have to deploy to help. Just bein' there is all you need to do. You were integral in ensuring that I don't have to worry about parachutes in my skies... That's all I need. And that's all the reason you guys need, to say thank you to a vet, or a presently serving member. But overall, he is right on many accounts. Because most of us feel the same way. Iraq was NEVER a threat to america. They made that **** up, JUST LIKE the gulf of tonkin for vietnam, so that we can come in there, and stimulate THEIR companies (haliburton) not OUR companies. Every other war has helped our economy. This one ruined ours... I say all our leaders should die.. publicly...
It even says in the Declaration of Independence, that when our government becomes destructive, that it is our right, and duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. It is the right of the people, to abolish it, and institute a new government.
We shall see...
I don't think rodimus meant to be subversive, or anti military, or anti american. He just spoke what was on his mind. Nothing wrong with that. And there's a LOT of patriotic americans, that feel that they "support our troops, but not the war" I can't say I blame them. It's pretty common knowledge now, that our government carelessly and wrecklessly uses our men and women, in a haphazard fashion. Why? Probably because not only have they never served, but neither will any of their kids either. I bet you if everyone in congress had a son or daughter in the military, they'd think twice before invading some other country, on a whim, or made up story..... Cuz now that would be YOUR son you killed, for some bull****.
So as long as you guys support the troops, that's cool. It's the individuals who are doing the honourable thing. I can assure you we have the best intentions... it's our leaders that you must question...
But remember this rodimus.. 99% of kids in highschool, (which is what our ranks are made up of) don't do in depth research, about why our government deploys troops, where, how it works, and what's involved for a trooper, during a year long deployment. They just join, because they feel it's the right thing to do. This is why you can't say the statement: If you choose to sacrifice your life for a people (not US citizens) that will not hesitate to stab the US in the back at first chance, its your own mistake. Don't expect anyone to feel sorry for you.
You don't JOIN, JUST to sacrifice your life for some other people. You're joining, to do a good thing. To help others. You're hoping, that your government, is at least one level above a town mafioso. This is why you should thank vets and current members. It's their dedication that's worthy of praise. I never knew what my government was up to back in 1992. I just signed on, for the above mentioned reasons. I had no clue I was going to be utilized in this fashion. So maybe you don't have to feel sorry for any of those guys.. but you should cut them some slack. They had good intentions. It was their leaders that didn't... I still don't think it was our faults for not finding this out before we signed. Who woulda thought? I surely didn't.
After Iraq, I said **** the government. I'm here for the people of america, and my teammates. NOT my leaders. They can go to hell. I keep reenlisting, for my men. And my country.
I think you should join up, and you'd see what I'm talking about.
