Posted by Jim on May 30, 2000 at 06:04:09:
In Reply to: A Soldier Died Today posted by INTRUDN on May 29, 2000 at 04:26:13:
First off, if you're new to the forum, "Hi, I'm Jim, an active duty Marine with 11 years of experience including combat." So I think I might be qualified to talk on this....
I think the suggestion to avoid this topic might not be a bad one. Not because we shouldn't speak freely, Scorpion, but becasue there is alot of emotion wrapped up in it. Yes, Bob, I know we Americans are prone to a bit of flag waving every now and again, and maybe Ken is right, that we should stay away from it in this forum.... hell, I don't know.
But I do know that Bob's comments were (to me) insulting (our military culture thrives on honor, Bob, which is why the press loves to dive into military scandals..... note how political scandals are hardly even covered anymore.... that's because they are de rigeur, not the exception). War may not be honorable, but most folks who pick up a gun and go off to fight are VERY honorable (as an international crew, we can each cite our own war criminals as exceptions, but I'm talking about the nineteen year old private in the 24th Regiment of Foot during the Penninsular Campaigns, the young Panzer driver serving under Rommel in the Afrika Corps, Arthur and his knights (they were Welsh, Bob), or the young Lance Corporal of US Marines in a rice pady or the desert of Kuwait.... Ya'll get the picture.).
The point is that as a diverse bunch (there are even some who will not completely espouse the total superiority of the Savage!!!) with alot of things unique about us, maybe we should focus on what brought us here, and just enjoy each others' company. And if we don't like something, just let it be (Unless it is a difference of opinion on the ride! Then let the fur fly!), and go on to the next post.
I'll be the first guy to back up Scorpion and Intrudn, and read each and every one of their posts (because I enjoy and appreciate them), but I'm not thrilled when the thread devolves into personnal insults from a guy whose posts I also enjoy reading.
By the way, one of the happiest moments of my life was after getting very nearly blown to bits in Kuwait, I realized I was NOT in need of new undergarments.
-KTRSD
-JIM