Jeremey wrote:This has nothing to do with the "political" war in Iraq (which was a clusterfuck) or Afghanistan. It has to do with the lives of the men and women who served our country, knowing that they were going into harm's way, however misguided they were, and sacrificing their lives. So some dumbass on the internet could chew on his cud and say "hey, they ain't died for me, hiccup."
Exactly. As you said previously, Jeremey, the comment that pissed everyone off here had nothing to to with whether the war is right or wrong or the politics behind it, and the intent was "pay attention to me, I'm a big dog and I can stir up a big dust cloud!" Well fuck that. I mean really? If you die serving your country and it doesn't happen on US soil (the pearl harbor comment), it doesn't count as serving as dying FOR your country or its people?
The point that Jeremey has made several times and keeps being brushed off is that today's military personnel CHOOSE to serve, no one is "sending" children to fight or die. The US is sending its troops, yes, but they are troops of people who are there by choice.
And the fact that they do choose that path should be damn well respected. And if they lose their lives doing it, THAT should damn well be respected too. Think about the millions of men who did not have a choice. My dad didn't. And he was one of the lucky ones to come back, and for the rest of his life he was one of the proudest Vets you'd ever want to meet. he rarely if ever talked about his time in the war, he didn't need people kissing his ass over it, he just did what he did and was
proud of that.
And no he didn't fight on US soil or under direct US threat, and yes it means JUST as much that he served and fought, period.
I have a question: If a policeperson or fireperson dies in the line of duty, but he or she doesn't die protecting MY city or MY neighborhood, is it ok to put down the fact that they gave up their lives protecting people? Um. No.