Pentagon to Start Awarding Medals for Drone Strikes

[jkr]

D
HUMANIZING

pathetic
we DESERVE whats coming our way...

 

[Aeroneous]

There is no 'hive mind' here. If there was there wouldn't be so much bitchin' and yakkin'. Keep explaining your point. Let others explain theirs. It's just the interwebz.

I'm all for civil debate, but when it comes to military discussion all I keep seeing are extreme comments (I.E. soldiers are thieves). I've voiced my opinion and people keep reverting to insults toward military members, so I'll just leave it there. I recognize a lost cause when I see it.

 

[Spikender]

I'm all for civil debate, but when it comes to military discussion all I keep seeing are extreme comments (I.E. soldiers are thieves). I've voiced my opinion and people keep reverting to insults toward military members, so I'll just leave it there. I recognize a lost cause when I see it.

Don't give up that easy, Aero. That sort of attitude will seep into other fights that you're fighting. I don't agree with everything that you said, but I do agree that sometimes people can go overboard when it comes to describing public servants.

 

[Aeroneous]

Don't give up that easy, Aero. That sort of attitude will seep into other fights that you're fighting. I don't agree with everything that you said, but I do agree that sometimes people can go overboard when it comes to describing public servants.

I don't give up during face-to-face debate, because people are much more reluctant to make extreme comments. I find face-to-face debate to be far more productive. I guess I just hold people on this forum to a higher standard of decency. I consider people here to be well educated, and would hope that they would be receptive to ideas outside of their own. awake made some good points, but then a couple posts later I see someone just throwing insults out. It's just frustrating, although I know it shouldn't matter since it's just the internet.

 

[Spikender]

I don't give up during face-to-face debate, because people are much more reluctant to make extreme comments. I find face-to-face debate to be far more productive. I guess I just hold people on this forum to a higher standard of decency. I consider people here to be well educated, and would hope that they would be receptive to ideas outside of their own. awake made some good points, but then a couple posts later I see someone just throwing insults out. It's just frustrating, although I know it shouldn't matter since it's just the internet.

See, now I agree completely with you. Internet debates are literally the pits, you get absolutely nowhere. I have found that most conversions, both in other people and in myself, have mostly come from real life conversations with people instead of internet debating.

Also know that it's easier to make snide quips and come off snappy on the Internet for some people. But I'm sure you're very aware of that.

 

[phill4paul]

I'm all for civil debate, but when it comes to military discussion all I keep seeing are extreme comments (I.E. soldiers are thieves). I've voiced my opinion and people keep reverting to insults toward military members, so I'll just leave it there. I recognize a lost cause when I see it.

I understand that. Having been in the military, and a military son, I understand the points you are making. I, having traveled my path, understand Awake and his positions.
Don't let the others distract you. Ignore them if it keeps you from engaging with those you can have a discussion with. That's what truly pisses them off.

 

[phill4paul]

They are thiefs and welfare queens. No soldier "earns" money, he is granted an involuntary transfer of another's wealth via the state.

Soldiers implicitly support serfdom, but I'm sure you think many are conservative LOL

You do understand the concept of states bonding together for security. No? While we would both agree that the founders never wished a standing Army they believed that a standing Navy was integral to the defense of this nation. Those that defended and the machinations needed for defense would be paid by the government. No?

 

[kcchiefs6465]

You do understand the concept of states bonding together for security. No? While we would both agree that the founders never wished a standing Army they believed that a standing Navy was integral to the defense of this nation. Those that defended and the machinations needed for defense would be paid by the government. No?

Exactly. Some things are necessary and Constitutional. On that same coin though some people/soldiers take it way too far. i.e. John McCain, Chris Kyle. Having come from a military family and knowing friends and family who fought in both World Wars, Vietnam, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan I can say they are not bad people. WRT to the later wars mentioned many are not fully aware what they signed up for. Once you're there, you're there. And most likely you're going to do things you never thought you could have/would have done. I even had thoughts of going into the military for monetary/legal reasons. The Lord saved my soul that I 'grew up' and never did. It is mostly not the soldier's fault. (Though I am not against the idea of personal responsibility) Cut 'em some slack people. They are mostly naive kids. Cowboys and Indians and all that. Anyone see "Born on the Fourth of July?"

 

[John F Kennedy III]

This is like getting a medal for playing Call of Duty. Except you're killing real people. The vast majority of which are innocent men, women and children.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Yes, seriously. I'm not calling these people saints or high priests of justice, but you guys keep referring to them as nothing more than blood thirsty terrorists. Like it or not, most people join the military to defend their country. Most of them do it at a time where they are easily swayed by manipulation. Many will find out how things really operate, and decide it's not for them. People here seem to just make the assumption that they joined because they're some kind of blood lust murderers, when in reality they were doing something that they thought to be honorable. Quit alienating these people and start politely educating instead... veterans and active duty personnel should be some of the easiest people to convince BECAUSE they care about their country.

But whatever.. I'm just spinning my wheels. You're all going to go on thinking they're terrorist bastards who waste their lives away sucking the government tit, and that's your right to think so. All I'm asking is that you consider the fact that you guys haven't even met these people, yet you cast terrible judgement upon them. I don't recall Ron Paul doing such things.

Not 'you people.' No group is so monolithic. If drone operators were really monsters without a conscience, then we wouldn't be seeing them leave in horror and trauma as they keep doing. There is a big ongoing struggle right now with lawful and unlawful orders, and I will never put the bottom line soldier to the same standard as the real decision-makers.

I am a former US Marine myself, and proud of my service. I am glad to be a veteran of the branch which above all others takes particular pride in the refusal of unlawful orders. I also have a deeper understanding of the military environment than many do.

 

[bolil]

I suppose some drone operators are bloodthirsty, others are not. It don't matter much to the kid that gets blown up. The percentage of drone missions that involve ordinance are also irrelevant to the shrapnel peppered child. I've no issue with members of the military, but I do take issue with their mission. If it were a mission I believed in, I would be on it. Do I blame the enlisted, or lower level officers? No, but Tolstoy does.

Indeed, the Service (Marine Corp, Grunt) remains in my mind as one of the more noble occupations a man can aspire too, but I am aware of my own brainwashing. I almost failed Highschool because I spent four years staying up all night reading books on vietnam, korea, and WWII. I would do anything for an eagle, globe and anchor tattoo earned defending helpless people and I will never be content with myself because I will never have one. The war mongers took that from me just like they take the lives, bodies and/or minds almost every person they touch.

That being said, intellectually I see militias as the best and most principled form of communal defense. Voluntary in service, voluntary in funding, voluntary in fighting.

 

[phill4paul]

Not 'you people.' No group is so monolithic. If drone operators were really monsters without a conscience, then we wouldn't be seeing them leave in horror and trauma as they keep doing. There is a big ongoing struggle right now with lawful and unlawful orders, and I will never put the bottom line soldier to the same standard as the real decision-makers.

I am a former US Marine myself, and proud of my service. I am glad to be a veteran of the branch which above all others takes particular pride in the refusal of unlawful orders. I also have a deeper understanding of the military environment than many do.

Pfft...my Navy buddy pointed a .45 in his XO's face for trying to cross his duty post contrary to orders.

Must be why they took the guns away from sailors and put MARDETs on ships.

 

[fr33]

 

[RonPaulFanInGA]

"Just one more year of blowing up terrorists and I can retire with pension."