Tongue in cheek, or finger on the trigger?

[motion]

Just returned a call by a guy calling on my Harley for sale. Young Marine. Got his message: "Hi, this is Shaner, probably out training how to kill Iraqis, leave a message".

I recall the TV ad for the Marines I saw on Speed a couple months ago... the one where Marines are looking through night-vision rifle scopes at Middle-Eastern types running around between buildings.

So, a generation of young Americans are itching to go over and kill Iraqis. Kill, kill, kill.

Edit: Meant to post in OT. Sorry Mods!

[creaturecat]

distressing to say the least

[concentric]

Just an extension of the video game mentality that the armed forces are promoting... Very sharp way to remove the human factor from combat.

JCM

[joeclarke]

Can't understand those irrational terrorists at all.... I mean, what is their problem? Oh, yeah they just hate us because we're rich and they're not, oh yeah and they just hate us because they're brainwashed religious zealots...

yeah, that's it, that's the ticket...

irrational brainwashed religious zealots...

you bet.

[kumma]

So what bike are you looking at now? RK Classic?

As for the Marine, for his sake I hope he does have a fighting mentality. No room for some one who cant pull the trigger when called on.

One of the few regrets or second thoughts I have had is not joining the service out of H.S. I was self employed with a somewhat successful business so on to college I went. Looking back I should have thought about it more, even with the Gulf War looming.

[4to8m8]

It's amazing how appealing shooting the enemy is to young American boy/men. I'm surprised the comercials don't actually show the targets getting blasted!

[hoff944]

So is the American soldier supposed to feel bad for killing a terrorist? I'm lost. Perhaps if the war was under different circumstances could you feel bad for killing your enemy but come on.

[350HP930]

Terrorists are one thing, insurgents attacking invaders is another.

If another country invaded the US to liberate us from bush which side would you be rooting for?

[911pcars]

"So is the American soldier supposed to feel bad for killing a terrorist? "

I hope they don't see it as a game (they should realize this after the first return fire or shell blast), and I hope they don't enjoy it. Ever hear of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome? Ever see pics of people, young children with half their faces gone, the results napalm, or missing arms and legs or dead? And if you thought you were responsible, how would you feel?

I guarantee you there will be a lot of soldiers coming back with extreme guilt and shame because they ended up blowing up/killing civilian men, women and children (aka collateral damage). Or they'll not acknowledge it, bury it in their subconscious and end up as a "productive" member of society or maybe klll one of us or themselves.

It happened in VN. It'll happen again too.

The rush to war brings with it many burdens.

Sherwood

[Purrybonker]

Originally posted by hoff944
So is the American soldier supposed to feel bad for killing a terrorist? I'm lost. Perhaps if the war was under different circumstances could you feel bad for killing your enemy but come on.

Typical brainless babble...

George and company should be proud that they have managed to somehow perpetuate the "Iraqi=terrorist" connection in the minds of the simplier component of the American population.

Good thing that most of those people are probably too thick to find their way to the ballot box next week.

[Serge914]

Originally posted by hoff944
So is the American soldier supposed to feel bad for killing a terrorist?

Do you realy consider the thousands of civilians Iraki as terrorists ? I hope you posted that just to see how many reply you would get.

[rcecale]

What a bunch of clowns! You have got to be kidding me.

Saddam Hussein spent years murdering his own people, threatening his neighbors, and some even say supporting terrorists and you libs just wanted to continue sanctions and negotiating with him.

A Marine leaves 14 words on his answering machine talking about "training to kill Iraqis"...TRAINING....not killing, but TRAINING to kill....and he, along with everybody associated with his organization is labeled a brainless, murderous criminals.

You people really need to get a clue.

Randy

[fintstone]

Most of the Iraqis being killed are being killed by the terrorists (you call them insurgents). Don't you hear the daily bombing bodycount? It is not Americans murdering women and children or planting those bombs...it is the terrorists that you are so quick to defend. The presence of our Marines, soldiers, and airmen is probably the only reason there is not a wholesale slaughter.

[cool_chick]

Insurgent:

1. Rising in revolt against established authority, especially a government.
2. Rebelling against the leadership of a political party.
n.

Terrorist:

A radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities
n.

Iraqi:

A native or inhabitant of Iraq; the majority of Iraqi are Arab Shiite Muslims although Sunni Muslims control the government.

See, differences. One's fighting for their country (insurgent), one employs terror (terrorist) and one is a civilian (Iraqi). They are not all one in the same.

[cegerer]

"Saddam Hussein spent years murdering his own people,"

Come on Randy, it was only, what, 400,000 children, women and men (so far ....) dumped in mass graves .... what's the big deal? Iraq was such a peaceful place before the US showed up.

[cool_chick]

Crimes committed in the late 80s when we supported Iraq. Crimes being committed RIGHT THIS SECOND in Sudan. Right now, as I type this. Sudan is a bloodbath right now.

Who really needs our help?

Oh, I forgot, Sudan doesn't have oil.

[Shuie]

Maybe the guy just has a morbid sense of humor. The young Marine has a job thats a lot harder than anything I have ever or will ever have to deal with in my life. Who am I to judge someone who has to carry a gun for a living by the greeting on their answering machine? If he finds some temporary relief in this situation by leaving a goofy message on his answering machine then good for him. If you talk to him again, please tell him 'Thanks' from Baton Rouge.

[350HP930]

I would tell him to think hard about the task that is before him, not joke about killing people.

Then again some people join the military for a the 'legal' homicide factor.

[techweenie]

Funny. Do you think that 35 years from now, if some of these guys run for office, the opposition will condemn them for shooting the enemy?

It wasnt' that long ago that I read some of the comments criticizing Kerry shooting the VC with the RPG, and I wonder if it's possible to spin absolutely anything... if the audience is ignorant enough.

[cegerer]

"Crimes committed in the late 80s ...."

< tilted head of compassion > I apologize, I forgot that Saddam had been given a "do over" by the UN in the 90's and was "just another one of the guys" when we went in. < / tilted head of compassion >