A Memorial Day Lie

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Seahawk
Called my Dad to thank him (Korea/Nam)...he got it. He would get JYL too.

I then called my old XO, Nam helo pilot, decorated like you read about, to thank him...he got it. He would get JYL as well.

We are what we are...it is good company, no lie.

Father was on the Battleship Alabama and Arizona, but has passed now. Brother flew off of the Oriskany and Phil Sea off of Korea. Need to give him a ring and wish him a good Memorial Day...

[Flatbutt1]

Me and my Dad Memorial Day 1970. I was on extended family leave and had let my mustouche grow.

He served in both France and the Pacific.

[lyon]

http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2007/may/video/dnB20070528a.rm&proto=rtsp

This is an interesting perspective.

[azasadny]

This veteran is thankful for our right to disagree with our elected officials and that we have the freedom to express our opinions. I just hope everyone remembers that the individuals who fight for our country don't make policy, they just carry it out.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by fintstone
May their families and friends enjoy this day of memorial free from those that would make their sacrifices seem less honorable or of less value.

I don't think anyone here tried to devalue the sacrifices our soliders have made.

To question is to honor the American warrior. I say that the life of the honorable American solider is valuable, and that his blood should not be spilled needlessly. Crass men in power, men who have never had to confront the pain of war personally, are too quick to send warriors to their death. To question the motives of these vile men, to hold them accountable, is an act of patriotism. It is an act of love and respect for the man in uniform.

[tabs]

Yes Hard Drive the right to question is the right that many men have given their lives for. However it is one thing to make your point. Have it acknowledged at the very least by me and then to continue to rant on hysterically about it. Allthough I am not a hugh believer in decorum, there is a point at which for the moment at least a bit of silence about how bad the Leadership is, is laid aside. That those men who gave their lives can be remembered no matter how foolish the cause may turn out to be that they gave their lives for. You might say it is about the men and not the Leadership of those men that is being remembered.

[cairns]

Thank you Fintstone. You said what needed to be said very well.

[carnutzzz]

Originally posted by jyl


I don't see Bush et al keeping their yaps shut on Memorial Day. I see them giving photo-op speeches in front of waving flags and massed graves, trying to get us to identify the Administration with the troops.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on our wars and war dead, and those who serve in our military. This is a natural time to reflect on the current war, the continuing deaths, and the troops being sent to Iraq right now. I see no reason to stifle debate.

And certainly not as regards the President. Memorial Day is not his day. He is as much fair game today as any other day.

(You must be confusing Memorial Day with President's Day, a holiday you'll notice no-one gives a hoot about.)

Bush is the Commander In Chief of the armed forces. On Memorial Day, America (and our troops) expect him to be visible, and to show leadership as partisan politics are cast aside so that we may focus on the purpose of this one day.

We stifle debate because it distracts from the prayer, reflection, and the coming together as a nation this day deserves.

I blame your parents for this having to be explained to you by strangers over the Internet. Shame on you, and them.

[cairns]

+2

Clinton never served at all and one could certainly say that he committed troops to what hindsight has revealed to be ill advised and unnecessary conflicts (not that I believe Iraq is).

But as our President and leader he was doing his duty when he made speeches and attended ceremonies on Memorial Day. I think it would go beyond the pale to have debated or criticized him on that day.

As more eloquently stated, Memorial Day isn't about debating one President's policies or actions- it's about remembering those who died and coming together as a nation- so that we can continue to elect a President- and have debates.

[jyl]

Hard fact: for many, even most, Americans, the war is just a faint hum in the background. Most people in this country are more interested in shopping ofr bargains, gas prices, daily highs and lows in the stock market, remodeling their kitchen, Opra and Rosie and American Idol, which starlet is in rehab today, and the playoffs.

Amid all this clutter, we set aside one national holiday each year to focus on our troops, what we send them to do, and the price they pay for our decisions.

Just one day to think hard about it, before America gets back to reality TV and summer vacation.

You guys seem to think that during that one precious day, the only acceptable thing to do is to enthusiastically swallow the carefully scripted photo-op speeches that the government feeds you. Any independent thought or questioning view is practically immoral, you say. Even if those speeches are full of lies, we daren't question them. Not on Memorial Day. Just drink your beer, applaud when you're instructed to, and shaddup. The only one who gets to talk is the President - the rest of us just listen.

I think there is no better day for all Americans - whether they live in the White House or not - to discuss and debate how and why we are spending the lives, bodies, and families of US soldiers in Iraq, not just for the past 4 years, and not just right now, but also potentially for the next decade.

Don't be a bunch of sheep, people.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

My grandfather (WWII-Pacific Theater) and his surviving local buddies got together at the town parade yesterday. All they did was talk about how unnecessary and unprincipled this war is, they themselves both Right and Left alike speaking about Right and Left alike. They really hate it when Bush brings up WWII to lend credibility to Iraq.

John brings up excellent points. I'm glad they are also being brought up in small town America. It may be fair to say that the Far Right mindset is relegated to Internet BBS's, talk radio and tabloid journlism like Fox News these days and will die out shortly after the next Presidential election.

[tabs]

Originally posted by jyl
Hard fact: for many, even most, Americans, the war is just a faint hum in the background. Most people in this country are more interested in shopping ofr bargains, gas prices, daily highs and lows in the stock market, remodeling their kitchen, Opra and Rosie and American Idol, which starlet is in rehab today, and the playoffs.


Don't be a bunch of sheep, people.

Why THANK YOU JYL, you have been listening to me. I was talking about the Super Bowl though, U might have gotten confused. I understood your point VERY WELL, but after that you didn't have to act like no one was listening to you. U also know its allright to lay the hammer down for awhile, U might call that decorum or a bit of restraint. Thats something that needs to be realized that with Freedom comes responsibility to respect the other fellows sensibilities once in awhile, maybe we call that being a good neighbor.

Now that our moment of silence is over put the hammer down and jam away all you like.

[jyl]

Originally posted by tabs
. . . responsibility to respect the other fellows sensibilities once in awhile, maybe we call that being a good neighbor.

Coming from you, this is funny. Not sure who's the pot and who's the kettle.

[techweenie]

Did Bush politicize a national holiday? If so, that merits a poltiticized response. If he did not, then his opponents should refrain as well.

[tabs]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa
My grandfather (WWII-Pacific Theater) and his surviving local buddies got together at the town parade yesterday. All they did was talk about how unnecessary and unprincipled this war is, they themselves both Right and Left alike speaking about Right and Left alike. They really hate it when Bush brings up WWII to lend credibility to Iraq.

John brings up excellent points. I'm glad they are also being brought up in small town America. It may be fair to say that the Far Right mindset is relegated to Internet BBS's, talk radio and tabloid journlism like Fox News these days and will die out shortly after the next Presidential election.

Shaun I wonder how U see me, I think I represent a more or less conservative view point, however I don't see myself as being an ideolog. I see myself as having some vision and stating what I see as the Reality of a situation. I don't see myself as going away with the next election. I also don't see the Right Wing disappearing either, if the WH becomes Blue with the next election U will hear one he11 of a howl come from that Right Wing eschlon.

Also the United States is committed in Iraq whether we like it or not, whether it is a Blue or Red President. The next President will just have to make up some excuse to the American People as to why we have to stay in there. U see that is HOW BAD of a mess GW and HIS CREW got America into. There is virtually NO WAY OUT, unless the USA is willing to RISK EVERYTHING. Think in terms of a World Wide Depression that would make your Grandpas Depression of the 30s look like high times. Now do U really want to risk that, or is your Porsche worth the blood of a few more American soldiers.

[tabs]

Originally posted by jyl
Coming from you, this is funny. Not sure who's the pot and who's the kettle.

Oh I do respect your sensibilities, I am taking the time to explain to U why U are so fked up, with the hope that U will come to your senses and realize the error of your ways.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by jyl
Hard fact: for many, even most, Americans, the war is just a faint hum in the background.

Don't be a bunch of sheep, people.

Possibly for you but not for many of us. Many of us remember that our freedom was not given to us, it was earned on the battlefields around the world. Had it not been for a lot of men and women DYING FOR YOU and your family we very well might be speaking German right now.

As for your comment on sheep, John, try not being such a dick in the future. At least you made this comment after Memorial Day. Suppose on Christmas you and your friends are going to start posting against God?

As Carnutzz said "I blame your parents for this having to be explained to you by strangers over the Internet. Shame on you, and them." Some of us evidently had an upbringing where our parents taught us respect for others and it seems that others were not that lucky... Guess which group you are in ?

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by techweenie
Did Bush politicize a national holiday? If so, that merits a poltiticized response. If he did not, then his opponents should refrain as well.

President Bush did what every President has done for years on Memorial Day. He showed respect for the soldiers who have served this country in the past and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Like him or not, this was a national holiday and you libs trying to politicize it is just pissing on the vets graves. Show a bit of respect and find something else to ***** about. You guys seem to find issue with everything he does, to there should be other choices.

[Usmellgass2?]

I find the title of your thread and its timing repulsive. You should be ashamed.
Memorial Day is a day to express gratitude for the sacrifice and service of our Vets, past, present and future. Use the rest of the year for your sorry rants. Try to rember you can air your opinions without fear of persecution. Thanks to the service of our Vets.

[cairns]

The Poster has no sense of decorum, restraint, history, service or sacrifice. He knows nothing of esprit de corps. But in particular, he lacks common sense- and class.

There is a time and place for debate- but only a moron would go to a funeral and say what a son of a b*tch he thought the deceased was.