tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post112676042462497756..comments2023-08-20T04:44:26.157-04:00Comments on A Soldier's Thoughts: The PatriotZachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788548920729883920noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1134252491450179022005-12-10T17:08:00.000-05:002005-12-10T17:08:00.000-05:00-earniepatriotism is not the blind following and s...-earnie<BR/>patriotism is not the blind following and suport of your country. It is a love and support of the people. We don't need a leader or people like you. you probibly have a picture of bushler on your wall to salute in the morning. People like you are the main cause of the stagnation and capitalism. and no, i'm not talking about the type of 'capitalism' as what was so idolized by the 'free' countries. it is the capitalism that becomes plutocracy.<BR/><BR/>Paul Strealer<BR/><BR/>p.s. and yes i'm a proud communist not the type demonized by america in the 50's but actual communism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127484197985961442005-09-23T10:03:00.000-04:002005-09-23T10:03:00.000-04:00Thanks, Mike - in that case, Hurria, as an Iraqi, ...Thanks, Mike - <BR/><BR/>in that case, Hurria, as an Iraqi, do you feel the same condemnation for your brothers and fathers and nephews who served under Sadam and commited horrible crimes against your own people and others? Were they just following orders? <BR/><BR/>It is an easy question.<BR/><BR/>I, as well as many of us here in the us, are horrified by what our leaders do in our name. We do the best we can with what we have. As i'm sure you do.<BR/><BR/>rickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127427434525783232005-09-22T18:17:00.000-04:002005-09-22T18:17:00.000-04:00Rick: actually, she's an Iraqi civilian.Rick: actually, she's an Iraqi civilian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127398021095035072005-09-22T10:07:00.000-04:002005-09-22T10:07:00.000-04:00Zach,Well said. There is too much confusion these...Zach,<BR/><BR/>Well said. There is too much confusion these days on what a patriot is, and what it is not.<BR/><BR/>- It IS a love of country<BR/>- It IS NOT blindly following misguided leaders<BR/><BR/>- It IS having a sense of duty<BR/>- It IS NOT suffering in silence while being lead by the very ill-informed and misguided<BR/><BR/>- It IS the freedom to speak out passionately for what on believes<BR/>- It IS NOT demanding that others fall in to a 'goose step' behind what is wrong<BR/><BR/>- It IS being willing to die for country<BR/>- It IS not being betrayed by those that have sent you to die<BR/><BR/>- In short, a Patriot in a free country demands that it's country lives up to the ideals of freedom and liberty<BR/>- A Nationalist says "USA, love it or leave it<BR/><BR/>- As for me, I would rather my county's leadership allow me to be a Patriot, rather than demand I be a Nationalist thru the use of the Patriot ActAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127393630467679052005-09-22T08:53:00.000-04:002005-09-22T08:53:00.000-04:00hurria,do you drive a vehicle? do you pay taxes? d...hurria,<BR/><BR/>do you drive a vehicle? do you pay taxes? do you live in this country? because if you do, according to your logic, you are just as complicit in this war as our soldiers. <BR/><BR/>If you say, I voted against bush (as I did), if you say, It's the goverment's policy, not mine, then you are selecting this argument for yourself but denying it to these brave men and women who are unfortunately pawns in Bushes Big Game. <BR/><BR/>The idea of service in our military is one of hope and love for our country. If they have been betrayed by our leaders, you're somehow saying it is their fault. <BR/><BR/>Have you ever worked for a company whose decisions you did not agree with? And do you generally lump everyone in a group together and call them the same, and judge them and hate them as a group?<BR/><BR/>If so, You have a shaky worldview. Brave outspoken military like Zach who are trying to speak their truth as they see it are to be applauded, not derided, as you are doing. <BR/><BR/>Perhpas you could look at your own life and see what you are really saying. Because most likely all that you have said here refers more to yourself than to those you are condeming. Your own self loathing and lack of awareness is what is apparent to me. <BR/><BR/>I hope you find out the truth of this, because we all need to find our truth, and live it from the heart, not the hot head, as you appear to be doing. <BR/><BR/>RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127293784423938972005-09-21T05:09:00.000-04:002005-09-21T05:09:00.000-04:00right onright onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127251783711217102005-09-20T17:29:00.000-04:002005-09-20T17:29:00.000-04:00may God bless you so you can return from that terr...may God bless you so you can return from that terrible mess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127250910769645982005-09-20T17:15:00.000-04:002005-09-20T17:15:00.000-04:00I have come to hate the word patriotism because it...I have come to hate the word <I>patriotism</I> because it has come to mean the opposite of its dictionary definition: The love and devotion for one's country. What it has come to mean is the hatred for other countries and willingness yo kill those against whom we have nothing personally. I wrote a post <A HREF="http://mentallyillobservationsfull.blogspot.com/2005/09/patriotism-and-hate.html" REL="nofollow"> here</A> wherein, among other things, I discuss a little known hero in the peace movement named Alfred Delp. Delp was a German Jesuit Priest who was murdered by the Nazis. His words should teach all of us the difference between patriotism and blind obedience to the regime: "My offense is that I believed in Germany and her eventual emergence from this dark hour of error and distress, that I refused to accept that accumulation of arrogance, pride, and force that is the Nazi way of life, and that I did this as a Christian and a Jesuit."The Seriously Illhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674544419948571517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127222085054123362005-09-20T09:14:00.000-04:002005-09-20T09:14:00.000-04:00referring to hurria, i suppose there are some who ...referring to hurria, <BR/><BR/>i suppose there are some who still go in for blaming the troops - wow, i thought that had died in the 60's. But that attitude shows just how dualistic some left leaning people still are. (And I am a very left leaning person.)<BR/><BR/>In the Ram Das book, "How can I help," he talks about how the classic shot from the 60's protest movement where the protester puts her flower in the rifle of a soldier as being a very aggressive act. <BR/><BR/>That action said, "You are separate from me. You are beneath me. You are evil and I am good." <BR/><BR/>This is the problem with many who oppose any force in society they see as unjust. Rather than relate to the humanity of those they oppose, they engage in the same ignorance as the aggressors. They cast them out. And so there is never any communication and real activism in that attitude. Just more aggression.<BR/><BR/>If you read any of Martin Luther King, Jr. speeches, he speaks directly to agape love for those you consider your "enemies." You cannot engage in non-violence unless you see those you oppose as part of the family of humanity. Otherwise you become aggressive, separate, and filled with the same sort of hate that leads to genocide. <BR/><BR/>It's sad but there are no leaders who speak in the tone of Dr. King. Rather, We are encouraged to see the opponent as separate and "other." This is our problem, on both sides. <BR/><BR/>This country needs to wake up. Everyone is asleep under the hungry God of "ideas," and lost to the true nature of pure love that transcends differences and religous orientations and nations. <BR/><BR/>RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127191663006816222005-09-20T00:47:00.000-04:002005-09-20T00:47:00.000-04:00Mike and Zach, I'm hoping you guys come back safe ...Mike and Zach, I'm hoping you guys come back safe too. Take care, brothers. We're thinking about you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127184329839096272005-09-19T22:45:00.000-04:002005-09-19T22:45:00.000-04:00I agree with Rick and everyone else but Ernie. I ...I agree with Rick and everyone else but Ernie. I have been against this war from the beginning, but support our soldiers as well since they had no choice & are only following orders. This war has only strengthened our enemies & the war on terror has only gotten harder for all of our people Thanx to Bush & his policies.<BR/><BR/>Zack, most important of all is, take care of yourself & stay safe, I hope & pray that everyone comes home safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127169762671154692005-09-19T18:42:00.000-04:002005-09-19T18:42:00.000-04:00ernie,I respect your opionion, but "liberals," tod...ernie,<BR/><BR/>I respect your opionion, but "liberals," today don't hate our troops. The Baby Killer crap from the 60's was unfortunate and stupid. We don't oppose our troops, we oppose poorly thought out war plans and question the integrity of those making those plans. <BR/><BR/>It's sad that we have fallen for the game of politicians who would rather split us into factions rather than have to answer for their policies. Many of us don't think any more, but rather repeat what our "side" is saying.<BR/><BR/>I say quit your party, liberal or conservative, and let's begin to look things in the eye. Let's begin to make up our own minds. We need a new age of the independent, because we are all unique and aware and ready for a new day. The New American!<BR/><BR/>Republicans and Democrats have both dropped the ball - and we the people need to pick it up and realize the true potential of this amazing country. <BR/><BR/>RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127157931150361002005-09-19T15:25:00.000-04:002005-09-19T15:25:00.000-04:00Ernie wrote:I respect your thoughts and what is a ...Ernie wrote:<BR/><BR/><I>I respect your thoughts and what is a Patriot, but the "Liberals" you are defending are the same that would call you a baby killer. They are not Patriot's, they are Anti American. America is always wrong.</I><BR/><BR/>That's interesting. How do you reconcile that view with the fact that in my own extremely liberal family, 6 out of 7 children are either veterans or currently serving? Or the fact that almost half of my Army company voted Democratic in the last election?<BR/><BR/><I>A lot of the "Liberals" would rather spit on a Soldier than shake his/her hand. </I><BR/><BR/>That is, simply, a bald-faced lie. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you don't actually know many liberals, in which case I strongly urge you to stop getting your opinions from Limbaugh and Faux news, and start getting out and meeting people.<BR/><BR/><I>If you look at what groups are in the Anti Bush, Anti War, they are the communist party. </I><BR/><BR/>Again, bullshit.<BR/><BR/><I>Most Liberals would rather someone else lose there life for their freedom.</I><BR/><BR/>I think you're actually describing the current leadership of the Republican party. Easy mistake, I guess.<BR/><BR/><I>In 1970 my high school history teacher taught me every thing I should now about liberalism. We were going over the WWII, she told us about Dresden bombing. She paid several days on that one time during WWII. I got out of it that America was the bad guy during WWII. We did not go over any battles of WWII, how our soldiers fought so bravely or how bad Hitler was. America was bad because we Bombed Dresden. This is what Liberalism has become from the 60’s. I had a problem warring my uniform in public because of the comments you would receive. </I><BR/><BR/>That was 35 years ago. Most of the soldiers in today's Army weren't even alive back then. Sorry that things were so bad for you, but things are different now. You go out in uniform these days, and even people who are actively protesting the war will shake your hand and offer to buy you a drink.<BR/><BR/><I>I support our troops and there mission; if you do not support the mission you are saying what they said in the 60’s. Soldiers are baby killers.</I><BR/><BR/>A true patriot is not someone who blindly insists that his country is always in the right, and any criticism is evil. He is someone who does everything in his power to ensure that his country actually _is_ in the right, and if that means condemning our "leaders" and working for change, then so be it.<BR/><BR/><I>By the way I have a Daughter in the Army Reserves that spent last year in Iraq.</I><BR/><BR/>Glad she came back safe. May the rest of us be so lucky.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127156290452388632005-09-19T14:58:00.000-04:002005-09-19T14:58:00.000-04:00A true patriotic American would identify himself r...A true patriotic American would identify himself rather than posting anonymously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127152267069708502005-09-19T13:51:00.000-04:002005-09-19T13:51:00.000-04:00A true patriotic soldier would refuse to take part...A true patriotic soldier would refuse to take part in a war that is causing people more harm than good. <BR/>Why then are you still fighting?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127136920514823092005-09-19T09:35:00.000-04:002005-09-19T09:35:00.000-04:00Ernie, you are clearly too stupid and ignorant to ...Ernie, you are clearly too stupid and ignorant to be allowed near a computer, never mind the internet. Please go and lie down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127085705312621532005-09-18T19:21:00.000-04:002005-09-18T19:21:00.000-04:00Ernie, I think the quote below from a couple of po...Ernie, I think the quote below from a couple of posts down is more typical of taunting today. Funny how it is obviously from someone with a conservative view. Obviously, it's not the liberals these days that are offensive.<BR/><BR/>" Anonymous said...<BR/><BR/> You are worthless as a soldier in the US military and a detrement to your fellow troops. Come home....no better yet take your family and go to a country more to your ideology like Cuba. I hear they have good medical coverage.<BR/><BR/> September 10, 2005 6:23 PM "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127085512462747372005-09-18T19:18:00.000-04:002005-09-18T19:18:00.000-04:00Ernie said: We did not go over any battles of WWII...Ernie said: <I>We did not go over any battles of WWII, how our soldiers fought so bravely or how bad Hitler was. America was bad because we Bombed Dresden. This is what Liberalism has become from the 60’s. I had a problem warring my uniform in public because of the comments you would receive.</I><BR/><BR/>Actually, the liberalism of today is quite different from the liberalism of the 1960s--most anyone will tell you that. You won't find people calling soldiers, who are simply doing their jobs, "baby killers." You just don't see that type of ridiculous ideological blindness in most liberals these days. I am ashamed and saddened that you had to endure this type of treatment. However, I think you should realize that things are quite different today.<BR/><BR/>As for your experiences with your high school history teacher: you are painting all liberals using an impression you have from ONE PERSON. This is hardly a rational analysis. <BR/><BR/><I>I support our troops and there mission; if you do not support the mission you are saying what they said in the 60’s. Soldiers are baby killers.</I><BR/><BR/>That's quite ridiculous, honestly. I support the troops wholeheartedly. I do not approve of the war. That does not imply in any fashion that I would ever deem a soldier a "baby killer." Again, I am sorry for your experiences, but if you cannot see that liberals today are immensely different from liberals in the 1960s, you simply are not looking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127084350663976302005-09-18T18:59:00.000-04:002005-09-18T18:59:00.000-04:00Dude...98GRU 88-92....way to go...keep doing it.Dude...98GRU 88-92....way to go...keep doing it.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01906011226071975298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127007366805188112005-09-17T21:36:00.000-04:002005-09-17T21:36:00.000-04:00"I respect your thoughts and what is a Patriot, bu..."I respect your thoughts and what is a Patriot, but the "Liberals" you are defending are the same that would call you a baby killer....."<BR/><BR/>that's ridiculous. <BR/><BR/>you're really a lost soul. <BR/><BR/>If FDR was a Communist... then yes, I"m a communist. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I would rather live in a country where the government is controlled by the people rather than a handful of corporate CEOs. for goodness sakes!! don't you realize that the Vice President of our country is a corporation with a human face? <BR/><BR/>don't you realize that when the radio stations stopped playing the Dixie Chicks after Natalie Mains said she was ashamed of Bush that this is what dictatorships do? <BR/><BR/>And before you try to state that it was the decision of the people to remove the Dixie Chicks from the radio......please remember that Clear Channel owns about 75% of the major radio stations out there and that it's CEO is one of George Bush's best friends. <BR/><BR/>therefore, it wasn't by the will of the "people" that the Dixie Chicks were taken off the air, but an act of "Corporate Dictatorship"<BR/><BR/>This is NOT what my ancestors envisioned this country to be when they were fighting the Redcoats. <BR/><BR/>Google it. you will see for yourself.bananahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10533918456052082860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1127004857310907942005-09-17T20:54:00.000-04:002005-09-17T20:54:00.000-04:00Ernie, I wonder if you understood the lesson your...Ernie,<BR/> I wonder if you understood the lesson your teacher was teaching in 1970. The bombing/burning of Dresden is still taught at West Point and other military academies as a case study on the military concept of "proportionality." This does not ever imply U.S.=bad NAZI Germany=Good. It questions the morality of proportionate response. Many argue that the response in Dresden (and Hiroshima and Nagasaki) WAS correct, because ultimately it quite possibly saved many lives. Others disagree. The point is to have the discussion and examine the issue. <BR/>My question here isn't meant to insult your intelligence, but when you throw up that old canard that equates (American) liberalism with Communism, you lose credibility with about 95% of the population -- both liberals and conservatives.<BR/>Like the bumper stickers say:<BR/>THINK!<BR/>QUESTION AUTHORITY!<BR/>Don't follow BLINDLY.d.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08723367478934978210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1126990185878298902005-09-17T16:49:00.000-04:002005-09-17T16:49:00.000-04:00Go On Zach, Soon i will mail again.Jan From Hollan...Go On Zach, <BR/>Soon i will mail again.<BR/><BR/>Jan From HollandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1126917116026415762005-09-16T20:31:00.000-04:002005-09-16T20:31:00.000-04:00As usual, well said, Sarge.As usual, well said, Sarge.d.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08723367478934978210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1126886820688458512005-09-16T12:07:00.000-04:002005-09-16T12:07:00.000-04:00Nah, ernie. Your dear leader and his cabal are wa...Nah, ernie. Your dear leader and his cabal are war criminals and are the baby killers in a war based on LIES. Funny how the liberals built Japan and Germany into functional countries after WW2, but you neo-cons have failed with Iraq. Proves which ideology is correct. Why don't you just admit you're an imperialist?<BR/><BR/>-roamer in michAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1126883492388569752005-09-16T11:11:00.000-04:002005-09-16T11:11:00.000-04:00As usual, Snag, you are a voice of clarity and rea...As usual, Snag, you are a voice of clarity and reason. An excellent retort, brother!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com