From: Brian Phillips (deepbluehalo@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue Jan 21 2003 - 16:33:10 MST
wrote:
<<Yes, Samantha, but did you happen to read for content? Or far better did
you
happen to read the email that did a wonderful job of explaining this issue?
Alternatively did you just grab a phrase you could make something out of and
blast off for outer space.>>
I tend to disagree with Samantha much of the time. It is a
measure of our present moral calamity that I find myself
agreeing with her. Make of that what you will....
<< Then you toss this in "What is this "we"? You will sit this one
out
due to age and cheer other "boys" on to their death in a more senseless
conflict than even Vietnam was. Bully for you."
<snip>
<<As to your remarks about sitting the war out. I am a hawk. I do
have
a DD214 as requested yesterday. But you have no idea what ever what goes
through the mind of a silver haired hawk. You know only to grab a handy
slogan that you can shout in front of your private Amen chorus.>>
Fascinating. You claim to have served yet the thought of a young
and (perhaps foolish) Marine who will never walk again does not
seem so very horrific to you.
Let me ask you a question Mr. "Hawk", when my Marines begin to
die for your pride of homeland, and when they choke on the desert
sand and are cut down by bombs and shells from "friendly fire"
then where will your grand sarcasm and eagerness to attack the
"enemy peacenik" be? When the pipes and gantries in the great
ships break under battle conditions and some poor snipe loses
functional use of an arm because it's GQ and not sick-call
where is your battle-lust?
<< Let me ask you a question? Those of us that are hawks on this
list,
who do you suppose we value the most, you or a young hawk that might in
theory have to ship overseas someday? You are right. Most of us consider
that young hawk, male or female, to be far more valuable than you. Not only
that we consider it our duty to be sure you don't waste those young hawks.
>>
Think not of the "young hawks" for I can think of few who appreciate
your too casual attitude towards their quick death (if they are lucky) or
a lingering hated life while they shit and piss themselves in a VA hospital
bed they will NEVER leave. Do you know what a "goner ward" smells
like Mr. Hawk? Do you know what happens to a young Marine
or sailor, full of life, when they are unable to run or even work without
intractable pain? I think you should quit arguing with Samantha and
meditate on the ineffable loss to us this conflict may bring. Contemplate
the human tragedy that may await us, because even in a volunteer
force "selective objectors" have no recourse but to bear arms and
die if neccessary.
I won't even mention the Iraqi casualties (civilians and conscripts , not
elite volunteers or powermongers). It's hard to get a silver-haired hawk
to give one good goddamn about some poor 17 year old who's Dad is
a Wahabbi scum raghead (Thanks to Spudboy for the image!) who
naturally deserves a guest of honor seat with an Apache's DZ?
"might in theory have to ship out"? The bases in Norfolk are half empty.
I only hope the hospitals will not house their remainders.
<<You and Johnson sent the hawks to Vietnam in 64 to win an election. You
cheered and voted, Johnson won and handcuffed the men doing the fighting,
then when they returned home you spat on those young men and women -- they
had only gone there because you drafted them.
Ron h>>
And you think we should send them in again?
I think you should utilize that DD214 of yours and save some trees from
being
latrine tissue.
I cannot imagine the arrogance which would lead anyone of any morality
or decency to condone this war. And I am one arrogant SOB.
But perhaps I am hopelessly confused by the fact I will have to pick
up the broken pieces of some of America's most sincere (if somewhat
gungho) citizens. I may not be a devildoc proper but I am a corpsman,
and an NCO, and I find Samantha's attitudes far more palatable than
anyone (outside of the Army units or the MARDIV) who takes the
"glass parking lot" attitude to Bagdad. (metaphor warning!!)
That's it.. if I had 20 years to reminisce about this experience and no
possibility of facing fire myself .. maybe I'd be ready to chill with a six
pack
and watch the smart bombs impact on CNN. And chat about realpolitik
on email lists.
Brian
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