To US Veterans...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

After WW2 can you name anything specifically?

You didn't understand what I said about Marshall?

[CarveTheFive]

Yeah. That was a WWII reference.

If you were there thanks for stopping Hitler.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I'm sure that most former soldiers are fine individuals, but since the overwhelming majority of wars are emphatically not fought to protect freedom, but to deny it to other people (or to protect economic interests), you'll have to excuse me if I don't wet myself in a blanket adoration of combat veterans.

Boru

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Yeah. That was a WWII reference.

If you were there thanks for stopping Hitler.

So you didn't get it. Understood.

---

I'm sure that most former soldiers are fine individuals, but since the overwhelming majority of wars are emphatically not fought to protect freedom, but to deny it to other people (or to protect economic interests), you'll have to excuse me if I don't wet myself in a blanket adoration of combat veterans.

Boru

Both sides are fought to deny freedom to other people? Seems like they could just agree?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Yeah. That was a WWII reference.

If you were there thanks for stopping Hitler.

So you didn't get it. Understood.

---

I'm sure that most former soldiers are fine individuals, but since the overwhelming majority of wars are emphatically not fought to protect freedom, but to deny it to other people (or to protect economic interests), you'll have to excuse me if I don't wet myself in a blanket adoration of combat veterans.

Boru

Both sides are fought to deny freedom to other people? Seems like they could just agree?

Don't be coy.  It doesn't suit you.

Boru

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Can I be koi? They're pretty cool. But you didn't answer the question.

[Brian37]

Although it was yesterday, I agree. Our military does not require a political party or religious oath to serve and people of all backgrounds from every state serve side by side.

I may not like GOP economics, but I never questioned John McCain's service for example. I washed out of Air Force basic myself. 

Not because of the physical aspect. But by the time I went in, I had a lifetime of living on a street full of bullies being physically weaker, and lived under authoritarian parents(all be it well intended) so they were quick to shout at me. So getting shouted at from 5am to 10pm  in basic constantly took a toll on me mentally. I look back at it now, and know the DIs were not trying to hurt me, but make me tough. I didn't know any better back then so I did take it personally and that yelling made me more insecure. 

Anyway, the point is, I have a deep appreciation for those who do serve precisely because I know I couldn't.  So to all who served, thank you.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

*shrug* Ask legitimate questions and you'll get answers.

Boru

[Gawdzilla Sama]

LOL ...

[AFTT47]

I was proud to have served in the US Air Force during the first Gulf War to expel the Iraqis from Kuwait. It was a noble effort, IMO. Even then though, there was the issue that Sudaam Hussein did not place his dedicated troops along the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border. He drafted innocent farmers and placed them there - and we mercilessly carpet-bombed them. When we finally sent in the ground troops, the surviving Iraqi "soldiers" surrendered to news camera crews. We taught them to sing the Gilligan's Island song and they were ecstatic - happy to be alive.

So, mixed feelings.

I feel like we did what we had to do but it's nothing to beat our chests about and feel superior.

Luke: "I'm not looking for a friend; I'm looking for a great warrior."

Yoda: "Great warrior? Wars not make one great."

That's how I feel about it.