11/3/2006
My encounter with Anti-War protesters.
American Soldier says,
So no shit there I was driving to work and in the distance I could see some signs on an overpass. I figured I’d pass some ‘Welcome home Soldier or Marine’ signs like normal. Not on this day. There were about 7 anti-war/anti-bush signs. At first I just shook my head and I drove on. I got about a mile down the road and I found myself pulling off the highway to turn around. I could feel the adrenaline course throw my veins.
At first I began to get angry because here are some signs that clearly go against everything within my character and what I believe in. The image of me getting out of my car and ripping the signs down kept repeating itself. Yeah I said to myself, go rip those signs down and you will feel better.
I was approaching the overpass and I saw two guys standing in the middle of the bridge on the sidewalk. One was an older man and another a little older than I. I slowed down and rolled down my window. The first thing I said was “Do you see the medal on my plate?” I have a Purple Heart plate. They looked over and began to tell me how they support the troops but not the war. I responded by saying that the medal is more than me being injured. It’s about honor and sacrifice.
I asked how they could support the troops but not the war?
So the dialogue went on for about 40 minutes. I never got out of my car; I just sat comfortably in my vehicle. We exchanged points about the war and what is really going on over there. I explained to them what I did over there. They said it was a fool’s war. I told them that it wasn’t and they were being misled with whatever political slant or stance they have with it. I told them that we needed to have stability in the Middle East and Iraq was the prime place for it. I told them that like most people, we did the right thing by going in Afghanistan. However the Middle East needed to have stability. I explained the strategic reason why Iraq was the prime place. I told them what countries borders Iraq and how it was the center piece for that area. Saddam needed to be taken out regardless; he was a ruthless leader, etc, etc. I explained to them that the knee-jerk reaction to 9/11 included Iraq. It was just a matter of time.
I said to them that if they thought this was a fool’s war, then what about the next conflict? Is that going to be another fool’s war? Should we let the people depict what is a fair war? Should we hold votes to decide what kind of war is right for the US? It doesn’t work like that I told them. We are given the rights we have for the sacrifices of men and woman who serve our nation. I told the younger guy that it is a privilege he has to be standing on this bridge protesting the war and our government. I said you know if he were in Iran he would be shot and drag through the streets. I told him how dare he say he supports the troops but not the war that I nearly died in?
The conversation went full circle and I said many times that I disagree with what they were doing. They even invited me to one of their ‘candle light vigils!’ I had to restrain myself from laughing. I simply declined.
Then the older gentleman asked me if I had a problem with them executing their freedom of speech. I looked him in the eyes and I said. There is an organization that preaches the same message outside of Walter Reed Hospital. They go there and defile a sacred ground that today’s warriors go to die or recover from their wounds. I said that he is no different than those people; he is only separated by 1500 miles between his picket sign and theirs.
He didn’t know what to say at that point. He started to say something and I cut him off. I responded by saying: “If I had to do it again that I would willingly volunteer to go fight in any war my nation puts in front of me. The reason is I want to be there for my fellow soldier. If I could save another soldiers life through my experience then I can rest good at night. What makes him sleep peacefully at night?”
I rolled up my window and drove away and went to work.
Filed under: General
49 Responses to “My encounter with Anti-War protesters.”
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WELL DONE, A.S.!!!!!!
Sorry you had to encounter them at all… but you did a great job.
I called my wife after and she asked if I was at the local jailhouse.
That would only fueled their cause.
Yup, when somthing pisses you off that much. Good on you for tlaking to them and not getting grr. They wudda probably given you tons of left wing shit in the face. Personally I want to go to Westminster and tear down the peace signs. Those people hate Blair, Hate the war and Hate the Soldiers that serve in it. Fair point they go against the war, thats their own view, but the soldiers that fight and die in it? How can they hate them?
Eurgh I hate this fething country! You cant do anything, argh! Laws are passed to put hate preachers in prison and instead they let them protest give their sons jobs on the underground, and lock up the BNP who are non violent!
You guys are lucky that so many support your troops,. over here there is ahrdly anything, Id get done for racial crime or hate crime if I put up a “support our troops” sticker somewhere, it offends muslims, and that why I cant wear a crucifix around my neck.
Back to the point, good on you AS. I would of done the same thing, makes my blood boil man.
It must be that wonderful military training because I would not have had the patience that you displayed. And I’m afraid to say that I have a lot of practice at it here where I live. My husband is still waiting to get a call from the jailhouse…so far so good tho.
Well Done, Sir!!
Hello,
You handled yourself well and your answers were the best anyone could have goiven. Thanks soldier for your love of our country. Happy Thanksgiving
Rev. M. Bresciani
http://www.americanprophet.org
Mercy, AS, you provided some logic and facts. It is a shame, those people are so full of their pet theories and ideas, that any thing else goes completely over their head. Nice Job, but it is a waste of time. Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up type of mentality.
The Bush Derangement Syndrome is something that there really is not much of a cure for.
American Soldier, you are a fraud and know it. If indeed you got wounded in Iraq you blessed your injury that enabled you to run away home, where it is safe. No real soldier I know uses his injuries to boast of a non-existent heroism. If you want to fight, go back to Iraq and fight. Otherwise shut up.
O,connor,
He did stay there after he wounded. He was there a full 2 weeks afterwards b/c he did not want to come home. The military was the one who made the choice to send him back, it was not his own. If he had had his way he would have stayed and carried on.
He voluntered to go fight the war. He did not just get called up as most soldiers do. He was one of a handful from our state that voluntered to do this. And he, as well as the others, have been honored for this fact.
He will always run to the fight. Not away from it.
O’Conner, I think you should do some more reading around here, and that might prevent you from lookin like an ignorant tool, talkin out yer ass.
Everything you said is a complete falsity. Everybody here but you knows that. Do a little research before opening your mouth next time.
Well, if you think these people are bad on the side of the road, what about this guy.
The nerve John Kerry has. Either way his comments insult us in one way or another.
Nice job not running those protesters over, as hard as it must have been for you not to.
Perhaps oconner wants to share his War experience with us or shut his mouth.
O’Conner,
I have to say that you go some balls of steal to say what you did.
However, I entertain your comment for a moment and then will move on.
I was injured twice in Iraq, the first time I could have probably been able to leave but I chose to be with my Soldiers. The second time my injury’s were to severe and the Army decided to send me back to the states for recovery.
So the next time you want to be a smart asshat, get the facts straight and read a little about your chosen subject.
Yeah, how DARE they express the opinion that most of the world knew all along and that even now most Americans have been able to deduce, that the war in Iraq is a wrongful, shameful war that should never have been started? How DARE they try to actually use their (steadily eroding) freedom of speech to express an idea that is (gasp!!) contradictory to what the fascists who planned this war want them to say? Where do they think they are, a free country or something? People like yourself are about one bumper sticker away from wearing armbands and jackboots. Get ahold of yourself.
Realist—-try looking it up in the dictionary—————because it is something you [realist]
are NOT. You, like Kerry need to do your home-work before you open mouth and insert foot 
or should that be feet ? 
leaving you with out a leg to stand on. Realist, oh yeah? LOL
Hi, i’m a student in high school and i would especially like to thank you for going out and fighting for our country. After reading this blog it occurred to me how contridicting Americans can be. They want their country to be safe and secure, while not having to pay or send troops over seas to fight. People expect so much from our soldiers today, but they including me will never know what its truely like to live the life of a soldier. However, i do know that it took a lot of courage, strength and endurance in doing what you did daily. You should forget about those who do not understand your actions, because you know that what you contributed for the well-being of our country, is beyond amazing.
Hello there,
I think your reaction was inappropriate, although I can understand why you’d react that way after going to war “for your country”.
I think you wrongfully think that it is impossible to support the troops, but not the war. To prove that it is possible to do so, let me show you a far fetched example.
You are a German father of a 20 year old soldier in world war 2. Obviously, you should not support “the war” since it is a war of aggression and oppression of innocent peoples. But your own son and fellow countryman being in the army, obviously you wish to support the troops. You want them to be safe, you want them to come back home in one piece, and if they are going to be stuck at war, despite all, you will hope that they will be successful enough to not get killed.
In this example, you have to understand that many people feel that the government has been hijacked by a president who is misleading his country into a war of aggression in Iraq for the benefit of military industries and who knows what else. What I think most people against the Iraqi war also agree on is that it is not, in any way, for the benefit of Americans, America’s economy and America’s security interests.
Given those beliefs, is it really so wrong for them to stand against the war while “pretending” to support the troops? They don’t want Americans to die for nothing which is both why they want the war to stop and why they want to support the troops, but not the war.
Most “real” Americans do not support the war.
Having won a Purple Heart gives you no more of a voice than any other citizen.
If Iraq is so critical to our nation’s security why haven’t the Bush twins volunteered ?
As for who should decide when to go to war I do think that it should be decided in the way that the Constitution so reads.
And of course “war” was never declared.
Soldier, let me tell you something.
At times in my life I have had the honor of saving the life of another person or assisting in such an endeavor.
Most of the time people are very grateful that you helped them, but on occasion, you will assist someone, or you will assist the family of someone who is less than grateful.
That’s life. The ones who are appreciative are appreciative, those who are not, are not.
You cannot make the ones who don’t care grateful, you cannot dissuade the grateful ones from being appreciative.
You don’t save everyone, and there are those who don’t care and don’t want to be saved and are even resentful of those who have done the saving.
C’est la vie.
You won’t convince them by debate, and you can’t instill your values in them.
Sure, they seem loud, and a sort of underground, propaganda, subversive danger to the morale of everyone of their fellow citizens.
But they are not. Their ideas, or lack thereof, their ideals, or lack thereof, are completely superfluous and meaningless.
Their particular path through life is the problem of no one else, and the fruits of their many lack of achievements is their own to enjoy.
Let them have their picket signs and their street marches and their megaphones. In the end all of their demonstrating is like a UN resolution, and about a third as effective. If you had that kinda success rate then wouldn’t you at least want some one to hold your hand and “listen attentively?”
But don’t sweat the small huffs. Just let me blow, cause in the end, you attract more blowflies when you poke a pile than when you just walk on by.
I guess what I’m really saying is, “You can lead a horse to bother, but you can’t make him think.” He’s just never gonna be that smart in the first place.
What you do instead is just laugh to yourself and remember this, “sure, that guy may stink up the room while everybody else is around, but ultimately, when he leaves, the stink goes with him.” And isn’t that what’s really important?
In other words, if you’re bothered by him in just a few moments of close contact, just imagine what he must live through his whole life.
Kinda puts a different perspective on it, don’t it?
Godspeed by the way, and thanks for your service.
“If indeed you got wounded in Iraq you blessed your injury that enabled you to run away home, where it is safe.”
O’Connor, there’s a time and a place for everything and everyone under the sun. As stupid as that remark was, this must be yours.
Thanks for the laugh.
Realist. So what if the country turns like that. Would probably be better for everyone, wouldnt have the pussy foot left destroying the US from within. Bout time that PC and the Wests, softly softly approcah went out the window.
How did the Empire with its first guireilla war. Brutality and scorched Earth. Tbh thats the only way to win when people are so set in their beleifs. AS you shudda just run them over.
American Soldier,
I am proud that our country has brave and principled people like you. I am particularly glad that you took time to discuss these issues with your fellow americans in a civilized way. I wish more of us had the inclination and courage to do the same.
I do have to comment, however, that like a previous posted indicated, there is no inherent contradiction in “supporting the troops” and not “supporting the war”.
For my part, I have no problem holding American soldiers in high esteme for their personal sacrafices and absolute commitment to our nation while completely disagreeing with the policical decisions that lead to the war in Iraq.
I encourage you to study the facts regarding the planning and execution of this war. I think you will find, as I have, that our political leaders were, at best, willfully ignorant of the ramifications that a hastily conducted war would bring. Bush Sr. himself articulated the very reason’s we should not have gone to war in Iraq when he chose not to do so himself.
Thank you for your service and for the opportunity to express my opinions.
Tom
Interesting……..my post disappeared.
I really like it when people try to straddle the fence on, “I support the solders but hate the war.” Usually such fuzzy thinking then turns to a hatred of George W. Bush (Commander in Chief) and then somehow also gets back to agreeing with many of the articles that newspapers like the New York Times publishes. For many, there is a disconnect between being able to support the soldier, but then actively campaigning against either the job or the command structure that puts that soldier in harms way. There is that failure to realize that that split decision harms the soldier as that warrior realizes the hypocrisy of such a decision.
If you really support the soldier, you would do anything to get the job done; to give that soldier (he/she) all they need to do the job; to support them in their decision to go (and to fight), and to come home when (and only when) the job is finished. If you agree to the redeployment (cut and run) then you end up under cutting the warriors that are on the front lines of this war. So, how can you support the troops, when you vote and decide issues that are counter to the well-being and care of our warriors?
As I stated, if you support the warriors (soldiers) then you want to make sure they get what they need ( in tactical, logistical and moral) to complete the job; but also that they finish the job they set out to do. Any other decision undercuts the warrior; and reveals to that individual where the true loyalty lies (which is not to the solder.)
If there are discussions (and thing were/are done wrong in this war) lets win it first, then go back and see what we need to improve and/or change. That is the appropriate time to do so; not when our men and women are on the front lines, defending our right and freedoms as Americans.
Maybe, the question needs to be asked, “What are you willing to die for?” Is there any cause that you would be willing to lay down your life? Your God? Your freedom? Your children’s Freedom? The Freedom of this great country of ours?
AS found that there are decisions in life that have to be made. He volunteered for service, and thank God he came back. He did what needed to be done so that many of us can give him a heart felt thanks, while others can put silly remarks on this blog about his sacrifice and the decisions he and his lovely wife (and the new arrival) have made.
THX AS
If it weren’t for soldiers like AS, where would this country be?? We would be taken over by crazed fanatics who would rule us with an iron fist and there would be no democracy or freedom of speech!
Our soldiers volunteer and are willing to lay their lives on the line for our freedoms! I for one am very grateful for AS and for men and women like him who serve our country so well!! God Bless You AS and all of our service men and women!!
Question: Who said this? “War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.”
———————-
American Soldier: “I told the younger guy that it is a privilege he has to be standing on this bridge protesting the war and our government.”
Me: Wrong. It’s a right. In fact, it’s right #1. See Bill Of. In fact, it’s a right your shameful war criminal moron misleader took an oath to protect and defend. Ha ha! He uses its nobility to excuse his crimes. Now THAT’S desecration. You fell for it. Shame.
———————-
Answer: John F. Kennedy
The American people have spoken on Nov 7th about how they feel about this war.
To you I am very sorry that you had to put up with such stupidy. You did not start this war, you only served the US as asked. You are a true American. God Bless You
The people of the US didn’t just select a new group to serve us in Washington only because of the war. It had to do with many other factors.
Never put down a United States Solider for doing his job. that is one of the most disrespectivefull thing Ive heard of. Im sure that most of our fathers have served in the service and I am honored that my Father (served after Pearl Harbor was bombed), Stepfather( served in Vietnam) Father in Law ( Captured and saved by nums) and many friends and realtives now serve and have served where they were needed.
AS, Brilliantly handled.
I am always amazed at those who are so quick to claim ‘freedom of speech”, but whom are so angry and vocal when the speech is not to their liking. From my experience, the ‘tolerant’ left is a mythical beast.
Had they truly wanted to support the troops, but had a disagreement with the policy of the war, then the place to protest that is outside the houses of governance, not military outposts or worse, military hospitals. They are, in my opinion of the same ilk as those who protest at soldier’s funerals because of some twisted religious view. I do not believe I coul have had the restraint you showed.
Jack - A better wording might be, “You can lead a man to knowledge but you can’t make him think” - used quite often by we in the CON-sulting business
nokilli, You are correct it is a right. One bought and paid for in blood, by many a soldier.
Since you are fond of quotations, how about this one:
“We don’t want any more wars, but a man is a damn fool to
think there won’t be any more of them. I am a peaceloving Quaker,
but when war breaks out every damn man in my family goes. If we’re ready, nobody will tackle us. Give us a club and we will face them all….
There is no use talking about abolishing war; that’s damn
foolishness. Take the guns away from men and they will fight just the same. . . .”
and at the end of this same speech;
“Pacifists? Hell, I’m a pacifist, but I always have a club
behind my back!”
It was said by a man staunchly against American involvement in foriegn war, because he had fought in many. However he still understood that we would not eliminate war, nor could we disarm and war would simply go away. The man was General Smedley Butler, marine.
Is it just me, or has anyone noticed that anytime you hear from someone on the left, they come off as bitter, angry, hateful people? It seems they cannot communicate anything in a calm, logical tone. This is why, since before I could vote, the left has never appealed to me. Ninety percent emotion, and ten percent logic. When emotions rule, results are more times than not bad.
Tom - you are the exception to my observation in my previous post. We may disagree, but your point was well expressed and leaves room for debate. Wish there were more who could express themselves with the same tone.
Thanks DamdYankee:
And now for another word from Gen. Smedley Butler:
The following is an excerpt from a speech Gen. Butler delivered in 1933…one of over 1,200 speeches he delivered in over 700 US cities.
“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we’ll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
I wouldn’t go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.
There isn’t a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its “finger men” to point out enemies, its “muscle men” to destroy enemies, its “brain men” to plan war preparations, and a “Big Boss” Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism.
It may seem odd for me, a military man to adopt such a comparison. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent 33 years and 4 months in active military service as a member of this country’s most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.
I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.
During those years, I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.”
In the first half of the 20th century, Gen. Butler was as well known as Colin Powell is today. He served 33 years in the US Marines and is one of only 19 people ever to receive TWO Congressional Medals of Honor - the highest decoration the US Military awards.
Again to DamdYankee: “I am always amazed at those who are so quick to claim ‘freedom of speech”, but whom are so angry and vocal when the speech is not to their liking. From my experience, the ‘tolerant’ left is a mythical beast.”
This thread was started by a guy on the right, right not left, who got infuriated at the sight of people exercising their right to free speech in public, people who told him they supported the troops but not the war.
You say, “Had they truly wanted to support the troops, but had a disagreement with the policy of the war, then the place to protest that is outside the houses of governance, not military outposts or worse, military hospitals.” It was AS who brought up protests outside those places. The people who made AS angry were holding up signs on a freeway overpass. You guys set up straw men and knock them over. Nice bullies.
AS responded to the sign holders by saying: “If I had to do it again that I would willingly volunteer to go fight in any war my nation puts in front of me. The reason is I want to be there for my fellow soldier. If I could save another soldiers life through my experience then I can rest good at night. What makes him sleep peacefully at night?”
I would reply, those sign holders are doing something to stop an illegal, immoral and overwhelmingly tragic war. They’re supporting troops by trying to get them home, before they kill or are killed themselves. Good for the sign holders. How do YOU sleep knowing that your rah-rah got us this far into the quagmire and can’t get us out? If the military can only blindly, mutely, unquestioningly follow a leader, even when he’s a MISleader — your opinion is vapor and your bodies are fodder. That’s your job description and you signed on the line. I’ll take the guy using his mind and heart and body addressing his fellow humans on the freeway overpass anytime, thank you.
http://www.freewayblogger.com/weblog.htm
Soldier, Journalist, Freeway Blogger: Compare jobs:
THE BABY IN THE GYM BAG
“Last June, Yves Eudes, a reporter for Le Monde, came
to my house and interviewed me about freewayblogging.
He was a younger man, in his thirties, good looking
and somewhat reserved, almost shy, which for a reporter
surprised me. As a political and war correspondent
he’d been in Iraq three times since the invasion and I
asked him what it was like. Specifically, I asked if
he’d seen anything he knew he’d never be able to
forget. He told me this story, and I think about it
whenever I feel like giving up.
“I was in Nasariyah and a couple came up to me on the
street asking for help. They were carrying a large
gym bag, an ‘Adidas’ bag, with their daughter inside.
The city was in chaos, and they came up to me, I
suppose, because I was a westerner and they thought I could
help them. When I looked inside the bag there was a
little girl, maybe two years old, with bandages around
her head. There was a terrible smell and I thought to
myself ‘Okay, they have a dead girl…’ The bandages
were loose and soaked in fluid - it was a terrible
wound, covering half her head. I guessed they’d gotten
her to a hospital and they’d done what they could
quickly and gave her back. It was the early days of the
war and the hospitals were full. I couldn’t believe it
when I saw she was still alive.” “I took them to the Americans, and there was a woman soldier there, a big woman, who said there was nothing they could do… that it had to be a military casualty
or something like that. I forget exactly. I want to
say she was mean, but I don’t know. More like she was
just following her orders… she stood like this…”
he said, and folded his arms across his chest.
“We went to a couple more soldiers, but it was the
same. There was one young soldier who went for help, but
then came back saying he couldn’t do anything. I went
with them for awhile longer, but it was obvious I was
useless. Eventually they just went away.”
We were sitting in my garage, surrounded by the tools
of my trade: cardboard, paint, overhead projector.
Outside it was a beautiful day: a warm, late afternoon
in sunny southern California. “It’s hard to describe
what they were like, the parents… they were beyond
sad, beyond scared… they were doing the only thing
they could do - looking for help - and I couldn’t help
feeling that I’d wasted their time. I don’t know if I
will ever forget their faces, or what it was like to
see their little girl… but the thing I know I will
never forget is the way they looked as they walked away,
wandering the streets with their baby in that bag…
looking for someone who could help them.”
Hello I want to start by saying that I think that it is amazing what you do… I couldn’t imagine going to war but I also think that on some levels you are being hypocritical now you say you fight this war to protect america and that includes our rights. You are getting angry because people are expressing their constitutional rights. I also do not think that it is contradictory to support the soldiers but not the war becase no one wants to see innocent counrtymen die but some of Bush’s motives have been questionable since the start of the war. I think that maybe you should try to be a little open minded to the other side of the spectrum and not agree but at least try to understand where people who do not agree with the war are coming from.
I live in Sweden and even I can see that this is wrong. And that is also one of the reason I haven’t been brainwashed by Bush.
Please read
Okay you have been in a war, people see you as a solider and you get angry on those who are trying to “stop” you or whatever. Now the thing is that they or most of the people demonstrating the war doesen’t want to tell you as a solider, that you are a bad person. What they mean, is that they want peace and that it is wrong to force peoples death for an unknown purpose. What do you know of the war, who has planned it, what is it for? and who is behind the conflicts?. Maybe you thought and still think, “Oh, sure I’m doing the best thing, they will bomb us if we don’t start a war!”. To risk your life for your country is a very respectfull position, I know that but the thing is that you have not a clue, for which purpose your risking it, you have no clue whats behind everything and that my friend is not worth risking a life which God gave you. Now because of this war, over 200 thousand people has died in Iraq. And now I’m not counting the soldiers lives, but civilians from Iraq etc. That may include many of my relatives which unforunly I haven’t met. But think about the all the lives, would you be so happy if your entire family or friends were killed inorder to get to Bush?. Really my father is probably crying every day because of it. But what I am really angry about and what I will never be able to forgive or forget is the purpose George W Bush let you as a soldier die. Iraq wasn’t even a threat to USA well not more than Korea. And those bombs did they even have neuclear bombs that they where going to launch, and when went to war, they could have fired them aswell. Bush purpose which he had wrote long ago because his father was threatned by Saddam, was to start “win” a war against Iraq, and in his other plan not because of the history was to take the oil from Iraq and in that way get alot of cash. This war was also a sudden plan to overshadow his realtions with the Usama Bin Ladin family.
What you have gotten yourselves into is not at all what you believe. You have proven Bush can use your country as he wants. Tho you have risked your live for your own people, and that wont be forgotten. But George Bush on the other hand will never be fogotten nor forgiven. Do not support his falseness and do not let my grand father and grand mom and these people be killed. Stop his murderer!
/Philip
Frankly I don’t see the problem. Soldier did not attempt to deprive anyone of their first amendment rights. He exercised his.
hey, i live in Texas, where i am raised in a military family, and i just wanted to say thank you for everything that you have done for our counry… i appreciate you!!! I am sorry for other peoples stupidty on the war and our troops. yall go out there and fight and have to come back to a country that really doesnt know how lucky we are. the whole entire time my brother was in iraq, i was scared; hoping that he would come back, i never knew if we would get that phone call, we never did. he is safe at home now, and i really look up to him and what he and every military men and woman do…
Well, i guess i have to go… thatnks
Here’s another thought: why not get behind the war effort and lets get the job done. THEN we can all sit around afterwards and talk about if the war is just or not.
The number of troops (not just American, by the way, but other countries have troops there) who have died or have been wounded is slowly rising. What good can come out of speaking ill of the dead? This is not the United States that I knew while growing up. 2000 dead and people start going nuts. This is a WAR, people. People unfortunately die. America lost more troops on Utah Beach on D-Day during WWII than what we have lost so far. To me, I consider what our military has done to be astounding.
If the left in this country were honest with themselves, they would come to realize that they are still fuming over Bush winning in 2000 and 2004. And since this is HIS war, they’re against it. Nothing annoys me worse than the whining left…
Actually, it’s not disrespectful at all, quite the opposite, actually. The protest is meant to draw attention to the cost of this stupid, asinine war being led by a mentally ill president. The Pentagon makes a point of trying to keep images of injured soldiers out of the press, and certainly doesn’t want images of dead soldiers wrapped in flags. This protest is just saying, “Look here, this is the cost of war…one of many.”
Methinks that “American Soldier” is full of crap, anyway. It has the feel of a made up story. And anyone who doesn’t understand that it’s possible to support the troops and not support the war is out to lunch, anyway. And Mike D, the reason that people say, “I support the troops, but I oppose the war” is very simple. The Republicans pushed the idea that supporting the troops and supporting the war is the same thing. And since no thinking person with any scruples would support this ridiculous, horrible war, it is necessary to make that clear.
I’m not fuming about the elections, myself. I’m disappointed at the stupidity of so many pathetic Americans, but I’m not angry about it anymore. I am very, very angry at the Bush Administration, however, for being so inept and insane. War is the last option, not the first. There was no reason to go to war in Iraq. Not ONE. Not ONE. Afghanistan, yes, because of their support of al-Quaeda. But NOT IRAQ.
Get it through your thick head. Bush has led us down a path of disaster, and the whole world is laughing at us or shaking their head at how stupid we are. Blair wishes he never hitched his wagon to Bush’s star, and the Bush Admin stubbornly refuses to WAKE UP.
US world domination is the reason we’re in Iraq, and it’s why we’re demonizing Iran and Syria. US soldiers like yourself should learn history before you sign up to kill people. Many people around the world hate this country because of what the US military & CIA do around the world. You’re creating enemies.
Where was your Commander In Chief during ‘Nam?
How come none of HIS kids or nieces/nephews are serving?
Johnny and Darren you are both weak minded. It is really not even worth rreplying it is so stupid. Do you not hear what those people want to do to us> Do you know how many they killed over 30 years of “negotiation” led by idiots like Jimmy Carter, who by the way gave nukes with Clinton’s approval to a madman in North Korea, and got by with no more than a janitor in an aspirin factory killed at Clinton’s order? Who the hell are you calling stupid> You sound like you would have kissed the Japanese after Pearl and then asked them to please not do it again. Do you have no idea what happened in Southeast Asia after we deserted those people? It makes the Halocaust pale by comparison. It will happen again with fools like you running your mouths. You are disgraceful and protesting at a hospital is putrid and you honestly should rot in hell for doing it.
Realist you are an idiot. You would not know a fascist if he slapped your face. They are over there saying they want to, no will, slaughter all Christians and have been doing so for years. Do not give me the WMD crap. Saddam was a WMD. No weapon kills without a person giving the order to pull the trigger. A man who slaughters tens of thousands of his own people is the fascist and a butcher. What the hell is wrong with you people? 9/11 was real. American Soldier you have balls for exposing yourself to damned fools like so many of these people are.
Amen.
Levinson, I supposed you idealized Clinton. He was walking in Red Square during Nam. At least Bush did not slide off to Russia after signing National Guard commitment papers. Clinton is probably the greatest campaigner in our history. I have known thugs I just loved, personality wise. That did not mean I trusted them or that they were good for anything important, and damned sure not as leaders. A loveable crook and able to get places I would love to go, but his legacy is nothing I would want personally, at least not in the public arena.
To Realist, people like AS are the people that are going to be fighting for your “(steaadily eroding) freedom of speech” pretty soon so why don’t you shut up and give some respect to people braver than yourself. If all of you guys feel so strongly about the war and america then why don’t you go out and fight instead of bitching about it on the pc.
and yes, I think demonstrating in front of the hospital is very disrespectful because when people are recuperating from war, I would think the last thing they would want to see and hear is people not supporting the cause that they just risked their lives for.
Hi American Soldier(s),
Thanks!! Thanks !! You guys are heroes! All American Soldiers who fight for freedom are Heroes. I am from Holland and we are very proud of AS.You also put your lives on the line for us ,European people…. We join u were we can as Dutch soldiers, but the Us soldiers, and I must say , UK Soldiers, are the true heroes!!
Good thing, man , like u , excist……God bless all US SOLDIERS IN WHAT THEY DO,
Mike. Holland/Netherlands
Moon…not a big Clinton fan…but he didn’t go AWOL like Chickenhawk George did.
Where are HIS kids? How come they ain’t serving? Too drunk to?
and Mike….about 95% of our fellow Dutch are not klootzakken like Balkenende…
Scott, the press came up with George’s awol but never provided documentation about it and the whole thing disappeared when they were challenged. Hell, I went awol (did not mean to but temptation was too great…and it was just an afternoon anyway but I was lucky I did not get in big trouble). There are documents available where Bill enlisted, reneged, joined the Guard, reneged and finally went to Russia from the UK while many of us did the right thing. George may have been awol but he ain’t in the same league. By the way, my dear departed mother’s maiden name was Dutch-German. I had tremendous respect for Ali when he declined service. He did not run, he stood by his beliefs and paid his dues. He was a man in everything he ever did and even though I disagreed with him I had to applaud his courage.