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Originally posted by Mindmelding
If there is a need to be saved by the military it is from the military.
Military have always been the opressing forces in any totalitarian regime, and yes, that is where the US is going.
By some definitions it might already be there. What happens is not the military suddenly finds it's true calling and gets rid of the politicians and corrupt businessmen, it's that the military lower ranks and a few non psychopathic
(or just simply non aligned psychopaths) decide to take over the nation, by fighting not only the corrupt civilians but also the corruption within it's own ranks (and usually higher up than average).
These ideas are historical constants. The military is the problem way before it is the solution,
and even when it morphs itself into the solution it won't take many decades for it to become the problem again.
But in our modern hierarchical global socieities there are many niches which psychopaths can occupy without being ousted for such. And, as much as you folks don't want to admit it, some of them are in high military ranks and civilians in government with military oversight.
As you all validate each other I would like to leave this consideration: Just because the majority agrees does not mean the majority is right.
Originally posted by mf_luder
Your post is illogical.
Would joining the military because one stands for the protection of his fellow citizens and the constitution not constitute "standing for what you believe?"
Or in your mind does standing for what you believe only apply if it's all sunshine and butterflies?
Just curious.
Originally posted by jfj123
Glad to hear you'll be offline for awhile. Frankly I'm sick and tired of you trashing the military.
Originally posted by Mindmelding
reply to post by Hazelnut
My angles stands on it's own merit and is something being considered by many bright minds the world over.
Originally posted by Mindmelding
Originally posted by jfj123
Glad to hear you'll be offline for awhile. Frankly I'm sick and tired of you trashing the military.
You will notice I don't respond to every counter argument I get,
just the ones I consider well thought out and polite.
I don't really want to be confrontational, just give out the other side, the countering viewpoint.
But I'll make an atypical exception for the last line of your post:
I'm also sick and tired of the military trashing the lives of innocent, both within the ranks and in the gun sights. When I hurt someone it's just with an opinion, when you guys hurt someone it is usually with live ammunition. There is a qualitative difference there, so sorry if I don't tip toe around your feelings.
Originally posted by Mindmelding
reply to post by Jenna
Narcissism is a psychological pathology. They are psychopaths by most medical definitions. Psychopath is a broad term which covers many subclassifications. For the purpose of ponerology we are interested in the ones that have low or non existant empathy levels and a self centered reality system, ie, people who think that what they say or do should have precedence over reality. I would remind you Karl Rove's phrase "we are the writers of history" here (quoting from memory so I may not have it quite right, but that was the idea). And yes, I do realise that after all my posts on this thread I'm open for this angle to be turned around back at me, but it would be a stretch to go that far.
Again, have a nice day.
People cannot accept an idea on it's own merits so they search for authoritive validation, for the hierarchy.
Originally posted by dooper
Stellar, no one is arguing that the citizens won't be right there with the military.
The US has never won a war with the Army that was standing at the time the War broke out.
It was always fought by citizen soldiers.
But do not estimate the purpose and real-time dedication to the US by our Armed Forces.
A lot of folks talk about the absolute "waste" in our fighting in Vietnam, but fail to consider the world situation at the time.
At all times, your military actions are being observed by others. Conclusions are being reached, evaluated, and then modified as conditions change.
The Soviet Union was the power that faced the US during Viet Nam, but they were facing NATO and American troops in Europe.
The Soviets watched the actions of the US in Vietnam and soberly concluded that if the American would fight so hard at such a cost for a country they really didn't give a * about, how much harder would they fight the Soviets if they elected to expand across Europe, where we in fact DID give a *.
So never assume that soldiers don't know what they're fighting for, what they're ultimate sacrifice is for, or their motivations.
While I always fought for the man beside me, I likewise always fought underneath my flag. I knew my bread from my butter, and which side it was buttered on.
Oh, we bitched about the heat, the lack of shelter at times, the bugs, the shortages, the taste of the water, but never would I exchange that for a comfortable sitting at home.And when Bob Hope would trot out a hottie, and say "Just wanted to remind you boys what you're fighting for," never were truer words spoken.