General Discussion

Drahthaardogs

(6,843 posts)

79. Well,

Mon Feb 13, 2012, 08:29 PM

Feb 2012

I look at it this way. Our rights, our freedoms, they were won with blood. Not just military blood either. Mother Jones, Ludlow, Patrick Henry, Sojurner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and so many others. Solidiers, miners, proud women, rebellious slaves ...no one has ever given us anything. That which we have, we took and paid for in blood.

Do I think Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Iran were about freedom? No, I do not. I think they were about oil, money, and political power. However, I DO believe that if we ever dismantle the military, strip ourselves down, if we did not engage in those wars, the free world as we know it would cease to exist. It is a Mexican stand off of sorts, but in my mind's eye, the day our imperialistic military (which it is) goes away, is the day we must truly be afraid as Americans.

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I disagree with Rachel tonite on the issue of a ticker parade for Iraq Vets [View all] LiberalFighter Feb 2012 OP

Rah-rahs are good politics. Bonobo Feb 2012 #1

A veterans service is far from shameful. denbot Feb 2012 #7

Well said. pamela Feb 2012 #23

So true. Drahthaardogs Feb 2012 #35

Anyone who has paid any attention to history in the past several decades Arugula Latte Feb 2012 #59

Well said and I concur. +1000 cherokeeprogressive Feb 2012 #81

Parades celebrate the END of war, and those who served pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #8

I won't celebrate useful idiots. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #12

Just to let you know, it was me who alerted on your post. denbot Feb 2012 #13

No."Useful idiots". A political and historical term. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #16

Bullshit, it was a blanket insult to veterans. You should be ashamed. denbot Feb 2012 #17

Well, no it wasn't and I am not ashamed. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #21

I have, also I'm active with vote vets, and wounded warriors. denbot Feb 2012 #38

And "useless idiot" is what we veterans call internet posters Muskypundit Feb 2012 #18

No. You can't claim 'useful idiots' is simply a term of art and get a free pass. pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #97

Who's looking for a free pass? I was quite clear in regards to usage Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #99

No one but you is trying to change the meaning pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #101

I've not changed the meaning, at all. In fact, I reaffirmed it by citing Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #102

Yeah, we were only in it to destroy the lives of millions and blow innocents to smithereens pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #108

I do know the meaning. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #112

I've actually seen severed body parts pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #123

I feel sorry for you pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #14

I won't celebrate that they put their lives on the line so that Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #19

Your a real fuckin hero. Muskypundit Feb 2012 #20

You meant to say.., Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #22

No. They put their lives on the line for each other. pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #27

Glad you are alive. Sorry you think risking your life was worth it. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #28

At the time.... moriah Feb 2012 #29

So you'd only insult half the veterans here. Thanks for nothing. nt DevonRex Feb 2012 #55

"Sorry you think risking your life was worth it." pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #34

Don't let him yank your chain... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #49

Thanks for your support pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #53

I agree with JSnuffy. Wait Wut Feb 2012 #63

I understand your son is getting out now pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #65

Will do! Wait Wut Feb 2012 #71

"Don't let the toddler pulling on your pant leg slow you down." Number23 Feb 2012 #74

Wait a minute, in the above sub-thread we have vets saying that non-vets are inferior social rejects Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #113

No, you don't have it right--your post is fucked up pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #119

I am just getting tired of reading posts from family of Marines talking about how the rest of us are Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #130

Are you reading wingnut websites? pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #134

Just because... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #135

Is that what the war in Iraq was about? Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #144

Then I suggest you crack a math book... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #145

You're a better man than I am, EL-TEE. I'm pretty sure that by now the words ... 11 Bravo Feb 2012 #69

Hey, brother pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #80

P.S.--I'm still tempted, seeing the thread still going pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #98

You are over the top. Drahthaardogs Feb 2012 #36

Men and women like yourself did nothing to ensure the that Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #44

And people like you have nothing to ensure ANYONE's freedom. Drahthaardogs Feb 2012 #47

Just curious MrBig Feb 2012 #76

I was wondering the same thing RZM Feb 2012 #141

When was the last time the U.S. military truly fought for "freedom?" Arugula Latte Feb 2012 #60

Well, Drahthaardogs Feb 2012 #79

Interesting rhetoric MrBig Feb 2012 #77

You are confusing the trees for the forest. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #88

You let your 11 year old get arrested? alphafemale Feb 2012 #32

It was her choice to protest. It was my job to facilitate her safety. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #45

Or it could be MrBig Feb 2012 #75

Perhaps I should have enrolled her in the military Middle School Cadet Corp... Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #89

Seems like a much better evironment... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #90

Neither my husband nor I were going to attend the anti-war Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #91

You're correct, but . . . gratuitous Feb 2012 #39

What about useless ones? FrodosPet Feb 2012 #46

You can be anti-war without throwing that insult around you know lunatica Feb 2012 #48

Well said, lunatica pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #51

Some of us only felt your pain watching the news every night and reading the newspaper sad sally Feb 2012 #100

Thankyou, sad sally pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #122

That's an excellent point about being used. :-( Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #128

I think you're starting to get it :) pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #131

... Kali Feb 2012 #68

My cousin is an idiot? Odin2005 Feb 2012 #50

And a hell of a lot of DUers, too. DevonRex Feb 2012 #56

I alerted, too and checked TOS. nt DevonRex Feb 2012 #54

You didn't serve, so I forgive you. Rex Feb 2012 #62

Shame on you. itsrobert Feb 2012 #142

Likewise, I'm sure. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #143

Shame on you itsrobert Feb 2012 #146

...so, we shouldn't engage in good politics? JHB Feb 2012 #30

"There are people who feel different about this than you do" Bonobo Feb 2012 #33

You expressed yours, and I expressed mine JHB Feb 2012 #37

Would you support a ticker tape parade if Bush were still in office? Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #110

The overdue parades for Vietnam vets came when Reagan was in office pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #115

I think Vietnam vets deserved a parade. But that was when we had a universal draft... Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #116

As "welcome home", of course. JHB Feb 2012 #133

Case irrelevant. Don't get stingy with the small stuff. n/t JHB Feb 2012 #120

This message was self-deleted by its author nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #66

You mean like Nam? How did walking away from vets work for us nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #67

Suicide kind of hits a nerve... pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #86

It took a few hours to transcribe nadinbrzezinski Feb 2012 #87

I don't know how this issue can be solved... It's important to honor the vets Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #117

No matter how anyone 'twists' it, it's for the troops and the vets pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #126

There is truth in what you say, but the money saved by not having a parade dmr Feb 2012 #2

The Veterans themselves are asking for this DearAbby Feb 2012 #3

At least in Afghanistan we had a reason for being there. Iraq is an illegal war. Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #107

Vets of the war are simply asking for recognition. They earned it. So why not give it to them? appleannie1 Feb 2012 #4

Recognition for destroying a country making it safe Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #25

Thankfully, your opinion on this issue will not win out. stevenleser Feb 2012 #72

Not saying I agree necessarily, but what do you view as acceptable celebration of the Iraq war? Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #109

Why not both? Union Scribe Feb 2012 #5

I think that our vets have enough emotional issues without Motown_Johnny Feb 2012 #6

Post removed Post removed Feb 2012 #10

Denbot, I think Motown was referring to the ongoing Mideast War which we apparently won, so I hear. Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #118

No Parades Please YOHABLO Feb 2012 #9

We are not talking about a victory parade, just a veterans parade. denbot Feb 2012 #11

I'd attend that "parade" if the veterans were required to carry signs Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #24

The terms of service on this site prevent me from responding as I'd like to...nt metalbot Feb 2012 #40

Wow. Arkana Feb 2012 #58

Yes, the term 'clueless' comes to mind for that poster. nt stevenleser Feb 2012 #73

Hmm. Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #129

That, too. We are all responsible. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #137

I agree. Parades are ridiculous and serve no purpose BlueCaliDem Feb 2012 #15

The parade I'd like to see has Bush, Cheney, Rodriquez, Rummy, etc perp-walking.... Scuba Feb 2012 #26

I don't like the idea of one either. mmonk Feb 2012 #31

Returning vets should be recognized. pa28 Feb 2012 #41

Is this being planned by the Obama Administration Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2012 #42

Please don't talk about vets as if they're quivering invalids Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2012 #43

+1 redqueen Feb 2012 #57

I see a welcoming parade as a matter of official public acknowledgement lunatica Feb 2012 #52

If people would stop signing up to the military Arugula Latte Feb 2012 #61

just stop signing up - if only it were so simple Kali Feb 2012 #70

The vast majority of combat vets are solidly behind the war and joined combat batallions to fight. Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #106

You are very wrong about the politics in GD pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #121

I'm not trying to minimize the issue. I know how horrible it can be for soldiers. But most ppl dont Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #127

I certainly respect our vets and their sacrifices and wish them all the best. My dad was a marine librechik Feb 2012 #64

If a parade will bolster moral, then I am all for it. Rex Feb 2012 #78

If we have parades for winning sports teams Terra Alta Feb 2012 #82

I hated parades when I was in. Not to mention the crappy music that goes with them. Bezukhov Feb 2012 #83

I have to disagree with the notion of a parade being a waste of time. cherokeeprogressive Feb 2012 #84

I agree. Especially since the Iraq War was controversial, all the more need for a parade... Honeycombe8 Feb 2012 #93

To celebrate what? Is it not possible to show appreciation for returning vets without celebrating Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #105

To celebrate the end of the war. If we can have parades for football teams & St. Patty, we Honeycombe8 Feb 2012 #139

I don't need a parade... JSnuffy Feb 2012 #85

So you don't need it. Don't watch. But honoring service & end of war is a good thing... Honeycombe8 Feb 2012 #140

As a matter of pure politics . . . markpkessinger Feb 2012 #92

No, celebrating the Iraq War would hand a campaign issue to the GOP. LAGC Feb 2012 #114

Sometimes DU just makes me sad. Sad sad sad. Throd Feb 2012 #94

With one poster on this thread showing out and out hatred for said Veterans. cherokeeprogressive Feb 2012 #95

I support showing appreciation for the vets. A ticker tape parade to celebrate "victory" in Iraq? Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #104

The denial is political. Obama cannot be seen as winning at...anything Evergreen Emerald Feb 2012 #96

The war in Iraq was illegal and immoral... for Rachel Maddow to call for a ticker tape parade Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #103

That said, I would support something to honor the wounded vets. Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #111

It has NOTHING to do with Obama... pinboy3niner Feb 2012 #124

I'm referring to what the person I replied to and a couple other folks said about good politics. Leopolds Ghost Feb 2012 #125

You misunderstand. Evergreen Emerald Feb 2012 #138

A parade has nothing to do with the politics of the war. It has to do with those... ellisonz Feb 2012 #132

The lack of a parade, however does have to do with politics Evergreen Emerald Feb 2012 #136