It Just Pisses Me Off Rant

[maxrandb]

I've been in the Navy now for over 20 years. Joined as an E1 chipping paint and shining brass for awhile, and eventually did well enough to earn a commission as an Officer through the LDO/CWO Program. I joined for many different reasons, but I always took pride in the fact that I was serving my country. I'm no hero, or "my country right or wrong" guy by a long shot, but someone said something to me once that really sticked.

"We should not have a military the government can be proud of. We should have a government the military can be proud of."

I look at that little girl who is screaming and covered in the blood and brains of her parents, and I DON'T FEEL TOO FUCKING PROUD RIGHT NOW! Truth be told, it is tearing my fucking heart out.

Not only that, I've got Rush on 3 hour a day, 250 days a year telling me that all along, throughout my faithful and honorable service, "I've secretly hated the military and hoped for more Americans to be killed". If there is a more hateful bag of shit on this earth, I have yet to find them. But it doesn't matter to Rush or any of the other right-wing apologist. This is a fucking game to them. The world is their oyster, and 51% of Americans gave them the hot sauce to suck it down with. They don't feel guilt or regret because they sacrifice nothing.

It's time that "The Heartland" and all Americans begin sharing the burden of this war.

During World War II, Americans were kicking down the doors to join in the fight against tyranny and fascism. Where the fuck are they now?

You want to end this war? You want to end this mis-administration? Let's pass a bill in Congress that requires any member with able bodied children to send their kids to serve in Iraq. Let's require every right wing shock jock who trumpets the word "freedom" so it sprays spittle all over the "golden" microphone, (and you too Hannity) sign up and go to Iraq.

What about our pro-athletes? Sure we had Pat Tillman, but hell, during World War II we had woman's baseball teams because the pro's were over there fighting. How many career home-runs would Ted Williams have hit if he didn't twice take time out to serve his country? Come on Lebron, Ben, Ray Lewis, Peyton, Jeff Gordon, Andy Rodick, Curt Shilling....Your country needs you!

You pitch on a bum foot and you're called a hero? Try pitching without a foot. Try throwing 49 TD passes without a right arm.

Want the media to finally start telling the truth about this "jokester"? Put Brit Hume's(sp) and Chris Matthews kids in a fucking uniform and send them to Iraq. They'd out this bunch of criminals faster than you could say "liberal bias".

We are never going to accomplish anything when over 80% of the country is making NO sacrifices. They feel nothing.

That screaming, blood and brain covered little girl's picture ought to be shoved so far up the "liberal" media's ass, that it comes out their fucking golden throats and spills all over America's TV screens.

[jackster]

1. max

YOU ARE a hero - thank you for speaking the truth.

[maxrandb]

7. I'm Not

a hero. But I just don't think I can serve any longer. I just don't think that my country reflects the values that we claim to hold so dear anymore.

I'm embarrassed(sp) by what we've become.

[jackster]

8. Max you must live your conscience

BUT IT IS NOT YOUR COUNTRY THAT HAS GONE WRONG - its the government and the media which has convinced the ignorant that Bush is a God.

YOU ARE A HERO. You serve, you speak out, you love your country.

I salute YOU!

[meppie-meppie not]

20. TY for saying what needs to be said !!!! n/t

[wildwww2]

35. You are correct. Your country does not reflect the values they claim

to hold. They largest most wealthy distributor of tyranny. Has just promised to fight to end tyranny. I served in the Marine Corps from `74-78. And I also am embarrassed by what we`ve become. I could not serve my country now. No way, No how. It is not my country anymore anyhow. It has been taken over by the neo-cons. And their propagandist`s. And your idea of the vangaurd system for politicians and their propagandist`s is right on. And would wake up the sleeping masses. To become aware that the volunteer military is being used as cannon fodder. Bu$h`s daughters should be in Iraq now. No exceptions.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[Stepup2]

2. Tell everyone you know

Write letters to the editor. You have more capital than many of us because you have served. Rant! Keep Ranting!

[Union Thug]

3. Great rant.. I am with you 100% /eom

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. From a Navy wife whose husband managed

to retire, to you, THANKS for yuor service

Oh and at the risk of offending yuou, to steal a line from Rush.

DITTO...

It is my hsuband on the line, when he was still in (retired just after the fun and gamse of Iraqi Freedom), and you... not them or theirs, they want war on the cheap and they got it

That is why with all the negatives to a profesional force, when it comes to the draft, BRING IT ON... I want DeLay's son on th front lines I want both Bush kids on the line

[meppie-meppie not]

21. absolutely! n/t

[txaslftist]

5. It pisses me off, too.

I'm proud of men like you, but I'm ashamed of our government.

[fryguy]

6. great post/rant to end my day

thanks

[Senator Lamb]

10. best rant

I ever read here. ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country? yet what sacrifices have we been asked to make. in a time of war where some soldiers dont have the supplies they need we have tax cuts for rich. no war time president has done that. FDR challenged this country, Bush asked us to go to the mall. you can have your cake and eat it to. forget challenging the country on energy policy so we can be indepenent of foreign oil and the strangle it imposed on our foreign policy. no you can fight terror and drive an SUV, that is as long as you have a pretty ribbon on the back. and of course the chicken hawks, honestly, why is not every college republican in Iraq? i am still yet to figure that one out.

[maxrandb]

29. It's Like John Belushi in Animal House

I feel like telling America "Fat, dumb, and stupid is no way to go through life son".

Problem is that even though we are right. Even though we could tell Saudi Arabia, and the entire Middle East to "fuck-off" if we raised fuel standards by one mile per gallon more. If we point that out, there are millions, or maybe billions of dollars in the hands of the corporate media that label us the "blame America first" crowd.

I am afraid that we are going to have to go through the entire shit we went through in the "great depression" and World War II before people wake up and take notice.

[hangemhigh]

9. No argument here, hero! nt

[Semi_subversive]

11. This Nam era Dolphin salutes you!

Thanks

[seabeyond]

12. told husband as i was going off to sleep, i wish i could be proud

of our military again. it was a sadness. a movie was on showing the grandness of our military, and it just hit me so hard, how i feel now and how i felt not too long ago

he told me i would feel it again, soon

well guy, right here right now, thank you for this. i know there are many many men, many men working their ass off doing something that just isnt right, and are doing it because that is their job.

thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts and feelings.

[HeeBGBz]

13. I totally agree

The experience is way too distant for those who are pushing the rules of engagement.

The picture of the little girl or the other pic of her sister and little brother sandwiched between too soldiers is one of the most emotionally moving pix I've seen. I look at the fear and shock in that little boy's eyes and I start to cry. What in the hell are we doing? I only hope it stops soon.

Thanks for being a voice of reason. Hang in there. We need people like you in the military.

[Cleita]

14. You are right about men joining up in WWII, beating the door

down, because they knew they were stopping an egomaniac from destroying the world. I always thought that people should volunteer to go to war, not join the military. By that I mean everyone should go into the military for a couple of years to serve their country in peace, but to have the training for war, however, I always thought that going to war should be voluntary. I think if that were the case today, we would have had plenty of volunteers to fight in Afghanistan to find Osama and bring him to justice, but I don't think very many would have gone to Iraq. There just wouldn't have been an Iraqi war under the crazy person we call the commander-in-chief.

[ElectroPrincess]

15. Good Rant ! ... this US Army Veteran agrees with you ...

even if you're a Squid (Active Duty Navy) Leg (non paratrooper) and Not Army Airborne. LOL :P

TEASE!!!

[maxrandb]

36. And A Proud Squid at that

Thought we had it rough until I went out in the field with some "jarheads" (another term of endearment) on one of the Amphibs I served on.

Man, I would take my three squares served hot on a tray, and the "cramped" coffin locker racks we had anytime!!!

Of course, we were on a beast of a ship that at any moment could turn against you and try to kill you.

IMHO, you have not lived until you can look in every direction, 360 degrees, and see nothing but water. Makes you feel pretty insignificant.

"GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY"!

[Threedifferentones]

16. Unfortunately I think the coming years will bring

more than enough pain to all of us.

Certainly enough to get a real president next election.

[geniph]

17. Well said, sailor.

I salute you.

[beam me up scottie]

18. Thank you for posting. My brother has been in a state

militia for years, we didn't think he would have to go but he just got the order.
He, like you, doesn't believe the propaganda. He knows why he's going. And he is going, it is his duty, he understands that. My brother is a very gentle, sensitive man, I don't know how he will survive, physically or emotionally. He is not a vocal man, so please don't stop ranting, because my brother will not.
I hear you.
Many of us do.
And we're ranting too.
Maybe once there are enough of us, the voices of reason will be heard.

[meppie-meppie not]

22. may the spirits of safety be with your brother...my thoughts will be

focused on his safe return.

[beam me up scottie]

23. You're very kind, thank you.

[meppie-meppie not]

25. YW. take care of yourself because I fear your nerves will be raw by the

time he returns.

[maxrandb]

31. I hope and pray that your brother stays safe

or as we say in the Navy, "keep your powder dry".

Some of us simply can't really say what we want to say. Officers pretty much serve at the "pleasure of the pResident". There is a UCMJ Article that you can be punished for if you "speak ill" about the Pres, VP, SECDEF, and even the governor of the state you are stationed in. I'm sooooo fucking proud that my commissioning document was signed by Bill Clinton!

I think I'll be OK. At this point, they would probably just make me quietly retire. It would be tough financially, but then again, "What do you have left if you've sold your soul?"

I would love just a small victory. That victory would be the removal of Rush Limbaugh from AFRTS Radio. Did you know that? Yours and mine tax dollars are paying for this fat piece of shit to be broadcast to the men and women in uniform. They do it in the guise that "it is just entertainment", "he's the top rated radio show", and "the troops asked for him".

You know what? I bet a majority of the troops would like to have the Playboy Channel or Spice TV, but like the Stones said; "you can't always get what you want".

What does it say about America, when soft-porn people kissing and ("Oh My GOD!") having sex, is more offensive than a "pimple assed", drug addict shock jock telling 45% of the troops, or higher, that "they, or their parents (if they are from Democratic families) "hate the military" and "hate America".

In a way, He's damn right!! I HATE the America he's created.

I'm a bit torn. Part of me wants to keep fighting from inside. I get great satisfaction when the "light-bulb" goes on in a young Sailors head after they've met me. I help them realize that you don't have to be a "knuckle dragging Neanderthal, "my country right or wrong conservative" to love and serve your country.

[Been Fishing]

19. I know the feeling.

I'm one of several others that know what you're feeling. We had to choose to serve in the military, refuse to go, or leave the country during '64-'72.

We had to make our choices dispite Kent State and the protester beatings during the Chicago Democratic Convention.

Personally, it was "FTA All the Way" until I was released from active duty. From then on it was opposition to the war until it ended with the fall of Saigon.

I wouldn't presume to know what would be your best option right now. If you have some skill to market, or can start your own business, you could leave the military. Otherwise, you should assess your military options. A talk with a chaplain might be considered.

Whatever you decision, I feel many on DU also thank you for your service to our country. We also wish the best for you.

[hippiegranny]

24. this would be a wonderful LTTE

cleaned up for language sensitivities, of course. Thank you for this rant. It really spoke to me.

[Tyler Durden]

26. OORAH SIR!

CWO! OORAH! Doc "J" from 1st MARDIV and MEDEVAC DC/Norfolk NAS says OORAH!

SIR I'LL FOLLOW YOUR ASS AND BIG BRASS BALLS ANYWHERE SIR!

[alittlelark]

27. I salute you !!! And I nominate this 'rant' for the homepage.

[Stephanie]

34. I second the nomination

[Clark2008]

28. God bless you!

:hug:

And thank you so much for all that you've done for me - without even knowing me or my family. Your service is the fabric of my existance.

Oh - and is the MaxR&B because you're a blues fan or because you're a Who fan. Either way, you're tops in my book!

[maxrandb]

32. Thanks. We all need a hug sometime

I just wish I could wrap my arms around that little girl and scream and cry with her.

They just don't get it. You could build a thousand schools and a million hospitals, and it would not lesson her pain one iota. And we "express our condolences"??

And yes. Not to get off topic, but some people don't get the MaxRandB. GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND EVER! Even though they are dropping one by one. If you saw them live in their prime, it was simply "amazing". Your head pounded, your heart pounded, you were drenched in sweat, and you couldn't hear straight for three days.

I laugh when I see R and B artist awards to Alicia Keys, or Usher. Nothing against them, but there should be a special "Maximum R&B" category.

[Stockholm]

30. Kick!

[The Traveler]

33. I see once again honor is not yet forgotten

You haven't forgotten, in any event. I hate seeing guys like you leave the service, but I can understand why you are considering it. You see things clearly, and will make an honorable choice, and the right choice whatever that is.

These are dark times. We all face tough choices and difficult work ahead. Glad to know there are people like you with us.

[maxrandb]

37. Thank You Everyone on this Thread

who have helped me understand and express my feelings.

I have a difficult choice, but I think Monday I will drop my request to speak with the Admiral at my command. If we are going to broadcast Rush to the troops via AFRTS, then the military must no longer want me in the ranks.

You can help by writing your congressman and Senators. It is time to flush Rush from AFRTS, if it takes me going all the way to the CNO, I'm going to do my part