Happy Memorial Day, America
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It is the soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag. ~ Charles M. Province
The 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots. R. A. H.
Is triteness all you're capable of? Excuse me while I go puke.
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It is the soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag. ~ Charles M. Province
The 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots. R. A. H.
Wilfred Owen Dulce Et Decorum Est Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of disappointed shells that dropped behind. GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And floundering like a man in fire or lime.-- Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-- My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.
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So men only commit acts of wanton cruelty when prompted to do so by some eulogising leader? I mentioned Bosnia first, and the Russians were equally cruel so you cant accuse me of Godwins law abuse. Again, you are being very narrow in your viewpoint. You are ignoring the vast numbers of soldiers who throughout history have not gone to war to protect their fellow mans freedoms but for monetary gain, and the sheer bloodlust pleasure of wanton destruction. And if you think man is not capable of those sentiments then you are really naieve.
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
fat_boy wrote:
Again, you are being very narrow in your viewpoint. You are ignoring the vast numbers of soldiers who throughout history have not gone to war to protect their fellow mans freedoms but for monetary gain, and the sheer bloodlust pleasure of wanton destruction.
And the narrow view is appropriate. Those are not soldiers you are describing. Those are barbarians with little or no human emotion or morality. :)
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]
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Then you are both a Coward and a Fool. I served, I fought, what did you do? Cower behind your mother's apron strings? I agree that you should argue with and denigrate the fools who order soldiers to war, the politicians, but never belittle or insult the soldier. It is those that stand on the line that make your lives tolerable.
------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]
Fair play to you. Mind if I ask your regiment/corps? I was RAMC, (for only a short time), before blowing both my knees doing the JMQC and being, (ironically), medically discharged.
Rhys "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees"
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fat_boy wrote:
Again, you are being very narrow in your viewpoint. You are ignoring the vast numbers of soldiers who throughout history have not gone to war to protect their fellow mans freedoms but for monetary gain, and the sheer bloodlust pleasure of wanton destruction.
And the narrow view is appropriate. Those are not soldiers you are describing. Those are barbarians with little or no human emotion or morality. :)
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]
Ahh, so some soldiers are more equal than others eh? :)
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
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Ahh, so some soldiers are more equal than others eh? :)
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
fat_boy wrote:
Ahh, so some soldiers are more equal than others eh?
When did you learn to speak Canadian? :-D
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]
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fat_boy wrote:
Ahh, so some soldiers are more equal than others eh?
When did you learn to speak Canadian? :-D
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]
Its a common enough English saying. No, eh?
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
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fat_boy wrote:
Ahh, so some soldiers are more equal than others eh?
When did you learn to speak Canadian? :-D
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. [Yogi Berra] posting about Crystal Reports here is like discussing gay marriage on a catholic church’s website.[Nishant Sivakumar]
Yeah, what's that aboot? :)
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
Very true and let us remember this in peace: Tommy this and Tommy that[^]
Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^] "Program as if the technical support department is full of serial killers and they know your home address" - Ray Cassick Jr., RIP
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Then you are both a Coward and a Fool. I served, I fought, what did you do? Cower behind your mother's apron strings? I agree that you should argue with and denigrate the fools who order soldiers to war, the politicians, but never belittle or insult the soldier. It is those that stand on the line that make your lives tolerable.
------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]
As have a load of my friends, Signals, 42 Comando, Paras, D&Ds. They all did it because it was fun, and they were young, and not one of them did it to serve or to protect. I dont knock them, they arent assholes, and I have no reason to think they would commit attrocities, but you cant elevate the role of a soldier to something noble, and you cant blanket award all soldiers with the mantle of protecting the rights of the civilions. Where did you fight by the way, what action have you seen?
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
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Fair play to you. Mind if I ask your regiment/corps? I was RAMC, (for only a short time), before blowing both my knees doing the JMQC and being, (ironically), medically discharged.
Rhys "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees"
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As have a load of my friends, Signals, 42 Comando, Paras, D&Ds. They all did it because it was fun, and they were young, and not one of them did it to serve or to protect. I dont knock them, they arent assholes, and I have no reason to think they would commit attrocities, but you cant elevate the role of a soldier to something noble, and you cant blanket award all soldiers with the mantle of protecting the rights of the civilions. Where did you fight by the way, what action have you seen?
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
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It is the soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag. ~ Charles M. Province
The 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots. R. A. H.
I have to agree 100% this time. I have a Nicaraguan friend who posts similar verse on her facebook profile about some "Sandinista soldiers" who died protecting her freedom. I don't know the details. It seems some soldiers and intelligence operatives of some country up north plotted with a group of far right militias to enslave her people. These Sandinista soldiers fought them and prevented her people from being enslaved. You are right, it's mostly the soldiers who prevent other people from coming in and enslaving you. You sound like a military type, Oakman. I am sure if you were around there at that time you would have enlisted to become one of the Sandinista soldiers. Good work Oakman. Congrats. :)
Und wenn du lange in einen abgrund blickst, blickt der Abgrund auch in dich hinein.
modified on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 10:56 AM
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Then you are both a Coward and a Fool. I served, I fought, what did you do? Cower behind your mother's apron strings? I agree that you should argue with and denigrate the fools who order soldiers to war, the politicians, but never belittle or insult the soldier. It is those that stand on the line that make your lives tolerable.
------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]
Dalek Dave wrote:
but never belittle or insult the soldier.
And just how does "Idolising or reviling the military is stupid." belittle or insult the soldier? The 'poem' is simplistic cack. Generally speaking, whether your country has all those freedoms and rights, or is a dictatorship, the military will defend it. That is the job of the military, to preserve the Nation.
Dalek Dave wrote:
I served, I fought, what did you do? Cower behind your mother's apron strings?
The 'contempt for civilians' indoctrination was pretty effective in your case, it appears.
Dalek Dave wrote:
you are both a Coward and a Fool.
Mummy says that I am vewy bwave and vewy clever, so there.
Everybody is elitist to a certain extent; except me - I'm better than that. Micah
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It is the soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag. ~ Charles M. Province
The 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots. R. A. H.
Since you like this sort of thing, here is some soviet war poetry to inspire you : ODESSA, CITY MINE! We rose at dawn, When night crept close to day. The wind that blew was fresh and light and fitful, A little briny and a little bitter. As on an open palm the sea before us lay, With fishing boats its surface strewn, the advent Of morning marking…. Under foam-washed boulders (Quite large they were and black and sleek and shiny), Beneath dark sea-weed, butter-soft and slimy, The bullheads moved their bulky tops, and twisted Their narrow tails. The ship to the horizon Was firmly glued. The sparkle of the rising Sun hurt the eyes. The contours of the misty Shores were a trifle vague and undefined. We`ll not surrender you, Odessa, city mine! Let death walk every street; With hoarse and choking sound, Let homes in flame go up and topple to the ground. Let acrid smoke eat at our eyes, let bread Give off the smell of powder and of lead - Odessa, city mine, My friend and comrade true, Odessa, city mine, We`ll not surrender you! Vsevolod Bagritsky Translated by Irina Zheleznova
Und wenn du lange in einen abgrund blickst, blickt der Abgrund auch in dich hinein.
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Most of my mates were in those two. Nothing too serious, there wasnt a great deal of action in GWI for them. Ireland was a policing role and also fairly quiet. I had a Belgium mate in the Flemish Comandos who saw a lot of action in Kosovo, he loved it. :)
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
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As have a load of my friends, Signals, 42 Comando, Paras, D&Ds. They all did it because it was fun, and they were young, and not one of them did it to serve or to protect. I dont knock them, they arent assholes, and I have no reason to think they would commit attrocities, but you cant elevate the role of a soldier to something noble, and you cant blanket award all soldiers with the mantle of protecting the rights of the civilions. Where did you fight by the way, what action have you seen?
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
fat_boy wrote:
As have a load of my friends, Signals, 42 Comando, Paras, D&Ds. They all did it because it was fun,
I find that hard to believe. Not one of them, not one, did it for another reason other than "fun"? You seem to have a lot of friends that have been or are in the military for such an anti-military person. Just an observation.
fat_boy wrote:
but you cant elevate the role of a soldier to something noble
What an ignorant thing to say. How would you defend your country...with your guitar and your nauseating weather reports?
-- ** You don't hire a handyman to build a house, you hire a carpenter. ** Jack of all trades and master of none.
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You have absoloutely no idea. Take a look at Bosnia. Take a look at Eastern Europe in WWII. You think there is any kind of nobility in soldiering?
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
fat_boy wrote:
ou think there is any kind of nobility in soldiering?
Their is nobility and honor when you are "defending" your country. Many countries had to defend themselves during WW2 and other conflicts/wars. My question to you would be: come up with a better way to defend your country and people without conflict and human sacrifice.
-- ** You don't hire a handyman to build a house, you hire a carpenter. ** Jack of all trades and master of none.
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Most of my mates were in those two. Nothing too serious, there wasnt a great deal of action in GWI for them. Ireland was a policing role and also fairly quiet. I had a Belgium mate in the Flemish Comandos who saw a lot of action in Kosovo, he loved it. :)
Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost
There speaks the voice of inexperience. "Ireland was a policing role". I suggest before opening your mouth on that subject, you dress in a British Army Uniform and wander around Belfast. Let's see how long you last before someone shoots you dead. (And I mean today, not 25 years ago in the height of The Troubles)
------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]
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Dalek Dave wrote:
but never belittle or insult the soldier.
And just how does "Idolising or reviling the military is stupid." belittle or insult the soldier? The 'poem' is simplistic cack. Generally speaking, whether your country has all those freedoms and rights, or is a dictatorship, the military will defend it. That is the job of the military, to preserve the Nation.
Dalek Dave wrote:
I served, I fought, what did you do? Cower behind your mother's apron strings?
The 'contempt for civilians' indoctrination was pretty effective in your case, it appears.
Dalek Dave wrote:
you are both a Coward and a Fool.
Mummy says that I am vewy bwave and vewy clever, so there.
Everybody is elitist to a certain extent; except me - I'm better than that. Micah
ict558 wrote:
Mummy says that I am vewy bwave and vewy clever, so there.
I suspect that you went home after school and asked her.
The 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots. R. A. H.