04-03-2003 11:02									#1
	What Do You Think Of The Troops Overseas? Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Just in case there were any doubts about everyone's opinion. What do you think of the men and women who are over there or going over there to fight? Not Bush. Not Republicans. But the real life people that are over there.

There are lots of different kinds of people over there. Doctors, Lawyers, Factory workers, Teachers, Construction Workers Cops, Firefighers. There are lots of fathers, sons, daugthers, sisters, brothers, moms. Despite popular opinion, there are plenty of democratics, Libertarians, and Independents.

No need for a poll with complicated headings. Just say what you feel.

Do you blame them?

How would you treat them if you came up on one?

Do you look down on them?

Do you look up to them?

Do you know someone over there?

What is your idea of what one looks like?

There are lots of things going through my mind tonight. Some of my unit won't be going over there for various reasons. Too old, or health issues that doesn't affect them but by technicalities make them ineligible for deployment. All of those that won't be going expressed regret that they were kept out. No one wants to go but no one seems to want to be left behind. I'm just interested in some of the opinions here.

	04-03-2003 11:03									#2
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

They're just doing their job. Simple as that.

	04-03-2003 11:05									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

America's Finest.

UK as well.

	04-03-2003 11:06									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

Iraqi soliders

Iraqi government

	04-03-2003 11:11									#5
	Suffering from ads?

quote: Originally posted by Ted Striker Iraqi soliders Iraqi government

It's gotta suck to be an Iraqi soldier.

	04-03-2003 11:14									#6
	Full PM-box? Change here!

US Soldiers

"It's gotta suck to be an Iraqi soldier."

It does, in fact I think during Gulf War I many of them surrendered because they didn't care to fight for Saddam.

	04-03-2003 11:16									#7
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Just to get the preliminaries down, I can't stand Bush, and don't think much of the war (mostly due to lack of real planning for post-war occupation, and the political issues we'll find ourselves in.

That said, once we're committed to action, I hope the people there stack Saddam and his army's asses as quickly as possible with the fewest possible casualties on our part.

To me, there's nothing to blame them for - they're the best in the world, professionals, dedicated, and they're carrying out the policies that they're obligated to carry out. Ultimately, if the politicians don't **** up the peace (always a big if), a lot of people will be better off.

Right now, you guys mostly look young. At 43, I'm the same age as a lot of CSM's and Brigade commanders, a bit long in the tooth, so the relative youth of warfighters is more obvious.

The people I know who are deployed, are deployed elsewhere, doing other things, but ultimately, it's all the same.

It's a ***** for the people in your unit who won't deploy with the rest of you. Being left out is hard, but being able to stick with your unit is worse.

As far as looking down, or looking up, there's some great people in the service, and some jerks, but mostly I just think "bless you" and get yourselves home in one piece after you do the jobs you have to do.

	04-03-2003 11:24									#8
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

Same as Asher : they are people doing their job. I don't know why I should look down or look up to them.

	04-03-2003 11:25									#9
	Re: What Do You Think Of The Troops Overseas? Support Apolyton

I'm pretty strongly against a war with Iraq right now. I think from the tone of your questions you're looking for responses from people like me.

quote: Originally posted by Sprayber Do you blame them?

No. They're soldiers doing the job their political leadership has told them to do. I respect any sacrifices they might have to make.

quote: How would you treat them if you came up on one?

Like anybody else. I'd probably argue a bit with them if they were for the war, but also tell them I wasn't wishing them any harm (especially not on an individual level).

quote: Do you look down on them?

No.

quote: Do you look up to them?

In some ways, yes. In other ways, no. And the current situation is reminding me why I wouldn't join your Army (or even mine) unless except on an emergency basis for a fight I felt was needed.

quote: Do you know someone over there?

Nope. I don't even know anybody in any armed service for any country. The closest I come is knowing my father who was in the RCAF for 8 months in the 60s.

quote: What is your idea of what one looks like?

Like any reasonably fit man with in his early to mid 20s. I'm sure most look sort of like me.

	04-03-2003 11:40									#10
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat It's a ***** for the people in your unit who won't deploy with the rest of you. Being left out is hard, but being able to stick with your unit is worse.

My section leader has been in for a long time. He spent three years in Vietnam and he is a vetern of the Gulf War. Saturday, they took the section away from him because he will be too old in January and there was no way they were taking him over. I asked him what he thought about not going and he said that he had mixed feelings. He wanted to be there with us but he admitted that later on he would problably be glad that he missed this one. Another guy (young E-5) isn't going over because he has Sleep apnea. How he managed to pass his last physical is beyond me, but there was no way he was getting deployed. He was pissed and wouldn't shut up about him wanting to go.

	04-03-2003 11:46									#11
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Do you blame them?

I don't blame them for the political decision. I do blame them for volunteering to join a military that is obviously structured for offensive rather than defensive action.

quote: How would you treat them if you came up on one?

Do different than anyone else (at least no different than I treat people in real life) - very polite/civil, yet I'd make my opinions known.

quote: Do you look down on them?

I look down on them for volunteering for an organization structured towards offensive warfare, but overall, no, I do not look down on them as people - I simply look down on their decisions.

quote: Do you look up to them?

No.

quote: Do you know someone over there?

No.

quote: What is your idea of what one looks like?

No clue.

That answer your questions?

	05-03-2003 02:39									#12
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

I hope someone from a terrorist organization or otherwise hostile country nabs your ass, David.
You've gone from being entertainingly ignorant, to blatantly pathetic, hurtful, and insulting.

	05-03-2003 02:46									#13
	Tired of ads?

There just doin there job!?

Well, what a job it is. Is that really what you think? They all volunteered for this job, it isn't like they were drafted. They did choose it, but they chose to do a job that would intentionally put them in harms way for a cause they chose to be worthy; protecting the nation.

I admire their courage and dedication. It may just be a job, but I have a great more deal of admiration for them then I do, say, a fry chef or a web designer.

For Crying Out Loud!

	05-03-2003 02:51									#14
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

Maybe they'll grab you, too.

	05-03-2003 02:52									#15
	Tired of ads?

quote: Do you blame them?

For what? The war? No.

quote: How would you treat them if you came up on one?

Where? In the field? I would probably scream "don't shoot", in the shopping mall? I'd ask for a new TV for christmas. In a dark alley, 20 years from now, with them holding a knife and dripping with blood? I'd run.

Situations matter man.

quote: Do you look down on them?

On the shorter ones, yeah. But those really tall ones? Maybe if I'm on a ladder or something.

quote: Do you look up to them?

See above

quote: Do you know someone over there?

Got family over there, and he's the father of 3 of nephews. Rather worried, yet even as David of all ppl pointed out, it was his choice.

quote: What is your idea of what one looks like?

1. Just kidding. The cast of GI Joe, not the Cobra's side, the otherside. Every platoon is just like them, even got a bald guy smokes cigars and has tatoos all over, and carries a big gun that shoots red lasars.

---

Ya know David, ppl like them faught so that you can say things like that.

	05-03-2003 02:52									#16
	Get a bigger avatar today!

i admire and respect them

	05-03-2003 02:53									#17
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

quote: Maybe they'll grab you, too.

Who me? I hope so, I go Jackie Chan on them, and make them sorry that they ever touched an American in such away.

	05-03-2003 03:04									#18
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Yeah.
The only reason you and the Mouth Of The South, aka David Floyd, can sit on your fat ass running your fat mouth using thoughts from your fat head, is directly because of people like Sprayber.

The 2 of you, and all like you, are not worth the life of 1 volunteer.
Unfortunately, to protect all, you 2 have to be included in being protected.
Maybe someday that problem can be dealt with.

	05-03-2003 03:04									#19
	Re: What Do You Think Of The Troops Overseas? Got spare money?

quote: Originally posted by Sprayber What do you think of the men and women who are over there or going over there to fight?

	05-03-2003 03:07									#20
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by SlowwHand Yeah. The only reason you and the Mouth Of The South, aka David Floyd, can sit on your fat ass running your fat mouth using thoughts from your fat head, is directly because of people like Sprayber. The 2 of you, and all like you, are not worth the life of 1 volunteer. Unfortunately, to protect all, you 2 have to be included in being protected. Maybe someday that problem can be dealt with.

Maybe you should reread what Japher posted instead of running your mouth. He didn't say anything at all against the U.S. soldiers--he praised them for their courage.

	05-03-2003 03:08									#21
	Increase Your PM Length

well I was over there at one time. But I was never in the position of going to war.

Anyways I was on a cushy aircraft carrier . There was very little that could touch us. Much easier to hit stationary targes like military bases with missiles.

But for the people stationed at military bases I do feel for them. Because they are a stationary target. And they are under threat of missile attack which could be equiped with chemical weapons. And I do think Iraq will use chemical weapons but not biological weapons.

	05-03-2003 03:10									#22
	Get a bigger avatar today!

Thanks Boris.

Sloww;

In case you thought I was being sarcastic I ussually indicate that by actually writting "I am being sarcastic". Or something.

I still hope some terrorist nation grabs my butt so I can beat them up. It has been so long since I have been in a fight that really need one. (See, that is sarcasm).

	05-03-2003 03:11									#23
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

To be fair Comrade Tribune is only free to say that because our boys didn't do a thourough enough job purging his country of *******s last time.

	05-03-2003 03:15									#24
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Originally posted by Japher There just doin there job!? Well, what a job it is. Is that really what you think? They all volunteered for this job, it isn't like they were drafted. They did choose it, but they chose to do a job that would intentionally put them in harms way for a cause they chose to be worthy; protecting the nation. I admire their courage and dedication. It may just be a job, but I have a great more deal of admiration for them then I do, say, a fry chef or a web designer. For Crying Out Loud!

Screw you, Boris.

YOUR point of view is any group is fair game, as long as they're not Gay.
I'm tired of that, too.
Nothing against Gays, at all, period.
Something big time against all subject to defamation, EXCEPT Gays.
Let's be fair here.

	05-03-2003 03:18									#25
	Suffering from ads?

I have a feeling this thread will turn out bad

	05-03-2003 03:19									#26
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Ah, the web designer crack.

Oh well, I am sorry.

Sorry that you think you are some big hero that deserves my respect more than the soldiers fighting for our country. If I wasn't using the quick reply box, or knew the the key commands for a smily face I'd use it. But...

	05-03-2003 03:21									#27
	Remove this text

quote: Originally posted by SlowwHand Screw you, Boris. YOUR point of view is any group is fair game, as long as they're not Gay. I'm tired of that, too. Nothing against Gays, at all, period. Something big time against all subject to defamation, EXCEPT Gays. Let's be fair here.

What on EARTH are you ranting about?

First, read Japher's post. I know there aren't pictures to help, but try:

quote: quote: Originally posted by Japher There just doin there job!? Well, what a job it is. Is that really what you think? They all volunteered for this job, it isn't like they were drafted. They did choose it, but they chose to do a job that would intentionally put them in harms way for a cause they chose to be worthy; protecting the nation. I admire their courage and dedication. It may just be a job, but I have a great more deal of admiration for them then I do, say, a fry chef or a web designer. For Crying Out Loud!

See how he's expressing his admiration for the soldiers?

Now as for your idiotic attack on me (even though I was just pointing out that you had misinterpreted Japher), you can just suck a fart out of my ass.

	05-03-2003 03:23									#28
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

I'll address the questions now

Do you blame them? For what? I can't blame them. All people have to make decisions in life. This is one of them.

How would you treat them if you came up on one? Well I have met soldiers. They are human beings after all. I would treat them the same as any other human being. On a side note I don't go the opposite way and treat them like gods because they are soldiers. Sure they are brave, but not worthy of special treatment.



Do you look down on them? No, why should I?

Do you look up to them? Not really. As I mentiond above, sure they are brave. But they are just humans after all. They are just doing their job.

Do you know someone over there? I'd have to check which ships are over there. I'm sure someone I knew in the navy is over there. But I lost contact with everyone I knew in the navy. But I'm sure I know someone over there on a ship.

What is your idea of what one looks like? what one what looks like? A soldier? I have met many marines. I know what they look like. It is almost possible to stereotype marines. But I won't do that. Because they do have a good mix of people. But marines are a special breed, and seem to attract a certain type of person. confidence and ego are a must.

	05-03-2003 03:23									#29
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

quote: you can just suck a fart out of my ass.

I'm going to use that one someday.

	05-03-2003 03:25									#30
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Slowwhand and Japher are both off their rockers.