[Vision2020] Please Help our dying troops!

[Donovan Arnold]

Tom, visioneers etc. ,

I did not intend to attack Mr. Hansen's Service, I intended to attack his 
position that not helping the troops is patriotic. It is he who attacked my 
FATHER. A veteran of the US NAVY for 22 years. And a superior of Mr. Hansen. 
The same thing that he attacks the soldiers for, insubordination. : )

I trust all of you would grow angry, if someone called your father a name. I 
am close with my family.

I said it was unfortunate that Mr. Hansen received a battle injury. I did 
not make fun of it. For to claim so is shallow. Anyone that knows me knows 
that me and my family have fought for years in this town to establish 
services for the disabled. And I have as well at UI. My family established 
Stepping Stones, and helped with many others updates including buying a 
house for disabled members of the community. Some of whom are veterans. My 
grandfather, Leeland G. Connelly pioneered the right of mentally disabled 
children be given a public education in the state of Idaho.

I lose my temper and I apologize. But people are dying overseas, it is for 
REAL! If Mr.Hansen disagrees fine, don't write a letter. But don't ruffle my 
feathers by justifying the senseless slaughter of this men when you KNOW I 
have a bad temper about such things.

I asked for people to help the troops, on the bases of a plea from a 
VETERAN.

I think it is UNFAIR for Mr. Hansen to use his disabled and veteran status 
to say I am attacking him, instead of his argument. He insulted my father, a 
veteran, he insulted the person that asked me to send this request, who is a 
veteran. Just because Mr. Hansen is disabled, doesn't mean he can claim that 
argument and say he right.

I Know I don't know what it is like to be in the military. I could not get 
in because of my kindney problems. I do respect the men and women for their 
service. That does not mean that I respect every service persons views and 
positions and actions. That is a stupid argument to say that I have to agree 
with Mr.Hansen on every issue in politics because if I don't then I don't 
respect disabled veterans. That is garbage.

I sent out a email asking for people to help our troops, Mr. Hansen Attacked 
me. I responded. Nor do I apologize for anything other than if Mr. Hansen 
thinks I am attacking his service. I am NOT attacking your service Mr. 
Hansen, I am attacking your unwillingness to do anything about the problem 
in Iraq. If that is not Clear, I will say it again, I am not attacking your 
service Mr. Hansen, I am attacking your views. Got it, good.

I think anyone with reasonable intelligence can discern the difference 
between attacking a disabled person and a veteran,vs. attacking that persons 
positions on the treatment of soldiers,  except Mr. Kaag.

Thanks,

Donovan J Arnold


>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen@moscow.com>
>Reply-To: <thansen@moscow.com>
>To: "Donovan Arnold" <donovanarnold@hotmail.com>, <dkaag@turbonet.com>,   
><vision2020@moscow.com>
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Please Help our dying troops!
>Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2003 21:24:50 -0700
>
>Greetings Visionaires -
>
>For a person that says that he has supported our troops his entire life,
>this is how he supports retired veterans.
>
>I feel that I have two options.
>
>1)  I can continue this immature babble with a V2020 subscriber that
>continues to insult my 20 years of service (along with my disability) or
>
>2)  I can ignore it and let cooler heads prevail.
>
>I am not mad at Mr. Arnold.  I pity him.  I forgive Mr. Arnold's ignorance.
>Maybe his venomous comments reflect what he was taught to be right, what he
>has learned to be appropriate behavior.
>
>One other thing that I have learned as a soldier is that sometimes you must
>turn the other cheek.  Although I am extremely tempted to fire back at Mr.
>Arnold, I feel that by firing back at him I am paying the veterans on the
>listserve a disservice.  By firing back, I am acknowledging that his
>venomous statements harm me and my fellow veterans.  This, to me, is what
>Mr. Arnold is hoping for.  I cannot let statements from an individual who
>has never warn the uniform insult those who have.  As such, I refuse to
>continue this immature argument and forgive Mr. Arnold.
>
>Pro Patria,
>
>Tom Hansen
>SFC, U.S. Army (proudly Retired)
>
>_____________________________________________________
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
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