[Vision2020] Supporting the Troops
J Ford
privatejf32 at hotmail.com
Mon May 29 01:41:14 PDT 2006
I am not going to belabor this issue; I will just say, as a member of the
Armed Forces who VOLUNTEERED for that service, it did not nor does not mean
I or any soldier has to agree with what the government sends us out to do.
I didn't then, and I certainly do not now, agree with either action. But as
a soldier, we are obligated to do as told in spite of that disagreement.
And it was service done to the best of my ability, as the soldiers do now.
I do, however, support the troops 100% and will continue to for as long as I
take breath. My family and friends support the families of those over in
Iraq; we support the soldiers themselves by sending care packages and
calling cards so they can call home. We also send letters to the families
and let them know we care about them and if they do suffer a loss, we send
condolences and attend the funerals as much as possible. And as a former
solider who has lost friends and family in every war this country has seen,
I am very proud to see their names on the Iraq, Vietnam Wall, the WWi/II,
S/A, Civil War, etc. memorials. Not proud that they died, but proud that
they served their country. "None is grearter than he who gives his life for
another."
My children/nephews and nieces are following suite and will be soldiers in
"this man's Army" as age allows. Again, they do so as patriotic citizens;
but they will question any decision that our government makes that sends
them into war.
Being partriotic does not silence the ability to question - as a soldier, it
allows us to do so, as we follow the orders we are given. As a citizen, we
are allowed and obligated to question a government who sends its young
people off to a land that does not belong to us, holds no religious meaning
for us, nor will become a part of this country. The sole purpose of Iraq
was financial. Siting the names of those lost for that type of goal should
not be questioned - it should be allowed and noted by every citizen with a
vow that it not happen again. We have no business being there - we were not
asked to be there, invited to be there, nor needed to be there. Over 2300
of our people and countless Iraqi people (both citizens and soldiers) have
died because of a decision that was made by those "in power" in THIS country
with agendas we yet to hear loudly and clearly revealed.
I can only pray that as time goes on, the future generations of soldiers
from this country will be allowed to be more Peace Makers and less "widow
makers."
J :]
>From: "rvrcowboy" <rvrcowboy at clearwire.net>
>To: "Vision2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>, "J Ford"
><privatejf32 at hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] The Auntie Establishment and Brother Carl
>Show(May28, 2006)
>Date: Sun, 28 May 2006 21:10:13 -0700
>
>Joe,
>
>First of all I have to say; "Thank you" for serving your country, even when
>you did not always agree with the situation in which you found yourself. I
>agree with you that no one likes the ravages and horrors of any war, but
>sometimes it is necessary. We may disagree on where the line is that makes
>intervention in another country necessary on the part of our own
>government.
>We did not invent Vietnam, it was a hotbed of evil and death long before we
>entered the fray. Iraq was also under seige from within by a government
>bent on killing and liquidating its own citizens, and others, who did not
>conform.
>
>I don't know if it it was necessary to try and stop the carnage, in either
>case. Maybe it would have ended without us, who knows? I do know this; we
>are there, our soldiers need our support and they need to know we are not
>looking at them as though they were fools for joining a volunteer army. I
>also know it is wrong to use anyone's death to further ones own political
>agenda.
>
>The families of those who have died, defending the actions of their own
>country, right or wrong, need to know they are not being used for anyone's
>private agenda. I truly believe some here have done just that, perhaps not
>out of spite or meaning to cause harm, but have done it just the same.
>Please remember, we all have our own beliefs and some of us believe the war
>is justified just as much as others believe it is wrong. That does not
>give
>any of us the right to impose our beliefs upon the other side by using body
>counts listing the names of loved ones who died believing what they died
>for
>was worth it.
>
>You have a perfectly legitimate right to protest against this war and I
>respect that. However, that protesting should be done in a manner that
>does
>not use the dead as tools to achieve anyone's goal. I have a feeling that
>you would fight to defend me if the situation warranted it, just as I would
>you. Why then, would either of us justify insulting the memory of the
>others family members as a tool to make our own individual points?
>
>Thank you for your response. I am sorry you had to experience the horrors
>of war as you did but some people live it their entire lives and sometimes
>it is warranted to try to end that. That is always a tough decision. I
>certainly do not pretend to know all the answers. Even if I did, half the
>people would disagree with me, don't you agree? I know some people believe
>it is wrong to feel patriotic or loyal toward their own country. I don't
>feel that way at all but I still don't believe our country is always right
>in the actions we take. We may not always be right but we still have done
>more for the rest of the world than any other single nation in history.
>That, I do believe.
>
>God bless you for your service.
>
>Dick
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "J Ford" <privatejf32 at hotmail.com>
>To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 7:55 PM
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] The Auntie Establishment and Brother Carl
>Show(May28, 2006)
>
>
> > Dick;
> >
> > I served in 'nam - three times I was sent over there...I cleaned up what
> > others destroyed, picked up bodies that were broken or simply parts of
> > bodies, I cleaned weapons that had parts of people left on them, I went
> > through many villages that were ravaged by both sides, I saw people who
>were
> > devistated and lost as to who to believe, trust or just wondered if they
> > were going to die now or later and in what kind of horror chamber or was
>a
> > simple bullet going to do them in. It took me years to not jump out of
>my
> > skin even at the sound of a car backfiring or to go to a 4th of July
> > "celebration" without memories flooding back in the form if nightmares
>and
> > day-time sweats for week afterwards. (I have stopped going after
>attending
> > two of them in the last 25 years.)
> >
> > I saw/see no need for that "police action" and I see absolutely no need
>for
> > the action in Iraq, even though I have family and friends over there
>now.
>I
> > do NOT disagree with the soliders or their families, I disagree with the
> > goverment that set out to do one thing while testifying to doing
>another.
> >
> > I am sorry for your friend's families and their loss...however, I will
>not
> > stop protesting an action we have no need or right to be committing.
> >
> > J :]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: "rvrcowboy" <rvrcowboy at clearwire.net>
> > >To: "Vision2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>, "Tom Hansen"
><thansen at moscow.com>
> > >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] The Auntie Establishment and Brother Carl
>Show
> > >(May28, 2006)
> > >Date: Sun, 28 May 2006 18:18:16 -0700
> > >
> > >I find it amusing that I often speak with servicemen who have been
> > >stationed
> > >in Iraq and they don't have this perception of the war at all. One
>told
>me
> > >just today that out of his entire battalion they lost 13 men in a
>year...
> > >I
> > >am sorry I can't remember how many men were in the battalion but the
> > >percentage was quite low. I am not suggesting that losing any would be
> > >acceptable but, according to him, more people are killed in drug
>related
> > >incidents in New York City every month than have been killed in Iraq
>since
> > >the beginning of the war (Americans). He also said that 8 or 9 of
>those
> > >killed in Iraq were killed as a result of accidents, mostly roll overs
>of
> > >vehicles.
> > >
> > >I have heard several such stories from soldiers who have returned from
> > >Iraq.
> > >I know there are also stories that are not so great but, to be fair, I
> > >think
> > >we should listen to both sides.
> > >
> > >I know of at least two families who literally hate seeing their sons'
>name
> > >posted in the lists of those who have died in Iraq because they always
>seem
> > >to be posted by people who do not understand these men were proud to
>serve
> > >their country and did it voluntarily. Now their good names are being
>used
> > >to make them poster boys for those who protest the war. Their families
> > >believe this is a shameless act of cowardice on behalf of those who
>insist
> > >on doing it.
> > >
> > >I am not judging, only telling you what I know to be true. I served in
>the
> > >military for six and a half years and spent time in SE Asia. I was
>proud
> > >of
> > >my service to my country despite being spit on and called names upon my
> > >return to the country I had served and by the very people I was
>fighting
> > >for. Most of those I served with were proud of their contribution to
>the
> > >war effort and hated the protestors back home. Sure, there are always
>a
> > >few
> > >malcontents who whine and bitch about everything, just as in every job
> > >situation, but most of us were not impressed by all the anti-war
>rhetoric
> > >or
> > >by those who used our good names, and the names of fallen compatriots,
>to
> > >advance their own agendas.
> > >
> > >Now I see it happening here in the forum. Oh sure, as always, those
>who
> > >post the names regullarly claim to be doing so out of respect for the
>dead
> > >and their families etc. but I wonder if that is their real motive,
> > >especially given the general political persuasion here in the forum.
>Only
> > >those who do these things will ever really know the answer to that but
>I
> > >suspect if they really search their hearts and are honest with
>themselves,
> > >they would likely have to admit, at least to themselves, their motives
>are
> > >less than pure.
> > >
> > >These are just some of the thoughts I have when I read certain things
> > >written here. They are not facts and I see no reason to back up my
> > >opinions
> > >with documentation (as some will surely request). They are just my own
> > >opinions, based on my real life experiences. No more - no less.
> > >
> > >Peace to all,
> > >
> > >Dick Sherwin
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
> > >To: "Joan Opyr" <joanopyr at moscow.com>; "'Moscow Vision 2020'"
> > ><vision2020 at moscow.com>
> > >Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 4:52 PM
> > >Subject: [Vision2020] The Auntie Establishment and Brother Carl Show
>(May
> > >28, 2006)
> > >
> > >
> > > > Greetings Visionaires -
> > > >
> > > > This week's show was excellent in many ways. To start, Auntie paid
> > > > recognition to the recent establishment of the Greater Moscow
>Alliance
> > >(or
> > > > as she prefers - "Greater Moscow Alliance of Strippers", obviously
> > >referring
> > > > to a strong realtor contingent within the GMA). Bro "C" read a most
> > > > appropriately reflective column concerning last week's virtually
> > > > life-threatening and most certainly career-ending injury to Barbaro
>(the
> > > > odds-on favorite for last week's Preakness Stakes and ultimately
>horse
> > > > racing's Triple crown) analogous to the death of the common man, a
> > >victim
> > >of
> > > > the Bush administration.
> > > >
> > > > Again, a very special thanks to Auntie for her continued tribute to
> > >those
> > > > service men and women killed as a result of combat actions in Iraq.
>May
> > > > this necessity end soon.
> > > >
> > > > If for some reason you were unable to tune in and listen to this
>week's
> > > > show, you may download it from:
> > > >
> > > > http://www.AuntieEstablishmentandBrotherCarl.com
> > > >
> > > > When this week's show closed out with Father Guido Sarducci's "Bomb
> > >Canada"
> > > > routine, it reminded me of one of my all-time favorite routines of
> > >Father
> > > > Sarducci. I tore my home office apart looking for it, but I finally
> > >found:
> > > >
> > > > "Father Guido Sarducci's Five Minute University"
> > > >
> >
> >http://www.AuntieEstablishmentandBrotherCarl.com/Five_Minute_University.mp3
> > > >
> > > > This week I have two song dedications:
> > > >
> > > > The first one goes out to both the Bush administration and our
>Moscow's
> > >own
> > > > Anselm House management who, although currently situated in
>locations
>a
> > > > nation apart, by their deeds and professed convictions, maintain
> > >addresses
> > > > that can only be found on . . .
> > > >
> > > > "Self-Righteous Avenue"
> > > >
> >
> >http://www.AuntieEstablishmentandBrotherCarl.com/Self_Righteous_Avenue.mp3
> > > >
> > > > The second song dedication goes out to all service men and women who
> > >gave
> > > > that final full measure. Here's hoping that they realize their
>love,
> > > > dedication and loyalty will forever be recalled and remembered . . .
> > > >
> > > > "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder"
> > > >
>http://www.AuntieEstablishmentandBrotherCarl.com/RollCall_Up_Yonder.mp3
> > > >
> > > > Seeya round town, Moscow.
> > > >
> > > > Pro patria,
> > > >
> > > > Tom Hansen
> > > > Moscow, Idaho
> > > >
> > > > "Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the
> > >tranquil
> > > > and steady dedication of a lifetime."
> > > >
> > > > --Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _____________________________________________________
> > > > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > > > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > > > http://www.fsr.net
> > > > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > > > ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????
> > > >
> > >
> > >_____________________________________________________
> > > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > > http://www.fsr.net
> > > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
> > http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
> >
> > _____________________________________________________
> > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > http://www.fsr.net
> > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
> >
>
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