do you respect US soldiers?

Some of them are real jerks

No, they're trigger happy sloppy cowboys.

Not really, no.

yes and no.

I have respect for World War 2 veterans who fought to protect our freedom from fascism.

As far as the clowns fighting in our current wars of aggression in the Middle East are concerned, not so much.

I have respect for World War 2 veterans who fought to protect our freedom from fascism.

As far as the clowns fighting in our current wars of aggression in the Middle East are concerned, not so much.

bigfoot2045

They volunteered didn't they?

They volunteered didn't they?

bigfoot2045

What an idiotic statement dude.

The US is a geographically isolated country with friendly neighbors. The last time anyone actually fought to defend our freedom was World War 2.

I don't support imperialist wars of aggression. And considering our current military is made up entirely of volunteers, I have no respect for them.

Is it right to respect anyone that has been trained to kill other people?

Is it right to respect anyone that has been trained to kill other people?

tenaka2

It is when they're killing Nazis and Imperialist Japanese scum.

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

Is it right to respect anyone that has been trained to kill other people?

bigfoot2045

It is when they're killing Nazis and Imperialist Japanese scum.

You are talking of regimes and not individuals.

[QUOTE="bigfoot2045"]

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

Is it right to respect anyone that has been trained to kill other people?

tenaka2

It is when they're killing Nazis and Imperialist Japanese scum.

You are talking of regimes and not individuals.

Regimes that murdered millions and would have easily taken over the entire world if left unchecked.

Sure,why wouldn't I?

I have respect for World War 2 veterans who fought to protect our freedom from fascism.

As far as the clowns fighting in our current wars of aggression in the Middle East are concerned, not so much.

bigfoot2045

What a dumb post

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

[QUOTE="bigfoot2045"]

It is when they're killing Nazis and Imperialist Japanese scum.

bigfoot2045

You are talking of regimes and not individuals.

Regimes that murdered millions and would have easily taken over the entire world if left unchecked.

Well to be fair, in all the sci-fi parallel universe scenarios where the nazis have taking over the world it is all rather exciting, action packed and full of adventure.

I respect any person who puts his life on the line for his country and to keep everyone safe.

whatever they are doing or wherever they are in the world isn't the soldiers decision, so there is no reason not to respect them.

Yeah, of course. A very small minority are crazy hooligans, which is why when a news story about a soldier doing something dumb breaks out it becomes a big thing because it's way outside the norm.

I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and treat them with respect. The same goes for soldiers. If an individual is a jerk, I treat them as a jerk. The same goes for soldiers.

I try to get along with most people except gangbangers. I see no benefits associating with the latter.

I respect them because they do the job that I don't want to have to.

However, the only reason I don't want this job is because I feel that current military operations aren't doing anything to protect our country. If our nation was truly in danger I would join the military in a heartbeat.

LiftedHeadshot

The Military is not voluntary you have to register(select service)once you turn 18 or you can get a felony. Whether the draft is still relevant is another issue, but it's not voluntary. If it was voluntary their shouldn't be a penalty for not wanting to enlist.Fightingfan

In case you hadn't noticed, there hasn't been a draft in a very, very long time. No one in the military right now didn't choose to join. That makes it a volunteer force. You should really read what you type before you post a again.

Again, there is no penalty for not wanting to enlist. It's a felony not to send in your selective service card. That in no way means you've enlisted.

In all fairness, by 18th century standards we were pretty big cheaters when it came to the Revolution, shooting officers, hit and run skirmishes, and I can't imagine surprise Christmas attacks are ever smiled upon, even if they do make great paintings. If the term terrorist existed back then, you can bet the Empire would have thought it was appropriate. But we won so who cares what they think. Sajo7

No, it's not even remotely close to being the same. We were attacking a military force, not civlians. Our entire goal was to hurt the british so much that we weren't even worth their time anymore. It worked.

It's not all nonsense... It's been reported that the US military killed just over 7000 civilians in Iraq between the start of the illegal invasion and the end of 2003 alone... but on topic, respect is something that must be earned -- it's not something you're automatically entitled to just for donning a uniform... I am certain that there are a great many US soldiers who deserve our respect... sadly, there are also a great many who do not...67gt500

When did I ever say civilians didn't die? Civilians always die during war. It's unavoidable. We don't target civilians, however. That's a major distinction that you seem to be ignoring. Terrorists purposefully targeted civilians.

You do understand that attacking people on christmas back then is the equivalent of blowing up a building full of civilians today?

GummiRaccoon

No, I don't understand that, not do I agree with it. Attacking a military force at Christmas was surely unconventional for the time, but it wasn't nearly the same as blowing up a building full of civlians.

Depends on the Soldier. The one that busts his behind doing his job? Every day and twice on Sunday. The dirtbags, such as Bradley Manning or Nidel Hasan? Hell, no.ad1x2

Odd, could you explain the purpose of the USA attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
They weren't really targetting any sort of Military buildings, just civilians.

That would make Americans terrorists, and it's government's actions terrible, as you so say.

Nibroc420

Where in this thread are we talking about Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Say what you want about Bradley Manning, but to group him with Nidal Hassan is insaneBossPerson

No, he's not a terrorist, but he's still a traitor. He divulged secrets he gave an oath to protect.

sure

This thread is hilarious so far.

Of course I respect soldiers, generally speaking. Some aren't so respectable, but by and large they're doing a job so that I don't have to do it. Realistically, until 100% peace across this Earth is achieved indefinitely (a lofty, and likely unattainable, goal) armed forces will be a necessity. Being that without those who are willing to volunteer for the sometimes soul-crushing job of being a soldier, I would be (or would have been) forced to do so more than likely, I owe the soldiers that guard my nation AT LEAST something so minor as my respect.

Now, to those who are saying they don't respect soldiers because of what they are sent to do, that's pretty ridiculous. Soldiers don't pick their missions. This isn't a video game. These people perform the duties assigned to them.

[QUOTE="ad1x2"]Depends on the Soldier. The one that busts his behind doing his job? Every day and twice on Sunday. The dirtbags, such as Bradley Manning or Nidel Hasan? Hell, no.BossPerson

Hasan's actions directly killed 13 people but if there was some intel inside of the leaked cables that exposed military secrets a lot more than 13 troops could have died. Thankfully none of it had any tactical secrets (or there was some but Assange kept it off of Wikileaks out of the kindness of his heart and just stuck to leaking stuff that embarrassed us).

absolutely...are they perfect..hell no..but they give of themselves freely so we have the opportunity to sit online and B*tch about them....

absolutely...are they perfect..hell no..but they give of themselves freely so we have the opportunity to sit online and B*tch about them....

Omni-Slash

[QUOTE="Omni-Slash"]

absolutely...are they perfect..hell no..but they give of themselves freely so we have the opportunity to sit online and B*tch about them....

m25105

[QUOTE="Sajo7"]In all fairness, by 18th century standards we were pretty big cheaters when it came to the Revolution, shooting officers, hit and run skirmishes, and I can't imagine surprise Christmas attacks are ever smiled upon, even if they do make great paintings. If the term terrorist existed back then, you can bet the Empire would have thought it was appropriate. But we won so who cares what they think. airshocker

No, it's not even remotely close to being the same. We were attacking a military force, not civlians. Our entire goal was to hurt the british so much that we weren't even worth their time anymore. It worked.

I respect them the same as I respect my fellow human beings.

No special treatment if that's what you're asking.

GummiRaccoon

The Taliban and Saddam Hussein are going to take away your freedom of speechBossPerson

I respect and support soldiers fully.

Now... The decisions of their commanders? Not so much

[QUOTE="m25105"][QUOTE="Omni-Slash"]

absolutely...are they perfect..hell no..but they give of themselves freely so we have the opportunity to sit online and B*tch about them....

BossPerson

[QUOTE="BossPerson"]The Taliban and Saddam Hussein are going to take away your freedom of speechOmni-Slash

[QUOTE="Omni-Slash"][QUOTE="BossPerson"]The Taliban and Saddam Hussein are going to take away your freedom of speechBossPerson