patrick.net

I would hope that ANYWHERE the reaction would be the same. However, if some small-minded asshole doesn't appreciate the price that you and your friends paid, they stand alone.

elliemae says

I would hope that ANYWHERE the reaction would be the same.

This is nothing more than deeply ingrained political correctness. I do not understand this sentiment at all.

The disabled verterans are only hereos in that 1) they were very brave to put themsleves in harm's way and 2) they probably believed what they were fighting for. By this logic, we would have to include terrorists and even some mob bosses in the hero category.

I do not think that the vast majority of our American empire's armed forces operations are for the general good of the average american, much less the world. Therefore, forgive me for not feeling that any US soldier is a hero, whether or not he was injured on the job.

In fact, I will even take this a step further. I feel our army is more of an oppressive than a protective force. They trot around the globe pushing our economic empiricism on the entire third world, all in the name of "freedom", both personal and economic (both BS arguments). The biggest beneficiaries by far are the well connected industrialists. I generally have a great deal of respect for the actual individuals involved in the armed forces. However, heroes they are not.

BTW, I am from a Texas army family (both grandfathers were army seargents, one was a green beret).

Let the flaming begin.

My reaction would have been "I'm sorry that you lost your leg in that bullshit war".

If you honestly believe that Vietnam was a noble endeavor, I don't know what to say.

I don't support wars - but I certainly wouldn't denigrate someone who joined the military and fought in one. I should have said that their motives were heroic in nature, in that they "fought for our country." These guys were injured on the job. That sucks, and they deserve to be treated with respect.

I don't care where they are - the South or in SF. IMHO.

Well there you go, Jim... Of the three lefties/liberals that responded so far, it looks like elliemae is the only one who "stands alone," and even her response is qualified.

I don't think telling someone that you're sorry that they were injured fighting a bullshit war is denigrating or disrespectful at all. Of course, I wouldn't actually ask someone why they lost their leg in the first place because that is disrespectful in itself. Quite frankly, if I'm sitting in a coffee shop and I see some guy with no legs, unless he needs help with something I'm probably not going to be paying much attention to him at all.

Sorry, but the attitude that soldiers are all perfect heroic people is a load of crap. Being a soldier doesn't make you good or bad, it just makes you a soldier.

Now, if someone got his legs blown off to save someone else, that's a heroic action that takes a pair bigger than my fists (no offense to the ladies). If he simply has the misfortune to step on a landmine, though, that's being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Kevin says

I don’t think telling someone that you’re sorry that they were injured fighting a bullshit war is denigrating or disrespectful at all.

All I meant was that I would hope that the response would be the same - that if someone in SF or anywhere was told that the person lost their legs in a war, the response would be respectful of his injury. Of course, I struggle with the draft; people were forced to go to Vietnam whether or not they wanted to.

I do agree that it was disrespectful to ask about the handicap.

Kevin says

Sorry, but the attitude that soldiers are all perfect heroic people is a load of crap. Being a soldier doesn’t make you good or bad, it just makes you a soldier.

Very well said. I don't speak as eloquently as do you.

Paralithodes says

Well there you go, Jim… Of the three lefties/liberals that responded so far, it looks like elliemae is the only one who “stands alone,” and even her response is qualified.

Who are you calling a "leftie"?

In all honesty though, if Americans and our MSM didn't feign respect for every kid that puts on a US military uniform, maybe our corporate titans who control the federal government would have a more difficult time recruiting the massive army needed to economically empiricize the entire third world. There is no business more profitable than warfare.

A police officer has a much more directly beneficial role in our society than a soldier. As a society, we generally consider a soldier to be a hero, while a police officer is a "pig." It's pure brainwashing.

CBOEtrader says

....As a society, we generally consider a soldier to be a hero, while a police officer is a “pig.” It’s pure brainwashing.

Though you're using quite broad and general stereotypes, you might be right on this one: those on the left these days feign respect for those in the military, while still referring to cops as "pigs." In contrast, those on the right tend to genuinely respect both.

A police officer has a much more directly beneficial role in our society than a soldier. As a society, we generally consider a soldier to be a hero, while a police officer is a “pig.” It’s pure brainwashing.

beneficial role in society? pffft

until there is a change in law enforcements stance on marijuana (medical, recreational, hemp production) the law enforcement are no different then those you disdain who dress in military costumes. at least military people are usually on foreign soil protecting us here on the mainland, the law enforcement are around every corner, intruding on the citizenry's personal lives everyday.

maybe you could educate me as to the beneficial role a police officer has on our society, i would love to share your opinion, mine is not an enjoyable stance

Police enforce laws. Stupid laws that need to be changed. But laws, nonetheless. And they're often above the laws that they enforce:

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14649193

A Wednesday afternoon crash in St. George killed a pair of elderly sisters and injured a Utah Highway Patrol trooper who was on his way to a multiple-car collision on Interstate 15.

The crash occurred about 12:50 p.m. near 850 South and River Road when UHP Trooper Lars Gardener was traveling north on River Road on his way to the fatal crash on I-15. Gummow was driving south in her Buick and was attempting to turn left into the LDS Church ward house parking lot when her car was struck, St. George police said.

The collision was about 50 to 75 yards north of 900 South and not in an intersection, St. George police Lt. James Van Fleet said. The street was dry at the time and weather conditions did not appear to cause the crash.
----------------------------
The trooper was traveling with lights & siren, well above the speed limit. He was responding to a 20-car pileup over 30 miles away, and was less than a mile from a freeway on-ramp. Other stories say that he feels bad - and they say that his speed was justified, too. But two women are dead because he couldn't take an extra minute to safely drive to a freeway, where he could go as fast as his little heart desired.

I have a lot more reverence for the sacrifices made by vets who were drafted into a war. On the other hand, I'm totally mystified by the young men and women who sign up to get their asses shot off in either of the sham wars/occupations we're currently embroiled in.

All I can think about with any war is what great minds got chewed up by a bunch of shitty shrapnel. It's such a sad goddamn waste.

Hemingway said it best: "Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”

Nomograph says

jvolstad says

I wonder how that would have played out back in the San Francisco Bay Area (left-coast)?

Obviously, what you want to hear is “they would throw blood on you and call you a baby killer.”
Happy now?

Is that what would make me happy? Don't think so.

Paralithodes says

Though you’re using quite broad and general stereotypes, you might be right on this one: those on the left these days feign respect for those in the military, while still referring to cops as “pigs.” In contrast, those on the right tend to genuinely respect both.

Speaking of broad stereotypes... And not even correct ones.