<p>I'm discussing the part about enlistees doing the fighting.</p>
<p>That's not true. I have just used your own numbers against you. You lose and you are wrong. Statistically speaking, judging by the number of officers and enlistees, nobody is doing "more" or "less" of the fighting. Please explain how you continue to come to this conclusion.</p>
<p>Even if its proportional using relative numbers, in absolute terms they fought more of the war. I.E. Soviet Union fought more if WWII than USA</p>
<p>and either way you already lost the other argument about the genocide in iraq</p>
<p>TN: I know you're fighting the good fight...but you're only giving confused what he wanted...a little online quarrel. Be the bigger man and just step away.</p>
<p>Confused: Incidents like this happen, and yes, they're horrible. But trust that the military higher-ups are implimenting the training necessary to avoid such incidents. I've personally had to sit through more than a handful of ethics briefings and we specifically discussed what happened at My Lai. No on in the military condones these actions, and don't let the actions of a few cloud your judgement of the many.</p>
<p>I'm curious to know why you're throwing such a fit over this...what do you call driving a few planes into some packed buildings, killing thousands? Religious duty? oh wait...you don't believe in religion. So these guys were out to kill a couple thousand people just for the hell of it...and I'm guessing they were completely justified, right?</p>
<p>That's it...I'm now listening to my own advice, and no longer posting here.</p>
<p>Sorry WAmom! Hitting the "ignore" button now.</p>
<p>DMiex, im with you, maybe if we just ignore him, he will go away. (something tells me this is not the first time people have had to do this to him!)</p>
<p>This is not an "incident". You act as if it was a spur of the moment action that had no thought behind it . It was a cold-blooded decision. How can training prevent thought processes. And unfortunately the military is known for covering up its dirty work at more than one occasion. The Haditha Massacre occured more than a year ago , but we only found out Memorial Day Weekend. I think this is more of a daily occurence, although noone knows for sure.</p>
<p>And why am I throwing such a fit, because, I don't know , innocent civilians dying, its usually something that someone with REAL morals gets upset about. Oh and in reference to 9-11, although religous fundementalism was a motivationg factor in the rhetoric and those 3,000 dead New Yorkers were also INNOCENT, 9-11 has to be looked under the framework of American policy during the Cold War. America openly supported the same fundementalists and dictators it claims to now want to fight against(I.E. Bin Laden, the saudi royak kingdom, musharraf, the list goes on forever) to protect its own political self-interest. That's why 9-11 happend. Most people in the world have acknowledged that and although are vehemently opposed to using terrorism as a political tool, have acknowleged the grievances associated with many radical groups in the Middle East.
Here , to prove it to you. Look at this grievances issued by extremists. (Referring to US). This has been public American policy and whether or not you agree with it is your decision.</p>
<p>.Plunders the resources of the Arabian Peninsula.
2.Dictates policy to the rulers of those countries.
3.Supports abusive regimes and monarchies in the Middle East, thereby oppressing their people.
4.Has military bases and installations upon the Arabian Peninsula, which violates the Muslim holy land, in order to threaten neighboring Muslim countries.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Explain to me how spanking creates violent citizens.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
My Lai
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NO!</p>
<p>HE DIDN'T!</p>
<p>LOL!</p>
<p>Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!</p>
<p>Oh, man! What a tool! :D</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why can't we go back to the original post and the question that was raised? We were having such a nice discussion.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Because, Madam, Clueless here is a perfect example of the mentality we face when asked the question in the original post.</p>
<p>Now, we were asked to provide reasoned answers to people like this. Do you really think it's possible? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Confused, STOP TROLLING!
DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR, OR SHOULD I USE A SECOND LANGUAGE?</p>
<p>And please reply to my Iraq e-mail, which you seemed so interested in. Oh, your story was public information before this weekend.</p>
<p>On topic:
I might be tempted to say "You wouldn't understand" and then walk away.</p>
<p>Now this is a free country, and even if he is a jack@$$ who has no respect for our country, Confused has the right to be on here and annoy people. I will die protecting that right if I have to, I just don't understand why anyone would ever come to a site like this one and stir up a conversation. I think he needs to take his head out of his butt and figure out exactly what it is he is trying to accomplish. If he's trying to be a political activist, then go to communist rallies or something, I dont know whatever ultra liberal douche's do. Otherwise, why ruin a forum with his biased unfactual propoganda. He isnt going to sway any members, why not wisely use his time actually fighting for his stupid cause, whatever it may be.</p>
<p>Do you remember that great scene from Caddy Shack with the Baby Ruth bar in the pool. Well that is what Confused does, but its not nearly as funny -- except to him and his friends.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Confused has the right to be on here and annoy people.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Uh, actually, he doesn't. None of us do.</p>
<p>This is a private site. We remain here at the pleasure of the owners, and they can choose to remove us on a whim. The First Amendment doesn't apply here.</p>
<p>Too many people these days claim rights they don't have while giving up those they do.</p>
<p>confused: it's good to see that you remain true to form.</p>
<p>As for the rest of us(you, me, etc)- stop taking the bait. Ignore. Dismiss. Plain not worth it.</p>
<p>I'm with you JM- could care less. Thank goodness for the scroll button.</p>
<p>raimus i did respond to your pm u never read it anyway i gave u the contact information i'll pm it again</p>
<p>plus i'll make the rest of u mccarthyists a deal i want at least 2 of u to respond to my previous post and give a legitimate rebuttal and there will be no more of me pertaining to this forum.</p>
<p>This thread needed re-threading. My original question generated genuine responses from other parents who have also been subjected to people's ignorance, or in some cases, outright hostility regarding have a son/daughter at a service academy/military. My most recent encounter with said question happened at a Memorial Day party (of all things) where I was put on the spot with "Why did he want to do that?" (i.e., attend WP). There were 5 or 6 follow-up questions before I walked away. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my husband was fully interrogated on another side of the room. We both came home feeling sad, disillusioned, and angry over their blindness as to why they can seep safely in their beds everynight. </p>
<p>Adam's Mom</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Why did he want to do that?"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In all fairness, that question can be genuine. "So why the Navy?" can be just as legitimate as "So why medicine?"</p>
<p>Answers for "And why medicine?" will vary from "I want to help people" to "I want to be rich" to "I'm good with my hands". It's no different for a SA.</p>
<p>You can always tell by the tone, though. When the question is sincere or at least probing ("Let me see if this kid has his head on straight before I congratulate him"), it's no big deal. When it is accompanied by a sneer, however, is when I LAUNCH.</p>
<p>God help the poor bastard that asks that of a soon-to-be-Mid/Cadet in MY presence. I'll rip him/her up one side and down the other. I've already got my ring and diploma, so I can tell them precisely what I think of them risk-free.</p>
<p>Makes me furious just thinking about it. :mad:</p>
<p>The closest I've ever come to one of those questions is "aren't you worried?" To which I answer I'm always worried.</p>
<p>I guess I have been blissfully lucky. Even my most liberal friends who know my son are proud of him and his service. His essay for his nomination pretty much said it all... </p>
<p>Bare with the still proud Dad, but every answer is there.</p>
<p>I want to serve my country as an Officer in the United States Navy. While I am also applying to Navy ROTC programs, the more thorough and demanding preparation, the outstanding academics, and the opportunities to serve provided by the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy make them my first choices of all colleges. I have been fortunate to be exposed to the Naval Academy through friends and family for many years. In ninth grade, I needed a beta ray source for my science fair project at Alice Deal Junior High School, and the Naval Academy was both encouraging and helpful to me in successfully completing my project. This summer I was privileged to participate in the Naval Academy Summer Seminar Program where I gained an even clearer understanding of the opportunities to lead and the challenges of Academy life. In March I visited the Merchant Marine Academy overnight. More recently in August, I returned to Kings Point to meet the wrestling coach and once again attend classes with Midshipmen and visit with the admissions office.</p>
<p>Six years ago I traveled with my family to visit friends in Macedonia and Ukraine. It was there that I started to understand the privileges we have in the United States -- not only wealth and comfort -- but also the freedom that makes that all possible. This summer, I helped lead a service trip to Honduras with my church. That experience helped reinforce for me the important role America plays in the world. Because of these experiences, and that of 9/11, I have wanted more and more to do my part to protect that freedom and give something back for the benefits I have. Attending the Naval Academy or the Merchant Marine Academy will both prepare me well and provide me with many opportunities to meet that goal.</p>
<p>In Honduras, we represented St. Marks Church, but we also represented the United States. Even in the smallest villages, as Americans, we symbolized an intangible that I think meant more to them than the labor and supplies we brought. That intangible is our belief in a bright and secure future, and this belief is manifest in our willingness, as Americans, to share our abundance. On a much larger scale, the Navy projects both the American peoples belief in the future and our generosity to the rest of the world better than any other entity. My Grandfather was a Supply Officer in the 1940s, 50s and 60s and his stories of interactions with local merchants around the world are as much a foundation for this belief as my understanding of the global scope of todays Navy.</p>
<p>Academically, I know that I do better when I am constantly challenged and can see the relevance to my future. The classes I attended at the Merchant Marine Academy and the workshops I attended at the Naval Academy during Summer Seminar were compelling, challenging, and directly applicable to service at sea. Additionally, at either Academy I would be able to continue to wrestle and have the opportunity to participate in a range of extracurricular activities that would broaden my leadership skills.</p>
<p>I am proud to have attended DC Public Schools and of the fact that they have prepared me well to compete with the best in the country not only academically, but socially as well. At Summer Seminar, I realized that the breadth of diversity at Wilson provided me with skills to work effectively with all candidates in a way that candidates from more homogenous private and public systems could not.</p>
<p>What motivates me most to attend either the Naval Academy or the Merchant Marine Academy are the Officers and Midshipmen I have met who not only share my commitment to serve our country, but who also have leadership and academic skills I would hope to emulate.</p>
<p>I couldn't say it better than that.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Confused, STOP TROLLING!
DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR, OR SHOULD I USE A SECOND LANGUAGE?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Confundido, PARA DE SER UN GNOMO!</p>
<p>Just wanted to be helpful. :D</p>
<p>
[quote]
"aren't you worried?"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>"No lady. I'm not worried at all that my kid has chosen the Armed Forces as his initial career. Why would I worry? Is there a war on or something?"</p>
<p>:rolleyes:</p>
<p>Some people shouldn't be allowed to vote........... or breed.</p>
<p>LFWBDad, your son writes well. :)</p>
<p>Its really sad that we have people like confused that can't comprehend the good we are doing in Iraq and Afganistan. You only take your information from what you see on T.V. or what you read in a newspaper, which is rather ignorant. Have you ever tried speaking to any of the soldiers and sailors that have been to Iraq? An overwhelming majority know that they are doing something good, and are frustrated that their efforts are not being noticed. You should quit being the little ***** that you are and appreciate the fact that men and women are putting themselves in harms way so that you have the freedom to act and talk the way you do.</p>