<p>“For example, the resistance against the American occupation in Iraq is in self-defense.”</p>
<p>So I guess it’s okay then for Iraqi’s to blow themselves up and kill hundreds of civilians. But if one American soldier commits a bad act, it’s the entire Army who’s a bunch of bloodthirsty killers.</p>
<p>And you’ve shown your further ignorance of the situation; most of the “insurgents” aren’t even Iraqi citizens. We aren’t fighting the populace of Iraq, and haven’t been for a long time. We’re fighting radicals and terrorists.</p>
<p>You are just plugging your ears and shouting “OORAH! The military can do no harm!” If you have beef with the criticisms, argue with them. I don’t see how making the military immune to criticism is helpful at all. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You are right in that it wouldn’t be very beneficial to the US . . . they aren’t doing it out of benevolence . . .</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Of course. But you do have to blame the military when they abuse prisoners, or when some of their soldiers pull stunts like in the OP.</p>
<p>Please tell me how World War 2 was fought defending our country? The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, obviously, but the Germans didn’t attack us first. Figure out the reason why we fought the Nazis and you’ll figure out why it’s best we stay in Iraq at this point. </p>
<p>And these orders are illegal according to who? A whiny little teenager in his suburban home?</p>
<p>Obviously the military isn’t immune to criticism, and I never said they should be. But whining about a few select incidents, and then claiming that “These are the people you’ll be around” is ridiculous.</p>
<p>“They’re following illegal orders, which is illegal.”</p>
<p>Are you saying that the entire military is following illegal orders by participating in the war? Because that is simply BS. Even if the war order as a whole is determined to be illegal, for the soldiers who followed the orders to be blamed there must be reason to believe that if the soldiers were to use simple common sense they would find the order illegal (if I recall correctly), which is simply not the case. </p>
<p>What authority are you basing any of your claims on? None; you are making broad and unfounded generalizations. You are making yourself appear more idiotic every time you post (btw, I don’t mean this to be an ad-hominem attack, but just to try to help you salvage some of your image).</p>
<p>Please don’t exaggerate what I am saying. I never called the Army a bunch of bloodthirsty killers. I think the Army should make sure that it does not let in soldiers like in the OP. And the Iraqi attacking American troops in defense of his country, well, I can’t say that I blame him.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s a good point. But the initial resistance to the American occupation of Iraq was in self-defense.</p>
<p>Why are you acting like this? No one has resorted to personal insults towards you.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yeah the entire “illegal occupation” argument is pretty substanceless. There really isn’t much international law. You can however argue that the war is immoral . . .</p>
<p>If you’re going to argue that the war is immoral, go ahead. I’ve got no problem with that, and under some circumstances, I may agree with you.</p>
<p>But that’s not what tc has done; he’s called everyone in the military a crazy, bloodthirsty killer; he then tried to justify his position with illegality, which obiviously doesn’t exist in international law.</p>
<p>^You can argue that the war is immoral easily. But there isn’t much the soldiers can do about that fact. If, while he/she serves, he/she convinces other soldiers not to follow questionable orders, he/she could be put under trial for mutiny, which can be punishable by death.</p>
<p>BTW, LeviG, if you want an example of rational arguments (that somewhat share your sentiments) pay attention to silence_kit.</p>
<p>No, that’s what he said after he got caught in his garbage line of thought.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I hardly doubt that.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>And my personal favorite:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That about sums TC up.
/that’s the topic folks. Next time you try to make a silly argument, research your facts a little more and try not to change position every time you’re shot down.</p>
<p>^if that was all the OP were to say (referring to silence’s post), I’d be much more willing to support him (I remember those quotes specifically as, in my perspective, rare glimpses into the OP’s logic). I thought the articles were fine as well, if provided with an appropriate context. But some other things the OP stated or implied I just can not bring myself to agree with (which includes most of what pandem quoted above), and those are the things which I and most of the others have commented against.</p>
<p>On another topic, how do you get quotes indented and with the different background?</p>
<p>War is a terrible and ugly thing…and nobody knows that better than those who are deployed, and their families who wait anxiously at home.</p>
<p>Reread your constitution…the military serves at the direction of civilian leadership. If you walk into any military facility, photos of POTUS and other senior civilian leadership always precede photos of senior military command.</p>
<p>There have been many inspiring accounts of men and women of our armed forces who having willing risked or gave their life to save others. </p>
<p>So those of you critical of the military what have you personally sacrificed for the good of this nation? What skin have you had in the game?</p>
<p>This isn’t a very healthy attitude to have. Once an institution is immune to criticism, it can do as it pleases.</p>
<p>The attitude that all soldiers serve out of personal sacrifice is a little naive as well. A lot do it because they need the money. Some (a tiny fraction) do it because it means that they can legitimately kill . . . </p>
<p>I do agree that a lot of complaints towards the military should be directed at the civilian command.</p>