Did anyone catch the HBO special "Alive Day Memories- Home from Iraq"?

Question

I think it was an encore but i just got a chance to watch it last night. I think I have, throughout this war, kinda taken for granted what our Marines and Soldiers actually have to experience over there. It makes me so sad that they come home a mere fraction of what they used to be physically and mentally. I sat there last night and cried because what they go through is absolutely horrific. They all need to come home. Let the Iraqi's blow themselves up without our military personnel having to suffer for it. What are your thoughts about this?

With all due respect, EinsteinsReal, I too was an active duty Marine and I know EXACTLY what it takes to become one, it just saddens me that we're getting blown up like that and it doesnt look like it's going to end anytime soon.

It's fine that you don't believe me, but i would never pretend to be something or someone I'm not. I graduated from platoon 4032 Oscar company in october of 2000. I'm entitled to my opinion. and i did support the war but i don't anymore. that doesnt make me unpatriotic. it makes me sick that we're still over there.. that's all i'm saying.

Furthermore, what about all the crap that goes on in OUR country? why are we so much more concerned with what goes on abroad than what goes on in our own house?

The purpose of my post was not to offend anyone, it was to invoke thought and express MY opinion.

Answer 1

"Einsteins real" put forth a very interesting post.

As a serious student of world affairs, and 4th generational warfare I'd like to say it's a tragedy how the USA
instead of concentrating it's full resources into
Afghanistan and bringing Bin laden and his thugs
to justice after 9-11. Instead fell into this trap
and colossal mis-adventure in "I-Rack."

There the US is squandering it's time, people, resources
and money, that if directed towards Afghanistan
might possibly have ended the entire debacle decisively in our favor by now.

Instead, both scenarios drag, on, and on, and on.
US Debt and casualties mount, US self esteem
and respect in world opinion declines, not to mention
all the dead, pain, and continued suffering.

Too bad, disgusting actually, could and
should have been thought out and handled
a lot better.

Thoughts and hopes go out to our long
suffering personnel
and brave allies.

War has a way of bringing out the very worst
in human nature, and protracted wars such
as these are a crime against humanity
and every living thing.

To those who
profit by, and encourage the perpetuation
of these scenarios, I say a very, very special
and exclusive niche in HELL awaits you.

LuvUall Ba-bye.
__________________

Note to Mr. " Einstein"

I appolgise if I've offended you personly,
by daring to chalange your assertions.

From my perspective,.

You're making a living then arn't you ?
Paid to enlist ?
It's a steady job ?
It must be nice to have a job your so commited to ?
What might you rather be doing ?
As a declared christian.

All that aside,
It would be foolish of me to suggest that
ordinary enlisted US personel are getting rich
from our wars, However they are working
steadily. Many in the officer ranks are
reasonably paid.

Some would make more on the outside.

Many of the new signing and re-enlistment
bonus & incentives are actually quite lucrative.
You won't find those being offered
commonly anywhere in the civilian world.

The Military Industrial Complex,
incl. weapons and amunition manufacturers,
logistics, support, war services, security etc, are
definately making money from all this.
Quite a bit of money in fact.
Profit they return, (after they've paid themselves
quite well), to share holders,
IE: The US citizens and any other investors.

Litterally millions of Americans are now
gamefully employed by the Mil. Ind. Complex.

In that sense, then indeed, the US stockholders
are wholey culpable in this obscene practice
of perpetual warfare as a sustainable
bussiness model for fun & profit.

With manufacturing and innovation apparently in decline
in America, (GM, Ford, IBM etc,,) our main emphasis seems to be heading towards war, as a principle export commodity. Along with the usual smog, it's main by product
spreads hatered, fear, death and destruction.

Now there's something Americans can be really
proud of.

And so we leave all the electronic gizmos, cars etc, etc,
to the Japanese and Chinese & others.

As far as free thought and opinion is concerned,
I appreciate from your remarks you might favour a military dictatorship ?

If I understand you correctly then,
Unless you've served, and been in harms way
you have no right to critisize, or question
anything the miltary or politicians do ?

I do not beilive the majority of Americans wish
to live like that. And in a perpetual military state
where incompetent politicans rely
on the military commanders to make
stratigic policy decisions.

What we have now, comes perilously close enough
for most, mind you.

All despite the fact that we only usualy seem to attack much smaller weaker countries.
We seem to rarely to achieve decisive
or lasting stratigic goals, objectives or as some might
call it "victory."


As far as "progress" and the Petraeus perspective,

I'll believe in Progress in "I-Rack" when I see 3 months
back to back with no significant US casulties from enemy
action, and a really significant reduction in Iraqi
deaths along similar criteria.

That woud be really great, and I would be really impressed.
Most would feel much better about the situation and would
greet it with your current enthusiasim.

Until then, though I call what it is, that you claim,
to be anticdotal, unproven, and not being born out
in real world facts, figures, or most importantly popular persception.

Now we're commited for yet another year, I hope that will be enough time for you to consider and come up with another littany of poitifications, rationalisations, and excuses for still being there.

That's if you survive it, and I most sincerley hope that you do.
Good luck !

Answer 2

I've seen the show and it is sad to think our military is going through this for no real purpose. The war in Iraq was never about freedom for the Iraqi people, it was about nation building. I do not buy into the whole 'they are serving to protect us and the freedoms we have here'. Iraq was not part of the 911 attacks, Iraq never attacked the US. But as someone said above, they signed up for the duty knowing full well what they were getting into. It just seems pointless

Answer 3

Im an active duty Marine and I have been to Afghanistan twice and Iraq twice, and I am going back in January. Yes its a rough life, but we signed up for it. To not only protect our own nation and our own loved ones, but to protect against any threat to our way of life. We are not just hunting little guys with pea shooters, they have heavy artillery, and we know this. They have it for a reason. The do not kill each other for fun, they kill for control and to create an atmosphere of fear, so the people will think they can do nothing without them. Thats what we are doing over there. Protecting the defenseless against both bullet and propaganda.The training that you go through to become a Marine is rough, and if taken seriously it protects you from most all of the mental anguish that these guys were having. The physical harm is something we accept. Dont be like the rest of these people on here and try to speak for us. We decided to be there. We enjoy serving our country, even if inconsiderate people back home do not appreciate it.
Faith and Brotherhood Forever. Pray for us.
-God Bless.


EDIT: Max C:

I "encourage the perpetuation of these scenarios" because I believe in what we are doing. Sure, the reasons we went over there were gained by misinformation by both political parties, but we are over there, and we are needed very badly. The people are just now getting to the point to where they will give up known insurgents. On my first and second tour, absolutely no one would ever give up one of the insurgents, now, on 4-4 raids, we can get accurate information on around 10 active guys and tips on their locations and what weapons they have. This shows that the people are FINALLY getting tired of it. Max C, stop trying to sound fancy and articulate about a war. "War is Hell", but I assure you, I am a saved Christian, there will no more Hell for me once I die, so I do not appreciate your half witted insults.Quit complaining and get in line with me, then maybe you will understand.

AJA J: Sorry, but I do not believe you. Your question and the wording of your details do not match up for someone that was 'an active Marine'. Your attitude and position doesn't match up either. Either you are the least patriotic Marine ever, or you were never one to begin with. We are the ones that sign up to fight and if needed, die for WHATEVER cause our President asks of us.