Letter to the Editor
Support military
Published Friday, May 9, 2008
May 2, 2008
To the editor:
Usually I let everyday complaints from the population of Fairbanks, North Pole and the surrounding areas, roll off my back. However, for all the people who complain about our U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy air forces, I have but one thing to say.
The sound you hear is “Freedom!” I for one, salute and applaud all of our military! The sound of freedom is a blessing. Have you ever thought of what it would be like to have enemy fire directed at you or targeting your house or business? Believe me, that sound has a different meaning.
Ask the majority of the 70,000 veterans who live here in Alaska if they have ever been in a hot LZ and prayed for the sound of air support or artillery support! So fly boys (and ladies)! Bore a hole in the sky for me, for freedom and for all of us that appreciate it.
God bless all the troops that are to be deployed soon; my prayers are with you. So, to all of you people out there, count your blessings and that sound you hear won’t bother you quite as much.
By the way, I fly the biggest U.S. flag on the river and my yard is big enough for a Chinook to land in, so feel free to drop in. I’ll have the coffee on!
God bless America and God bless our armed services.
Community Discussion
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hear, hear Joe!
My Soldier would thank you but he is out in the field blowing things up in preparation for their upcoming deployment. So on his behalf God Bless You.. From Our Military Family!
aright casey, since your such a genius when it comes to world affairs, how many days have you spent in iraq VERIFYING your claims.
MAN UP KIDDO!!! put some bang behind your buck.
i wave my flag for 2 reasons, to support what OUR brothers and sisters have died for...
...and now to spite you
Must one go to Iraq to have an opinion? It's very doubtful the majority who have been there are geniuses either.
no, you're right, but what kind of opinion can you possibly have from your recliner?
Wars are always fought over money/wealth. 1801, the US Navy and Marines took on the Barbary pirates to protect trade routes. US Marines paved the way in Central America for US fruit companies. If gas were $1.00 a gallon right now you wouldnt care who we went to war with.
God Bless our Troops!! Thanks for all you do!!
I see a lot of folks saying support our troops. I certainly can find no fault in that! What I don't understand is what these folks actually mean by this. Wave a flag? Vote republican? Be irrational?
If you want to support troops then get them better facilities, better care for injuries and mental health, better armor, better benefits, better pay... To simply say support our troops is really quite a mindless statement unless we start backing it up with specifics including how much we should raise our taxes or what services we should do without. I would be much more impressed with a ribbon saying "raise our taxes to support our troops"!
Casey, your comments are adorable. "just morons waving flags when we should be shaking hands"...that type of naevete is truly charming. "We have not been in a war since WWII" and you go on to reference Vietnam later in your comment. Interesting. Unfortunately, here in the real world, it does not work that way. You do not agree with me, and I do not agree with you. No matter what I say in defense of my opinion, I imagine you will simply continue the inflamatory and insulting remarks as well as the overuse of exclamation points and caps lock. You have a point to make...we get it. We see where you are coming from, some even agree with you. I honestly have no problem with that. But you do need to keep in mind that the way you are going about stating your opinion is in direct contrast to the message you are sending. "We should be shaking hands" is being shoved down our throats. I appreciate your passion, I will forever defend your right to offend me.
As always, a heart felt thank you to our troops. What you do, and what you fight for is very dear to me, and to Casey...wheter he or she chooses to admit it or not.
Okay- here we go again. Like tpc said above, there is nothing wrong with supporting the troops. The problem lies with those folks who do so blindly because they think it makes them a good American or Patriot or Wife or whatever, not because they've taken the time to see the whole picture.
I imagine the recent rash of letters to the Editor has been orchestrated to try to supress the concerns raised lately about the military in Fairbanks. Fine, no problem. Keep writing them if you must, but remember, you are only convincing the short-sighted. Propaganda (especially that as blatant as the letter above) does nothing for those who strive to think for themselves.
Those people raising questions and concerns are doing their part to keep the U.S. military honest, professional and focused on the real priorities of the U.S. It is then up to the folks in uniform to listen objectively and act accordingly.
Tpc what have you personally done too support the troops?
If you stop bashing the troops and say something nice that would support them.
How do you think the Troops feel when they read all this hate towards them?
“To simply say support our troops is really quite a mindless statement”
Bashing the troops is the real mindless statements made.
Blaming them for all the crime in Fairbanks is a mindless statement.
“I would be much more impressed with a ribbon saying "raise our taxes to support our troops"!”
Would you support raising your taxes TPC ?????
Yes give them the PFD they earned it.
WOW-
I cannot find a single element of troop bashing in tpc's comment. It actually seems like s/he is offering some real and probably more effective ways to SUPPORT the troops.
Thanks for your support Imusuallyright. Maybe I wasn't clear enough for 0cents. The fact of the matter is I have supported some military folks by forgiving rents in hard times. I also deal with them regularly at work and I do all I can to accomodate them when their duties interfere with their obligations to me. And yes, 0cents, I would be OK with raising my taxes a bit for worthy causes.
Hear that? You hear that?
What?
Artillery, son. Nothing in the world sounds like that. I love the sound of artillery fire in the morning. The sound, you know that BOOM sound, the whole range. ... Sounds like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end...
(paraphrased from Apocolyspe Now, 1979)
I didn’t mean tpc was bashing the troops. My statement should read-
If people would stop bashing the troops and say something nice that would support them.
That was meant for all the hate bashers out there.
Kindness is one way to support the troops, not bashing.
I’m all for better pay, and benefits.
Tpc is bashing the supporters- “Wave a flag? Vote republican? Be irrational?”
“To simply say support our troops is really quite a mindless statement”
There are all kinds of ways that you can show support. You don’t have to do it as a group, do it on your own.
Iur-
I hope somebody sends you some mother’s day flowers and shows you a little kindness.
Thanks, zero =)!
Tpc
Thank you for showing kindness to the military.
Imusuallyright said, "Those people raising questions and concerns are doing their part to keep the U.S. military honest, professional and focused on the real priorities of the U.S. It is then up to the folks in uniform to listen objectively and act accordingly."
Excellent statement. I would add one caveat to his last sentence, "within the constraints imposed by the President, Congress, and the Constitution."
The President can "fire" any General or Admiral who opposes him. General Douglas MacArthur is a classic example. Generals are like everyone else, they don't reach a position of great responsibility without listening to their boss.
Every military member can be imprisoned or, under certain circumstances, executed for failing to obey a lawful order. At the very minimum, they can expect to be kicked out of the military with a federal conviction on their permanent record.
However, it is the U.S. Congress that really sets the rules for the U.S. military. Even Master Chief Petty Officers listen to your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representatives. (A root canal is preferable to having to respond to a Congressional Inquiry.)
Yes, by all means, voice your complaints and concerns to the military. Understand, however, what you say won't matter at all if Congress says otherwise. Therefore, it's best if you also tell Lisa, Ted, and Don.
"...caveat to her last sentence."
Thanks, Griff. I hadn't really considered that.
Dearest Casey,
In one of your previous military bashing rants you stated you were a local business owner. I asked you twice to tell us the name of said business, you had no more responses. Now I beg you please give us the name so the military folks will steer clear. Please, put your money where your mouth is. At the very least put a sign up in your establishment stating your wonderful views.
Also, you are also very well versed in the political afairs of our nation. Please explain why if our troops are fighting for the oil companies, are we paying almost $4 a gallon for gas. Based on your insight should we start more wars to lower these gas prices? Are we not killing enough people?
To all, whether you support the war or not. Our soldiers are dieing daily. Those that live, live with scars from watching their buddies die. Families now have sons/daughters, husbands/wives, fathers/mothers who will not come home. When statements are made bashing our reasons for being there, what a mistake it is, we were lied to, etc. Those who live with the nightmares of dead soldiers begin to believe that it was all for nothing. Their buddies, fathers, etc. died in vain. Some oppinions are better kept to ourselves as it can have a devestating effect on inocent bystanders.
AKLOWN-
I've always believed that it is healthier to learn live and cope with the truth than it is to soothe your soul with a lie.
???
"Those who live with the nightmares of dead soldiers begin to believe that it was all for nothing. Their buddies, fathers, etc. died in vain."
To believe that people died for a good or noble reason may ease the pain, but may not be the most honest way to deal with it. There are many, many people who do not believe (this) war is not being waged for good and noble reasons and people, Americans and Iraqis, are, in fact, dying in vain.
I totally agree however, my concern is for those who don't understand. For example, a young child who's daddy isn't comming home. Hopefully he will be told, "Daddy died a hero" or some such thing. Then he sees the news or negative views and realizes "Daddy died for nothing".
Imusuallyright - Mea culpa, I apologize for my assumption.
caseyinfairbanks
I don’t hardly know where to start with you. First you state that we have not been to war since WWII and then you go on to say we got our butts kicked in Vietnam. Honey you might need to brush up on your history. The Vietnam war was AFTER WWII. As far as getting our butts kicked in Vietnam…..you might want to brush up on your history for that war as well or better yet….talk to a vet! We did not come out of Vietnam necessarily as a “winner”…..but that was not because of the abilities of the USA vs. Vietnam. A good history book and/or Vet could explain the situation to you if you really want to know the truth.
As far as our occupying space in Iraq…..you might want to talk to some of the troops that have actually been in Iraq. A majority of the Iraq people are thankful that there is a USA presence there.
And sorry to continue to burst your bubble…..but if the war was about oil; our prices at the pump would be going down rather then up!!!
There are some assumption that people have made in there statements.
1) to be republican and support the troops is "mindless", and not demonstrative of ones ability to think independently. (TPC)
2) That NOTHING good at all is coming from the work the troops are doing in Iraq. (Caseyinfaribanks)
3) That it is an Either/Or matter. (the war in Iraq)
These are assumptions and exagerations. First, many who are republican (or conservative) are able to think critically and independently. Democrats and liberlism do not have a monopoly on free and independent thought, peace, or societal welfare. Political affiliation is not the determinant of critical, rational, and reasonable thought.
While there may be many things wrong with the war in Iraq (show any war that there were not many things wrong with), there are many good things being done there. To deny that is also an exageration and distortion of the truth. However, having been there does provide one with experience to base an opinion it is not a prerequisite to having an opinion on the issue.
Further, we must realize that the safety of our troops (to include bringing them home), the success of the war (a free, stable, healthy Iraqi country w/out US presence, as I define it), and our political leanings (Neo-Con's v Communist Liberal's-- and everything in between), are in fact 3 separate issues. One can hold the position that {I} want to bring our troops home, after Iraq is a free and stable country, while wanting to have a government that doesn't lie to the public. Most importantly having this opinion does not determine my patriotism. Patriotism is determined by whether or not you believe and act in a manner to help this country succeed and have the welfare of our nation at heart and are willing to take action to achieve it. This is not limitted to those supporting war and being a veteran.
Imusuallyright-- good on you! You often seem to post and ask questions that challenge peoples positions and opinions hopefully causing to evaluate them. If they get your point.
P.S. I wish to say on behalf of all veterans (perhaps I speak out of turn), You're Welcome! Enjoy your freedoms to express your opinions. By doing so, you are saying thank you to us!
Gee, I thought we had this conversation last week?
Not everyone is of the same opinion, that doesn't make some of them anti-American. It's like the whole mindless flag burning debate. There is a group that thinks they can tell everyone else how to exercise their freedom because they feel like they alone are responsible for securing it.
Protest is very American, get used to it.
The terrorism in the middle east started as early as the 70's. maybe some of you should seriously consider brushing up on your information before you start bashing the Soldiers and the WAR they are fighting daily! Anyone ever heard of the Iotola? Look at where we are with Afghanistan. We are where we are today because no one dropped the ball sooner. This should have been handled years ago! But, it wasn't and now we are fighting a war that goes back generations. I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but I am sure we will be attacking Iran in the next 10 years, should have been done thirty years ago! All that we are doing now should have been done years ago. Our Government sat back and did nothing and then 9/11! I for one seriously think it could have been and should have been prevented. But our Government does not always have the answers to the tough decision and when we have people in office whether they are republican or democrat we have to stand behind them to make the tough decision. We have to get rid of these terrorists sects that are out there and shamefully some of the leaders that have a warped idea of reality. I don't agree with the way everthing has been handled, but I am smart enough and human enough to know that I never will. We will always "should of, would of, could of" our Government. we will never know everything, we can't! I acknowledge and accept that. I know however that as a true red, white and blue American I have an obligation to support and thank my troops everyday, whether he be 18 or 100. If it was not for these truly brave men and women I would not be where I am today and neither would you. If we where not fighting this war overseas, how long do you think it would be before they came to fight us on our soil, and our children would be starving or dieing? Have you ever once took a moment to think that maybe the war over there was to keep the war from coming here? There is a much bigger picture folks, please look at everything, not just the center!
I thank God daily for my Husband and my father for fighting to protect your right and your opinion. I am also thankful to them that I can ask God to watch over and protect people that do not understand.
Usuallyright-
Seems a bit orchestrated to me too. I have been thinking the same thing.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"???
Wilfred Owen
caseyinfairbanks,
Look this one up.
Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare.
To get back to the original letter, My flag's bigger than your flag.
My favorite advice,
though it gets difficult to follow for me at times, (stupidly, I quit the class. Latin is not dead, I say! I'll figure it out though. I have a gist...), is one we all know, ever applicable, and the plaque from me mum that hangs over my desk:
Illegitimi non carborundum
Good advice to anyone.
We can all agree to disagree "Dog the war not the people serving in it"
I think that the one thing that most people are trying to say about this war and all these military issues is-You don't have to agree with why! you don't have to want it or like it! no one said you shouldn't question it. But These men & women are our Family & Friend's they are doing what they believe in for a country that they believe in. They are making sacrifices everyday for this country, Yes, this is a personal choice but most believe in it very strongly. To mock them, insult what they do, or belittle what they are doing is not right. I am sorry but I don't agree with all of the anti military comments posted here, Our military has done wonderful things for this country and will continue to do so, We need them. I think if you direct your comments at the people making the decissions to send them there and not just at the military it would go over a whole lot better.
Well folks I am sitting in mesopotamia right now, and I promise you, no matter who gets elected, we will be here a long, long, loooong, time.
Griff said it, the military is just a tool that our government wields. Our Generals, who by the way are highly educated professionals, many with multiple Doctorates, cannot make our civilian leaders follow their recommendations.
I firmly believe that when Washington sends the military in someplace, if they keep thier hands out of it, stop dictating rules of engagement and allowing/disallowing tactics, we cant lose.
Cluster bombs: yes. NAPALM: YES. When it comes time to go, you go in with both guns blazing, not with one hand tied behind your back.
You know, if you read between the lines and punctuation of casey's comments above, s/he makes some valid points... and no troop bashing there, either.
It would be good if people in Fairbanks remembered that some of us have seen the very ugly side of the military population and it is hard to get past that. Ideally, the actions of some should not reflect on all but, unfortunately, they do. While blanket statements are probably never a good idea, there are legitimate reasons to have concerns about what the U.S. military does in our own town, across the country and when stationed abroad.
I am awfully tired of hearing the scolding that results whenever a citizen of the U.S. voices a concern.
Its all great and dandy to support the troops but some comments about the reality of the situation are definately needed as well. There isn't a soldier who has spent any time in Iraq that doesn't know whats really going on and I can tell you from knowing a few pretty well that the nightime raids and the day to day patrols will continue probably forever or until we leave that place. We arent getting anywhere and the progress is both forward and backwards all the time. We havent got enough money and or logi to fix a conflict that is older than our nation is. I respect the troops that are going there to do that which they do, but we need to get out of there. The end result will be the end result regardless (muslims killing muslims) of how many trillions of dollars we spend there and the thousands of lost american lives there. Enough is enough already!