I tried to enlist in 90. Got disqualified for life from all branches of the forces. The reason? I had had 2 nasal polypectomies. Now they are more than happy to shoulder the lifelong costs of trannies, but they couldn't take the chance that they might have to pay for a same-day surgery (it never happened again). But I have always admired our servicepeople and wanted to help however I can. I know a few of them, and have stepped in and helped from time to time.
I still believe opposing the Iraq War was the best way to support our troops. I still can’t believe people actually supported invading Iraq because Saddam had mustard gas?!? Wtf??
He did have mustard gas, though the artillery shells containing it were not well-maintained. We continued to encounter them occasionally over the years as they were used in IEDs. A bunch of the other stuff the Intelligence Community thought he might have had proved to be illusory (the IC could not confidently say he didn't have them, and his military believed he had special weapons--we were intercepting the communications of Iraqi generals). I've never seen a better explanation than Lt Gen Bernard Trainor's--Saddam wanted others to believe he had them because they were a critical part of keeping his regime relevant in the Arab World and keeping Iran (a much larger country and his primary enemy/focus) from deciding to restart the Iran-Iraq war after the loss of so much Iraqi military capacity in 1991.
I know a man who got blown up in 2 separate incidents in Iraq. He is a mean mf'er, as you have to be to survive 2 IEDs. I am just glad I am his friend and not an enemy.
Support the troops…not Bush/Cheney. Americans didn’t enlist to nation-build for people that harbored 9/11 terrorists…do you think Israel should nation-build in Gaza and bestow citizenship upon Palestinians that get paid to do what they should have done before 10/7??? WTF???
I used to support Bush/Cheney. no more. Now I support people whose asses they have put on the line for us. Period. And their families. Nobody else, especially in the political world..
Just remember as late as January 2021 Republicans in Congress were voting Lizard Cheney into leadership. And ostensible Trump supporter Louie Gohmert gave up a safe seat in Congress to help George P Bush beat AG Paxton…W must have called in the favor.
I was a full-throated supporter at the time. Since then I have changed my mind a lot. I think it was probably a valid exercise in trying to change a place. Now we know better, and should never do that again. We are probably due for an isolationist period where we heal and regrow. And then we'll get dragged into another world war or whatever, but we need to heal and fix our shit.
John - - Sally and I got choked up as well this morning reading your reminiscences and listening to the poignant message of these two patriotic ballads.
There is so much wrong in our Nation today, but then, there is just so much that is right ! One strength we have as a Nation, is the readiness of those who see a need and just fill it without fanfare or motivations for self-adulation. Your small idea grew into a huge idea because others along the way saw themselves in it as teammates who saw a way to lighten another’s burdens.
I am, and always will be proud that I stood next to you and so many more in our Class; men who made a difference in bettering the world around them. Karl
And decent civilians have the soldiers' families' back. I would do ANYTHING for a deployed soldier's spouse or children, I just need to be asked.
Thanks Dan. You are a good man.
I tried to enlist in 90. Got disqualified for life from all branches of the forces. The reason? I had had 2 nasal polypectomies. Now they are more than happy to shoulder the lifelong costs of trannies, but they couldn't take the chance that they might have to pay for a same-day surgery (it never happened again). But I have always admired our servicepeople and wanted to help however I can. I know a few of them, and have stepped in and helped from time to time.
I still believe opposing the Iraq War was the best way to support our troops. I still can’t believe people actually supported invading Iraq because Saddam had mustard gas?!? Wtf??
He did have mustard gas, though the artillery shells containing it were not well-maintained. We continued to encounter them occasionally over the years as they were used in IEDs. A bunch of the other stuff the Intelligence Community thought he might have had proved to be illusory (the IC could not confidently say he didn't have them, and his military believed he had special weapons--we were intercepting the communications of Iraqi generals). I've never seen a better explanation than Lt Gen Bernard Trainor's--Saddam wanted others to believe he had them because they were a critical part of keeping his regime relevant in the Arab World and keeping Iran (a much larger country and his primary enemy/focus) from deciding to restart the Iran-Iraq war after the loss of so much Iraqi military capacity in 1991.
I know a man who got blown up in 2 separate incidents in Iraq. He is a mean mf'er, as you have to be to survive 2 IEDs. I am just glad I am his friend and not an enemy.
This guy's back got broken. he is awsome.
Support the troops…not Bush/Cheney. Americans didn’t enlist to nation-build for people that harbored 9/11 terrorists…do you think Israel should nation-build in Gaza and bestow citizenship upon Palestinians that get paid to do what they should have done before 10/7??? WTF???
I used to support Bush/Cheney. no more. Now I support people whose asses they have put on the line for us. Period. And their families. Nobody else, especially in the political world..
Just remember as late as January 2021 Republicans in Congress were voting Lizard Cheney into leadership. And ostensible Trump supporter Louie Gohmert gave up a safe seat in Congress to help George P Bush beat AG Paxton…W must have called in the favor.
I was a full-throated supporter at the time. Since then I have changed my mind a lot. I think it was probably a valid exercise in trying to change a place. Now we know better, and should never do that again. We are probably due for an isolationist period where we heal and regrow. And then we'll get dragged into another world war or whatever, but we need to heal and fix our shit.
John - - Sally and I got choked up as well this morning reading your reminiscences and listening to the poignant message of these two patriotic ballads.
There is so much wrong in our Nation today, but then, there is just so much that is right ! One strength we have as a Nation, is the readiness of those who see a need and just fill it without fanfare or motivations for self-adulation. Your small idea grew into a huge idea because others along the way saw themselves in it as teammates who saw a way to lighten another’s burdens.
I am, and always will be proud that I stood next to you and so many more in our Class; men who made a difference in bettering the world around them. Karl
Karl, a funny thing happened to me this morning. My eyes started watering as I was listening to the song. I’m sure it’s allergies.
You're a great American, John, and a great man.
I'm afraid that this sounds like my mother, writing under a pseudonym. But I appreciate it!
Well done!
Thanks, Ranger.
Very poignant tribute.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
Brought me to my knees, John. Well done, as always.
Hell, my eyes got blurry just listening to the song this morning. Allergies, probably.
Yeah. Probably.