YankeeFan's Blog

not a clue, why do you ask? If it is to start a political pissing contest on my blog ..please go elsewhere

Ya know YankeeFan, I was thinking (I do it on occasion) about the fact that you are the only person I've come into contact with on-line that is "Pro-War" who actually does something about it with more than one picture to prove it.

Tho, I think the more accurate term is "Pro-Troops". Because I'm sure, like m, you don't want our brave men and women who serve to have to go out and give their life unless they have to. But when they're out there. "Barbie" comes packing... Pro Troops.

I wonder if that ticks some off? And if it does, why?

Like those people I saw on the nightly news when I was small spitting on our Troops when they came home from Vietnam. Why would someone do that? If you want to spit on someone spit on the politicians who sent them there. That's who you spit on. That's who is responsible for the decisions and actions of our soldiers while they are 'at war'.

One can be ProTroops, yet AntiWar.

Thanks for backing your stuff up YankeeFan. I should take a lesson or two ;)

ProTroopsAmerican

Why, Moon .. I am humbled. I have a few answers for you on some things but need to scoot :)

Thank you for your kind words .. My philosophy is "walk the talk" or "Shut the ... up. The fact is that our Marines don't get to take a hot shower, or have ice towels after 40 min (for the fast ones) or 2 hours of exertion .. they don't get to go pig out on their fav foods, get kisses from their loved ones or hit the nice air conditioned condo .. The thing is they VOLUNTEER to be where they are doing what they do .. .and THAT humbles and inspires me

Yes, Deb, I do and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it

LOL, Thanks T but, I guess you didn't read my profile.. I am not a Marine.. just did the triathlon to honor them :) But I will pass along your sentiments to my grunts

I am going to hold my tounge on the whole "pro war" anti war thing so as to keep the nice, friendly tone on this particular blog ..

The fact of the matter is (and this comes from the mouths of a Marine himself who is on his 4th deployment) THEY re enlist and VOL>UNTEER to be where they are doing what they do because the mission is important to THEM and they see things that many/most "anti war" folks don't .. As it was relayed to me by one of our Guys on his myspace blog

"It's pretty BLEEP ridiculous to say that they support me and not my mission because you are pissed off at the Bush Administration. I am so bleeping sick and tired of being used as a political device.. so folks can have an excuse to be derisive of my commander in chief and his administration, don't they realize, we don't buy it ? We don't do it for the president, we do it for a country we love .. and for our brothers .. Oh, and I totally enjoy it when people tell me that I am risking my life, leaving my family and watching my brothers die for no apparant reason .. The missions is important to me and THAT is all that matters ...

It's ridiculous that is what it is and I for one don't buy it

Thanks T ... Have a fantastic week !!

The overall sentiment that I get is that considering that at this point they ALL have volunteered to be there , to say "Support the troops bring them home" is one of the most disrespectful things for them to hear" .. Particularly considering that most (of our Marines at least .. which is a small % of the total military over there) believe in their mission and the reaons for us being there

If we are going to get on the war issue .. One only need to look back in history .> My favorite example is Jimmy Carter and our Hostages .. He negotiated and "talked" for what over 300 days while our citizens were brutalized and tortured .. Regan came in from day one and said "give em to us or there will be h**l to pay" and , they were back on American soil within the week ..

Many people fail to realize the fact that it is a cultural thing, primarily .. they do not respect weakness .> Osama has called the US paper tigers many time and has talked about how if "they" show the American public enough violence and use the media properly, we will cut and run ... Just like we did in Desert Storm,.... Just like we did in Somolia

I don't think it's about being "pro war" (of course, no one in their right mind wants to go to war) The simple fact of the matter is, if anyone would care to pick up a history book, there are times when you can't just negotiate to get your result because the people with whom you are attempting to negotiate simply have no respect for you ..... If anyone wants a little enlightenment, they should read the Koran .. yep

I couldn't edit the original post becuase it's locked but, I received this last night ..


OUTSTANDING job Dianne. You never cease to amaze my Marines and me. Thank you for your dedication and determination during the training and the race. You are the reason we continue to train and do the things we do.

Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 1st Marine is gearing up for another deployment (the third for most of htem) and whenever I see my company start lacking motivation, I kindly remind them about the people that have done great things for us and why we do what we do. Congrats again for your accomplishment, you are more than qualified to join us on our next deployment if you would like. Take care of yourself and I don't need to say this, but stay motivated, you are truly an inspiration to us all.

Semper Fidelis,
1stSgt Mario Artalejo

the fact of the matter is it doesn't matter what "many" believe .. what matters is what the men believe who are fighting the fight ..

The fact that we live in a country which values free speech does NOT relieve people of the responsibility of understanding the reprecussions of their actions/words .> Just because you can say something does not mean you should do so without understanding the impact of those who you proclaim to support

As for the need for the war.. I won't go into things which violate OPSEC however I will say that those who don't know the whole story should keep their mouths shut .. But, then again, perhaps I am a little most sensitive to the GWOT becuase I was on the phone with my fiance when the plane hit the towers and as such, not only heard him die but spend 6 months in the city following the attacks

Anyone who doesn't realize that Sadaam allowed, unfettered, Al Quida to roam, train and corrupt his country is , flat out ignorant ... The fact that over 100 recently vacated terrorist training camps were discovered within the first months of the "invasion" bears that out .. Yep, that stuff never made the news .. I actually heard it from someone who was there, going through the computers and papers of the terrorists whose main goal is to kill Americans

Ididn't say that I didn't understand, that came from a Marine in the middle East .. It's how THEY feel by in large , anyone who knows me knows my feelings .. The point of this large, on the whole is to reflect that which is happening as relayed by those with their boots on the ground

For me, personally, I think that it is simply hypocritical to say "I support the troops" on one hand yet disregard the fact that your words may have a negative impact on those whom one proclaims to support .. Just my personal opinion that just because we live in a country where we are free to express our feelings doesn't mean that it is always prudent to do so with utter disregard for the effect that those words will have on other people

You missed the point, no one said anything about the loved ones of the deployed .. I never broached that subject.. Frankly, the wives of our heroes are the true heroes.. they are the ones who become single parents .. in addition to worrying about their loved ones in harm's way

Yankee I am posting this comment this way so that I can make clear what I am referring to.


YOU WRITE:
"For me, personally, I think that it is simply hypocritical to say "I support the troops" on one hand yet disregard the fact that your words may have a negative impact on those whom one proclaims to support .. Just my personal opinion that just because we live in a country where we are free to express our feelings doesn't mean that it is always prudent to do so with utter disregard for the effect that those words will have on other people"

RESPONSE:
Why would you consider it hypocritical or anything else for that matter for someone to say they "support the troops" I just don't understand that. Just as I can not understand any Marine or Solider saying they are insulted or disturbed (not literal quotes mind you) by hearing such words. When I say I "support" them I mean that I understand that they have volunteered to place their life on the line for the good of everyone and for a mission that is important to them. That they follow orders and do as commanded without a second thought and that no matter what they will remain to the end without complaint and for THAT I am humbled and thankful for each and every one of them and will continue doing my part from here to SUPPORT them. There is nothing hypocritical in that and I would venture a guess that most people who "support" them feel the same way. Perhaps you can relay that message to those there who you say don't see it that way.

YOUR COMMENT:
You missed the point, no one said anything about the loved ones of t

Actually, my "opinion" comes from the fact that those very words have come out of the mouthes of the 76 companies of infantry and front line Marines who we have supported in the past 32 months .. sorry, I thought I was more clear on that ... perhaps it was another blog post where I cut and pasted roughly similar quotes directly from those whose boots are actually in the sand, who aren't living in air conditioned trailers, eating custom made omletes every day and who get to take bottled water and baby wipe showers for 3 or so weeks at a time ... instead of spending their off time working out on a gym that would rival any stateside