“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” –John Stuart Mill
Not new or news.
Just Veteran’s Day AND OWS simply defined.
Prompted by some of the comments here.
And shaded by 40 odd years of occasional melancholy and a more current exercise.
I always figured that much of the negativity associated with REMFs and FOBBITS was sorta like the inter-service rivalry we all enjoy. Sure there are shitheads who engender less than collegial feelings, but isn’t much of it less than real animosity?
As for the broader divide of combat vs non-combat – I have struggled with that some but pretty much relegated such thoughts to being a waste of time. You sign up, take the oath, and do what you are told to the best of your ability. Used to work for me quite nicely too.
Now for some background on my current effort that may belie all I’ve said. The Navy introduced the Combat Action Ribbon in February ’69 and I was discharged in May of ’69.
US. pullout leaves Iraqi interpreters out on limb
I am an Iraqi citizen who worked as an interpreter with the U.S. military for two years. It was an honor to serve, and I did it because I believed that bringing freedom to Iraq required brave people to stand up and try to make a difference. Now, as a result of my service, I find myself in a dangerous limbo.
From a pal of mine via FB.
There is a message that needs to promulgated.
Boat people anyone?
Stolen from another blogger:
Seems better to me, but YMMV.
“From a snowy, small town in northern Michigan to the mountains of Afghanistan, Where Soldiers Come From follows the four-year journey of childhood friends who join the National Guard after graduating from high school. As it chronicles the young men’s transformation from restless teenagers to soldiers looking for roadside bombs to 23-year-old combat veterans trying to start their lives again, the film offers an intimate look at the young Americans who fight our wars, the families and towns they come from — and the way one faraway conflict changes everything. A co-production of Quincy Hill Films and ITVS in association with American Documentary | POV, with funds provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (90 minutes)”
Where Soldiers Come From – New HD Trailer from Heather Courtney on Vimeo.
Caveat: I can’t say I care much for the way PBS has treated vets in the past, but that was then… this is now.
TSO is back and focused on er, um, things once again.
Jonn appears fairly normal, well except for the pirate thing he has going on?
I spent the morning hauling my friend/neighbor to/from the local clinic after he gashed open his chin when a saw blade broke.
Now if I can just make through the Emergency Test this afternoon I can crawl back into the back seat of the TAH-mobile and have a nap.
I do wanna thank you all for making my brief tenure at the helm (sorry, Navy term) entertaining.
Cue the spooky music:
We now return control of your computer screens.
First this from TSO via FB.
Burly rugby player has a stroke after freak gym accident… wakes up gay and becomes a hairdresser
He was taken to the Royal Gwent hospital where his girlfriend and family waited for news – but said: ‘I was gay when I woke up and I still am.’
His friends were stunned by the dramatic changes to his personality, especially his change in sexuality.
Chris said: ‘It sounds strange but when I came round I immediately felt different.
‘I wasn’t interested in women any more. I was definitely gay.
I dunno if cataract surgery can have the same effect, but it stands to reason that Jonn will be seeing things differently.
We all need to be alert. Jonn may join the IVAW or start blogging at VFP or some such.