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Wow... this makes me so proud to serve my country. =/
Strangely, I saw this thread right after I finished reading this article. (sorry for the FoxNews - I try to avoid them when possible)
Then again, if I looked like I hadn't stepped outside in 10 years and never did anything remotely interesting in my life, I might try and justify my sad existence by feeling morally superior to men and women who've actually made a difference in their world.
I'm indifferent towards his opinions, the only thing that really angers me is he dressed up as a soldier, and all those people who buy him drinks see him as a representation of our military.
For a more positive story, I actually enjoyed something written by Justin Timberlake, which is pretty unusual!
Posts: 2222 | Registered: Dec 2008
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quote:"Clearly it's a patriotic school; we have a huge American flag up in the atrium."
The same way the KKK is clearly a Christian organization, since they put up crosses everywhere.
This is only to comment on the fact that an organization's symbols aren't necessarily linked to its ideals. The actions of its population are better tells of an organization's values than its forward facing icons.
Posts: 14554 | Registered: Dec 1999
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Hmmm, fake soldier? send him to fake Iraq! just drop him off in the Sonoran desert and give him an airsoft gun. He is probably so much smarter than any dumb dumb in the service that he probably doesn't even need you to give him water.
If you have ever needed a good reason to root for Anon, this man fits the requirements.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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I can understand wanting to get something for nothing, but not being proud of dishonoring our soldiers to do it. Folk like this assbag make me hope there is a hell, just so he can burn.
Posts: 6683 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Watch all his videos, if he's not trolling he doesn't need hell, he needs psychotherapy and a diet planner.
Posts: 805 | Registered: Jun 2009
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While we're busy watching people who just sort of make you uncomfortable, Victoria Jackson, the Definitely Not Homophobic and Definitely Not Islamophobic Conservative Spokesperson whose Voice is Verbal Waterboarding, decided she wanted to make a conservative answer to the liberal bias of The View.
quote:Originally posted by Scott R: This is only to comment on the fact that an organization's symbols aren't necessarily linked to its ideals. The actions of its population are better tells of an organization's values than its forward facing icons.
It sounds to me like that quote was diarrhea of the mouth, the sort of random thing someone says when they're nervous and being interviewed and say the first thing that pops in their mind. (Oh crap, I gotta convince Fox we're not an eviiiil liberal school - we're patriots too - what's patriotic? - the national anthem and flags - flags - "we got a giant flag!")
That being said, over the past few years since I enlisted, I've become increasingly creeped out by the strange and often horribly tacky way my countrymen display patriotism. An example would be the extreme dignity and respect with which the USMC treats the flag* - which makes it odd to see civilians wearing it on their t-shirt or on Popsicle sticks or flip flops. Like they're trying to make a fashion statement out of out-patriotising everyone else.
*Whenever our turn came to lower the flag in the evening, we would get a haircut and shower immediately beforehand, put on our dress blue alpha uniforms, and spend about 20 minutes inspecting eachother - shining every button and belt and the EGAs and coraframs, measuring medal placement, taking a cigarette lighter to any loose threads (cutting leaves a small bump), picking off any loose hairs, running the gloves through the dryer to make them more elastic and form fitting. We would solemnly march over to the flag mast, and then, at the precise minute colors sounded, lower, fold, and store the flag in the evening. The ceremony is precise down to every footstep and hand gesture.
Unlike a lot of ceremonial and uniform related crap we do - which is designed mostly to instill discipline (or mess with people) - the colors ceremony is intended to instill a profound sense of reverence and respect. Anyone - even generals, even the president (well, the current one anyway) - will stop and salute a Marine carrying the flag. It represents the nation we all swore an oath to protect and serve.
I don't own or display a flag, and don't think I could bring myself to wear it on a hat or t-shirt. I'm baffled by the American obsession with displaying it everywhere - most countries only display it on government buildings. I especially dislike seeing it being flown by churches.
On the other hand, I realize the Popsicle stick flag holders and t-shirt wearers mean well, so I never say anything about it, because it'd just make them feel bad for trying to show their patriotism. I do wonder if they screen the letters their kids send out to military members - they all *do* get read. There's nothing better than getting a letter from an 8 year old that says "Dear Mr. Marine, I hope u kill lots of terrists and dont get shot. If you die can I have your gun? Love, [name removed]"
As far as the OP: Are you a veteran Samp? I don't really care about this guy's personal opinion of the military, I've been called a baby killer and worse, though mostly by misguided people online.
On the other hand, I do care a little about him wearing a uniform, and a great deal about him wearing fake medals. The medals he describes (most notably the bronze star and purple heart) are awarded for acts of intrepid gallantry and heroism. Trying to take credit for those acts for personal gain - and also to mock the sacrifice of those who have actually earned the distinction - seems to go beyond mere insult somehow. I realized I obviously have a biased view of the situation, and have tried to distance myself from it mentally, but it still angers me. I think the vitriolic responses he has received are due to all the people with intense personal memories of the effort they put into earning those medals, and the pride they felt upon being awarded them. Or memories of friends and family members who have made that sacrifice.
On the other hand, I find that in recent years America has allowed the (justified) intense reaction against these sort of people to spill into other subjects as well. For example, many critics of the war in Iraq (I number myself among them, though only in a personal capacity. Professionally, I have no opinion, and it would be unlawful for me to express it if I did) have been called anti-American, anti-military, and anti-patriotic. Too often people conflate "support our troops" with "blindly agree with where our government sends them," which seems almost an oxymoron. If, say, President Obama decided to institute the punishment of unit decimation for under-achieving divisions and started executing troops en mass, would protesting that make you anti-military?
Posts: 2222 | Registered: Dec 2008
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For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure the red white and blue icey pop is in honor of France.
Also, for the record, you have every right to be pissed at that smug tub of lard. He is openly mocking and belittling the self sacrifice that you fine military men and women put into the service of our country.
I used to have to put out the flag as part of my job as a security guard, and the sprinklers would always have just stopped when it was time to run up the colors. I always threw the flag over my shoulder so it wouldn't get all wet from the grass as I raised it. And when I would find the flag still up in the morning or wadded into a casual ball I would totally bitch out my relief officer. I had to teach him how to fold a flag three times before it took (he was foreign).
All that being said, I have never owned a piece of clothing with a flag or with the flag's colors in my life. Nor have I owned or displayed a flag. My car is bumper sticker/ribbon free, and will remain so.
I let anyone in uniform (firemen, cops, military) ahead of me in line (unless the I have my small children with me, then I do everyone a favor and try and get them out of there as quickly as possible). When I meet a veteran I shake their hand and thank them for their service.
Supporting our troops is about the people, not the colors and not the politics.
Posts: 6683 | Registered: Jun 2005
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I meant, these little things. People put 'em on cars, bikes, pass them out, wave them dramatically, etc. Always struck me as a little silly.
Posts: 2222 | Registered: Dec 2008
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I don't see how displaying the flag in many places cheapens it. I really don't. I like to see it on the occasional flagpole in front of a church or business. I like to see it on bunting at baseball games. I find flag-bedecked t-shirts and hats tacky, but not necessarily unpatriotic. There are many disrespectful ways to show the flag, of course, but I don't see many of them on a drive around town. I like seeing kids waving those little flags at a 4th of July parade and I like seeing the flag on floats. I like to have one in front of my home on national holidays.
There is definitely a special reverence around the flag when it is presented "properly," by a Marine unit or other military unit. During such a ceremony as I hold my hand over my heart I am more inclined to think about what the flag represents and the price so many have paid so we can fly it. There is no substitute for such an experience and I am grateful for the patriotism and sacrifice made by those in uniform. They have earned the right to carry our flag proudly and I hate to see that cheapened by people like the guy in the video.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I've always had a problem with immediately disposable products (such as beer cans) and furniture that you sit on displaying Old Glory, its just a bit short sighted in terms of being patriotic.
That and I remember seeing flags at full mast the day of President Ford's funeral, that chapped my hide pretty bad.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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afr: I don't think it cheapens it, and I have nothing against the people who do display it everywhere, I just find it strange and tacky and it makes me feel uncomfortable. In the same way I may have nothing against people who wear Crocs, and yet I think they're strange and tacky as well. (Especially when worn to formal events)
Part of that feeling comes from my military experience, part of it is because I've spent a good portion of my life living outside the US. Canada, for example, is culturally nearly identical to the USA, and any Canadian is pretty damn patriotic (especially when it comes to telling you how they're totally *not* nearly identical to the USA ), yet, other than on national holidays, when I lived in Waterloo I never saw anyone outside of the government and sports arenas displaying the flag - same for all my trips to Toronto. There were some days I'd see more British and American flags than Canadian, which is just odd.
I realize it's a harmless idiosyncrasy, which is why I seldom complain about it. Sorry if I'm venting in this thread, I wanted to see if anyone else agreed with me on how strange I think it is.
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), yet, other than on national holidays, when I lived in Waterloo I never saw anyone outside of the government and sports arenas displaying the flag - same for all my trips to Toronto. There were some days I'd see more British and American flags than Canadian, which is just odd.
