# I would like to give Coldfire a medal. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 3, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324 "2004-07-03T02:58:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/21 "2004-07-03T05:21:42Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > I am not saying that the man doesn’t deserve our kudos. I am saying that **muffin** has the right to voice his/her opinion as long as it falls inside the boards guidelines. And in this case, it did NOT fall inside board guidelines. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/22 "2004-07-03T05:27:40Z")
Thanks for your words. But IMHO the OP was glorifying the mans act. Not the man. He went out and killed so many Iraqi’s therefore he was a hero. I also noticed it was not backed up with a link. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/23 "2004-07-03T05:58:27Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > …IMHO the OP was glorifying the mans act. Not the man. He went out and killed so many Iraqi’s therefore he was a hero. Dude, don’t put an apostrophe in “Iraqi’s,” it is not used in a possessive context. Yeah, if that was the point then the OP of [the parent thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=264508) would be wrong. Read it again. If you were to read about an Iraqi doing the same thing to coalition troops, you’d be proud of \*HIM \* wouldn’t you? Brothers in arms, anyone who’s worn a uniform knows a fuckin’ champion when he sees one! Who’s side you’re on doesn’t matter–put in the same position with the same realization of the desperation of circumstance, we all hope we’d charge the ambush (the only way to survive one) and grab every opportunity to bring the situation to a satisfactory conclusion. I wonder if I’d feel \*good \* about getting that medal & promotion? The Lt. didn’t do anything out of the ordinary–he just kicked ass when S.O.P. indicated it was time to kick ass. Ain’t it funny? The folks that end up being dead in a war ain’t usually the ones that need killin? ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/24 "2004-07-03T06:28:15Z")
> [@Inigo Montoya](#): > > Just read an posted to the thread in question. Any way we can locate **Muffin** and, Idaknow, beat him up? > > What a colossal piece of shit! I hope… (volume turned down to avoid “wish for death” from being broadcast) … and you can tell that to **Muffin** ’s _mother_! Not turned down enough, **Inigo**. It’s still a direct wish for harm to another poster. Don’t do this again. TVeblen Pit mod ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/25 "2004-07-03T06:47:27Z")
> [@TVeblen](#): > > Not turned down enough, **Inigo**. It’s still a direct wish for harm to another poster. Don’t do this again. > > TVeblen > Pit mod Awwwww…ok. But if I’m shufflin’ my feet along the beach & kick up a geenie lamp… yeah yeah…I’ll be good. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/26 "2004-07-03T06:49:35Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > If the posts above are directed at me…I am a disabled Nam vet. > > Not that it means anything. Congratulations. I have always been ashamed, as an American, about the way that Viet Nam vets were treated when they returned home. It seems that you can’t wait for your opportunity to visit that same poison upon the current Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines currently serving in Iraq and Afganistan. Way to go, asshole. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/27 "2004-07-03T07:07:01Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > I just hate seeing free speech stifled by any one, Even when it’s in a private forum where we aren’t protected by the First Amendment? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/28 "2004-07-03T09:48:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by **Weirddave** : > It seems that you can’t wait for your opportunity to visit that same poison upon the current Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines currently serving in Iraq and Afganistan. Way to go, asshole. Great Jimminy Jupiter Shootin **Holy Crap** s fer Jesus! You wanna reel in that dong, or at least stop bitch-slapping Reeder with it? I’ll take your comment in good faith (i.e. assume you made a mistake rather than a lie), and remind you that Reeder said not one disparaging thing regarding the unquestionably brave soldier in question. He didn’t defend Muffin’s stance, he defended Muffin’s _right_ to take that stance. Now, I personally think Reeder’s barking up the wrong tree, since it ain’t a question of rights, but rather politeness. Still, take it from one weirdo to another, Reeder will give you plenty of bitch-slap opportunities. Pick your battles. (I think it’s funny that just ten minutes ago I was shaking my head in response to a truly inane Reeder thread, which was promptly closed by TVeblen. Now I’m finding myself using my first post in months to _defend_ Reeder against an inane comment. Please, won’t somebody stop the inanity!?) As to the question at hand, whatever your political persuasion, morality is inevitably circumstantial. I would point out to Muffin that in such circumstances your platoon is your **family**. And I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by and watch my family be killed. But, just to add a little goose to the gander, I also feel compelled to point out that the “enemies” feel exactly the same way. A wise man once said (IOW, I can’t remember “wise dude’s” name, but his words more interesting than his name, anyway): “A tragedy is when neither side is wrong. But the pain persists regardless.” Besides, you can admire the man’s courage and fortitude without admiring the situation that called for said virtues. War is unambiguously evil, anyone with an education above “G.I. Joe” cartoons can see that. But as for the sad saps who are unfortunate enough to be in the midst of such unbridled evil, I feel naught but pity. IOW, don’t hate the player, hate the game. Or, IOOW, “Good? Evil? I’m the one with the gun.” P.S. Does anyone have a cite for the supposed “poison” that VietVeterans faced upon return? I’ve often heard this as “The Gospel According To Common Sense”, but I’ve also heard that it was mostly a myth bandied about by war-hawks who could never have enough reasons to hate hippies. Anyone got the Straight Dope? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/29 "2004-07-03T13:24:25Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > P.S. Does anyone have a cite for the supposed “poison” that VietVeterans faced upon return? I’ve often heard this as “The Gospel According To Common Sense”, but I’ve also heard that it was mostly a myth bandied about by war-hawks who could never have enough reasons to hate hippies. Anyone got the Straight Dope? Vets were definately called “baby killers” once news of [what happened at My Lai](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/trenches/mylai.html) got back to the States. (Warning: gruesome picture in that link.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/30 "2004-07-03T13:44:44Z")
As someone who has had great respect for **Muffin’s** knowledge and views, I whole heartedly applaud **Coldfire’s** response in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/31 "2004-07-03T14:10:44Z")
> [@Inigo Montoya](#): > > Dude, don’t put an apostrophe in “Iraqi’s,” it is not used in a possessive context. I would appreciate it even more if you stopped splicing together perfectly good independent clauses with commas. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/32 "2004-07-03T14:13:34Z")
> [@Elucidator](#): > > P.S. Does anyone have a cite for the supposed “poison” that VietVeterans faced upon return? I’ve often heard this as “The Gospel According To Common Sense”, but I’ve also heard that it was mostly a myth bandied about by war-hawks who could never have enough reasons to hate hippies. Anyone got the Straight Dope? I remember it first hand. I was one of the hippies who hated the “baby killers”. Here’s one Marine’s account: > [@](#): > > In Febrary 1971 when I returned home, besides the lame questions of how many babies did I have to kill and how many villages did I help burn down, I had a little incident on a NYC bus. Wearing my Marine uniform with my ribbons from Vietnam (including my Purple Heart), the bus driver said that I could get on the bus for free, but I had to sit in the back of the bus. He didn’t want me to cause any trouble. > > I never had anyone spit on me upon my return from Vietnam. However, my hometown of Rosedale, Queens had its Vietnam Veteran Memorial attacked by Anti-War Protesters. In May 1970, while serving in my peasant-farming village of Phu Da/Duc Duc, I received copies of the below pictures. > (The pictures and their related articles were taken from the Long Island Press.) [http://www.capveterans.com/](http://www.capveterans.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/33 "2004-07-03T14:56:41Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > Thanks for your words. But IMHO the OP was glorifying the mans act. Not the man. He went out and killed so many Iraqi’s therefore he was a hero. I also noticed it was not backed up with a link. You are such a fucking toolbox. Please move several states away as I am embarassed that you are a Carolinian. 90% of your posts on this message board are idiotic left wing bombs and contribute nothing. You’re just a creaky old man who’s only way to get it up anymore is to get a picture of President Bush and wipe your ass with it. How you weren’t banned long ago eludes me but I keep a candle lit, trust me. Be content with skirting the jerk/troll rules while you can because I have a feeling the winter of your SDMB year is here and it will be **December** soon. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/34 "2004-07-03T15:33:09Z")
> [@Bruce\_Daddy](#): > > You are such a fucking toolbox. Please move several states away as I am embarassed that you are a Carolinian. You come from Jesse Helm’s country and **Reeder** embarasses you? Whoooo, doggies! > [@](#): > > You’re just a creaky old man… You say it like that’s a bad thing. Well, getting old ain’t for wussies. Might want to start taking steps to avoid such a dreadful fate. Got the blood pressure thing going. Maybe buy bungee jumping equipment at estate sales? > [@](#): > > …who’s only way to get it up anymore is to get a picture of President Bush and wipe your ass with it… Hey, thanks for the tip! If fantasizing about Gwen Ifill or Condi Rice stops working, got a fall-back plan! > [@](#): > > …but I keep a candle lit, trust me… Well, maybe God listens to you, maybe not. Last time we talked, He didn’t mention you. > [@](#): > > …Be content with skirting the jerk/troll rules while you can because I have a feeling the winter of your SDMB year is here and it will be **December** soon. Least he don’t do limericks. Count yer blessings. **Reeder** , _tovaritch_, the people ragging on you got a point. Stinkbait is for catfish, if you take my meaning. Take heart, we’re getting there, I hear tell that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. took his pit crew to see _F 9/11_. Obsession just curdles yer custard, what’s the point of winning if you ain’t having a good time doing it? _Venceremos!_ Yer pal, **e.** ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/35 "2004-07-03T16:33:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I hear tell that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. took his pit crew to see _F 9/11_. He actually only recommended it to them, according to Chris Myers of Fox Sports. Go Jr! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/36 "2004-07-03T16:46:32Z")
Probably spent all his money on chicken and biscuits. Can’t say as I disapprove. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/37 "2004-07-03T16:50:49Z")
> [@TVeblen](#): > > You don’t even want to _know_ where he stuffs the tulips. Not that it isn’t festive in it’s perverse way, and probably provides great slides at proctology conventions. > > Veb I would like to publicly note this rare entry by **TVeblen** into the Best Risqué Post by a Moderator Sweepstakes, and predict that it finishes high in the standings! ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/38 "2004-07-03T18:02:29Z")
I’ve been trying to stay out of these threads (sometimes they catch me anyway because of the thread titles - but please don’t think I’m complaining about yours, **friedo**!). I’ve even been staying away from the boards because I _don’t want to know_ what’s really going on over there. Thank you, **Coldfire**. Some of us not only appreciate the on-the-ball moderating, we are deeply touched as well. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/39 "2004-07-04T02:00:04Z")
**Yay! Coldie** **Booooo Trolls and Tools.** ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2004, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324/40 "2004-07-04T05:00:37Z")
The hero threads are no more than jingoism. That is tremendously offensive. Glorifying killing is bad enough in a just war, let alone in what is going on in Iraq. When the proponents of the hero threads start supporting the heros of both sides, then I will concede the jingoism allegation, but I will come on all the more strongly about the offensiveness of creating war heros at all, for creating war heros only helps support the war in Iraq. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-give-coldfire-a-medal/253324.md?page=3)