I would like to give Coldfire a medal.

And in this case, it did NOT fall inside board guidelines.

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.

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 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?

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.

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.

Even when it’s in a private forum where we aren’t protected by the First Amendment?

Great Jimminy Jupiter Shootin Holy Craps 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?

Vets were definately called “baby killers” once news of what happened at My Lai got back to the States.

(Warning: gruesome picture in that link.)

As someone who has had great respect for Muffin’s knowledge and views, I whole heartedly applaud Coldfire’s response in this case.

I would appreciate it even more if you stopped splicing together perfectly good independent clauses with commas.

I remember it first hand. I was one of the hippies who hated the “baby killers”. Here’s one Marine’s account:

http://www.capveterans.com/

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.

You come from Jesse Helm’s country and Reeder embarasses you? Whoooo, doggies!

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?

Hey, thanks for the tip! If fantasizing about Gwen Ifill or Condi Rice stops working, got a fall-back plan!

Well, maybe God listens to you, maybe not. Last time we talked, He didn’t mention you.

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.

He actually only recommended it to them, according to Chris Myers of Fox Sports.

Go Jr!

Probably spent all his money on chicken and biscuits. Can’t say as I disapprove.

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!

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.

Yay! Coldie
Booooo Trolls and Tools.

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.