Yes, I saw the link. As has been pointed out to me in the past, certain discussions hurt some board members simply by having the discussion. As I definitely don’t want to do that, especially to a service member with PTSD, I’ve stopped discussing this.
We have butted heads before, but this was a remarkably mature response, and I thank you for that. If people like SamuelA, Shodan, HurricaneDitka, or Steophan understood that, they would have a much better time here.
Best backhanded compliment I’ve read in a long time.
You hear that, manson1972? You’re better than those guys!
I did nit mean it as a backhanded compliment. I don’t consider Manson to be in their league because, simply put, he doesn’t behave like they do.
I think he does post provocatively on purpose sometimes, but he’s got limits.
I appreciate that. I had forgotten, mercifully, some things from those posts.
Several posts came after this:
Yay for me!
Messing with you. 
Agreed. You’re a good guy. (:))
Now that’s taking it too far. I’m reporting this post for excessive insults.
I forgot about that thread, and there, indeed, are a bunch of dopers pretending that the word “hysterical” does not have a centuries’ old, insulting, very gendered history. It almost seems like they avoided learning that. What It Really Means To Call A Woman Hysterical - Dictionary.com
One of those links leads to a thread where I point out how I was *at that exact moment * on a base, where, if I were attacked by a fellow soldier, even though I had an M-16, I wouldn’t dare use the rifle in self defense. This was dismissed with disdain, but nobody asked for clarification.
Had they asked, I would have asked, in my turn, *if I fought off *and therefore prevented an assault, how would it be possible to prove an assault had almost been done? (I almost said “happened” but that makes it sound like there was no human action behind a guy attempting an assault.)
Then, I would have pointed out how if you are a lower-ranking soldier and you accuse a higher ranking soldier of something which is not successfully prosecuted in court, you are then prosecuted for insubordination and perjury.
Given the attitudes in that thread about the 11-year-old rape victim, how can one not think, “* If they refuse to see how they are blaming that victim how would they attack an adult?*” How do you defend yourself against sexual assault—in other words, eliminate the assault----and prove it almost happened? That was how many years ago? Has anything changed here at all?
I’ll say it:
margin, I’m sorry this has happened to you. You certainly don’t deserve being treated this way. As a member of a very Military family I’ve heard many bad tales of VA atrocities.
I hope you don’t let someone on a message board make your suffering more intense.
Thank you for your service.
On calling women crazy.
On what happens to women.who are assaulted in the military.
Officer in charge of sexual assault task force arrested for sexual assault. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Officer-in-Charge-of-Air-Force-Sex-Assault-Prevention-Charged-With-Sexual-Battery-206330391.html%3Famp=y
That last guy was acquitted.
I disagree with manson1972 sometimes (I argued with him today even) but overall he seems cool, seriously.
Thank you. This should not be lost in all this.
One sees stories on the news about veterans who died alone, without family, and people didn’t want him to die without mourners.
Don’t wait till they’re gone. There are vets in vets’ homes who need rides or company or just about any human interaction at all. (Not just vets, but too many old people in general.) No one visits them.
Old folks are amazing to talk to. I went to visit my Great Uncle Steve one time and mentioned that my brother and I had just seen * Field of Dreams.* “Shoeless Joe Jackson, huh? I used to play ball with him.”
Go visit veterans. Offer rides. (Panic attacks regarding vehicles and anything on the side of the road are very common among OIF veterans.) Bake cookies, buy cookies, hang out. They can use your help now, in little practical ways.
The country owes you huge honors, and apologies. Thank you for your comments and presence here.
Your 2nd paragraph reminded me of an episode of West Wing. I wish we could have a President like Jed Bartlet.
I’m gonna echo Beck. I’ve been trying to find words of support, but she said it very well. Thank you for your service. This country owes you better treatment.
Best wishes and love to margin! You are worthy and deserve good things in life!
I legit depressed myself a couple years back by binge watching that show again. The disconnect and contrast between all the highbrow-ness of discourse and ubiquitous professionalism and principled-ness of the people in the show (even Republicans !, not that the show was really shy about leftie self-critique) and the utter incompetent pants-on-headery of reality was emotionally painful.
I can’t watch shows with “presidential” presidents either. Even House of Cards is a too much of a reminder that competence and dignity used to be a given.
For me it’s Designated Survivor. President Kirkman is so thoughtful and humble on that show that it’s almost painful to watch.