I’ve never met a man I was afraid of. I’ve met men I should have been afraid of.
Maybe you should sign up…the first time I faced a direct attack I almost shit my pants. 
The proctologist was more unpleasant than scary…I really hope that was his hand…
His whole hand?! Jeebus!
I said it was unpleasant…trust me it was. 
As long as we’re being nice, talking about anal probes and all, let me offer you the benefit of the doubt. Up front, let me say I intend not the slightest snark here, OK?
When you post something that suggests that because you offer an opinion that is respectful of the military and/or patriotic, you will be subject to abuse or derision for making an unpopular remark, you insult people you don’t even know. Yes, there are quite a few of us who disapprove of the use of our military forces in the way they have been used. That is not the same thing as dissing the miltary. We blame the men who gave the orders. not those who are sworn to carry them out. There are a couple of notable exceptions to that rule, but that’s about it.
If you think about it, you’ll realize that the demographics of this board are pretty much normal, there’s roughly the same percentage of ex-service (and current service) as you’ll find anywhere else. Hell, the most radical men I ever met were Viet Nam vets, and you can be damn sure they didn’t dis service men!
So don’t do that, OK? With all due respect, just don’t.
And just let me add, I am utterly opposed to the practice of fisting our military personnel. Now, I know that’s a pretty radical position…
I’m about to go to berkeley if you guys want me to carry a sign to represent the opinion of the dope. What should it say? I usually try to stay out of these things but Urban Ore is the best store on the planet. It’s a warehouse full of architectural salvage and general garbage. Heaven.
Well, if I may presume to speak for the “other side” 
I think a sign that says "SIT DOWN SHUT UP YOU THINK YOU’RE HELPING BUT YOU’RE NOT would be appropriate.
And 'luci, may I add, that while you say you support the military, there are others (and I’m not naming names) who do disparage the military, by implying they’re stupid or ill-informed to join up . My son is about to join ROTC, and while I am a wee bit terrified, I couldn’t be prouder of him. And I do not believe he considers himself a “bullet sponge.” He’s in college, he knows what he’s getting into, and he considers this an opportunity to get a college education in exchange for service.
I’m tempted to agree, but with a proviso. They’re doing something. Something misguided? Perhaps, even probably. But whenever I dis the radical wing, I gotta ask: why am I doing about it? OK, I voted, that’s it? Now, I just pat myself on the back and let the shit go down?
About the only thing I really object to is targeting a recruitment office, bad signal to noise ratio. And if offers aid and comfort to the enemy, lets them portray us as unpatriotic cowards, you know the drill, it never fucking changes. But that’s a matter of tactics, not objective.
Mostly, I’m reminded of Disraeli: I can deal with my enemies, God protect me from my allies!
Code Pink and their ilk just come off as incredibly shrill. There is no way to sit down and have a meaningful dialogue with them…if you disagree with them you’re the enemy. And unfortunately, the loudest gets the most media coverage.
I like ya, Ivy, you’re a good egg. Wrong, mostly, but a good egg. As you probably know, if he were my nephew, asking my advice, it would likely be different. I would tell him that no man can honor his country by helping it to do what it ought not to do. That to be responsible for other men’s lives is a terrible burden, one that can crush the strongest men. But young men are gonna go and do what they’re gonna go and do. Young men think old men are fools, old men remember that young men are fools.
So tell him he has an adopted uncle, one who hopes that he is back safe, sound, and whole, sitting on a beach with a can of beeer plotting lechery. And God speed the day when we can be as proud of our country as we are of our children.
By the by, is Code Pink mostly about the gay issue?
Oh, almost forgot: tell him never to spend a bunch of time with any woman he wouldn’t be proud to introduce to his Mom. Never does any good, but tell him anyway.
I may have come off the wrong way, elicudator, since I agree with you. I guess I just worded it the wrong way. If someone has a beef with the military, thats all good . But in the past I’ve gotten in conversations with folks that make statements like “the entiire military is evil” etc, and it gets, well tiresome. I apologize again if I mistakenly implied that anyone had said that. I actually agree with folks that disapprove of the way the military has been used with Bush as the CoC. I just don’t agree with dissing the military in general because of it.
Oh, and the stop fisting of servicemen is a worthy cause, too. I actually went to the clinic because I had the flu and ended up getting a proctology exam…its a funny story…but I only tell it when I’m drunk.
But just like looking into the sights of the sun, mama, thats where the fun is.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Have springsteen playing in the backroom.
No hurt, no foul, all good.
Quit drinking.
I quit smoking, I can’t give up all of my vices.
I’ve made it my goal in life to remain sane and sober. But if I have to choose…
At least you have met one of your goals.
Yeah, like you would know.