Support the Troops?

In recent years, in many studies, Spain is top 10 (ranging from #10-19) in the world in quailty of life, so it ranks ahead of many countries obviously. The USA is still in the Top 15 (usually ranging from #8-13) in the same studies. Some studies rank the USA ahead of Spain by as many as 11 spots, while other had Spain higher, by as many as 3 spots.

Some studies, showed the USA improving its QoL from 2005 to 2006 by two spots.

 

Replying to Demonseed.

If the hippies of the 60's-70's rebelled and rejected what their parents stood for, and every generation does it, then it implies that the next generation after the hippies which would be (Gen X) rebelled and rejected peace, love.

Are you saying it's okay to reject love and peace just to be different from your parents? Hmmm.

A vivid example of this new "generation gap" was the last Woodstock anniversary festival, which was held 1999. This was supposed to re-create the spirit of Woodstock, in celebration of the 30th anniversay of the original event but unfortunately the occasion was marred by riots, rapes, greed and turned out to be everything that the original Woodstock spirit was not.



Woodstock 1999 riots



No offense to the younger members of this board, but it seems many of Gen X, Gen Y, including those who grew up in the 60's-70's have lost their way and still don't get it.

Fighting for peace is still like fucking for virginity.

 

Bet you could sell some t shirts with that slogan.

 

The protests had to do with the Madrid bombings more than anything. Their sudden urge to get soliders out of Iraq was a direct result of the Madrid bombings.. fear.

Anyways, What we saw in Washingon, with well over 100,000 is a nice start. I hope more people start to protest.

 

Homicides in Irag:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/27/AR2006082700770.html

 

March 15, 2003

more than 300,000 in Barcelona forming a mile-long human chain, and more than 120,000 in Madrid,

 

Dude what are you rambling on about?
Of course soldiers get paid otherwise they wouldnt fight - are you saying that the US Army - what are you saying exactly and succinctly I couldnt work it out - you seem to think soldiers shouldnt be paid
???? WTF ???? UH ??

No you seem to think soldiers should be ideologically motivated - well welcome to the real world dude - some people just want a job being a macho big guy who kills people

 

I think Skip is trying to counteract the present mentality that grants sainthood to all military personnel. He's pointing out that they are simply performing a job and getting well paid for it. Which indeed would classify them as mercenaries.

 

Mercenaries and soldiers arent idiots they know the score. A soldier would most likely laugh in your face if you tried to teach them any form of patriotic reason as to why theyre fighting - hence the farting noises you hear during speeches to soldiers when they are lined up and pompous dignitaries preach at them about morals. Mate they would laugh you off the planet for suggesting they are mercenaries too. They do the job while believing they are acting for the people of their country but in their own interests - its just a job and they get a roof over their heads they are paid professionals (the british army call themselves "the professionals")

I'd take on the police any day and kick a few to the ground but the army - ha I dont fancy that !

 

They may feel they are "supporting the good cause", just like the crusaders did, but fact is they get paid to do the bidding of someone who pays them for their services, so perhaps a closer analogy would be to say they are whoring/prostitutes(aren't they professionals also?.) Especially since no part of their lives are their own until they sever their terms of service, and while enlisted every move they make is monitored and managed by others. Professional consultants offer services and advice for a fee, they don't sell their entire lives most of the time.

 

I think I find prostitution a more admirable "profession" in that usually no one dies from the experience, neither victim nor "professional".

 

well that would be the case if it were legalized and sex workers could have health benefits to get them tested for and prevent the spread of STDs, and if they had some kind of guarantee of safety against abuse by their clients other than their pimps, which are often just as bad.

 

They do in Nevada and parts of Europe. What part of the world do soldiers receive those same sort of safe guards?

Not exactly Health benefits, because how many employees in the US receive Health benefits? The multinationals saw to the demise of employer paid for health care. But we all submit to drug screening for Walmart don't we.

 

oh really???, aids victims would largely disagree, especially in african countries

 

Most AIDs victims in africa have never come in contact with a prostitute. Most are women and children. It's hard to pay for prostitution when you can't buy food to feed your family.

 

Gardener is actually just saying anything he thinks might be funny or clever without thinking it through

In actual fact the entire workforce is prostituting itself - dont friggin moralise against soldiers when you yourself are as mercenary as they are. Mercenary simply means "works for money" merce = from the old french to mean seller or trader - its where we get the word "commerce"

You think your parents worked for their boss cuz they loved capitalism - get real we're all prostitutes if we work for capitalists

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