WHATS WRONG WITH AMERICA

April 2006
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I am a 23 year old US Marine Corp vet, I served four years of my life to try and give somthing back to a country that has given me so much. I watch and I listen as people slander this great nation, watch as they bad mouth our commander and chief, listen as they protest against war. I have also watched as my fellow Marines were injured and killed, I have read how America became the greatest country in the world through war and hardship, how Americans fought to the death just to live free, and through many deaths a country was born, NOT BY PROTESTING AGAINST THE WAR, NOT BY RIOTING, NOT BY MARCHES, BUT BY THE LIVES OF MEN WHO DIED JUST SO THAT YOU CAN SIT HERE TODAY AND SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT ABOUT THIS COUNTRY AND NOT GET SHOT. I pray every day for all those who have no clue what freedom really is.

Date: April 18, 2006

Author: USMARINE

Categories: general

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(478 votes, average: 2.78 out of 5)

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Jim

in April 19th, 2006 @ 06:18

I’d like to consider what you’ve said, but I don’t really know what you’re trying to say. Be specific, please.

What’s the “bad mouthing” of George W. Bush that’s inaccurate?

What’s wrong with protesting against war?

Who’s rioting?

Should we support all instances of men getting shot? Under what circumstances should we not support men getting shot?

For those of us who “have no clue,” tell us: what is freedom, really?

I’m not trying to harsh on you, but I’ve heard just about these exact words many, many times, and I rarely if ever hear them elaborated upon. I want to know exactly what you mean.

Assuming that you’re not just dropping by to cut and paste this message in.
jclifford

in April 19th, 2006 @ 07:27

Mr. Anonymous Marine,

Look at the title of your post here. YOU are the one who is saying that there’s somethig wrong with America.

Name one slander against America on this web site. Do you know what the word “slander” means?

How has the war in Iraq done one thing to strengthen our freedom here in the United States? Iraq was never planning to attack America. On the other hand, in the name of war, President Bush has begun to cut back on our freedoms. Is that what you’re fighting to defend? Bush’s reduction of American freedom?

You say that wars are so that people can have freedom of speech, but then you get angry when people exercise freedom of speech. Why?
fmullen

in April 19th, 2006 @ 12:53

USMARINE:

Thank you for your service to the country we both love.

I am a veteran of 14 years service in the United States Navy. While I served, I carried out the lawful orders assigned me and did not publicly criticize my mission or my leaders. I was a serviceman, and that was my job.

As a civilian, I speak out when I see the country I love being endangered by incompetent leaders and immoral missions. I’m a citizen, and that is my job.

Heroes died to give me the right to voice to my opinion. For me to return that right unused, like defective merchandise, would be the ulitmate insult to those who sacrificed for me.

This country was born of protest. The American colonies were afire with anger against the heavy-handed government. You will recall some of the slogans from the protest marches and rallies: “No taxation without representation”;”Give me liberty or give me death.”

Throughout the colonies, public protest, including the formation of angry mobs, became common. In 1768, colonial officials reported to London that the city of Boston was in a state of insurrection.

The British government’s violent attempts to suppress the colonists’ righteous indignation led to the first of the greatest protests of modern times: The Declaration of Independence.

I am proud to live in a free country birthed in a shouting match of dissent. I am blessed to live in a country in which fiery opposition to mainstream opinion–including yours–is tolerated not by benevolence, but by law. And I am duty-bound, as a patriot, to speak out when the vile actions of a few small men betray the greatness of the nation I have served.

Frank Mullen III
Former Chief Petty Officer, USN
USMARINE

in April 20th, 2006 @ 05:34

Alright for those misunderstood by my post let me clarify, first off i am not attacking this web site, I have made it a goal of mine to hear both sides of the story i am not democrat nor republican i am American, I will be more specific on your topics,
1. Slander,
a. Law, Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person’s reputation.
b. A false and malicious statement or report about someone.
yet you sell a bumber sticker that says someone in texas is missing a village idot, hmmm i guess webster was wrong? I dont hear Bush calling people idots? also thats bad mouthing in case you didnt know.

2.protesting against war is like booing your own footbal team, it just dosent make any sense, sure we all disagree on things but you know what if you were president and you had to make descions that would piss people off, i bet youd quit after the first week. Protesting against war is wrong because we as a nation need to support are president, regardless if its difrrent from our opinions. America elected him not you.

3.WHO’S RIOTING! obviously you belive everything the tv says! i stood on my base at 8th and I in washington D.C. dodging bricks being hurled over at us by thousands of anti-war protesters, if you dont belive me go to http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/passinreview/marpir.pdf and look at the picture on the bottom, i was cursed at and spit at, but wait ohh i didnt become a hippy i joined the US Marines to kick some ass! i still support war! OOO-RAH!

4. when i mean shot im saying if you were in russia and u said the things most anti-war people are saying, pal there wouldnt be no little chat group you could discuss it at, you would be shot in the town square. why do u think we went after saddam? for crap like that he tortured hes own brother for not supporting him, and thats what i mean you have no idea how good we have it yeah things dont go our way sure we disagree but we live and that is freedom, freedom of speech is to say what you want with out being killed, not to publicly slander others. AND IN CLOSING WHEN I SAY YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT FREEDOM THAT MEANS YOU HAVE NEVER SERVED YOUR COUNTRY IT IS MY OPINION…..OPINION! THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TRUE FREEDOM IS WE ARE SLAVES TO TELEVISION AND MATERIAL THINGS, I THINK THE ONES WHO TRULY KNOW WHAT FREEDOM IS ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE DIED FOR WHAT THEY BELIVED IN NO MATTER WHAT THAT WAS.
USMARINE

in April 20th, 2006 @ 05:48

the picture i refer to about the riots is after page 6
An American Mick

in April 20th, 2006 @ 07:29

USMARINE,

I spent four years with Air Force Intelligence. I too love what this country was built on, and what it stands for. I cherish the rights that so many others have given their lives to obtain for me. And I will exercise those rights, no matter what you or anyone else says about it.

When my football team does stupid things, I boo them. They try harder, not to incur more of my booing. When they betray my confidence by forgetting that it is ME who buys the tickets to their game, paying their salary, then they are no longer MY football team.

I have a clue. One has to have a clue to be chosen for intelligence work. And I hate this war because it is wrong. We invaded a foreign nation that had not made any agression against us, on the word of a president who lied to justify that war. Your comrades are dying for that, and I am no more safe or free for all of your sacrifice.

Believe me, I know how good I have it. But I also know that our Constitution is threatened by a President who has no regard for the limits it places on his power.

This president thinks he has the right to conduct surveillance against Americans. He does not.

This president thinks it’s okay to incarcerate people, whether they are innocent or guilty, for five years without council, without trial, and without ever having been charged with a crime. It’s NOT okay. It’s illegal, immoral, and contrary to those things for which this country claims to stand.

We do these things because “We are at war! This is war time!” So what? We don’t suspend our constitutional rights because we are at war. Especially when that war itself is conducted in violation of international law.

Here’s a clue: the Iraqis should have been the ones to effect ‘regime change’ in their own country, not us. If they do nothing to change their government, who are we to do so? Do we now move on to all the other countries that have bad leaders? What about the ones that we ourselves put into power?

Several unprecedented things are happening that should alarm everyone – most of all those who are supposedly fighting for ‘my’ freedom:

We invaded a sovereign nation that had not attacked us, under false pretenses.

The US government is spying on its own citizens with reckless abandon, in violation of federal and constitutional law.

The US is incarcerating and torturing civilians across the world on the off chance that they may be ‘terrorists’, while acrimoniously demanding that China improve their human rights position.

Our lying, smirking president looks into the cameras and says “I’m protecting America.”

Sorry, Marine. A great American said “Give me liberty, or give me death.” How do you think Patrick Henry would feel about being spied on in the name of his own security?

We will protest, Marine. And more of us will protest every day until this travesty is corrected. When my country is dead wrong, I will boo it. I did my time to ensure that right, among others. I will not give it up, and neither you nor anyone else will ever take it from me.
Jim

in April 20th, 2006 @ 08:17

Thatâ€™s not a picture of a riot. Itâ€™s a picture of a demonstration. And it’s a picture of an orderly demonstration — every person is behind the delineated orange barriers. There are no pictures of brick throwing in the photo. I see a wide grassy region beyond the protest zone. If people were throwing bricks to make it beyond that zone, over the grassy region and over a fence, they’d have to have had Herculean strength. How did people spit at you from across the grassy region? Find me any press report about an anti-war riot in DC in January 2003. Any single one. You can bet your sweet bippy that if anyone threw bricks at people, they would be arrested, given how many police officers were at the event. Show me a report of a single arrest for brick throwing.

The only part of the photo I even see that has to do with the military is an American flag with a peace sign on it, with the words “Peace is Patriotic” underneath.

Given your ideas about slander, I expect you to document every facet of your claim or retract it.
rick

in April 30th, 2006 @ 21:49

folks, question was…what’s wrong with america. i’ll tell ya….. religious feedom. look out for those pseudo-christians. georgie is uneducated. idiot? maybe. but put someone like carl rove behind him….and bozo could’ve made president. i can hear him now…”hey george, lets get a shot of you leaving a church with the wife, and don’t forget to smile and wave.” the religous right ate that up. religion…..sad, sad, sad. now we have the poop, sorry, meant pope, telling the heards…”go out and have more children, it’s your christian duty.” SAD. you think the environment has it bad now? emerson, lake and palmer….”the pilgrim wandered in, committing every sin that he could….SOOOO good.” if they (pseudos) would heed the words of ralphy, ralph waldo emerson, no relation to keith emerson, “oh ye, meek lovers of good. turn thy back on heaven, and seek me.” God speaking. JOHN LENNON. what a true loss. IMAGINE.
rick

in May 1st, 2006 @ 14:01

what’s wrong with america? http://images1.americanprogress.org/il80web20037/ThinkProgress/2006/60min.320.240.mov
An American Mick

in May 3rd, 2006 @ 23:12

What’s wrong with America?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848&pl=true
Mark V.

in October 12th, 2006 @ 13:44

Hi Marine,

I am a vet also, So obviously I was not born with a golden spoon in mouth, I have always tried to do whats right! I have 2 sons, The oldest is in the Army now in Iraq, I have no clue at this moment if he is alive or dead! Its been 2 months since I talked to him over the internet… When he was fresh out of bootcamp he said he wanted to make it a career.. The last time we talked I had to ask him to stop cussing! He had just lost his best friend to an Afgani sniper, He was upset that he found out what his orders were from watching CNN 3 days before his platoon knew what the orders where.. What roads, Area etc they would be looking for Osama in Afghanistan… He lost all heart seeing how stupid our country has become… “YES STUPID”
If he is alive, I don’t know how to tell him about the 39,920 shares of united airlines stock my goverment stole from us while I was in Brazil trying to educate the natives on the need to preserve it for our children, and their children to be able to breath! Yes it would have been worth $1,714,540.00 when I returned last april but instead I found I had enough money to pay a few bills and am a few weeks of being homeless..
Will you ever know what its like to see your best friend killed in front of you, Will you ever know what its like to work, save and have it all stolen from you? Probably not!
I know now what its like to have no hope.. go to bed hungry… And learned how to hate.. Yes hate, Like Osama did.. He had 20 million “stolen” from him by our goverment.. I know exactly how he felt.. I know the truth.. America is just a lie! One after another.. I cherish the day it will end and I’ll just be another vet dead on the side of the road.. Who will be there to care.. Not the selfish, stealing, scared and stupid Americans.. I will never call myself an American again.. I have learned to hate that word too..
In the 50 other countries I’ve either visited or lived in.. I’ve always had to defend America.. Never again.. My only dream now is I live long enough to watch it fall…
Yes hatred can be taught!
Kiwi

in October 14th, 2006 @ 17:52

Yo Marine,

I am an unhuman non-american (Kiwi actually). Can I ask how you would feel if New Zealand – assuming laughably that
it had the economic and military muscle to do so – invaded the US without pretense or any semblance of political
discourse. Don’t worry (I hear trembling in those standard issues) New Zealand is full of tree-loving woolly-lefties and
we would never invade anywhere unless we needed to secure our supply lines of sheep and smokin weed. Learn to look at
your country from the outside.
My advice: Get out of the army, its shrinking your brain OOO-RAH.
P.S. Stop talking in CAPITALS, its deafening.
Damen

in October 17th, 2006 @ 00:14

USMarine,

When I read the stuff you post I keep coming back to the message you seem to be shouting at us.

Here’s what I’m getting from your posts.

People died for my freedom so I shouldn’t use my first amendment freedom to voice my opinions even if those opinions go against what the government thinks.

That’s the message I’m getting from you and I think that to do as you say is a disgrace and disservice to those who have died to ensure I have the freedom to tell my government that I don’t want these people to die any more.

Shame on you for bitching about my choice, my right, and my freedom to protest.
An American Mick

in October 17th, 2006 @ 16:02

Kiwi, you are right on spot! We’d be beside ourselves. We’d say we were victimized by an imperialistic evil axis. Once, not so long ago, I would have been indignant at the mere suggestion that my country would ever invade a country that had not clearly and undeniably attacked us or another peaceful country.

Some of us do look at our country from the outside, and I assure you that many of us (most, I hope) who do are ashamed.

Now some Marine is gonna come along and kick my commie ass for that one…
USCitizen

in November 15th, 2006 @ 18:20

The real problem is that politicians have been unable or unwilling to improve this nation, mainly because this nation is run like a big business. This apathy by our leaders is degrading the nation. Most of our citizens don’t vote because no matter which person is elected, the status quo is always maintained. Maybe someone should attempt to stop hatred in this country before they travel halfway around the world and force others to believe in something that we do not believe in ourselves. Everyone focuses on race issues and economic differences when all races tend to treat each other badly. Almost all races that I know of have mistreated or enslaved their own race at different times in history, but public forums usually only stress these acts when races are different. What really needs to be done is for all people, regardless of race, to care about others. Essentially, this hatred has developed in our cultures due to religion and has never been addressed by the US government, which chooses to ignore this reality and promotes christianity as if it was a good thing. I would hate to know how many people on this earth have been killed in the name of GOD. While we focus on minority issues, we should be focusing on majority issues that effect all people, regardless of race. Maybe if America set a better example, foreign countries would be more accepting. If you don’t already know, Americans are not exactly highly regarded by foreigners.
Taylor

in February 14th, 2007 @ 19:00

Hey Mark V. I know whats wrong with America. Its sick war veterans like yourself whose minds are too fucked up from being in Vietnam to think logically. It seems to me you think the United States owes you something, or should fix your life. Actually your just pissed off because mentally insane people like yourself don’t have a chance to become president and have things your way. But if you did become President, it sounds like you have it all figured out. You would have no problems whatsoever restoring our country to order. Let us know when you get on the ballot, and i’ll tell all my friends to do us a favor….and hire a hitman. And then we get to the part about the government taking money from you. Im sorry but the government happens to take a significant percentage of my paycheck each week. I don’t blame that on the president, because he is not the one who takes my money. It is the overpopulated groups of state and federal employees whose salaries must be paid that take my money. If your about to be homeless, maybe you should get a job with the government. I hear the pay is not bad and there are plenty of benefits. If none of those suit your fancy, maybe you could go live with the French. Fuck off you non-American Skeptic.
anonymous

in February 14th, 2007 @ 23:54

Taylor, I respect the rights that we, as individuals, have to “freedom of speech”. Please be careful and mindful of how you use the term “mentally insane”. I probably define the term “mentally insane”. However, you do not know my personal and intimate life struggles and experiences nor have you ever sat down and spoken to anyone experiencing homelessness? And I don’t mean homelessness in the context of being lazy and kicked to the curb or doghouse becuase your spouse is upset with you. I mean a real hardship of homelessness beyond your control? I have and I surely know what it is like to have absolutely nothing and live without the simple necessities that we Amercians take for granted everyday. I know what it is like to try and better yourself and apply for a job only to be rejected or turned down because the application asks for your address…without an address or shower…well, you’re guaranteed no job. But somehow I managed to pull myself up by the bootstraps to make a better life for me and my family and did so without the lying, cheating or stealing or begging for the scraps of food tossed in that evenings trash bins or from government handouts, but if I did take those handouts, I guess it would give people the right to bash me because I did not get my way.
Taylor

in February 20th, 2007 @ 16:57

Dear anonymous, how do you know what I have and have not done. Who’s to say that I don’t know or have talked to homeless people. Obviously you must think I am a really shallow person. Well, im not. No, I don’t consider kids running away from home or spouses fighting being homeless. As far as getting a job, it is your own fault if you are falling into debt or other circumstances and do not take the time to a job. As far as my experiences go, employers are more than likely to help you out if you’re going through tough times. Most people are not that uncompassionate that they will turn down a qualified individual on the basis of a lack of a permanent address. But who knows, maybe I just live in a perfect town without many stuck up wealthy assholes. Im sorry if you had to experience one of those, but chances are you could fix that problem by moving out of the CITY.
Laurie O

in February 20th, 2007 @ 17:20

Taylor,
Please read my post – Vietnam revisited – veterans have never felt america owed them anything. You have never been affected by a military aftermath have you? Well then you should not speak of things you do not know. Please get your facts before you make uniformed opinions of the world missy/mister. Go a mile in someone’s shoes hon otherwise you just sound like an idiot.

Military wife
2 time deployment survivor
Taylor

in February 28th, 2007 @ 23:47

If you believe that Mark V. does not believe that the government owes him anything, you need to reread his post. No I have I not been affected by military aftermath myself, but my family and family members have. Im not making “uniformed opinions” that I recieved from someone or from some website. Im speaking from my experience with vietnam vets… and they’re not all there. And im still not sure about the “facts” your talking about that I need to get straight. I don’t appreciate your remarks on my responses which you have not read very well, “you just sound like an idiot.”
Laurie O

in March 1st, 2007 @ 10:17

Taylor,
Do you realize that it is easier for a convicted meth head to get a job and government benefits than it is for a drug free, alchohol free veteran? It is easier for a convicted felon to get a job and food stamps than a veteran because drug use and alcoholism is accepted but mental health issues are not. Religious freedoms are accepted but freedoms to serve your country are not.

May I ask what your experience with Vietnam Vet(s) is? The reason for my harshness toward you is because usually we try and be tactfull with our responses. Your generalization of your responses is just like “blondes are dumb” or “asians are smart”. Back up your responses with fact and I have no problem.

I have direct relation with a veteran, my husband and his 80 fellow soldiers of his guard unit who are still struggling with some of lifes issues, and the fact that before this is all over, he will be called “baby killer” and “murderer” to his face and already has, will mostly likely be deployed before is 20 year retirement letter in 2013, 2 or 3 more times, and the nightmares and flashbacks won’t end until then.

Your very angry towards vets – why?
Christine S.

in March 1st, 2007 @ 13:11

Taylor, you’re not just angry at vets, you seem to have much unfocused angst covering a wide gamut of issues. You may or may not be shallow. But, based on your various comments throughout your posts, narrow-minded, vengeful, ignorant, and coldhearted would be accurate. This is a discussion thread, not a barroom brawl. Striking out at anyone and everyone adds nothing to this discussion, deters from its intent, and ultimately becomes moot. Please stay on topic or at least be more constructive in your diatribes.

In response to the original thread: “Freedom” is a responsibility. “Freedom” is work. “Freedom” is a hard-won concept that, when not continuously monitored and protected, will be subverted by those who seek ultimate power and control, no matter the cost. This subversion has occurred and continues to occur through Bush & Co’s erosion of the idealisms that founded this country and the realities that enable those idealisms to be actualized. The official war/battle field is not the only place the fighting occurs and sacrifices are made. Protecting our country, our idealisms, and the rights that have been established from enemies “foreign and domestic” is the right and responsibility of soldiers AND civilians. Protesting and confronting a President’s lies, war crimes, and societal destruction is the responsibility of the people. What’s is so abhorrent is that so few people in this country try to even pretend to care about what is happening. Our military is there to serve the country, not wealthy elites looking for increased profit margins. It’s the People’s responsibility to also ensure that our military personnel are not used as an illegal means to an end for the top 1%.

USMarine, your fellow Marines are being injured and killed for the lies and greed of the extremely wealthy few. Not to protect this country. That is a well established, supported fact. And that is the real crime. My husband is a soldier; he has served in Kosovo, Iraq and will be sent back again soon to the Middle East. It is my responsibility as a citizen of this country to voice dissent to lies, to actively pursue justice for the war crimes that are being committed in my country’s name, and to do what I can to protect my soldier using the rights that have been established by those who went before me. That is freedom.
Ralph

in March 2nd, 2007 @ 13:39

Very well said, Christine.

I had never attached the word “subversive” to the Neo-Cons, but it fits them like a glove. They spent decades planning their ascent to supreme power in this country. Then when they got it, they squandered it on debt-inflating tax cuts for the rich and wars of aggression based on false pretenses.

Their empty ideology combined the absolute worst of the extreme left and the extreme right. Maybe Bush didn’t know he was quoting Lenin when he said “You’re with us or against us,” but someone in the bowels of his staff knew. Sure, they appealed to religion and patriotism. But it was a religion without conscience and a patriotism without civic responsibility. Conduits for pure, unadulterated power.

Now, why is it that Neo-Cons like Grover Norquist and Jack Abrahmoff were so successful at bringing groups with such diverse worldviews and interests together into a single power network here in America, but Neo-Cons like Donald Rumsfeld and Paul Bremer failed so miserably at the same exact thing in Iraq?

Why is it that Neo-Con deep thinkers like Wolfowitz and Perle have vanished from public view, just as it would be really interesting to hear their own analysis of why their policies failed so spectacularly?

The answer, I think, is that the Neo-Cons gave way more thought to gaining power than to what they would do with it once they had it. They were and are driven more by a desire to have power than by a desire to use that power to actually accomplish anything.

And that’s where war comes in. Whether war in general is sometimes necessary, our current war in Iraq was not and is not. So why this war? Well, war sends a jolt of adrenaline into religion and patriotism. But, especially when so few Americans have family or friends serving in Iraq, it’s a cheap jolt of patriotism without civic responsibility and religion without conscience. And that’s the Neo-Con power base.
Taylor

in March 6th, 2007 @ 01:16

oh really now, I guess the current 141,000 troops in Iraq is not enough for you. That is too few for you?? Maybe you should join Bush and put more troops in Ira
Christine S.

in March 6th, 2007 @ 13:26

Interesting points, Ralph. Conscience and civic responsibility are not conducive to increasing financial wealth and global hegemony. But they do create wonderful, emotion-motivated smoke screens and official fronts for rallying support and hiding the more duplicitous maneuverings of greed (whether that greed consist of controling others religiously, financially or militarily). The old adage “absolute power corupts absolutely” is a cliche for a reason. In spending so many years/decades seeking that power, the neo-cons have come to view everything and person (except themselves) as acceptable fodder for sacrifice. In that construct, responsibility for fallout becomes irrelevant. Consequences don’t fit into the equation, so responsibility becomes a non-issue.

I don’t think the answer is so much that they didn’t give enough thought to what they’d do with power; they just didn’t care (and still don’t care) what happened to those on the consequent, short-stick end of it.

Regarding Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz as failing in Iraq – I think it depends on how you view it. If its viewed through human conscience and responsibility, they failed horrendously. If its looked at it through increased corporate wealth (Halliburton, Lockheed, etc) and potentially expanded control, they did pretty well. The laws or “Orders” (the binding instructions or directives issued – approximately 100 in total, I believe) Bremer instilled have paved the way for Wild West Capitalism to haunt that country for years and years. All the while excluding the Iraqis and what’s left of their country’s own companies.

The neo-cons (and those who have jumped on their band-wagon) have destroyed much. But this country still has yet to be effective in addressing those wrongs.

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Comments RSS TrackBack 25 comments

Jim

jclifford

fmullen

USMARINE

USMARINE

An American Mick

Jim

rick

rick

An American Mick

Mark V.

Kiwi

Damen

An American Mick

USCitizen

Taylor

anonymous

Taylor

Laurie O

Taylor

Laurie O

Christine S.

Ralph

Taylor

Christine S.