To those who served,

Alan · Nov 13, 2005

To those who served, serve...

r.w. has the right sentiment, just wish there was a good reason for those in Iraq today for being there at all. Fighting and dieing for freedom and justice is a noble cause. Unfortunately this administration's lies and fabrications are costing our servicemen and women their lives and the American public it's good name!! A salute to the sevices, but shame on their leaders.

Unknown · Nov 13, 2005

Thanks

I just wanted to say thanks for that RW. Sometimes I feel like what we did or are doing is greatly unappreaciated. Heck, even one poster posted a Happy Vet Day and many poeple read it but none replied or added to it. I went to work that day, don't usually but had to this year, and somebody asked me "Is today a holiday". I said "yeah, veterans day," They said "Is that a holiday". I said "Yes, happy veterans day." They said "I'm not a veteran". That made me mad. They aren't Jesus, but they have no problem celebrating christmas.Anyway, it makes us vets seem like it was worth it when we do read posts like yours. Thanks...and don't forget Nov 11th. So many lives and so many bad memories have been spent so we can have one, all we ask is that you remember it.

BobW · Nov 13, 2005

r.w. is right, but so is Alan....

who didn't question the convictions of the heros who fight and die to keep us free. I hope nobody would do that.It is, however, wrong for our country's leaders to accuse those who question the reasons for a war of denigrating those who are fighting in it.I am very sad that we are spending so many brave American lives to bring democracy to people who don't understand the concept and have no use for it. Unfortunately, now that we have invaded Iraq and dis-banded their army, we have no choice but to continue our course. That doesn't make the war right.Enough politics. Back to sailing!Cheers,Bob

Rick Webb · Nov 13, 2005

Two Things to Consider

On September 12, 2001 the question on everyone’s mind was where the next attack will be. There has been none. We brought the battle to them and they paid more dearly than did we. I'd much rather fight them on their soil than defend against them upon ours.While not as many stories are written or photographed the vast majority of those in Iraq and Afghanistan are happy and thankful for our actions. I am not blaming the media after all a story about a house that did not burn down or a picture of an intersection with no car accident is pretty boring. I won't even bother with the absurd Oliver Stoneish notions from Alan.Veterans Day is also a day that we veterans thank those we marched, flew, or sailed beside who are not here to celebrate with us and to those who we swore to protect and defend who made the honor and privilege to serve possible. Col Sam Kurtz USAF 1960-1993Fighter Pilot

Alan · Nov 13, 2005

r.w.

I think you need to read exactly what I wrote and not just "see" what you think I wrote. I honor the sacrifice that the armed services of this country make in the name of freedom and democracy. Some may have volunteered to go, the rest were simply ordered, but it makes no difference, they went.My distain is with the leadership of this government that sent them there. Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11, NOTHING to do with WMD, and NOTHING to do with Al Qida. That was simply W whipping up public sentiment as an excuse to invade. I sure wish you could "see" the difference.PS I don't "bite" anyone, I'm a vegitarian

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Nov 13, 2005

"It was the veteran..."

It was the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It was the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It was the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to fair trial.It was the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demonstrate. It is the Veteran, who salutes the flag, who served under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. Written by: Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

Herb Parsons · Nov 13, 2005

Gee, I wish I was as smart as you Alan

I AM curious though, as to HOW you "know" all these things, and exactly what WAS the President's reason for us going to war?Don't bother answering, they were rhetorical questions. I suspect the answers would be no more valid than the other nonsense you posted here.So many of you folks seem to forget, we voted to keep George Bush as president AFTER he sent the troops in (with the approval of the other elected officials). To all you vets, those that volunteered and those that were drafted by previous administrations, an unqualified thank you.Thank you for the sacrifices you made. Thank you for offering up your lives for the benefit of others. "Thank you" doesn't begin to offer what you deserve, but thank you just the same.

Joe · Nov 13, 2005

veterans day and political comment

that's totally rude!...and out of place here, in my opinion. We honor our veterans unconditionally, regardless of the circumstances during their terms of duty. If someone wants to protest... do it without disrespecting the spirit of gratitude we extend to all our veterans. For what it's worth, I don't follow this forum to hear political rants. Don't screw up a good sailing forum by arguing politics or religion. Take it somewhere else, please.

Fred Ficarra · Nov 13, 2005

Sorry RW...Alan you're RIGHT!

As a student of history I've come to believe that singularly, the MOST precious possession America has is its' young warriors. To blow their lives away for Texas revenge because of Saddam's attempt to kill 'Ws' daddy in Kuwait in 91 and then LIE to the American people is a treasonable offense. This war was in the planning stages in 1991. Stick it to 'em Alan. 'America must be very cautious about how it spends the currency of its' youth.' Bill MoyerAnd the first words I said when W was elected the first time was "He's going to go after Saddam. War is inevitable." ME, 2000And NOT ONE SINGLE WORD has been written here that does not HONOR our veterans. NOT ONE. We need to stop this crime! Why is bin Ladin still alive? That's who our fight is with. That and the terrorist. Bin Ladins whole goal was to get American troops on Arab soil to validate his rants. I could go on for hours. Like using covert troops to hunt down that monster instead of parading our youth down highways just so the next IED can take it's best shot. I could go on for hours.

Alan · Nov 13, 2005

Herb

Which things would you like to know, about WMD or 9/11. What was going on in w's mind?? my rhetorical answer ...who knows...Yes, he got 51% last year, but currently he stands at 37%. As the truth starts to unfold, the ratings go down, why's that?? I'm proud to say I didn't vote for him either time and it appears that a great many Americans WISH they hadn't either.

Fred Ficarra · Nov 13, 2005

RW,,,,HUH???

Youth? I'm talking about our troops. I don't understand your question. Also I added more rant to my previous post. RW, there is a military principal that is well known in the service. It goes like this; You can tell an 18 year old to charge a machine gun nest. He'll think he'll succeed. But if you do the same to a 25 year old, he'll tell YOU to charge it. Bush knows that and is using that principal to exact Texas revenge on Saddam. GRRRRRP.S. And at 57 I try EVERYDAY to comprehend the magnificent gift of freedom given to us by our precious military. They deserve the very best we can give them. Not dangerous unarmored vehicles that were all that was available because of criminally poor planning and Congressional PORK. (60 MINUTES!)

Alan · Nov 13, 2005

Here, here FRED

To date, bin Ladin has accomplished EXACTLY what he set out to do. Americans are dieing, Americans are paying through the nose, and more and more insurgents around the world are joining his cause. His strategy, so far, is working perfectly. And W is his chief helper to that end.

Fred Ficarra · Nov 13, 2005

Another bin Ladin goal is to bankrupt the west

We are falling right into that one too. Back when Bill was president we were nearly out of debt. On the horizon was a debt free booming America. Now? Everyday our budget goes in the hole by many more billions. Our bureaucrats THINK of a vulnerability like, well think of something, like scuba divers putting plastic explosives under cargo ships. Then we have to spend billions to counter this imaginary threat. The list is endless and nests are feathered. And it was all done with 19 box cutters.Leadership. Let me mention leadership. RW, you mentioned Truman. OK, lets compare WW2 to this jerk in the White House. More time has passed now than passed from the Pearl Harbor attack to the end of the war. During that previous conflict, our leaders put together the most powerful force the world has ever known. After the attack on us, we INVENTED the atom bomb, the means to deliver it and used it. After the terrorist attacks, this president set AN ALL TIME RECORD FOR VACATIONS!!! And that was in his FIRST TERM!Leadership??? After Katrina it took him at least two days to visit the damage. He went to the White House right after the storm to push Harriet's nomination. He was on yet another 5 week VACATION. When he finally comprehended the disaster, he just flew over it in air force one. GRRR Then when he finally arrived on the ground, he made sure all photo ops were taken with him seen with his SLEEVES ROLLED UP. THAT IS A WELL KNOWN BUSH ADMINISTRATION PR TACTIC. Pay attention!A good friend of mine who voted for this jerk to get reduced taxes said to me when I complained of Bushs' poor leadership during post Katrina; 'Well, what could he do?' I said 'Do!? Let me tell you about leadership! When Americans are suffering such as this, you move the White House to a marsh and pitch a tent! Then you tell the American people that when Americans are taken care of and safe, that's when the tent leaves. Until then the country will be run from right here. That's leadership! My friend never said a word.

Rick Webb · Nov 13, 2005

The Ledgend and the Myth

Fred you need to come up with someone better to quote than a washed up hack like Moyers he peaked as a Johnson flunky had to go to PBS and messed that up with a series based on a fraud. Even if he is from Texas as most of the great TV reporters have been. Couple of years ago everyone thought Saddam still had nukes biological and chemical weapons. He did use them on the Kurds and the Iranians after all. He was also financing suicide bombers in other countries. It was time for him and his regime to go. Anyone out there believe the world was better off with him in power? I thought not. Why did Osama have his panties all in a knot? He did not like us heathens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Taking out Saddam allowed us to pull nearly every troop out of the Kingdom. Saddams down fall also led to Quadafi deciding that having WMDs was not worth the effort. A definite message has been sent across to all those would harm us. As democracy takes foot and spreads across the near and middle east all of these two bit thugs and dictators will disappear.Was our effort in Afghanistan and Iraq worth the price? If you or one of you family were one of the casualties likely not. If you are one of the Afghanis or Iraqis who are now coming to know freedom it probably was. After the region has stabilized the worlds oil supply is in the hands of the free market allowing the price to drop. This will benefit us but more so the developing nations who are competing for more and more of the worlds supply. It will have been a marvelous act up there with the Louisiana Purchase, the Monroe Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.I sat down at the computer with a glass and partial bottle of bourbon I opened with my buddies at the VFW to have a drink for all those who are not here to share the bottle with us the bottles gone and it is time for bed. Keep up the discussion but I think in the end you’ll all be looked at like those who argued against the Revolution which drove the British out, the Pacifists and the Isolationists who voiced opposition to The Great War (WWI) and to WWII.Here is a quote for you Fred from The Sundance Kid “You just keep thinking there “Fred” that’s what your good at”.Perry StephensWO2, Texas National Guard 1980-88

To those who served,

r.w.landau

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Alan

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r.w.landau

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Unknown

BobW

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r.w.landau

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Rick Webb

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r.w.landau

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Alan

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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Herb Parsons

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r.w.landau

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Joe

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Fred Ficarra

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Alan

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r.w.landau

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Fred Ficarra

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Alan

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Fred Ficarra

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Rick Webb

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