** Please support our troops **

[Ark_Angel_1]

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10minutes. He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up. He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick. He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends. He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket. He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you. He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls. He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is. He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes. He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone. He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over. He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight. He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday. He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't. He does exactly what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable. He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse place because of men like him. If only there were more men like him!> >> > >> >> > >> They die for your freedom.

They do not do it for GLORY!!!

[ColdCase]

WoW!!!
The voice of experience and empathy! Truly illuminating!

[Sammy]

never complain, once!!!

back the troops has been an on going thing, but when the people compare wars, any wars....it's like comparing apples and oranges....Veitnam, can't be compared to Iraq......Packing the bags and coming home is easy, then you putting down your guard....Having a foot in the door in Iraq allows the USA to have a foot hold, on the Middle East....Just that Bush isn't every good at explaining this way.......

As I'm not in to politics for the time being, and I understand the hurt, of families.......But wars as may USA, COME TO REALIZE THE PASSION of what ANGEL TALKS OF, AND ALLOWS HAS THE FREEDOM SHE DISCRIBES,

While one is at war, we do enjoy the freedom to walk that beach......at the same time our in deep in thoughts, of , is there a peace?

So one sees the sun rise, while the other side of the world sees it sets.....are you I so different?

Sammy....


Where the sky is blue and the ocean is deep

[Nubian Queen]

/\/\/\ Very well said Ark and Sammy!

[Sammy]

this was posted at one of the politics sites, by TruthDetector

Sammy

Date: Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:14:31 +0000
By Craig R. Smith (New York Times Reporter)


The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice, and I start off in this way....

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 per cent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 per cent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle-dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air-conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 per cent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?


Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor, they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 per cent of Americans who own a home; you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top- notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat-screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 per cent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.


How about the complete religious, social, and political freedoms we enjoy, that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 per cent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U. S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are: the most blessed people in the world, who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 per cent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The Commander-in-Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Make no mistake about it: The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge, or worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 per cent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this, and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O. J. Simpson to write a book and do a tv special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did, he was insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your birdcage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

I close with one of my favorite quotes from B. C. Forbes in 1953:

''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down, unsullied, to our children and theirs.''

I suggest we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful, this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation,'' who left us an untarnished legacy.


Last edited on Mon Jan 15th, 2007 11:51 am by TruthDetector

[motherfunky]

I dont think people are unhappy with what they've got, but just unhappy with the way things are changing. Especially with regard to the misuse of the brave military men and women and the attack on the constitution which was cited in your cut and paste sammy.

Yes the Constitution is a most wonderful work. You should keep it. Maybe people are unhappy that its being torn up?

[Sammy]

I dont think people are unhappy with what they've got, but just unhappy with the way things are changing. Especially with regard to the misuse of the brave military men and women and the attack on the constitution which was cited in your cut and paste sammy.

Yes the Constitution is a most wonderful work. You should keep it. Maybe people are unhappy that its being torn up?

OK!!!! HERE WE GO AGAIN.......

I don't know how opened minded people are about the great constitution of the USA......Once again I'll defend your constitution....to a point.....

IT'S DOESN'T REFLECT THIS ERA! NOR DOES IT PROTECT THE INNOCENT, WHICH IT DOES DO....... PROTECTS THE GUILTY, THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS AND THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE.......

I think the that today politicians in Washington need together on all side of the house with people an come up with a new constitution that reflects this era, of a hi tech world that the USA along with the people that made it happen...... From the WRIGHT BROTHERS TO BILL GATES, so that we all can enjoy the free and responsiblities of America......

As for the media, am not a friend ! sorry! It's if there no news , they so how make it up....... Yes it maybe their right..... but to me it's for the wrong reasons.......anyways that's my story and I'm sitting on it!!!!!

People like the old constitution, fine......I'm out number, as always!

MAYORITY RULES, IT'S A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY!

Sammy......

where the sky is blue and the ocean is deep!