Article on OIF

[Elmo]

http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=668

A critical medic talks about his OIF experience.

Are there real problems or is this just liberal propaganda?

Or is this guy just whining having to contribute for his money?

[Trident-za]

I'm sure that many will claim it's all just liberal propoganda. I'm not so sure....

[usa320]

sounds like someone who signed up for something without knowing what they were getting into.

Soldiers sign up to fight a war...not to get a free ride through college. They need to realize that.

[Argyll]

sounds like someone who signed up for something without knowing what they were getting into.

Soldiers sign up to fight a war...not to get a free ride through college. They need to realize that.

Well said!! ;)

[zenmaster]

That is liberal propaganda. The details of what he is saying do not suggest he is in the military. It sounds like one liberal watching the news and the other interviewing him. I would like to see the NCIS find out if this is real or not.

[George W. Bush]

:Sniff sniff:

What could that be? Oh, it's gratuitous bull****!

[Haiw]

^
If you say so.... as a regular producer of it you must be the expert. :D

[Elmo]

:Sniff sniff:

What could that be? Oh, it's gratuitous bull****!

Yeah, must be.

All the soldiers are happy to be there, even if they haven't found any WMD's which was said was their reason to be there. They are happy to be afraid of pretty much everything when they are out for patrol. They are happy to be afraid of mortar strikes when they are sleeping. And they sure must be happy not to be recognized by media if they get wounded.
And they just love the cuts in funding.

[Trident-za]

Has VA funding really been so severely cut? If so, really bad timing - there must be plenty of disabled veterans around considering there have been 2788 wounded soldiers since the war began. (source: http://lunaville.org/warcasualties/Summary.aspx )


I agree that people should go into the military with their eyes open to reality - that does not mean they are all going to be deliriously happy with what reality is (how many of you guys who have posted above, other than Argyll, actually know the reality of war? GWB??).

This article is most definitely not very gung ho. I'd be interested to know which bits mean its "gratuitous bull****" or "liberal propoganda". It may just be the view of one seriously unhappy soldier - but for him it IS the truth. Im not necessarily saying this article reflects the general perception of troops out there, but I bet its more than 1 guy who feels this way.

[Elmo]

Well said, trident-za.

Strange how silent it is around this topic. Not even valid counter-arguments.

[Dominique]

Well said, trident-za.

Strange how silent it is around this topic. Not even valid counter-arguments.

OK, I read the article, and while some of his points are valid -- the cuts from the VA, the US not keeping track of Iraqi deaths, (I know of no war where the US kept track of of civilian deaths), etc., what the hell does this have ot do with him meeting his obligation. He has the right o his opinion, andthat's all it is, his opinion. If does not like his situation, get out of the reserves whne he gets back. Its htat simple. If you don't like it leave.

I'm a National Guardsman, and I tell people flat out, if you don't want to do this get out. I don't suger caot it for all of these new guys we have coming in. If your only here for money or you start feeling that this may not be what you want to do anymore, its time to turn in your gear. We are at war (despite what the government or your recruiter would like you to beleive, we are at war).

I'd rather have 10 guys who want ot be with me, than have 100 guys who are constantly second guessing every decision some else makes.

Also you may want to take a close look at some of the other sites that are listed around the page, they are anti-war sites.

[Trident-za]

I'm a National Guardsman, and I tell people flat out, if you don't want to do this get out. I don't suger caot it for all of these new guys we have coming in. If your only here for money or you start feeling that this may not be what you want to do anymore, its time to turn in your gear. We are at war (despite what the government or your recruiter would like you to beleive, we are at war).

I'd rather have 10 guys who want ot be with me, than have 100 guys who are constantly second guessing every decision some else makes.



I agree with all of that. What I don't agree with is people immediately labelling anything that isnt "yay! war is so cool - come get some" as liberal BS - ESPECIALLY if it comes from someone who has never been shot at, and isn't likely to be shot at anytime soon.

Argyll made a comment recently about Americas Army (the PC game)being some people "source" of war experience (can't remember the words exactly, sorry) - it was a great comment and applies to a lot of the more gung ho on this forum.


P.S. I just saw a thing on SkyNews this morning where they were interviewing the families of some of the US KIAs - it was stated that the US media is not allowed to show footage of coffins returning from Iraq. Is this true? And has anyone else noticed how different the media coverage of actual combat is so very different to what went on during Vietnam?? (sorry, was watching some stuff on the battle for Hue on Discovery Channel, and it struck me how different it all is nowdays)