Ed B

....no one ever seems to make the same generalizations when there are pro-war people on TV saying stupid things that indicate a complete lack of understanding of the issues.

There are a lot of anti-war protestors who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground and boil everything down to moronic rhetoric like "no blood for oil!" or whatever. But to point that out without recognizing that the same is true for the other side of the issue implies that every single person in support of the war has some cogent, well-thought-out argument to back their opinion. Which is just totally untrue. Half the people I talk to or see on TV in support of the war say utter nonsense.....they make an argument like "The war will stop terrorism" or worse yet they make no argument at all, they just wave a flag and shout something jingoistic or insulting about protestors.

I have participated in a couple protests here in chicago and I have to say, the ignorance and stupidity of <b>some</b> of the people there pretty much sickened me. And while I am against the war, I completely respect the arguments that a lot of my pro-war friends and family make. It takes a really simple mind to make generalizations because that's the path of least resistance. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of intelligent people with valid opinions on both sides of this issue, and it really indicates either laziness or stupidity to see some idiot waving a sign on TV and conclude that war protestors are all morons and aren't worth listening to.

Chaplin

I think it's a matter of extremism. The more extreme you are, the more unintelligent you appear to be. And since the media will only talk about and broadcast the extreme views, of course everybody ends up looking bad.

PortlandCardFan

My guess would be... because there where more anti-war protesters than support your troops rally's.

I actually respect anti-war protests from the pacifist stand point. Something that I admire because I could never see myself being a pacifist. I would be the ultimate hypocrite.

With that said, I think that some of the anti-war people are looking at the footage from the embedded reporters and are seeing for them selves that Iraqi people are happier without Saddam.

I am not sure what poll it was but since the fall of Saddam. The percentage of people for the war against Saddam is up by 10%.

Every side has their idiots that I can agree with.

Brian

they just wave a flag and shout something jingoistic or insulting about protestors.

Bastards.

Damn flag wavers, who do they think they are.

On another note, VERY few people can truly make "informed" arguements either way. Most statements made are rehashed from what the media has put out, which is laced with falsehoods and given with the slant, twist, or spin intended by the broadcast.

I personally have no use for anti-war protesters, Ed knows this as we have gone back and forth on this a couple times, but I respect his right to his opinion.

I'm not saying my opinions are necessarily all correct, but I have been there three times and so I think I have some firsthand experience and knowledge on which I base my opinions.

Deploying is hard and painful and it definitely does my heart good to see the "Support our Troops" rallies.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings.

Tell you what, I'm leaving Tuesday or Wednesday to go over there (a whole lot later than what I originally thought, the 4th ID took up all the planes) and I should be going into Baghdad, Basra, Nasiriya, etc. doing various missions and if I'm able I can post here what I'm seeing. For example, people's attitudes toward us in various regions etc. Things like that.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Ed B

Well, when all someone does is wave their flag and yell that you have to support the war because you're a commie if you don't, that's not much of an intelligent argument. I'm not criticizing anyone's right to be patriotic but when the discourse devolves into everyone who supports the war loves America and everyone who protests it is anti-american, that saddens me.

The second part of your statement, I'll agree with 100%. All media is biased.

PortlandCardFan

You know what I am curious about?

Is why the hell they hacked up those two Muslim clerics. I know the one support Saddam but man that was harsh. In a Masque as well.

You didn't list Najaf as a place you would be going to but I believe the one Cleric was from Basra.

Brian

You didn't list Najaf as a place you would be going to but I believe the one Cleric was from Basra.

I don't EXACTLY know which cities I will be going to yet but I do know that because of my line of work I will at least be going to the larger ones.

As for the Cleric hacker upper type people, not at all worried about them, they know by now what happens when you bring a knife to a gunfight.

Just kidding,


sort of............................

Dback Jon

Have a safe journey, and a safe mission, and be back in time to see the Cards win!!!
And thanks for doing your part in keeping us free.

__________________



R.I.P Tim Minnick

The KING of Cards

cheesebeef

Come back safe Harley Rider - after all - you're one of the only people who sees clearly as far as the Cards are concerned!

__________________
Rubarb is what makes my feet look cheese!

Mulli is smarter than the Cheese!

DbaxJ

Give em hell Soldier... HOOAH!

Chaz

I respect any well thought out argument on either side. Unfortunately most of the anti-war types are anti-American leftists or Bush haters no matter what he does or doesn't do. The President made a judgement, Saddam's Iraq is a threat. We all have to live with it. I think most people now are looking forward. If we are gonna do this, Lets do it right.

To all our Armed Forces: Give 'em hell, come home safe, and Thanks.

Good Luck HarleyRider. Safe journey.

Ed B

I really find it comical that some people like to call the left "anti-american". In reality you'll find that most of those people are out in the street trying to speak up for what they think is right because they love this country very, very much and want it to do what they think is right. If I was anti-american, I wouldn't give a rat's ass.

Anti-Bush.......now that one I won't argue with

KingofCards

This has to be one of the most ignorant statements ever written on this board. And believe me that is saying something.

__________________
"Let the rabbits wear glasses."

SUTTILL

I know I'll get hammered for this, but I don't get the whole "thanks for doing your part to keep us free" in relation to the Iraq war. We were not in danger of losing our freedom in the Gulf war or in this current one.

I do greatly appreciate our soldiers and our vets and their sacrifice, but don't think the soldiers in the current war are "keeping us free". We are pummelling a third world country that is no threat to us. However, I agree that they are helping the people of Iraq escape a dictatorship and hopefully help them experience "freedom" in the near future.

Brian

I know I'll get hammered for this

You might.