Thread: Never again!

i read this as it was at the top of the new post lists, and my word, i had not expected to see such emotion nor the depth and breadth of thoughts expressed. i did not serve our country, but yet i do understand the predicaments that uthe faced. the code of military justice is ephemeral: that is, it really dont mean much in the heat of battle. something that makes sense in the field is gonna run afoul of the code and is gonna be second guessed. but as an attorney, we face that as well. we can't lie and cheat and steal from clients, and we can not counsel clients to do the same, but we do get the questions asked by those who are facing custody hearings of, "what do i need to say."

uthe: it was gonna be you if it was not him. think of it as a gang war. you cross a boundary, retribution has to be paid. that enemy was no respector of a formal boundary line. you think the terrorists now have any rules of engagement? ok, so it was technically illegal, but not because it was per se wrong, but because of some man-made boundary or limit.

i am sorry if this causes you pain. and i dont think bladewielder tried to make it seem any worse than what it is, but sometimes, we get backed into a corner and we wanna fight. so you knew it was wrong when you did it, but you also knew what would happen if you did nothing. i think most all of us here would rather choose our fate than have it chosen for us. therefore, i think almost all of us would have done the same thing rather than have the enemy strafe us and try to kill us and us not do anything. id rather go down swinging then take a ball for a called third strike.

so, thank you for your service. may your mind be eased, may your heart be cleansed and thank you for all you do for the group here

sam
memphis

Thank you, David. I wish you peace.

showme

I am another person who did not serve in the military, but come from a family with many veterans. My grandfather was a corporal in the Marines and fought and was injured in Pacific during WWII. My uncle fought in Korea. My father-in-law was TDY to the CIA in Vietnam in the mid and late 60's (yes I know TDY is supposed to be temporary, but from what I understand TDY to the CIA was a convenient status and really didn't mean much), and borders didn't mean much to his "merry buch" as he refers to them. My father was lucky and entered the Army just after Korea, and was discharged just as things were ramping up in Vietnam (though my father-in-law had already spent a year in country). My my father-in-law, uncle, and grandfather have told me some of their experiences, and much of the reality of combat, and while I do not pretend to understand it, I do respect what they taught me. I have learned that combat is not to be glorified, but that those who must enter into it are to be honored and respected, especially since their pride and honor will not allow them to demand the respect they deserve. I have also learned that war is not what we civilains would like to pretend it is. We have our pretty words that lay down the rules of engagement, and our pretty maps that lay down the combat zones, but from the instant of engagement until the final shots are fired, these pretty items are a luxury that cannot always be afforded.

I guess what all this is leading up to is my thanks to all the men and women who chose to defend this nation and the rights and privilages that are afforded to us as citizens of it. Your sacrifices are appreciated, and know that you are a critical piece of what makes America great.

May you ever find tranquility and harmony in this land that you given a part of your life and often a part of your very soul for! God bless you.

Thanks, all, for your comments .....


May God welcome them all in!