Let down by USA forces once again

[amiquechu 0]

They were laughing about something they had no control over. They have probably been desensitized because of the time they've spent in a war zone. They didn't kill anyone on purpose. They're just soldiers trying to get by and live through another tour of duty.

But it's apalling that these guys didn't stay home so they could go to UC-Berkley and spend all day sipping coffee, reading Shakespeare, and discussing how morally and intellectually inferior everyone else is.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

But it's apalling that these guys didn't stay home so they could go to UC-Berkley and spend all day sipping coffee, reading Shakespeare, and discussing how morally and intellectually inferior everyone else is.

You forgot to slip in the obligatory reference to Starbucks.

I don't find the Darwin award stuff funny

Maybe you need a drink. And a few hours of sleep.

[Peikko 1,575]

Ok, so here's my question. Are we now suggesting that it's ok to become dehumanized in a war zone? If so, how can we be outraged at the 'appalling' conduct of those 'evil doers' from the 'other side'? Either there is a standard that we as humans believe in, or there isn't. If there is, then those found wanting on either side do need to be called out when they deviate from or fall below these standards. If not, then beheading of prisoners, everything is simply collatoral damage and that's it.

I just don't understand the double standards. However, I am sure the enlightened will be only too happy to let me know how it all works to 'our' advantage.

[baxxy 0]

Why don't you go to Iraq and save all those radical bomb loving muslims and then report back to us and let us know if they listened to you anymore than they did the previous 3,000 plus USA soldiers that have died for that country of theirs! I have friends knee deep in sand and fighting and dealing with those people each and every day just trying to make it out alive, and then all these liberal tree hugging Barry Ovomit loving anti war doves sit home in their AC climate controlled rooms in the safety of it all here in the USA when our USA soldiers are fighting so people like can attack and judge them. Well it is about time someone said something, this anti USA stuff needs to stop now. We all owe everything to those men and women fighting for us in the USA army and far be it for you or me to sit and judge them until you have been it their position, God Bless America!

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=977_1218460000

zqt I bow down. Thank you for being outspoken and saying it like it is, you're so right, this anti American stuff really needs to stop.

They were laughing about something they had no control over. They have probably been desensitized because of the time they've spent in a war zone. They didn't kill anyone on purpose. They're just soldiers trying to get by and live through another tour of duty.

But it's apalling that these guys didn't stay home so they could go to UC-Berkley and spend all day sipping coffee, reading Shakespeare, and discussing how morally and intellectually inferior everyone else is.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Ok, so here's my question. Are we now suggesting that it's ok to become dehumanized in a war zone?

I believe the suggestion is that due to the very nature of combat itself, people in combat will change to cope. Not all people are alike, so obviously, they'll all change in very different ways.

Which is why combat needs to be entered into carefully and thoughtfully. The price of combat isn't just the money spent or the lives lost, but the lives changed forever.

[LaL 418]

Ok, so here's my question. Are we now suggesting that it's ok to become dehumanized in a war zone? If so, how can we be outraged at the 'appalling' conduct of those 'evil doers' from the 'other side'? Either there is a standard that we as humans believe in, or there isn't. If there is, then those found wanting on either side do need to be called out when they deviate from or fall below these standards. If not, then beheading of prisoners, everything is simply collatoral damage and that's it.

I just don't understand the double standards. However, I am sure the enlightened will be only too happy to let me know how it all works to 'our' advantage.

[HAL 9000 96]

FWIW I believe soldiers MUST be held to a code of standards as much as the rules of engagement allows for civilians to be left out of combat and combat-related targets. The example of the woman in the video is clearly not provoking an attack and should have been warned of the impending danger set about by our troops that had factual and material knowledge of the detonation.

Using wartime excuses is no replacement for following the ideals and rules we ourselves promise to follow in those same cases when signing on the dotted line of service.

[amiquechu 0]

Ok, so here's my question. Are we now suggesting that it's ok to become dehumanized in a war zone?

I believe the suggestion is that due to the very nature of combat itself, people in combat will change to cope. Not all people are alike, so obviously, they'll all change in very different ways.

Which is why combat needs to be entered into carefully and thoughtfully. The price of combat isn't just the money spent or the lives lost, but the lives changed forever.

true dat

[Brad and Vika 129]

The Vietnam-era vets that trained me back in the day behaved this way too. I think the gallows humor and lack of respect for human life are part and parcel of long exposure to combat. When even peaceful civilians carry weapons all the time, and the average person in the region looks just like the people trying to kill you, it starts feeling like every one without a uniform is the enemy. Feel that way long enough, and you have no sympathy for their pain, and don't hesitate to put people in danger if they aren't "one of us". It keeps the average soldier or Marine from going crazy I think. Their pain or hardship can even be funny because they aren't people - they are the enemy.

I think Chris Rock said it best "that ain't right - but I understand".

[Peikko 1,575]

Maybe AJ, maybe, I certainly could do with some sleep. I have one of these stupid 'summer' colds and sleeping is a bit hit and miss at the moment.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Ok, so here's my question. Are we now suggesting that it's ok to become dehumanized in a war zone? If so, how can we be outraged at the 'appalling' conduct of those 'evil doers' from the 'other side'? Either there is a standard that we as humans believe in, or there isn't. If there is, then those found wanting on either side do need to be called out when they deviate from or fall below these standards. If not, then beheading of prisoners, everything is simply collatoral damage and that's it.

I just don't understand the double standards. However, I am sure the enlightened will be only too happy to let me know how it all works to 'our' advantage.

Easy. Us. vs. Them.

The reason humans are likely doomed, I'm afraid.

[amiquechu 0]

The Vietnam-era vets that trained me back in the day behaved this way too. I think the gallows humor and lack of respect for human life are part and parcel of long exposure to combat. When even peaceful civilians carry weapons all the time, and the average person in the region looks just like the people trying to kill you, it starts feeling like every one without a uniform is the enemy. Feel that way long enough, and you have no sympathy for their pain, and don't hesitate to put people in danger if they aren't "one of us". It keeps the average soldier or Marine from going crazy I think. Their pain or hardship can even be funny because they aren't people - they are the enemy.

I think Chris Rock said it best "that ain't right - but I understand".

That should clear things up for some. Good post, Brad

Like I said in an earlier post, who knows if she was a suicide bomber or trying to draw American soldiers out there so they could be shot by hidden snipers?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Maybe AJ, maybe, I certainly could do with some sleep. I have one of these stupid 'summer' colds and sleeping is a bit hit and miss at the moment.

[Peikko 1,575]

You might be right Agnes, you might be right.

[baxxy 0]

The Vietnam-era vets that trained me back in the day behaved this way too. I think the gallows humor and lack of respect for human life are part and parcel of long exposure to combat. When even peaceful civilians carry weapons all the time, and the average person in the region looks just like the people trying to kill you, it starts feeling like every one without a uniform is the enemy. Feel that way long enough, and you have no sympathy for their pain, and don't hesitate to put people in danger if they aren't "one of us". It keeps the average soldier or Marine from going crazy I think. Their pain or hardship can even be funny because they aren't people - they are the enemy.

I think Chris Rock said it best "that ain't right - but I understand".

Very well put