Let down by USA forces once again

[Peikko 1,575]

Back, back not the dreaded NYQUIL! Evil doer, take your poison and begone!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What is your problem with Nyquil?!?!

It's good and it's legal!!

[HAL 9000 96]

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".

This is also another thing to ponder- the social element of American society's desensitized youth is starting to come through in wartime scenarios. These are psychosocial behaviors that are manifesting themselves under the structure of all the indoctrination of military life- and that could be a worrying trend.

[Peikko 1,575]

I just don't take anything for a cold - except the old folklore remedy honey and lemon. I thought nothing worked against the common cold except fluids and rest. At least although I am at work, I am not expected to work. My boss is feeling benevolant again

[amiquechu 0]

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.

That stuff works magic when I get home late at night from the gym and can't get to sleep. Best sleep I ever get is "Nyquil sleep"

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I just don't take anything for a cold - except the old folklore remedy honey and lemon. I thought nothing worked against the common cold except fluids and rest. At least although I am at work, I am not expected to work. My boss is feeling benevolant again

Oh I don't take Nyquil for the curative effects. I take it so I get knocked out. It's a good way to kill a few hours.

Best sleep I ever get is "Nyquil sleep"

You know it. Nyquil is awesome!

[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".

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?

Thanks. I just want to say that I am not trying to excuse bad behavior, just put up an explanation. This kind of stuff is where PTSD comes from too. The young men sometimes have to shut down emotionally just to do their jobs.

[zqt3344 21]

Dah, I agree, an eye for an eye. And the USA has many eyes to find yet for our loses during 9/11/2001!

Eye for an eye

[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?

Thanks. I just want to say that I am not trying to excuse bad behavior, just put up an explanation. This kind of stuff is where PTSD comes from too. The young men sometimes have to shut down emotionally just to do their jobs.

It's hard for some to understand this. We don't experience in our cubicles what soldiers experience in a war zone.

[Peikko 1,575]

So, is it bad behaviour of is it not? For a while there I thought what was being argued was that it wasn't just understandable but bad behaviour it was acceptable behaviour because circumstances were their own justification.

[Peikko 1,575]

Oh good grief, yeah, I'm a moron who thinks war zones are nice fair places blah blah blah and just sit in my cubicle moaning on and on about how those silly US soldiers are being ever so naughty, imagine, laughing at those poor innocent civillians never realizing that they might sometimes not be innocent at all, oh the niavity. Bullshit, that's not my argument.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Purple_Hibiscus

[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".

This is also another thing to ponder- the social element of American society's desensitized youth is starting to come through in wartime scenarios. These are psychosocial behaviors that are manifesting themselves under the structure of all the indoctrination of military life- and that could be a worrying trend.

Now I think THAT is where Abu Graib (I know I spelled that wrong) came from. Completely different than the combat related stuff.

[LaL 418]

Thanks. I just want to say that I am not trying to excuse bad behavior, just put up an explanation. This kind of stuff is where PTSD comes from too. The young men sometimes have to shut down emotionally just to do their jobs.

It's hard for some to understand this. We don't experience in our cubicles what soldiers experience in a war zone.

There is no misunderstanding here. The reaction to this woman possibly getting blown up (laughing) I can put a cause on it however distasteful I might find it. What I wanted to know if how far does that lend to other behaviors. the reactions I received regarding Abu Ghraib gave me my answer. If some want to shrug their shoulders at putting people on leashes, piling them up naked while giving the thumbs up - calling it eye for an eye - whatever.

[zqt3344 21]

Ok then curious how would you fight this war on terrorism?

Thanks. I just want to say that I am not trying to excuse bad behavior, just put up an explanation. This kind of stuff is where PTSD comes from too. The young men sometimes have to shut down emotionally just to do their jobs.

It's hard for some to understand this. We don't experience in our cubicles what soldiers experience in a war zone.

There is no misunderstanding here. The reaction to this woman possibly getting blown up (laughing) I can put a cause on it however distasteful I might find it. What I wanted to know if how far does that lend to other behaviors. the reactions I received regarding Abu Ghraib gave me my answer. If some want to shrug their shoulders at putting people on leashes, piling them up naked while giving the thumbs up - calling it eye for an eye - whatever.

[Brad and Vika 129]

So, is it bad behaviour of is it not? For a while there I thought what was being argued was that it wasn't just understandable but bad behaviour it was acceptable behaviour because circumstances were their own justification.

I never said the posted clip represented anything like good conduct. Just that from personal experience I can understand where they get the attitude.