The Semantics of War
September 15th 2007 14:00
During World War 2, there was an ugly little group who worked studiously to aid the Axis and defeat the Allies. They found ways to sabotage everything from weapons to aircraft. They did their best to guarantee defeat and undermine our military. They sponsored people like Tokyo Rose and others who did their best to damage the morale of our troops. (The same troops now referred to as the "Greatest Generation"). Our military and the families that stayed at home, were constant targets of anti-war propoganda and lies about what their loved ones were doing to win the war. These miserable creatures were called "Fifth Column" back then.
We are no less at war today. Not against uniformed soldiers who fight "by the rules", but against terrorists who blow themselves up to kill others. We're fighting people who use their own children as weapons. The future of the world was at stake during WW2, folks. Fascism was marching against freedom, just as the terrorist factions are marching against freedom today. Now, as then, we have a very similar group, determined to lose this war and permit our enemy to win. Only the name has changed. What used to be called the "Fifth Column" is now the Democrat party.
We are no less at war today. Not against uniformed soldiers who fight "by the rules", but against terrorists who blow themselves up to kill others. We're fighting people who use their own children as weapons. The future of the world was at stake during WW2, folks. Fascism was marching against freedom, just as the terrorist factions are marching against freedom today. Now, as then, we have a very similar group, determined to lose this war and permit our enemy to win. Only the name has changed. What used to be called the "Fifth Column" is now the Democrat party.
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Comment by Jim Stillman
SL, there is such a thing as a “loyal opposition”. I totally disagree with the actions and positions of George Bush, my president. But he is my president and for you to equate love of country with political support of an incumbent officeholder goes beyond any sense of reason.
You should be, but likely will not be, ashamed
Comment by Ahmed
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Her double standards and narrowmindedness is the result of a very narrow upbringing, she has no sense of morality, she'll lie to get some random point across or say provocative words that have no meaning beyond being provocative.
People like her, its what dicators are made of, people like Hitler or Stalin, they embodied the same core ideas, that being right is all they could be and that the enemy was everyone but themselves.
Thats how you can kill millions of people with no regret or feeling of remorse, by displacing all feelings of guilt and accountablity to a fairy tale of excuses. Thats what Bradish uses to justify saying what she does, she doesn't need proof, she doesn't need reason much less logic, all she needs is an entity to which she can load all her feelings of guilt and accountability to get across her ultimate ideology.
Which is of course, a 'proud white christian nation founded on the bible and the teachings of jesus christ' (or some shit like that).
Whats ironic is that she doesn''t even follow the teachings of Jesus, she might go to church, but thats just another way of displacing guilt and accountability, because anyone with half a brain knows one of the most important things the Christian version of Jesus taught was 'love thy enemy'.
Ah well, her kind doesn't get far, they tend to be of the inbred nature. Seriously, lower IQ = more racist. Fear the educated, the 'intellecualist', fear those who have even a passing knowledge of other cultures for the reality of the matter is simple, and it has to be simple, all blame in the world lies everywhere but in yourself. At least thats how peoplel ike Bradish see things.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by S.L. Bradish
As for you, Ahmed, you know nothing whatsoever about me and are becoming a pain in the ass. Why don't you go play with some nice little boys and grow up. Until you do, kindly stay off my blog, you will be deleted. I'm sure you're very proud of getting rid of Opinionatedranter. You can't shut me up, Ahmed. Stop wasting my time.
Comment by Ahmed
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Actually bradish, now read this good bradish.
I'm not like you.
See?
Don't try to think about my feelings in terms of you, I don't feel proud for 'getting rid' of anyone, I'd rather youranter stayed.
Thing is, I believe in freedom of expression, youranter can say anything he wants and I won't stop him from saying it. I will put him down for saying stupid things like you do, but I won't ever try to even in the slightest keep him from saying something he wants to.
Why? Well see, I believe in freedom, unlike you, I believe everyone should have a right to say waht they want. What happens afterwards I take no responsibility or caring for. Say something stupid, be treated like an idiot, but by all means, say that stupid thing, you have every right in the world to do so.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
As for comparing me to Rush, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity etc. Thank you! I'd rather be grouped with them than the 5th Column and Tokyo Rose, where you seem quite comfortable.
Comment by Ahmed
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Is it for the democrat party? Or are they unpatriotic bastards who are hell beant on demolishing your country through some evil liberal conspiracy?
Do they deserve freedom if what they stand for is an end to the Iraq war? Do they truly deserve that feedom?
Oh no, I wonder hwo you plan on riggling your way out of this one
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Ahmed
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I won't stop you. I mean, I always wonder why you don't. I figure you're too scared you might learn something on one of my blogs, be it about technology, movies or videogames.
haha, how many times must I tell you I'm not a liberal? I'm a centrist and at most extreme you can lable me as a libertarian. To put itmost accurately I'm a centrist leaning slightly towards libertarian.
Now, why don't you put on your lil tight ass shoes and trot over to my blog and tell me what a liberal buffoon I am? Don't forget to use the word 'liberal' as an insult, because thats what calling someone liberal is, an insult.
'oh you liberal!' 'me? who you calling a liberal, I'm a crazy inbred hillbilly!'
Comment by Jim Stillman
live long and prosper, SL. It's been interesting. You may, of course, write as you will on my site, although I would prefer to cool it with the name calling.
Comment by Ahmed
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What I am is an evil freedom hater siding with China for Americas ultimate downfall.
Though in all fairness even a sensible american would side with china for americas ultimate down fall, after all, china makes those little american flags people wave around on independence day.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Ahmed
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Shouldn't they all be locked up or something/ I mean come on, aren't they trying to give america away to evil people who are worse than hitler?
Jumping to Iraq, meh, you dont really know my opinion on Iraq yetyou're jumping to conclusions, goes to show how open minded you are
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Ahmed
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Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Ahmed
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I'm not willing to get into more than one point with you bradish, you're incredibly stupid and can't manage to juggle two points simultaneously wihtout fusing them into one which just makes things confusing. I'm not willing to waste time trying to peel apart topics you mash together
I will say this though: Once again you're jumping to conclusions which again further shows how narrowminded you are.
Comment by Jim Stillman
General Patraeus is not the person who deserves criticism that should be the persons who put him in front of Congress to catch the arrows. . . I do not blame the General. In the finest tradition of his position, he is falling on his sword to protect his commander.
Criticism of the civilian policies which are performed by the military is not an attack on the latter. Our Constitution assigns responsibility of declaring war and financing the efforts on the Legislature. I’m sorry that you feel this wrong, but remember, you would cheer a GOP dominated Congress determined to bring down a Democratic president. Oh that’s right; you guys did that.
What names and terms do you toss at those who have honest disagreement with you? What used to be called the "Fifth Column" is now the Democrat party.
I know your response will be that I should leave if I am that displeased with government policies. Sorry, that’s not how it goes.
And in spite of your condemnation of “touchy-feely”, we had better damn well learn to respect each other’s viewpoints.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Ahmed
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Comment by S.L. Bradish
If you find yourself in a quandry (as Joe Lieberman did) how will you act? Will you knuckkle under to the worst of your party like Hillary, Edwards and Obama have done? Or would you stand against the insanity and support freedom like Lieberman did? Now, that's a man I really respect. He's a patriot! I don't agree with his social policies, but he stepped up to the proverbial plate and did what was right for his country.
Comment by Ahmed
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Cheers
Comment by Jesse Mitchell
SL, you have your hands full on this one. Accurate but a little boldly put. Sometimes offering issues like these are better if you talk slower and easier... you know the whole "catching more flies with honey" thing, it may apply here. I personally try talking to people in a way they can fully understand me... a part of the job that shines through I think. At any rate to me it is a little bold but as I said , accurate. I see the pervert Jeff is back... pay no attention to his overwhelming ignorance and need to crawl into the spotlight when ever he can. Child molestors and those that advocate them are often consumed with, and live in, the darkness.
I really don't have much to say here since you have obviously jumped into it with both feet. I will see what I can add later--- if you don't beat me to it.
Just remember, it is like these type of people to attack all at once. Don't let it get to you. You have so many supporters that can actually read that you don't need to worry about the few and far between that feel the need to make themselves known by uneducatedly objecting to both logic and fact.
On a more personal note, I was out of town on business and saw the interview on tv. You were wonderful. So, not only are you a writer but also considered a 'political analyst' in very important circles. And here I thought you were just a clever cookie
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Jesse Mitchell
Well, that pretty much sums it up doesn't it. Thanks SL, you took the words right out of my mouth.
They don't like the facts, it makes them look bad.. oh, uh, worse.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Have either of you served in the armed forces?
Yes or no will do; I've no interest in slinging crap. There's been enough of that already.
I'll comment after I hear your answers...
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Jesse Mitchell
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
My question was asked so that I could determine whether or not you had actually served. The opinions of civilians regarding military members and what their feelings are about serving during wartime tend to generally be misguided; mostly due to propaganda issued by other civilians.
I asked because the general tone of Ms. Bradish's articles that mention U.S. troops appears to be along those same lines of propaganda, and you obviously support those opinions.
Knowing or being married or related to veterans is not the same as having served during wartime yourself. For one thing, the opinions you hear from the vets you know only represent a tiny fraction of all veterans' opinions; to truly know what serving during wartime is about, you must have done it yourself.
Many veterans are against war, this war in particular, because of their own past experiences. In terms of war propaganda, our side is just as guilty as the other side of spreading around a lot of garden fertilizer in the media.
This I know from my own personal experience.
Respectfully,
D.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
While you may consider me unqualified to speak for members of the military, my right to speak for the families is obvious, isn't it? I know what it's like to wait at home and worry and pray every time the news comes on. I lost two dear friends in Viet Nam, as well as a cousin, so I do have a pretty good perspective. My beliefs and opinions are entirely my own and not "propaganda".
You didn't specify which "side" you're on...
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
To give Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton credit, the propaganda disseminated about those wars wasn't so blatantly patronizing as the crap being spread about this one though. Slogans like "These colors don't run" and "If you're not with us, you're against us, you dirty un-American P.O.S." weren't in use then--I guess the White House had a higher opinion of the intelligence level of the average American back then.
I love America, and upheld and defended the constitution of the United States for 10 rather hairy years in history. This war? I am dead against it. Doesn't make me un-American. In fact, it highlights my American status; I feel no fear of repercussion in stating that I'm against it.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Jim Stillman
No one has “disparaged” anyone.
Framing opposition to our policies in Iraq as being, somehow, the same as disloyalty and “kissing terrorists’ butts” is silly and unworthy of comment.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Jim Stillman
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Anonymous
Could you please cut and paste any statements I have made here or elsewhere that disparage the men and women who are serving now? I'd like to see them.
Don't expect me to defend myself against your last; I served for 10 years and have the medals and ribbons to prove it. 10 years means I re-upped at some point.
I probably wasn't clear before; let me reiterate in plainer terms:
As a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, I can state with compunction, based upon personal experience, that the reasons we are given to go to war and the reasons we are actually at war are often two completely different animals. I'm sure your Vietnam veteran friends can back me up on this one.
This is something one finds out when one actually enlists or accepts a commission during wartime and goes to where the war is, as opposed to relying on the media or the White House propaganda machine for information while sitting in one's armchair or at one's computer in America.
In other words: don't put words in my mouth or intentions in my or any other member or former member of the armed forces' heart, Ms. Bradish. You can't walk the walk. You've probably been no closer to a war zone than watching a documentary on the History channel. I can walk the walk, but you won't catch me speaking for any veteran but my own bad self.
Things just aren't that black and white.
You know what that last statement you made reminds me of? Something Joe McCarthy would have said.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Okay, I'm done. I'll debate till the cows come home, but what I won't do is endlessly repeat myself. My last covered your last, as well as your post before that.
It's a shame, too..I left you several good openings in that response for intelligent debate questions.
I don't participate in McCarthy-style "discussions", thanks.
See ya.
D.