| Author | Message | ||
     Christopher Dynak (Adtoolco) Member Username: Adtoolco Post Number: 138 Registered: 08-2002 |
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed how it is politically correct to support the troops but not the war and or the President. A stradegy to not look as foolish, fortunatly a veil thin one. | ||
| Blue (Bluegill) Senior Member Username: Bluegill Post Number: 2149 Registered: 02-2002 |
you're right in spirit, but i think it's more like: It IS PC to actively NOT support the war and or the president, and it is NOT PC to NOT support the troops. | ||
| Christopher Dynak (Adtoolco) Member Username: Adtoolco Post Number: 140 Registered: 08-2002 |
Good clarification Blue...Thats what I was trying to say. | ||
| Bryan Crosby (Bcroz) Member Username: Bcroz Post Number: 53 Registered: 03-2002 |
too bad i never worried about being politically correct on either count. | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 347 Registered: 02-2002 |
Not so difficult to understand if you think about it: I personally think George Bush is a failure as a diplomat. Period. He didn't think inspections were working / going to ever work. I'm not sure I even disagree with that notion. My personal opinion is that we should work diligently to build relationships with the Arab world through trade, humanitarian efforts and diplomacy. We should have reduced or eliminated sanctions on Iraq and Cuba and sincerely embraced people of Islamic faiths. I view this policy as more thought-out than anything that has played-out so far. The U.N. was never going to get serious about it, and we're creating myriad new fundamentalist enemies through our current action. Try and explain your Heartbeat of America consumerism bullshit agenda to someone who drops to their knees three times a day in prayer and has no place in his religious belief or money for that Chevy Avalanche. They don't want a McDonalds over there - do you fucking get it?! Our nation-building efforts blew up the WTC, not six guys with box-cutters. If Saddam was such a terrible threat, let his neighbors deal with him - save for Saudi Arabia, not one of them is interested in our assistance in the matter. Now we're in a war. At the same time, I'm for a big military and don't ever want an enlisted to think that I don't appreciate what they do and have done for my family and the country. My friends and family are over there now fighting for people who don't even want us there and could give a shit about "liberation". Do I think we're there for oil - no. I think we're there because the current administration had a hard-on for the regime that his daddy left in office twelve years ago because they would have started WW3 getting him. Clinton's foreign policy lacked the conviction to bring any resolution to Iraq, or any international rift for that matter. Again, patriotism should not be blindly related to bloodthirst. I'm counting the minutes until Bush is out of office - I don't think he should be there in the first place. More than half the country agreed with my position. Again, bygones - revisionist history is bullshit anyway, isn't it? I don't have to support our president, because he is, and always has been a half-assed failure in everything he's done. He drove every company he was directly involved with straight into the ground, and Texas has the worst environmental record on record. This is fact. Don't tell me I need to support the president and his criminal friends to support and love those that do his bidding. He should send his own deadbeat kids over there to die. So should Cheney and Rumsfeld for that matter. Americans have sent their own loved ones who are far more worthy of protection through concerted, cohesive diplomatic efforts. Bullshit on you. e | ||
| Tom V (Cozmo) Member Username: Cozmo Post Number: 137 Registered: 09-2002 |
Yes I agree war sucks, people die in war and thats hurts. In the long run this war will be the best thing for US-Arab relations. After Iraq falls we will set up a new government in Iraq. It will be a democracy. It will be the first and only democracy in the area. Personal freedom is contagious. Other countries will follow. Why do they hate us so? As a youth you have little hope for the future. You don't have control of your destiny. You best not speak out against the ruling family. So you hate America after all we are the ones buying the oil, giving the shiek the money to stay in power. Long run this war will do wonders for relations in the area. But it will get worse before it gets better I just hope we have the guts to tough it out. I would hate to see any of my co-works or friends die in vein. | ||
| Blue (Bluegill) Senior Member Username: Bluegill Post Number: 2153 Registered: 02-2002 |
I personally think George Bush is a failure as a diplomat. Period. He didn't think inspections were working / going to ever work. I'm not sure I even disagree with that notion. what a lovely contradictory statement. Our nation-building efforts blew up the WTC, not six guys with box-cutters. now you're just being an asshole. If Saddam was such a terrible threat, let his neighbors deal with him Excuse me, but we are his neighbors. The world isn't nearly as big as you seem to think. And it's round, not flat, in case you didn't get that memo either. At the same time, I'm for a big military and don't ever want an enlisted to think that I don't appreciate what they do and have done for my family and the country. LOL - see Christopher's first post that started this thread. You've given a us all a fine real-world example. Man oh man, LOFL... | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 58 Registered: 02-2003 |
A great many Americans don't deserve the services of the guys who put their lives on the line for us. Any fool can stand on a street corner and shake his fist talking about peace. It takes a different class of person to pick up an M16, and DO something about it. | ||
| Blue (Bluegill) Senior Member Username: Bluegill Post Number: 2154 Registered: 02-2002 |
I take comfort in the fact that the armed forces are putting their lives on the line to protect that which is America, not just the individuals who live here for about 60 years or so. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 171 Registered: 02-2002 |
Perrone - I agree. We owe them our liberty and freedom. Erik - I was amazed at the contradictions in your first paragraph. I think you need to reread and rethink what you wrote. "I personally think George Bush is a failure as a diplomat. Period." - how long would you have kept up the diplomatic efforts given France would veto ANYTHING that the US proposed? It was all about Frances future role in the world, not Iraq. "He didn't think inspections were working / going to ever work. I'm not sure I even disagree with that notion." - please reread your previous sentence. How could Bush fail at diplomacy if you agree that inspections would not work? "My personal opinion is that we should work diligently to build relationships with the Arab world through trade, humanitarian efforts and diplomacy." - With a dictator who slaughters his own citizens? "We should have reduced or eliminated sanctions on Iraq and Cuba and sincerely embraced people of Islamic faiths. I view this policy as more thought-out than anything that has played-out so far." - So your ready to convert to Islam? Have you really thought that out? "The U.N. was never going to get serious about it, and we're creating myriad new fundamentalist enemies through our current action." - So if the UN was never going to get it, how can Bush fail at diplomacy? "Try and explain your Heartbeat of America consumerism bullshit agenda to someone who drops to their knees three times a day in prayer and has no place in his religious belief or money for that Chevy Avalanche. They don't want a McDonalds over there - do you fucking get it?!" - I thought you said we should build relationships though trade? I think your the one that doesn't get it. "Our nation-building efforts blew up the WTC, not six guys with box-cutters." - ah yes, we are responsible for the WTC. That says it all. "If Saddam was such a terrible threat, let his neighbors deal with him - save for Saudi Arabia, not one of them is interested in our assistance in the matter." - mmmm, Jordan has helped us. Iran stops a suicide boat. Qatar opens up it's military base. You over-simplify a very complex political relationship in this area of the world. As for his neighbors taking care of him, Saddamm has like the 4th or 5th largest army and does have WMD. I also agree with Blue, the world is a small place. | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 776 Registered: 08-2002 |
Erik, your rationale REALLY scares me! | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 33 Registered: 03-2003 |
Erik, There is an overall strategy for this operation. It was clearly outlined in the past weeks on ‘Frontline’, hardly part of the rightwing propaganda machine. As Tom pointed out it is aimed at bringing democracy and individual freedoms to a region that does not have it, (one exemption is Qatar). In time, (years), Iraq is to be a counter weight to Iran. Iran is even closer to nukes and has far closer ties to terrorism. I am sure that we can all appreciate not having a thermo nuclear devise going off in our neighborhood. The majority of the ‘guys with box-cutters’ came from Saudi Arabia. Our friend, but hardly a representative government. You mention the Arab world but ignore the conflict of Sunni v. Shiite; the silent moderates v. the fundamentalist, Persians v. Saudis. It is not as clear as you want it to be. Look at the history, the British and French did no one a favor by drawing arbitrary lines in the desert. Today we, the only superpower left, are trying to clean this up. This is not a shot in the dark policy. The Bush Doctrine is a radical departure from consensus building, (UN), policy. Yes that opens up a whole new topic. I do not quite know how to take the ‘enlisted’ bit. Do you support them just because they are pawns? Do you pity them? Most are very capable of thinking for themselves. Case in point is the people you know that are over there. Also an example while I was at 3/75th Ranger Battalion from 93-96 as an ‘enlisted’, my friends and I had the following degrees at the time: political science, psychology, a Masters from Yale in International Relations, (studied at Oxford), and a double political science & history. Thank God that the U.S. has a professional military. I am glad that you support the ‘enlisted’, but it goes back to the whole point of this thread. Stacey | ||
| Lester Ray Gerber (Raygerber) New Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 22 Registered: 09-2002 |
Erik- In the interests of not jumping overboard with this and just dogpiling your post, I will limit my comments to just a few of the statements you made. Last time I checked (which was right before I wrote this when I picked up the copy of the Koran on my desk) a fundamental pillar of Islam is to pray FIVE times a day, not three as you espoused in your anti-western rhetoric. Perhaps a bit more study would do you some good in this venue, as last time I checked the 9/11 attacks were conducted by 19 hijackers on 4 planes, simple division means that more than six people were responsible to the two towers falling. I'm not sure how we're going to get fundamentalist Muslims to hate us more, its fairly evident the lengths they are willing to go to show us. The good news is we're killing them where they live, and thus retaining the initiative in this conflict. News Flash-the U.S. is not a democracy, its a democratic republic. Perhaps another document to find after the Koran would be the U.S. Constitution. Just b/c several states with a large popuation voted for one candidate does not mean the rest of the country must suffer under the rule of the candidate chosen by the urban population centers. Furthermore I think the midterm elections indicated a shift in the mindset of most of America-much to your chagrin I am sure b/c we are all ignorant peasants. My last comments directly reject your commentary on support for the "enlisted," your lack of knowledge about the military illustrates your half-hearted attempt at "support." As a Marine Officer I can say without hesitation that enlisted soldiers/sailors/Marines/airman/coasties do the work and I love them for it. However, I will also point out that in the past three days I have seen two of my officer friends wounded in this conflict, one will likely lose a hand and the other caught a load of shrapnel. Somehow I guess they wandered into this fight to participate as part of the U.S. Armed Forces team. Luckily they are both alive and that is something to be thankful for. Your ignorance of our military further illustrates the fact that while you have an opinion and are entitled to it, that in no way means that your opinion is based on facts nor should anyone else care about it. Bottom line is you are dead wrong-but the refreshing thing about this is the majority of the country doesn't agree with you. | ||
| Christopher Dynak (Adtoolco) Member Username: Adtoolco Post Number: 149 Registered: 08-2002 |
Wow, Lester... Thank You and every member of the Military including the Commander In Chief, but escpecially those who have died or been wounded. You do us a great service. -Chris P.S. - Pass on a big, "HOORAH" from home! | ||
| Christopher Dynak (Adtoolco) Member Username: Adtoolco Post Number: 150 Registered: 08-2002 |
And the families(Can't forget them)...Wars are also won at home. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 173 Registered: 02-2002 |
Erik - Some facts: Counties won by Gore: 677 Counties won by Bush: 2436 Population of counties won by Gore: 127 Million Population of counties won by Bush: 143 Million Square miles of country won by Gore: 580,000 Square miles of country won by Bush: 2,427,000 States won by Gore: 19 States won by Bush: 29 Electoral system works. Considering that the Democrats had the White House and a percieved good economy (it was headed down before the election), Gore's loss was huge. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1959 Registered: 02-2002 |
Ray, sir, thank you. -L former 0311 | ||
| Lester Ray Gerber (Raygerber) New Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 23 Registered: 09-2002 |
Leslie- God love an 0311, there is nothing finer...except maybe the platoon of 8541s(Scout Snipers) that I had the greatest honor of my life to be in charge of for two years.  regards Ray | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 348 Registered: 02-2002 |
My bad - five times a day. | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 349 Registered: 02-2002 |
None of you know me but for what I post here, or anything of my family who is in Iraq now or my friends who are hunkered-down just 70 miles southeast of Baghdad. I'm terrified for them and hope I get to see them again. My brother-in-law's father is 54, a reserves mechanic and now in northern Iraq servicing transports. My grandfather served on the Arizona. My father and his brother served in the Army and Navy in Vietnam. I know a bit about our military - and have no issues with military spending or the use of force. I still disagree with our push into this war and think Bush scores a "D" on his "coallition". LOL on the "dictators who kill their own citizens" comment - we've been making deals with and putting these guys into power for a long time. While I know that it was a group of hateful foreigners who committed the attack on our cities, killing my friends and changing our lives forever, I have no illusions that we've done nothing to put our country in this position. Had we not been attacked on September 11th, you would have seen Bush pull us far, far out of alliances and nation-building - that is the direction we were headed until that fateful day. I'm not certain where the line is between commerce and nation-building, but I don't think we've necessarily made many friends through these efforts. I might live in San Francisco, but I'm no peace activist. I've never been to a WTO rally, and I do vote and I do support our troops - even if I think this war should have been averted. It frustrates me that we're in a fight, and that we're the one's making the sacrifices - France pays no homage to our efforts in their country and the U.N. is effectively worthless on matters of confronting rogue governments - but is this war still the best cause of action? e | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 174 Registered: 02-2002 |
Well Erik, maybe there's hope for you yet :-) How do you live in San Francisco!? This is a defining moment in the history of the world. Like it or not, France and Germany are has-beens. Defending freedom and liberty does have sacrifices. Sadly some nations think they have both but in reality have neither. A couple of articles that set things in perspective: Iraq War Will Divide The World for the Better The Wall Street Journal ^ | 3/28/3 | DANIEL HENNINGER http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/878286/posts On Europe's Perfect Storm ... Mark Steyn: The Yanks are going home The Spectator (U.K.) ^ | 03/15/03 | Mark Steyn http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/863764/posts | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 35 Registered: 03-2003 |
Erik, You have hit it. The UN is “effectively worthless”. The French, well…. So President makes some decisions to protect the average person here at home using the professionals that are trained to do this type of job. The US is now going to use preemption when assessing regimes around the world. This opens a whole Pandora’s box. Does the US have enough money to do this? Maybe if it stops funding the UN. Is the US going to be pissing off the majority of the world with this new Bush Doctrine? Yes. I do not know how it is going to work out. The US is jumping in with both feet. Check out the Colin Powell thread, and go to the State Dept. link. Mr. Powell covers the idea of aid v. military during the Q/A at the end of his speech. Stacey | ||
| Jim H. (Victor_mature) New Member Username: Victor_mature Post Number: 24 Registered: 02-2003 |
Anybody who is anti-war but proclaims "support for our beloved troops" is a two-faced fence-straddler who doesn’t have the stones to take a stand (one way or the other). To criticize the action is to criticize those who are participating in it. You can’t rail against the actions of an army and then quickly add, “Oh, but I support the soldiers.” That’s like telling somebody that they’re a fucking idiot and then adding, “Oh, but no offense.” You can say the war is wrong, but what does that say to the troops who are fighting it? You can say the President is wrong, but you’re also telling the troops DIRECTLY under him that they’re wrong. You can say bombing Iraq is wrong, but you're also saying the crews in the bombers are wrong. If you're anti-war/anti-Bush/anti-whatever’s_trendy_today, that's fine, really, everyone has their opinion. But don't be a hypocrite, you either support the military or you condemn them. As a former soldier I know that when you criticize the actions of our Commander in Chief, you criticize the forces that serve under him as well as the Nation, the Flag and the men and women who defend both. Jim | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 287 Registered: 11-2002 |
Eric... How many "Dixie Chicks" cd's do you own? | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 37 Registered: 03-2003 |
Mark, Just read the link on Europe. It reminds me of an old poli sci joke. What is heaven in Europe? A German organizer, an Italian lover, a French cook, and a British policeman. What is Hell in Europe? A German lover, an Italian organizer, a French policeman, and a British cook. Stacey | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 351 Registered: 02-2002 |
I'm no fan of the Dixie Chicks, but I don't let actors' and musicians' points of view dictate my stance on issues either. People who put too much stock in the opinions of "entertainers" who have three therapists and receive weekly Botox injections need to get a life. I've worked with enough "big-names" in the entertainment industry to know that they don't have any of the answers - save maybe for Bono and Ms. Streisand, who have them all! Next to these luminaries of intellectual thought, my opinion is worthless too. So I'll stop espousing after this next remark: I think Bush is an idiot - no offense. Cheers, e | ||
| Kevin Bridges (Craniac) Member Username: Craniac Post Number: 71 Registered: 02-2003 |
Erik- You say your Grandfather served on the Arizona and your father and his brother served in the Army and Navy in Vietnam. That makes me seriously think you must have been adopted. Ill bet its a fun time around your house come the holidays | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 354 Registered: 02-2002 |
We sit around the table debating the virtues of war - except for my grandfather, because he's dead. e | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1964 Registered: 02-2002 |
Ray, Funny you should say that.... although being near-sighted (also the reason I couldn't pursue being a military pilot) and left-handed were two strikes against me, it was being in the reserves but not near St Louis that kept me from getting a slot to Quantico to Scout-Sniper school... but hey, being the high marksman in my platoon got me an ACOG to go on my '16 at the time... It's one of those constant what-ifs in the back of my head.... what if I had been a regular instead, what if I had gone on to OCS instead of picking a family-oriented career and getting out , the way dad was urging me (he's a former Marine too, and didn't want to see me raising a family that way).... if I had been single I'd have eventually become a Mustang, but, then I wouldn't have these three dear munchkins of mine that I get to play with everyday... Thing is, because I didn't stay in, I get to do what I want to do every day, but also because others like yourself chose to be in there to afford me the opportunity to live a good life in freedom; if I had stayed in there, I'd be working my butt off so others could do what I'm actually doing now instead of me doing it myself now... (if you read that right, it makes sense, but if you phrase it wrong as you read it, you can't make heads or tails of what I said....). If I could go back and do it again, I suppose I'd not change it because I do have these kids that I love so dearly, but, if there was a way to now pull a second career and go back (albeit 10 years younger than I am now!) I really think I would... Anyway, take care of your Marines, and yourself. Semper Fi... -L | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 38 Registered: 03-2003 |
Erik, OK, you trust Mr. Powell. Look at this man's journey in the whole process. Going all the way back to Bush,(41). It is Powell the former warrior who is the voice of reason against the hawks in the administraiton. Yet now, Mr. Powell has realized that enough is enough, and he is in a lock step with what is going on. As others on this board have stated no reasonable person wants war and it's effects. I am sure that your family dinner conversations arrive at that. Truly, what are some specific alternatives? Thanks Stacey P.S. to all, where the heck is Paul G. | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 355 Registered: 02-2002 |
At this point there is no alternative. A swift, decisive victory is the best we can hope for, and that Syria, Iran and Turkey don't get drawn further into the fray. e | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 40 Registered: 03-2003 |
I agree. The best to you and your loved ones that have been, and are in harm's way. Stacey | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 569 Registered: 09-2002 |
Watching tv tonight and seeing that most of the casualities thus far are Marines, part of me wants to be back in and be with the Marines on the front. I want to be back there to do my duty again. My situation is very different now. I was single then, I voluntiered for everything I could and I don't ever remember a time when I worried about the impact of loosing my own life. Now with a wife and 4 kids I know that that part of my life is over but I can't even imagine what it would be like to leave my kids not knowing if I would ever see them again and I can't imagine what my wife and kids would feel as they watch me pack and throw on the flak jacket and hard shell. My emotions run high as I hear about our troops loosing their lives and I think about their family. I hope with all my being that we finish this job and that the lives lost and the sacrifices made are all remembered and honored as we free Iraq. God speed to all that are serving our country, this country apreaciates your sacrifice. And to those that feel the way Erik does....you are able to speek your mind without fear because of the men and women, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters that will give their lives for your right to express your veiws. God Bless America. | ||
| Rich Lee (Rich_lee) New Member Username: Rich_lee Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2003 |
Stacey, I think the full description is below. Heaven is where: All of the cooks are French All of the police are British All of the lovers are Italian All of the engineers are German All of the managers are Swiss Hell is where: All of the cooks are British All of the police are German All of the lovers are Swiss All of the engineers are French All of the managers are Italain My only comments on this whole situation are these: I take care of a lot of servicemen in Special Forces, Air Force Para-Rescue, Satellite Intelligence, Combat Strategy, etc. Most of them have served recently in Afghanistan some have even been in northern Iraq. All of them are very intelligent, thoughtful, pleasant, relaxed and very self confident. None of them have any major problem with anti-war protests, since they see this as an ongoing example of how America is a country that values freedom and allows differences of opinions, even in wartime. They don't expect everyone to agree with US policy and have more important things to worry about than protesters. Secondly, I am making plans to join an international medical relief effort to northern Iraq, once the dust settles. Unlike MSF (Doctors Without Borders) our mission depends on enough security and stability to minimize the risk of us getting kidnapped or killed. I only hope the post-war program is well thought out. Anyone who is serious about restoring goodwill among the Arab world or Islamic nations should view Thomas Friedman's documentary "The Road to 9-11", which aired last Wednesday night on The Discovery Channel. As one of my Special Forces patients said in our discussion over this. "Anyone can kill someone from a hostile country. It's a lot more challenging to save lives and change hearts and minds". I hope I get that chance to life up to that challenge (and survive it). Anyone who protests what our government is doing should spend some time in a third world country, and/or in service to people who are suffering in this country. I recomment the same experience for anyone who thinks these protesters should be shut up. | ||
| Todd W. McLain (Ganryu) Member Username: Ganryu Post Number: 176 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ray, Slightly off-topic here, but, I was just wondering where your currently stationed at? If you (or any other Marines, past or present) ver make it to Okinawa, drop me a line. Unfortunatly, the Land Rover communinty is very very small here and I miss having people to converse with. | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 571 Registered: 09-2002 |
Todd, I was at Coutney in Okinawa. Where are you at? | ||
| Todd W. McLain (Ganryu) Member Username: Ganryu Post Number: 180 Registered: 10-2002 |
Brian, I live almost exactly between Courtney and McToureous. Work in Chatan, next to Foster. | ||
| Lester Ray Gerber (Raygerber) New Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 24 Registered: 09-2002 |
Todd- I'm in Norfolk right now doing purgatory with a Navy staff. I am victim of my own timing. Came off float and went to AWS, and was sitting in Quantico when 9/11 happened, but b/c of overseas control dates and such I was due to do an "out of fleet" tour, so they sent me here-which isn't bad b/c I get to see my little girl grow up but I feel a lot like the fireman who has to stay in the station while everyone else responds. I am holding the monitor to 24 months on station as promised, and will probably go back to Lejeune, but the second choice is Oki just to go somewhere new-not sure if the disco is coming with me though. Leslie-how did you like your ACOG? When we did Urban Sniper/MSPF/MEU-SOC stuff I had 8 of them and we had to mount them on the carrying handles, they were beat up but worked well, although I will say a flat top reciever would be the way to go. Sorry this is not germane to the original discourse, I think that topic has ran its course though. r- Ray | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1968 Registered: 02-2002 |
I concur about the original topic, but that's also normal for a Dweb thread to turn into something else... I liked the ACOG a lot better than the OEGs... I didn't like that little transparent mini-dixie cup with the translucent red toothpick inside it sticking out.... one of my eyes is a lot stronger than the other, so the superimposed red-dot concept didn't work as well for me as it probably should have. The ACOG was as tough as the 16 itself. We, too, had to mount 'em on the carrying handles... didn't bother me about that, was a little more comfortable since I'm not a little guy (at the time, I was still in decent shape in the ~190lb range, whereas now my 6' frame has extra flab putting me up to 240  ....) I was in 3/24, first in Lima Co. for a year then went to India Co. Only regret about leaving L was that they had just gotten Zodiacs, and I would have gotten to have gone to coxswain school. India, though, we went to Ft Campbell all the time to practice MOUT helo assaults... so I got to ride 46's (only ones I got to fast-rope out of), 47's, 53's, and Blackhawks too, in addition to the occasional 130 on a dirt strip (ouch). Got to go on a 3-week JTF mission once, out to California, working with the Forest Service, actually... we set up on forest land doing LP/OP to look for drug-related activities in the Canyonlands above Malibu... looking for people watering downhill crops from the road edge, or the roadside meth labs that drove up from LA, etc.... I learned a lot about drugs that I had no idea about before on that trip... -L | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Senior Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1372 Registered: 02-2002 |
Everytime I hear about another Marine casualty on the News, it hits home pretty hard. I have a lot of buddies over there that are kicking ass and if you ask them about Bush, they will give you a thumbs-up! Ray, If you make it back to Lejeune, look me up. I am in Jacksonville working on the Air Station. Paul Morgan Former 6175 CH-53A/D/E Mech & Crewchief | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1969 Registered: 02-2002 |
I hear ya, Paul.... The time it really hit home was when I was watching the news coming in from Somalia, and one of the Marine grunt casualities was a fella who I was in infantry school with there at Camp Geiger... I made the mistake of telling my wife that, and she was beside herself over it for a week or so... -L | ||
| Lester Ray Gerber (Raygerber) New Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 25 Registered: 09-2002 |
Paul- I'll definitly look you up, ironically I got my Disco from a guy in 4th MEB (AT) who had just bought a WRX and couldn't afford both vehicles at the same time. We were in Emerald Isle on vacation and getting beer and food at the PX and saw the truck in the "lemon lot" down by the MFCU. Next thing you know, here I am. I got good news this weekend, a very good friend of mine who is with TF Tarawa picked up some shrapnel in his leg, arm and of course: buttocks... but he's alright though and his wife say's he's going back in about a week and now I can give him hell for getting shot in the ass. Aside from that good news I concur that its getting rougher to watch the news and wait for someone I recognize to show up. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1975 Registered: 02-2002 |
A WRX eh? lol.... I traded my '99 Disco I in on a pair of '02 Imprezas, a 2.5RS (WRX w/o the turbo) and an Outback Sport for the wife. A month later she was rear-ended on the interstate, and didn't want another smaller car, so, we found a '95 Disco for her.... -L | ||
| Todd W. McLain (Ganryu) Member Username: Ganryu Post Number: 185 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ray, If you should make it to Oki, I would recommend leaving the Diso at home. I've seen too many guys that bring their POVs over only to see them rust in a parking lot due to MoT import restrictions. The ACOG's seemed like a pretty nice sight. Our IW shop got a couple of the early models in for training purposes right before I got out. I could see where a better mounting system would be beneficial ... maybe something like the later-model flat-top M4's the army has. Seems like it would keep the diferent sights lined-up a little better. I don't know if you guys ever got to play with them, but one of my favorite sights is the PAS-18 for the stinger. Unscrew the stinger bracket and it fits right down on the 16's receiver. Hell of an improvemant over the PVS4. BTW, my invitation still remains open .... anyone coming to Okinawa (Marine, Army, AirForce) need only drop me a line and they've already made one friend on the island. It get's a little lonley here ... at last count, there are only 16 LR's on the island (not including an additional 5 that are sitting in car lots.) |
