tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post8852381366005219975..comments2024-03-17T08:27:53.658-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: How The Heroes DieJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-28333789414470452312017-11-14T06:02:04.499-06:002017-11-14T06:02:04.499-06:00Thank you, Jim Wright. I hope your valuable words ...Thank you, Jim Wright. I hope your valuable words will reach many. Best wishes to you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885163920735660089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64318554266669564182017-11-13T23:15:32.780-06:002017-11-13T23:15:32.780-06:00It is obvious to me that you didn't understand...It is obvious to me that you didn't understand a single word of this essay. <br /><br />It's also obvious to me that you've never served a single day in uniform yourself, let alone in war. Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-27458201794770113142017-11-13T23:04:14.049-06:002017-11-13T23:04:14.049-06:00I find your post interesting at best and disturbin...I find your post interesting at best and disturbing at the least. You don't want to be a hero...ok. You're not. You want to deny others that...not your call. We want to salute you, let us. You don't need to accept or acknowledge that...your choice. I don't like war or conflict but I will always respect and revere the men and women who defend our freedoms throughout the centuries. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-61618905258939102572017-11-13T16:55:02.988-06:002017-11-13T16:55:02.988-06:00A recent quote from Arny Steiber. He puts into wor...A recent quote from Arny Steiber. He puts into words my feelings about the military and money and war. <br /><br />"My research revealed that the main causes of war are money and markets. There is always plenty of flag-waving and bluster about the “evil ones,” but every war I’ve studied, once you begin peeling back the layers, has money and markets as a common core."<br /><br />And from 2102 - ( http://www.peacecouncil.net/pnl/may-2012-pnl-814/memorial-day-2012-a-day-to-ask-why )<br /><br />"A day for peace"<br /><br />"Armistice Day, 11/11, was originally a day to recognize the ugliness of war and vow never again to have war. Its meaning, like many things in the U.S., has been changed. Now 11/11 is called “Veterans Day,” a day to glorify the “heroes” who have been in the military.<br /><br />I’m an Army infantry veteran of the U.S. war against the people of Vietnam. I’m not a “hero,” and I cringe when people say, “Thank you for your service.” Those in the military are used as pawns in the rich man’s game of conquest. We never hear that because those in power need the military to carry out their diabolical plans.<br /><br />On 11/11, look up Armistice Day and watch the documentary “Untold History of the United States.” Recognize the day as it was intended. No matter how hard those in power try, war and its aftereffects are ugly, and it robs us of our humanity and resources. For me, 11/11 is, and always will be, Armistice Day." — Arnold Stieber, Chicago CloseToTheEdgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02313001997497582727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64313921089196512592017-11-13T10:15:22.071-06:002017-11-13T10:15:22.071-06:00"I have hope for our future and I hope that y..."I have hope for our future and I hope that you and the members of my family in the US succeed in voting into office a President and Government who feel the same".<br /><br />Sadly ... that proved to not be the case! :'(moonepowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10572164094729304289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-3306452043318827592017-11-13T07:02:13.195-06:002017-11-13T07:02:13.195-06:00Jim, thank-you for writing this...your words expre...Jim, thank-you for writing this...your words express how I have felt for years. As a Vietnam Navy veteran I would rather see action from our government (and all the 'hero' worshipers) to help the Veterans and not just give us lip service.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-59293459087046846552017-11-13T06:50:42.267-06:002017-11-13T06:50:42.267-06:00HOW TO THANK US FOR OUR SERVICE!
We didn't do...HOW TO THANK US FOR OUR SERVICE!<br /><br />We didn't do it to be thanked. Just keep out politicians who want wars for bogus reasons and don't care about us later. Remember us and support us ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST ON VETERANS DAY AND MEMORIAL DAY. <br /><br />We have long been fighting for mostly bullshit, accomplishing little except to kill and maim a lot of us and many more brown people, who hate us more and more. Meanwhile, assholes who don't have to fight get richer and richer. <br /><br />I know a 100% disabled veteran who must make VA medical appointments weeks or months ahead. Depending on his need, his round trip is 70, 180, or 300 miles. He can't drive himself. Another is happy his trip is "ONLY" 90 miles. From here (metro pop. ~140,000, but no VA hospital), it's 100 miles. <br /><br />Meanwhile, REPUBLICANS START WARS, BUT WON'T FUND VET NEEDS, SUCH AS HOSPITALS. They won't pay for us to see civilian docs, get job training, or to care for 45,000 homeless vets, and cut vet food programs. Their owners get rich. <br /><br />PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS are the ones who help us. <br /><br />TO THANK US:<br /><br />FIGHT THE REPUBLICANS! <br /><br />RAISE HELL WITH YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES!<br /><br />Republicans are all talk and worse than no action.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-45147132478973289802017-11-13T06:25:05.609-06:002017-11-13T06:25:05.609-06:00Superb essay. Thanks. Like you, I have always ha...Superb essay. Thanks. Like you, I have always had trouble with naive , or misguided, worship of the military. I spent 22 years in the USAF. Like you, my military career was divided between being enlisted and having a commission. After I retired I got a great job in telecommunications R&D, but it was in Germany. Now, retired from that 2nd career, I find myself still living in Germany (wife, kids, etc.).<br /><br />I also respond politely to thanks for my service, but it still seems to get under my skin. Living in Germany, I don't have to confront this very often. Only when I'm home visiting family. What bothers me the most is the level of commercial promotion of the military that we see today. I'm not talking about the small business or restaurant offering a veteran discount. It's more the large scale promotion like that seen in the NFL with entire teams being clothed in camo gear, soldiers all around the field and in the broadcast centers, etc. I know that much of this comes back to paid advertising, but it makes me extremely uncomfortable. This past week (due to Veterans' Day) was the worst. I read your other article about Veterans' Day, and can't agree more with your sentiments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-6363773369494106512017-11-12T19:51:43.234-06:002017-11-12T19:51:43.234-06:00Excellent essay, Jim!
Damn. You are so good at th...Excellent essay, Jim!<br />Damn. You are so good at this, we may just have to erect a statue of you somewhere. :-) <br />And there will be plenty of empty pedestals around when we get rid of these Confederate "hero" ones. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-63095836971417483202017-11-12T19:16:25.216-06:002017-11-12T19:16:25.216-06:00Mandatory reading. Mandatory reading. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08869137090208785990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-49823416018096778502017-11-12T16:37:02.877-06:002017-11-12T16:37:02.877-06:00When close friends/family sneeze around me , I say...When close friends/family sneeze around me , I say thank you - now shut up.MDarlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180112267115623180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-73780917567950888172017-11-12T16:07:12.738-06:002017-11-12T16:07:12.738-06:00I've read Aquinas. What I take from his writin...I've read Aquinas. What I take from his writing on just war is that undertaking war is just, in the sense of being allowable and even necessary, if those undertaking it have considered all other options and refraining from war would lead to worse evils than undertaking it. War is still immoral, but at times it may be justifiable because it is the lesser evil and undertaking it averts a greater evil. mellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612443682800559815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77028634452183695942017-11-12T15:12:11.127-06:002017-11-12T15:12:11.127-06:00I am ambivalent about many of your ideas. Some I a...I am ambivalent about many of your ideas. Some I agree with, some not so much. One I vehemently disagree with is your contention that all war is immoral. I don't believe that to be the case, and if I did, I would then be morally bound to stop it, or not take part. But some wars are good. One might benefit from a thorough reading of Aquinas on just war before one convicts all war.Chris McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05479943158416607591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42235247501345145812017-11-12T14:50:04.422-06:002017-11-12T14:50:04.422-06:00Remember Veterans are the ones who returned home. ...Remember Veterans are the ones who returned home. I would prefer to commemorate the deceased soldiers rather than celebrate veterans. Memorial Day is so much more meaningful than Armistice expanded to all those who did not die in war. fsinjinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843299739720602716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-75502821759318177872017-11-12T14:44:54.483-06:002017-11-12T14:44:54.483-06:00And years later you are a hero for the service you...And years later you are a hero for the service you render now. The examination of the psyche and soul of patriotism. Keep turning swords into plowshares, you modern Cincinnatusfsinjinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843299739720602716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58924053926290042452017-11-12T14:01:46.044-06:002017-11-12T14:01:46.044-06:00I am a cold war veteran. I didn't serve in co...I am a cold war veteran. I didn't serve in combat having spent my four years in Germany and at Fort Knox. I made a lot of people unhappy yesterday on my Facebook timeline by stating that I don't like to be thanked for my service. That, indeed, I, internally, roll my eyes when it comes up. <br /><br />I joined for college money. I'm the oldest of six kids of a career enlisted man. One of the few Air Force combat medics that came out of Vietnam. Had I been called to use what I learned, I'd have done it without hesitation because it was a contract I signed. I didn't want to do that and, thankfully, I didn't have to.<br /><br />I echo many of the thinks you've written here. The difference here is that the only day I don't mind being thanked is Veteran's Day. It's the other times during the year that bother me. That enshrination of veterans as "superior" bothers me.Andrew Rowlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02144664558357008165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-37946845802383874482017-11-12T13:46:04.694-06:002017-11-12T13:46:04.694-06:00A good essay for any day. It takes a wise person t...A good essay for any day. It takes a wise person to love, or even tolerate, their neighbors. War begins locally before it spreads. The hateful people who start wars should read this essay first.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15162198540669042417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-50066676677420604722017-11-12T11:52:32.694-06:002017-11-12T11:52:32.694-06:00As always, Jim, you have captured the thoughts of ...As always, Jim, you have captured the thoughts of so many. I despise the Veteran's Day hooplah. The other 364-65 days are just as important.cherittfnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852688601631321040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-52784092372987782832017-11-12T11:47:22.302-06:002017-11-12T11:47:22.302-06:00Very well written. You have said it so well.Very well written. You have said it so well.Applesinghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05564958922611606053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-90742701433956805852017-11-12T11:25:25.807-06:002017-11-12T11:25:25.807-06:00Good post did my 6 and out 2 doing stuff I by writ...Good post did my 6 and out 2 doing stuff I by written contract will send me to the brig if i relate 4 in other duties after stress became too much David Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10462751404879423690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47671531902399539652017-11-12T11:22:22.748-06:002017-11-12T11:22:22.748-06:00Spent 2 years doing stuff in europe which by writt...Spent 2 years doing stuff in europe which by written contract I will go straight to jail (No trial) and 4 doing other stuff because of the previous stress I enjoy reading your comments Jim David Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10462751404879423690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-87073603650297648552017-11-12T09:32:46.769-06:002017-11-12T09:32:46.769-06:00Thank you for yor comments. Thank you for yor comments. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739273998439341177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-18725940306642782192015-11-13T08:46:16.348-06:002015-11-13T08:46:16.348-06:00Speaking only for myself, I say, "Thank you f...Speaking only for myself, I say, "Thank you for your service," because I mean it and know no other words to express my thoughts. When I see service persons, I momentarily feel a glimpse of the fear I would feel if I had to serve in that way. I respect their choice to face the unknown, the possible horrors of war. I'm so thankful that they are there to make us safer. I am very heartened to see your view that war should be our very last choice, and you've given me a new perspective about idolizing soldiers. Thank you for your thought provoking, insightful words.Debbie Shoultzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03044675457006542189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-7362813115618760532015-11-12T16:40:54.394-06:002015-11-12T16:40:54.394-06:00You're a damn good writer. I spent my two year...You're a damn good writer. I spent my two years during Vietnam playing piccolo in the Parris Island Field Band. I recently published a book called "Buddhism for Dudes" with Wisdom Publications, and when the distributor (Simon & Schuster) found out I'd been in the Marines, they forced me to add a subtitle, for marketing purposes: A Jarhead's Field Guide to Mindfulness. I despise every word in that subtitle, and when I speak at book events, I apologize for it. I spent 1/30th of my life in the Corps, and 1/3 of my life on the mean streets of a major city doing case management for veterans coming out of prison, and teaching elementary school in Sri Lanka, where you walk only where the land mines have been cleared. I love being a Marine and am grateful for all the training. It toughened me up for a compassionate life spent in some really scary places.Geraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07049654603737586034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-10365716132285446752015-11-12T12:34:29.592-06:002015-11-12T12:34:29.592-06:00Thank you for putting into words something I'v...Thank you for putting into words something I've struggled to express when confronted with the fetishization of military service - usually by the same people who continue to vote for politicians who vote against support for veterans or who think a new war would be dandy.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15558777783218069511noreply@blogger.com