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Heroes Community > Other Side of the Monitor > Thread: Re-Enlistment
Thread: Re-Enlistment This thread is 2 pages long: 1 2 · NEXT»
Consis
Consis


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
posted August 04, 2005 08:12 AM
Edited By: Consis on 4 Aug 2005

U.S. Army

I'm currently in the process of trying to re-enlist in the military. More specifically: a 'combat medic' in the United States Army.

I would like to hear what other people think. All comments/criticisms are welcome. If you have something to say . . . then don't hold back.
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soccerfeva
soccerfeva


Disgraceful
Famous Hero
banned
posted August 04, 2005 08:22 AM

What? Does the army in the states pay that well? Damn,my country demands compulsary National Service for all males. Why you wanna be a combat medic? Your field of interest?
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Romana
Romana


Responsible
Supreme Hero
Thx :D
posted August 04, 2005 11:25 AM

I think you'll miss your children a whole lot since you've been with them 24/7 for a long time, but I guess you know best  

Good luck
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vlaad
vlaad


Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
posted August 04, 2005 12:43 PM

Quote:
I'm currently in the process of trying to re-enlist in the military. More specifically: a 'combat medic' in the United States Army.

I would like to hear what other think. All comments/criticisms are welcome. If you have something to say . . . then don't hold back.

Perhaps you could tell us (and yourself) WHY you want to re-enlist...
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bjorn190
bjorn190


Responsible
Supreme Hero
Jebus maker
posted August 04, 2005 01:00 PM

Consis I thouhgt you were not well enough to serve in military again? Things better now?

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Valeriy
Valeriy

Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
posted August 04, 2005 01:37 PM

Since you asked for honest opinions, please don't be offended. I think putting your energy into making sure the greedy governments can bully others is what contributes to so much suffering and death on our planet.

On a personal level you get brotherhood, glory and common cause, feeling brave and sense of making a difference. That's what governments want people to feel from being in the army. In reality you do what you are told, and you are not to question your orders. If you are told to act inhuman to other human beings, it's "honorable" to do so. If you don't, you're a wussie or a traitor.

What I think takes real bravery is thinking your own thoughts and doing what you believe is right. Not being told who is your enemy and believing it. Not "defending your coutry" against those whom it provoked.

What takes the greatest courage are universal human values. A clear resolve not to cause harm. Or do you plan to create more peace by adding another soldier to the army? Any peace you add this way will be rather "local".
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Lord_Crusader
Lord_Crusader


Promising
Supreme Hero
UHU!! supreme!
posted August 04, 2005 06:25 PM
Edited By: Lord_Crusader on 4 Aug 2005

I think if you love your country there some betters ways to serve your country... I mean the USA army is used as instrument by the high politicians and I think they don't have a true interest in the nationalism...
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Dig Out Your Soul

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Consis
Consis


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
posted August 04, 2005 06:26 PM bonus applied.

Thankyou All For Responding

~Romana,

You are exactly right. That's what I'm currently trying to deal with. We are looking at asking a friend to be a nanny for the 18 months that I'll be gone. The recruiter is telling me my division would be going to Afghanistan.

~Soccerfeva,

Yes the Army pays that well. When I was in the Airforce, almost 7 years ago, the enlistment bonus was $3,000 for 6 year sign-up. Now it is $15,000 bonus for the same commitment. That's an increase 5 times as much. And that's not because of economic inflation; it's Bush's incentive to get people to join.

~Vlaad,

Please read the letter that I have written for all the people in my life who are asking me the same question.

~bjorn190,

Yes you are correct that I was very much a fat slob for a long time. But I've been working very hard to get back into good health and physical capability for the job I would be doing.

~Valeriy,

You are of course quite rational in your thinking. Please read the letter that I have written.

Here is the letter:
I am writing this letter for some very important people in my life. What I say here is of my own free will. I understand if some people might not want to read this letter. I think that’s perfectly reasonable because I understand that not everyone thinks or feels the same about any number of things to talk about in life. I simply want to try to do a better job helping you understand why I think and do the things that I choose to do. Perhaps a better understanding of my actions might help to inspire a little more acceptance of who I am. Please know that the things said in this letter are of my own opinion. My opinion is my own and no one else’s. I speak only for myself. As I am only one man, my opinions should be seen as no more or less; that is of course: one man’s opinion literally in a world of billions of people.

I wish I could simply say to all the people, who’ve told me what a terrible idea and decision it is, that it’s what I want to do with my life. But as simple as that may be, I know my decision would affect many people who are very close to me. It is what I want but after having spoken and discussed the matter to great lengths with a great number of people, it is very clear to me that I am the only person I know who thinks this is a good idea. After having heard no small amount of disgust, grievance, detest, anger, frustration, and flat out disagreement, I feel ever more compelled to do what I think is right. I have not heard one single person tell me that they think anyone at all should even consider serving in the United States Army. But to me this logic is flawed. One of the things that hold our republic together is our nation’s military. And no matter how many people I tell that it is a vital institution, no one will listen to me. I’m consistently met with the argument of there being no war to fight at current. But there are two wars currently being fought by our military. And the one being conducted in Iraq is highly, if not completely, unjustifiable. I never voted or even agreed to this war. In the last election I did in fact vote for President Bush to be re-elected only because I felt it was his mess that needed cleaning in Iraq. I’ve always known in my heart that his true interest lay in strengthening the military. It is my personal belief that he is a man with very little visionary means when compared to the legacy of our founding forefathers. But regardless of whether I disagree with the way he’s run this country’s military into a foreign nation that should’ve never taken place, I also know that I can’t simply disagree. I know in my heart that if I truly wanted to help that which I support the most, the soldiers, then I should get up off my couch, turn the television off, and help them in the best way I know how. I was trained to be a combat medic by the United States Air Force and that is my greatest contribution to the soldiers whom I know also have families and friends of their own. I ask myself how many other people are willing to help them now instead of complaining about all the things that are wrong with the country. And I answer that I shouldn’t worry so much about what other people are doing and thinking. I answer that if I think something needs to be done, then I should be the one to do it.

In life, I have come to live by a philosophy that I feel most closely defines who I am and who I want to be. I believe it is better to be a knight than a king. I’m no leader; never have been and never will be. I believe in a life of service to a just cause. This also means serving other people whom I feel would need the support of the best worker bee. I’ve always felt that a king is so busy and stricken with tasks and responsibility that he never has the time to truly live life the way life was meant to be lived. Stopping to smell the flowers is so important because I think it helps a person gain a better appreciation for the good things in life. The good things in life are things like: being happily married, having children, being a dedicated and hard-working parent, a trusty reliable old house to live in, good friends, good food, and good company(which may not always include your good friends).

I also believe that a person must learn to forgive or he/she will never be able to enjoy the good things in life. This is the reason why I go to church regularly with my wife and children. If you can’t learn to do this, you might as well have a drink from a devious flask of poison bought off the local apothecary. That’s what hatred, insecurity, and an unforgiving attitude would to the inside of a person’s heart. It’ll eat away at the thing which you hoped you would become; a good person.

I also believe that a knight’s greatest contribution is his attitude and willingness to help in the best way that he is able. I believe in myself and I know I can help the men and women who serve in our country’s armed forces. I don’t have to tell you that I once took an oath when I first joined the military. In that oath I promised that I would help to protect and defend all of this country’s people, branches of government, laws, rights and regulations, and the freedom which all of those represent. The presidency by and large leads the country whilst our congress writes the laws for governing it, and our courts do their best to give our laws a fair interpretation. And all of that must be determined and supported by the people who created it. I believe that exactly as our declaration states, ‘We are The People’. I can’t tell you how many discussions I’ve had with Jennifer arguing about what a person can actually do in today’s world. She has argued that voting is pointless because it won’t change anything. And I’ve gone and asked other people who’ve said the same as her; that people have very little ability to change the way this country is being run.

I’m not one to tell people what to do or how to live their lives. I think it’s best to let my actions speak the volumes I’m looking to have people understand about myself. For the past almost seven years I believe I have done just that. I’ve been a good father, a good husband, and a good friend to the people that I am able to affect; exactly as the serenity prayer suggests you should do. I think that’s important.

But now is the time for me to go out into the world and help our soldiers where ever they may be. I know in my heart that this is where I belong because this is where I can do the most good. You probably don’t understand my background in the AirForce. I think my wife would have a difficult time explaining it to you. I will say this, of all the people in the military that are combat medics, I am one of the few who have an extensive, long, and interesting history. That is not to say that I am better than anyone else; but rather that I am good at what I do. Because I know this and the United States Army knows this, decency and reason rule the day. It’s important that people understand I not only could consider re-enlisting, but that I should consider re-enlisting.

The more people I speak with and hear one more reason why the ‘war is wrong’, ‘I shouldn’t go’, or that I’d be ‘crazy to consider it’ leads me to an inexorable foregone conclusion. It is my opinion that too many people think that they have too many reasons why they shouldn’t be the one who joins the Army. But if one were to look upon this with reason and logic then one might be inclined to understand; if everyone thinks that someone else should do the job then no one is left to serve in the military. Then the question remains, “If not you then who?”

The job of serving in America’s armed forces is of no small responsibility, danger, or significance. That is not to say that being a parent is any less important. I have experienced both and I believe both can be equally challenging in my opinion. There are obviously many differences between the two. I feel these two jobs are my best contributions to this world at this point in my life. I believe I can be the best possible person by doing both and by working hard to be a good parent and a good soldier. All the people have said to me that they cannot be done successfully at the same time. Some people have told me that, ‘If you serve the military then you will abandon your children. They will not have their father when they need him’. Other people have told me that the job comes first, otherwise you are simply getting off easy by sitting at home while brave men and women work hard and make great sacrifices to make our country proud in this way.

You see I’m not like some people who might hear these two arguments. My background in the Airforce and working in hospitals gives me an exceptionally qualified objectivity that other people might not normally have when discussing this very topic. Because of my background and experiences, I know a great deal about how things work in the military. When I sit at home and watch the news I know what they mean when the reporters describe the rigors of being a soldier in today’s world. I know the advantages, the setbacks, and many of the quirks that a soldier might experience. I feel I have an understanding that makes watching the news of our soldiers a difficult thing at times. Sometimes I wonder if I could’ve made a difference. Sometimes I wonder if I could’ve used what I know and what I’ve learned to help save the lives of some of the soldiers who found their way home in a coffin. And then I say to myself, “I don’t know, maybe I could make a difference. Even if I only saved one life then that would make a difference. That would be one less soldier that died and one more son or daughter who made it home to see their families. I’ll never know by simply sitting here at home and watching the reporters tell their sad woeful stories. I’ve got to try even if there is only a very small chance that I could make a difference. That would be something I can be proud of. If I don’t try then I’d surely be guilty of ignoring the truth ”.

I believe that my special contribution in this world, at this point in my life, is that I am capable of doing both successfully. I know in my heart that I can be a good father and a good soldier. This is who I am and who I want to be.

I am here to answer “yes”. I am here to tell people that I will do it so that they don’t have to. I believe a draft hurts more than it helps. I am comfortable with this setting of workplace environment and so why shouldn’t I go and do the job. It’s a matter of honor, loyalty to my country, and of dignity for children to see in their father. All of my wages and benefits would be sent back to my wife regardless of what I do in the service of my country. I think it is the right thing for me to not simply be a good father, but also a good soldier.
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Roses Are RedAnd So Am I

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Khayman
Khayman


Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
posted August 04, 2005 09:22 PM

Weigh your decision carefully before taking your calculated risk...

Jake,

Thanks for being honest enough to share your thoughts and feelings in regards to your difficult decision.  I will not try to talk you out of your decision, nor will I try to re-assure you it is the right choice, but I would ask that you carefully read the rest of this post before executing your decision.

If you truly believe (in both your heart and mind) that this is the right decision, and you are willing to risk your life for what you believe, then so be it.  Life is all about taking risks, as long as those risks are well-calculated, which is why they are called 'risks' and not 'gambles'.  It is foolish to 'gamble' when the stakes are so high.  However, if you have carefully weighed the odds and still think it is the right thing to do, then the 'reward' had better be well-worth the 'risk' involved in your decision.  

The biggest risk that most people ever take in their mundane lives is getting behind the wheel of their mundane car and driving to their mundane job, all for just an average salary that provides them with an average life, with a little sense of satisfaction and an even lesser chance of finding out who they really are.  Needless to say, I admire 'risk takers', because they are not willing to stand there and watch as the world, and life, passes them by.  Progress is never made without some type of risk or sacrifice.  If you are satisfied with your life as it is, then there is no need to take any more big risks.  If you feel some sort of drastic change is required, then by all means, carry out the plan of the day.

Just keep this one last thing in mind, Jake...Will the rewards for risking your life outweigh the sorrows of your loved ones if your calculated risk does not pay off?  That is the question that I asked myself after 11 years of risk taking.  I cannot ever determine what is right or best for you, my friend, but I can tell you that when I revisit my decision, I am 100% certain that I made the right choice.  I hope you will make the right choice as well.

~ David
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"You must gather your party before venturing forth."

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pandora
pandora


Honorable
Legendary Hero
The Chosen One
posted August 04, 2005 09:38 PM

As much as I want to simply post - don't go. I won't do that.

If its something that you believe that you have to do - then I really would have no choice but wish you the best and hope you come back safely.


I think that marriage is a partnership, and that means compromise sometimes, as a wife I know that if my husband were to make this decision without my support I would have a serious issue with that.


And your children are used to having Daddy there all the time, this will have a tremendous impact on them - especially since your wife is against it.

But again, I don't mean to sound like I'm laying guilt on you. I can't even imagine the difficulty you are ahving in making this choice. No one knows better than you what is right for you - and the people who love you will learn to respect your choice even if this decision terrifies them.

Reading this post, and your letter fills me with such dread - but I am a war hating Canadian, I guess its to be expected. Whatever you decide, whether I like it or not, you have my support and my friendship.

(but don't go )
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"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

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vlaad
vlaad


Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
posted August 04, 2005 09:50 PM
Edited By: vlaad on 4 Aug 2005

There are many humanitarian organizations out there, such as USAID. You make a real difference (AND make a living).




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haile73
haile73


Promising
Famous Hero
posted August 04, 2005 10:42 PM

gogogogogogogogoogogogogogogogo :-P















on a more serious note: don't go

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Khayman
Khayman


Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
posted August 04, 2005 10:44 PM

Point well-made, Vlaad.
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"You must gather your party before venturing forth."

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Valeriy
Valeriy

Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
posted August 05, 2005 07:33 AM

Quote:
...I was trained to be a combat medic by the United States Air Force and that is my greatest contribution to the soldiers whom I know also have families and friends of their own. ...

...I believe in a life of service to a just cause. This also means serving other people whom I feel would need the support of the best worker bee. ...


You've also been trained to help those whom comrade calls "allies" while inflicting suffering on those whom comrade calls "enemies". Don't you feel "enemies" might need as much support of the best working be? Or are you deciding that one group is more worthy of your help than the other? They all have families, and by playing this game you help one group be obedient, mindless and inflict suffering upon the other group and their families.

Quote:
I also believe that a knight’s greatest contribution is his attitude and willingness to help in the best way that he is able.


Regardless of how you see it Consis, you are doing the easy thing that does not require you to think your own thoughts. Cause defines the knight. Heroes 3 teaches us about death knights.

Quote:
One of the things that hold our republic together is our nation’s military.


What holds your republic together is a desire for peace and prosperity. Military ensures that this peace and prosperity is bestowed upon a select group at the expense of many other groups.

Quote:
I don’t have to tell you that I once took an oath when I first joined the military. In that oath I promised that I would help to protect and defend all of this country’s people, branches of government, laws, rights and regulations, and the freedom which all of those represent.


Boys also promise to marry their mothers and never do. It's time to look at it as a man and to take the bold words out of your promise.

Quote:
I believe that exactly as our declaration states, ‘We are The People’.


And you're going to act in a way that adds 'and they are not'.

Quote:
But if one were to look upon this with reason and logic then one might be inclined to understand; if everyone thinks that someone else should do the job then no one is left to serve in the military. Then the question remains, “If not you then who?”


Yes Consis, if not you then who is going to think about the way to help all humanity and all soldiers and their families rather than select group you belong to at the expense of the other? It's easy to be a martyr and do what you are told. It's hard to think about what's right for ALL people of earth and to act on those beliefs in a way that makes a difference.

Most people don't do anything about making the world better. You've decided to do something about it. But you are taking the easy way which will do as much harm as good, if not more. The way to make real difference is much harder than this Consis, and often there is far less glory involved.

Quote:
... And then I say to myself, “I don’t know, maybe I could make a difference. Even if I only saved one life then that would make a difference. That would be one less soldier that died and one more son or daughter who made it home to see their families.


Perhaps you forgot the word "American" in front of "soldier", and completely ignored that some human children, like yours, just of another country, wouldn't see their dead soldier father because of your select help.

Quote:
It’s a matter of honor, loyalty to my country, and of dignity for children to see in their father.


It’s a matter of pride, helping some people at the expense of others, inability to think of a better way, and of teaching your children that people of some countries are more deserving than others.


Said in all respect, your desire to make a difference, and to do something about it is admirable. The way in which you intend to do this will produce this benefit in a small locality, and will be counterbalanced with proportionate or exponential devastation in the rest of the world. Think Consis, and find a way that works to achieve what you want, on a global scale.
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You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
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2XtremeToTake
2XtremeToTake


Promising
Supreme Hero
posted August 05, 2005 07:51 AM

Just a short statement...I do support the soldiers overseas, but not the war itself.

Consis while I don't agree with your decision on a personal level, i can see why you are doing it.


Quote:
What holds your republic together is a desire for peace and prosperity. Military ensures that this peace and prosperity is bestowed upon a select group at the expense of many other groups.


Valeriy. Whether you like it or not, todays world is as it has been for the entire history of humanity. Only the Strong survive. People are going to fight one way or another.

Would you rather no country have a military, while international terrorists roam free?
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I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.

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Consis
Consis


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
posted August 05, 2005 08:00 AM

Valeriy,

Is this the same argument you give your own country's men and women who choose to join the Australian Armed forces?

I think you have an idealistic view of the world. It's common for college students to be so idealistic. You choose an ideal that you like and then you preach it before practicing it. I'm not looking for any glory of any kind. And if you think this decision of mine would be in any way 'easy' then you have much to learn about the real world. And also for your information, not that it matters to you, a medic is obliged to deliver medical treatment to all persons within his/her sphere of influence. That includes the 'enemy' soldiers and civilians as well. That is part of the job. Under our laws, even if I am captured, I am required to give medical aid to my captors.

It would be nice if we lived in a world where wars did not occur. World peace would be great.
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Roses Are RedAnd So Am I

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2XtremeToTake
2XtremeToTake


Promising
Supreme Hero
posted August 05, 2005 08:06 AM

Um..Consis..not to sound off topic but i dont think Val lives in Australia.
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I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.

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Valeriy
Valeriy

Mage of the Land
Naughty, Naughty Valeriy
posted August 05, 2005 10:58 AM

I live in New Zealand. And yes, this is the same argument I'd give here. In NZ it's possible to be a part-time soldier. And you can gather what size of army a coutry of 4 million people has. If anyone decides to capture New Zealand, it will be a piece of cake. Even without any warfare - just cut off oil tankers and leave the country with no petrol, and the effects will be devastating. Or even simpler - deny the renewal of NZ's short-term debt, and NZ is an economic bankrupt - then IMF and WB can do with it what they've done with other third world countries. NZ just doesn't have any resources worth capturing, and the land is cheap for overseas investors to buy anyway.

I don't have an idealistic view of the world, I am an idealist and the world is in horrible shape. Please point out where I preach before practicing. My ideal is that humans and animals shouldn't be treated with cruelty, so I don't eat any animal products and I do a lot to reduce how much petrol I consume and how much waste I create. Each person can make a one person difference and that is what I'm doing. I don't sponsor industries and companies that I don't approve of by not buying their products. I don't put my energies into causes that I don't want to exist, and I sponsor what I want to see more of with my energy and my money. I don't want to see more armies and wars so I have not and will not sponsor them. I also seek to eliminate any indirect sponsorship - such as consuming petrol.

I am clear that your decision is easy compared to what it takes to come up with and DO something that will help soldiers and their families of ALL countries, WITHOUT helping any of them wage wars.

I was not aware of medic's obligation to treat enemy soldiers. I think this is a very humane approach within the confines of an army. However, the primary aim of an army medic is to strengthen the ranks and make the army more formidable in war.

Quote:
Valeriy. Whether you like it or not, todays world is as it has been for the entire history of humanity. Only the Strong survive. People are going to fight one way or another.

Would you rather no country have a military, while international terrorists roam free?


Do you have disabled people in your city? Why do they survive? Why do others spend their resources to help those who are weaker? Why don't children get killed for not being strong enough or smart enough? This is humanity.

People of the same nation will help weaker people of their nation, for this reason: "they are one of us". Only the strong survive philosophy does not apply there. In distant past it wasn't necesarily like that. Barbaric people have clearly understood something ethical.

Sometime in the future, if people think more rather than do what they are told, they will realise that whole world is like one nation, every human of every nation is "one of us". Armies are a symptom of "us and them" worldview. Supporting the army is supporting that worldview. If you really believe that we are all like one nation, you will not be able to join an army that fights wars to make one group of people better off at the expens of another group.

Plenty of terrorists (not all) are provoked by the countries they terrorise. Read about IMF and World Bank to find out more. I made a thread about this a while ago here. Armies are used to enforce actions of the World Bank and IMF, among other things.

I don't like preaching and posted this because you've asked that people speak if they have anything to say. If you don't want any more of my comments I will respect that.
____________
You can wait for others to do it, but if they don't know how, you'll wait forever.
Be an example of what you want to see on HC and in the world.
http://www.heroesofmightandmagic.com

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bort
bort


Honorable
Supreme Hero
Discarded foreskin of morality
posted August 05, 2005 03:34 PM

Just passing through, but some things are more important than a retirement...

Good luck Consis.  I've a good friend who is a marine combat medic.  He was in Afghanistan.  He's seen snow I can barely imagine even when he tells its.  He's home now (thankfully).

For the reference of others, if Consis gets deployed to, for instance Iraq or Afghanistan as a combat medic, he will spend more time treating the locals than treating US soldiers.  Often times, the field hospitals are the only medical treatment around for miles and they don't close their doors (or tent flaps as the case may be) to people because they don't have the right uniform.  And yes, that includes people who just tried to blow them up.

Everyone whose read many of my posts knows that I'm intensely opposed to the Iraq war and the Bush administration as a whole.  We can argue back and forth about why it is that the only medical treatment available in these areas are army field hospitals or whether or not the US soldier in the area should be there at all (I'm gonna guess most people here know which side I'll be on in both debates).  Neither Consis nor any of us here has any control over those things, though.  However I'd imagine that nobody here will argue that if somebody has a chunk of shrapnel in their gut, no matter who they are or cholera from contaminated water or any multitude of things that can happen, they deserve medical treatment.  Consis can provide that and has control over that, so good for him for doing it.


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Consis
Consis


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Of Ruby
posted August 05, 2005 05:29 PM
Edited By: Consis on 5 Aug 2005

Thankyou For Responding

~Valeriy,

Your arguments are welcome by me. I disagree but I still respect your opinion. And I don't simply respect your opinion out of acknowledgement of it being the civil thing to do. I also respect it your opinion because I wish your opinion made the world as you hope it would become. I've heard a lot of meaningless idealistic arguments ranging from 'stop killing trees by using so much paper' to 'don't shake my hand in today's bacteria-ridden world'. Those arguments are complete nonsense in my opinion and I often imagine physically striking the person uttering such idiotic paranoid delusions. But Valeriy your argument to be more conscious of the world of human beings with which we all are trying to vie for survival is quite rational I believe. I think it's a good argument and I would gladly keep my damn mouth shut whilst you and your fellow philisophical supporters speak your mind. I think the world does need more visionary thinkers such as yourself. But whilst you and yours gather and rally for the cause, there are soldiers in immediate harm's way. This is where I believe I fit in. I'm not a political man of any savy whatsoever. I've never swayed a single soul to change even one opinion. People don't listen when I speak and probably for good reason. I don't like to waste time trying to convince folks of what the right thing to do is. I'd just as soon rather get out there and do it myself so they can see what it was I was babbling about. In fact, that's a good description of what my skills of persuasion should be seen as; utter gibberish.

So I've decided to help in the best way I know how whilst people with a greater talent for persuasion stay where they are and fight the good fight for saving man/woman-kind from itself. You guys keep up the debates and I'll get out there and hand out a few more iodine tablets, sew up a few more open wounds, drag a couple more injured but living soldiers from the direct line of fire, and offer a few more peanut-butter&jelly sandwiches to some starving 3rd world children who live off goats and stagnate ecoli-infested water.

~bort,

I don't know if it's true of course, but the recruiter is telling me that my division is supporting the rotations to Afghanistan. And to be honest, I'd much rather go there than to Iraq. I won't know for sure until my boots touch base eh? So goes the infinite wisdom of common sense I suppose. . . That's the way things work in the service. Sometimes they tell you one thing and you end up doing something different.
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