Honor...

[JunkyII]

I think skuzzy has a can

[RufusLeaking]

Any man, woman or teenager (they are a different species) who has put on a uniform and signed that piece of paper that says I am willing to give my life for the safety of my nation and those who it protects is someone to be respected and revered.

Pacman, my young, gung ho Aussie friend, I volunteered for the military during the Reagan era, and I never signed a paper saying that I was willing to give my life.  One signs up to defend the Constitution, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Regarding the OP, it is an interesting photo.  I am curious as to the circumstances.  It couldn’t have been that hot as there was a guy shooting pictures.

Brainwash in full effect.

People in the military are not mindless minions.  They are desensitized to the unnatural act of killing other people.  It is not unusual for combat veterans to have psychological baggage for the rest of their lives.  But, to call it ‘brain washing’ is a false, provocative label.

[Maniac]

See Rule #4

[LCCajun]

See Rule #4

[RufusLeaking]

See Rule #4

[SIK1]

No it's the troll that does the baiting, and it looks like he's about to set the hook.

[Maniac]

I'm not trying to bait you.

Don't mistake my attempt at an objective look at the OP as being disrespectful of those troops in the photo.  They are in harms way.  They are against those who would do harm to the Western way of life.  There is definitely the aspect of protecting US interests.  It would be hard to say that the Taleban, or Saddam Hussein had more benevolent interests than the US.

So, in short:  US = good, Crazed Theocrats (Taleban, Revolutionary Guard) = bad, Crazed Despots = bad.

That sir has nothing to do with the picture or the caption of it. And not the original posters comment. I think we all are in trouble if we are gonna stear this discussion into a political one. And it certainly has nothing to do with my comments in this thread.

[RufusLeaking]

That sir has nothing to do with the picture or the caption of it. And not the original posters comment. I think we all are in trouble if we are gonna stear this discussion into a political one. And it certainly has nothing to do with my comments in this thread.

Politics? 

Not where I was going.  More of a good vs. evil thing.  I will grant that there are gray areas. 

As seen from the inside, the US, for the most part, has good intentions.  And, as a major player in just about every aspect of global conflict/competition (economy, science, society, law, entertainment, military, etc.), the US is the obvious target for bashing.

[Maniac]

No comment.

[jdbecks]

Maybe if you were more "black and white" then people would understand you. It's alright if you don't like the United States or what we're trying to do in the world but you need to state it clearly. Step up and shout it out. Don't mince words. You seem to have a problem stating your opinion.

Let me show you how it's done.
(Image removed from quote.)
The REAL best country in the world and I'm not afraid to say it!

wrong blooz