Author Topic: 'Idiot Cards' for the US military... (Read 2070 times)

Sikboy · « **Reply #30 on:** September 29, 2002, 09:38:58 PM »

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Originally posted by Thrawn
It appears that some here think that civies aren't suppose to have an opinions either.

Regardless of what people on this board think, Sandy's point remains. The Average serviceman is not trained to talk to the media. In my opinion, a good reporter would have the average serviceman (including myself) saying the exact opposite of what we wanted to say.

-Sikboy

Sandman · « **Reply #31 on:** September 29, 2002, 09:47:30 PM »

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Originally posted by Thrawn

It appears that some here think that civies aren't suppose to have an opinions either.

I think you'll find the other sheeple elsewhere.

Civilians can have whatever opinion they please. If they want one from the military, they should ask the CINC.

As active duty, I'd never answer and try not to resent the question(s) and the questioner. Any reporter thats been around the military (long enough) knows that soldiers are not encouraged to express opinions. So.. they either get nothing for an answer or some knucklehead gets in trouble for opening his mouth when he knows damn well that he should have just shut up. The reporter is a parasite looking for a story. That reporter doesn't give a toejam about the admonishment the soldier will receive for speaking. It's all news.

Kieran · « **Reply #32 on:** September 29, 2002, 09:48:48 PM »

Look, as a coach I have had the opportunity to talk to the media. A lot.

They always get it wrong, almost without exception. Whether I am imperfect at expressing myself, or they have decided what they are going to write before they speak to me makes no difference. Wrong is wrong. In my lil' podunk world it doesn't matter much, just a few angry parents and kids. In the real world, some reporter itching to make a name for himself (Geraldo Rivera? Connie Chung?) is liable to do grievous harm to the career of an otherwise promising recruit, not to mention the damage it does on already strained U.S. military perceptions around the world. No way it's worth the risk.

Thrawn · « **Reply #33 on:** September 29, 2002, 09:51:14 PM »

Yeah that's what I was just thinking about. Every news story I've had personal knowledge has been completely screwed up.

Still a fan of a free press though. Not all reporters are bad and someone has to watch and report events to the masses. All part of a healthy democracy. It's not a soldiers job to keep reports informed. But it is the job of the report to find out what is happening and report it to the public.

Kanth · « **Reply #34 on:** September 29, 2002, 10:28:19 PM »

yellow journalism
n.
Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.

it's all we got.

Thrawn · « **Reply #35 on:** September 29, 2002, 11:28:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kanth
yellow journalism
n.
Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.

it's all we got.

Not here. You think there are abolutely no ethical new sources in the US?

Pongo · « **Reply #36 on:** September 30, 2002, 12:16:19 AM »

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Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
"You know those canadian soldiers that your f16 bombed, you know why those canadians were there in afganistan to get bombed?"

Pongo why does Canada even have an army?

Same reason that the US does. To make sure that idiots like you have the right to talk trash to your betters.

Kanth · « **Reply #37 on:** September 30, 2002, 12:54:32 AM »

I think the ethical ones stay small potatoes and so the majority don't read them. (because they don't know they exist)

not sensational enough to expand their operations and get prime time.

so, no, that's not what I think

it'd be like saying there is no life except on earth.

Quote

Originally posted by Thrawn

Not here. You think there are abolutely no ethical new sources in the US?

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #38 on:** September 30, 2002, 02:36:47 AM »

Firstly, "idiot cards" was the description the US soldiers gave to the cards - they seemed a little pissed off with them. Or maybe I was trolling (also known as trawling, in real English?)? Playing that card gets you out of anything on this board, including open racism or extremist views of any flavour. It's certainly is a great wildcard.

But no, I was serious.

Secondly, I was just curious regarding how media relations had been handled in previous conflict - wars these days seem less and less to be about the actual conflict and more and more about how the government wants to perceived to the voters.

Thirdly, I have nothing but respect for the US personnel out there, no matter the politics behind their deployment.

But just for you Grunherz, just so it makes you feel better, let me say I actually do hate America and all Americans and I wish you would all die in some horrific WMD attack so that a new Socialistic British Empire could rise again and take over the world in a velvet conquest that would rid the world of evil and make everyone a happy bunny.

You utterly comtemptible arse.

It's ok, I was just trolling.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #39 on:** September 30, 2002, 03:12:18 AM »

Dowding

Well you must understand how I could get the wrong impression about your hostitilty towards America.... Indeed your constant posts of support and encoragement of our self defense have simply passed right over my simpleton head.

"What are they afraid of and is this common in the US armed forces or just Afghanistan?"

And you cant get away with this statement Mr Jihad. It clearly implies that you have personal feelings they are are trying to hide something or attempting to mislead the public at large about their, the US military forces, true motives for the war in Afghanistan. Coming from you I'm sure it must have something to do oil, cheney, suppresion of electric cars, and the mysterious black helicopters.

Allahu Akbar Dowding!

Pongo why are you so resentful at the accidental death of your Canadian military men? Was it not an accident? Several americans died due to fratricide in the Afghan war. You arent trying to say it was more than an accident?

And my question about the Canadian army was meant to be sort of ironic. I have a hard time to imagine who would want to attack Canada, a very quiet nation apparently at these times - and by many recent posts it seems that you very left wing government seems to think the same and is letting your forces rot on the vine. Just came off wrong I wrong I guess due to my history of arguments with you regarding my UN bashing.

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #40 on:** September 30, 2002, 03:54:47 AM »

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Indeed your constant posts of support and encoragement of our self defense have simply passed right over my simpleton head.

Where does it say I need to agree with everything the US does/has done or with the policies of the current administration?

I'm constantly amazed by the fascist undertones in your rhetoric, Grunherz. Unanimity of thought, the view that it is possible to hold incorrect beliefs, pathological fear of anything left-leaning - it's really quite alarming to observe someone airing their neuroses in public.

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And you cant get away with this statement Mr Jihad.

Do I need to even pass comment? Pathetic? Imbecilic? Stupid? All succinctly describe that particular snipe.

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. It clearly implies that you have personal feelings they are are trying to hide something or attempting to mislead the public at large about their, the US military forces, true motives for the war in Afghanistan.

It clearly implies nothing of the sort. The only thing clear about it is a desire to avoid certain sound bites being given by personnel - you could describe the upper echelons of command being 'afraid'; I wanted to know how prevalent this had been in the past. It really is as simple as that.

But paranoia is a terrible affliction.

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I'm sure it must have something to do oil, cheney, suppresion of electric cars, and the mysterious black helicopters.

Strange. I don't think I've ever mentioned those things in discussing Afghanistan. I've never even discussed helicopters, black or otherwise, on this board. You must be confusing me with someone else - have a good long think about it, and get back to me.

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Allahu Akbar Dowding!

lol! You couldn't even spell it right. Am I supposed to be Hawaian as well as an Islamic fundamentalist? Alloha!

Keep going Grunherz. You're doing a brilliantly self-aware hatchet job on yourslef.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #41 on:** September 30, 2002, 04:21:04 AM »

"The only thing clear about it is a desire to avoid certain sound bites being given by personnel - you could describe the upper echelons of command being 'afraid'; I wanted to know how prevalent this had been in the past. It really is as simple as that."

And what would you want them to say? Do you think it will be another victory for your types like Vietnam?

As for the spelling "Allahu Akbar" I have heard both "Allah Akbar" and "Allahu Akbar", however I will defer on this issue to you as a certified London trained jihaddist.

Why on earth do you have such a hateful attitide towards the US army? Did one of our boys steal your girlfriend? Was your daddy a US GI who abandoned you? Why? What has the US army ever done to you? I am all for somemewhat irrational hatreds as I certainly hate the UN peacekeeping forces but at least I have some reason for it based on their pitiful performance in my old country - they let thousands of innocent people die right infront
of their noses. But your hatred even I dont understand....

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #42 on:** September 30, 2002, 04:42:56 AM »

People who wear their ignorance as a badge on their shoulder are two-a-penny on this board. But you, Grunherz, positively revel in it. Perhaps it would have been interesting to me to compare certain individuals experiences of Vietnam or any other conflict with those in Afghanistan re: the media? Ever thought of that? Of course you didn't.

Since you're now openly accusing me of hating the US military (something I find both extraordinary and laughable at the same time), I'd like you to point out exactly where I have said this. Perhaps you might include a few quotations. I'm interested, really I am.

BTW, you might like to know that the CO of my MA squad is currently a servicemen in the USAF and a good friend. But wait a minute, if I'm the same person as you like to paint, I should hate his guts, right?

The world must be such a confusing and disappointing place to you, Grunherz - it never quite fulfills your ridiculous stereotypes or pigeon-holes, does it?

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #43 on:** September 30, 2002, 04:48:08 AM »

Of course it doesnt, but it makes it fun...

Anyway If you dont hate the US army then whats the point of this thread? It seems that you are trying paint them as bunch of liers or at least morons who are forced by the leaderships issuance of the cards to hide the truth.

So go ahead and explain this quote...

"What are they afraid of and is this common in the US armed forces or just Afghanistan?"

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #44 on:** September 30, 2002, 05:06:18 AM »

What's the point of this thread? Apart from a forum in which you could project your insecurities? Well, that was just a bonus (to you, of course, not anyone else reading... we've heard it all before). I was genuinely surprised that media relations were so orchestrated as needing to have cards printed. Call me naive, if you want. I therefore wondered how it had been in the past.

As for your question - I thought the answer would be obvious. What are is the command afraid of to take so seemingly drastic measures? I'd be interested to know if this was the first conflict these 'idiot cards' (their description not mine) were used in.

So where's the proof that I hate the US military? Or is that another side-stepped issue to add to all those others contained in this thread?