Large Scale Central

Ex servicemen , you now know what we are or were

General Discussion
#21

Victor Smith said:
Tempest in a Teacup fer christ sakes! The guy flubbed a Bush joke…BADLY, I understood it, but it was very easy to “not get it” Should never have hired Borat as his jokewriter. What would he have to gain by insulting the troops? Nothing! What does he gain insulting the President? a hellova lot more hutzva than insulting the troops. He’s a sharp guy, but he CAN’T TELL A JOKE to save his mother. This was proved over and over again in 2004 (of course no one remembers that, it was 2 years ago !!!) He apologized to the troops …should be end of story… Yeah right, that dam “liberal media” (owned by bleedeing heart’s like Rupert Murdock) just wont let go of it…too juicy to drop that red meat. I’d like to put Kerry’s combat military record up against Bush’s, Rumsfields, or Cheney’s…but of course, they dont have one…just a bunch of chicken hawks, easy to squack, cackle and crow and send someone elses kid off to war when you’ve never been their yourself. Well lets see Bush send one of his daughters over there. I dont see any kids of the political or economic elite in this country signing up, their too busy getting high on Ecstacy and trying to party-hearty with Paris Hilton. (Now theres someone who should be dumped in a combat zone, wouldn’t that be an awesome “Simple Life” episode!, “Hi, I’m in Darfor and theirs some hottie guys on horseback riding into the village, why is everyone else running away? maybe they’re just here to party with me, thats hot”) Kerry should just stay the hell out of the public eye for the next week and just let it blow by and take whatever political licks he’ll going get over it, I doubt he’ll lay low, like all politicians theres that ego thing. At least he’s not running for office (shades of Howard Dean’s Rodan birdcall). However, NOBODY is going to change their vote over this particular tempest in a teacup. Everyones mind is been made up along time ago and even if John Q Public is mad at Kerry, their mad at HIM only, he shot his own foot all by by himself fair and square, no one helped him or helped covered it up, unlike that Florida issue, and the voters will not magicly change their minds over the war policy or over the other issues this election, no matter how much Bush tries to spin this…and Oh, how they are spinning this! Like a gas turbine jet on full afterburner ! One question still on my mind if we’re talking politics… where’s Osama? Oh thats right, 5 years on and they can’t catch him, too convenient a “boogieman” to scare the voters with? Better scarecrow than the Commies. Besides Bush had to go after that other guy who “went after my daddy”

Maybe a first here…lets see if this topic gets so hot, it nukes!

Stay out of this John don’t get started!! OK, Thanks

#22

I’m out of this one too, vented my rant so nothing else to add. Got enough headaches out here just thinking that Ah-noold will get re-elected after screwing the state over with his ‘special election’ 2 years ago.

#23

Victor Smith said:
I’m out of this one too, vented my rant so nothing else to add. Got enough headaches out here just thinking that Ah-noold will get re-elected after screwing the state over with his ‘special election’ 2 years ago.

No I’m not getting in this one either, { }

#24

I’m glad the “VA” issue has not gone any further…or I might get censored…:frowning:

Warren

#25
Warren Mumpower said:
I'm glad the "VA" issue has not gone any further...or I might get censored......:(

Warren


Good Lord, and I’m considering going to work there to take care of “my guys.”

It gets in your blood and won’t let you go.

#26

Tony ,
You exactly fit the description of "Whingeing Pom " . Not surprising when you come from Aldershot , the original home of BS
It is NOT politics to defend our Defenders , nor is it BS as you delicatelty put it . That is exactly the screen thrown up whenevr the subject of our Servicemen comes up .

#27

Right ,
Permit me to explain .
My post which “started all this” should be put into context .
Nowhere did I mention in the original , anything about politics .
In this country , like many other countries where everyone wants to be a millionaire without the drawback of having to work for it , we have a
National Lottery . It was set up with the promise that a percentage of its income would go to charities .
The day I made the first post , it was decreed that the application to this charity fund for money to help pay for a National Memorial to Servicemen
and Women who have died since the end of WW 2 and who have no National Memorial , should be refused . It did not include enough overseas
casualties , apparently .
We have lost over 10,000 killed in various wars since WW2
The powers that be refused the application for a charitable grant . A lot of people agreed with this decision , some on the grounds that the
service people knew the risk when they joined . Some went so far as to say that servicemen were too stupid to do other jobs .
Hence my post which started this thread .
OK ?
Just by coincidence , some far thinking patriot in the USA slandered servicemen there .
We happen to be in the run up to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month , and I for one am wearing the Red Poppy of Remembrance .
So I do not take too kindly to accusations of politicking .
Because , like many of my contemporaries , I have lost count of the number of Military Funerals that I have attended to see friends off .
Thank you for reading this .

#28

Gee Whiz Mike you are touchy.

I am not getting personal with you.
I would thank you to leave the cheap shots out of this.
I am not whingeing about the subject matter per se.
Rather, I was referring to the usual result of any type of this thread being posted here. It descends into party politcs. and you started it.

I feel for all servicemen and women who by and large do get a raw deal.
BUT!!!
This is a train site for crying out loud.
Not a political or patriotic forum.

Please keep to trains and not anything remotely to do with patriotism and politics.

#29

Tony ,
Touchy ? Moi ? Good heavens . You can’t be wrong , can you ? There must be some deep seated reason for someone to disagree with you seems to be what you are saying .
I note your long dissertation about telephones , but that of course is different .
I tell you what , Tony , when next you see a post with “Mike Morgan” alongside it , don’t read it . OK ?

#30

Mike, a lot of the problem is that within this thread you are seeing the views of people not only from England, but Australia, the US and Canada. Because each experiences what you were talking about differently you unexpectedly hit the wrong nerves with some of us. As a US veteran I find that it’s hard to separate how we are treated from our political climate. The war in Iraq is an EXTREMELY TOUCHY subject and even more so among a lot of vets. Because of this anything remotely connected with veterans becomes quite political. Steve Featherkile stated today when he came over “I will be so glad to see the elections on November 7th behind us”. And I will agree. The political climate is REALLY bad and it’s even put friends on opposite sides of many issues…including the war and treatement of veterans.

I understand there was no harm intended, but it was just the wrong subject at the wrong time.

Let’s just hope that here in the US, as well as in those countries that went into Iraq with us, that the governments and the people do not treat our service men and women like they did at the end of the Viet Nam era. It’s not their fault that the wrong political decisions were made.

Warren

#31

I just had to share this from one of the Verteran’s Forums I frequent.
This is about as accurate a definition as any I’ve ever read.

“Political Correctness” definition:-

A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and
rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds
forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by
the clean end.

#32

Curmudgeon said:
I just had to share this from one of the Verteran’s Forums I frequent.
This is about as accurate a definition as any I’ve ever read.

“Political Correctness” definition:-

A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and
rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds
forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by
the clean end.
===========================
TOC,

Elegant as always! heheehe!

Anyway I see nothing wrong with patriotism. I respect anyone that loves his country, that’s idealy as it should be. I feel sorry for anyone that thinks so little of their homeland, point of origin or chosen, that they are ashamed to express their love for it. My country has faults as does every country but it is an institution created by humans who are themselves imperfect. Regardless the US is a great country and I love it. Saying so doesn’t hurt anyone else unless they hate my country in which case I don’t particularly care if they are offended!

The US isn’t the only great country in the world and we all have differing criteria for judging such but to all I will respect your country and your right to love it. Neither will I criticize your choice or burn your flag. I expect no less in return.

As to being political, everything is political in some sense. Anytime there is a difference of opinion on a subject or policy it is political. If we are to worry about every statement we make and refrain from comment there will be no discussion at all on anything. To me the only time an opinion is “touchy” is if it is a blatant attack on someone or their opinions. I don’t agree with some of the things said here in this string but I don’t feel offended by that. Those opinions are merely different from mine. Their right under the Constitution and laws of the country I love.

I don’t wave the flag much, especially in other people’s faces as that can get tiring for others but this nonsense that a simple tribute to our military folks or fondness for our nation (or any nation) is controversial is way over the edge. So lets just go back to the old-fashioned way of doing things, namely use some tolerance for the other person’s point of view and as long as they aren’t attacking us just step back respectfully and maybe give a nod of approval if we agree.

End of sermon! (Hope I haven’t “offended” anyone) :wink:

#33

Curmudgeon said:
I just had to share this from one of the Verteran’s Forums I frequent.
This is about as accurate a definition as any I’ve ever read.

“Political Correctness” definition:-

A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and
rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds
forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by
the clean end.
===========================
Then how do you suggest we pick you up?

#34

See what I mean Bob?

#35

Er , looks like some of us have been reported to teecher .

#36
Mike Morgan said:
Er , looks like some of us have been reported to teecher .
Same people......same techniques........Nothing new.

They are very reminiscent of the “Borg” tactics…assimilate to the “collective” way of thinking or every attempt will be made to have you banned from all Large Train Sites…And it has worked their way in the past.

#37

Well"Lone," one can certainly see how you came by your handle.

Where are you coming from? Who has said anything about banning anyone? Your comment was in poor taste.

SteveF

#38

Hey Now! Look, another thread where I have to say “ENOUGH!”

Its a weekly occurance now! Not one Im proud of.

#39

Gentlemen,
A large scale railroad forum are we;
Not politics, not veterans affairs, nor warfare or state of the present day world we live in.
Lets keep it that way.
If you wouldn’t post an off topic thread, you wouldn’t clash opinions.
jb

#40

I stay away from discussions on Politics, Religion, and Star Wars…all for the same reason…