On the other hand, politicians never tire of using the image, power and lives of our soldiers for their own purposes. For example, when former Sen. Jesse Helms tried to spit on our country's long tradition of civilian control of the military, by suggesting that then Pres. Clinton "better have a bodyguard" when visiting Ft. Bragg, NC in 1994. A thinly veiled suggestion of a right-wing military coup in America!

I did 3 years at bragg and did oef and oif.

Wild cheering and applause is not normal there, or at least not in the unit I was in (1/505).

If there was any suggestion that applause/cheering was frowned upon, the plt sgts would have flat out told people to not do a damn thing unless someone else did it first.

I’m sick of all of them; it makes me question my motivation to serve

LJD,

Please my friend, do not ever let them get to you that way. Do not ever question why you serve. THIS is why you serve, my friend:

For THIS guy:

http://www.sharp-design.us/bandofmothers/valor.jpg

And THIS guy:

http://www.bubbazartwork.com/

For THIS little girl:

http://homepage.mac.com/jfstrain/blogpics/9.11/images/mdf51712.jpg

For THESE guys:

http://www.co59.org/iwo-9-11-final.jpg

For people like THIS woman:

http://www.tedkarol.com/blog/2005/iraqi_voter.jpg

And yes, even for THIS guy's right to run his ugly mouth:

http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/articles/dude/gifs/header_michael_top

We exist only because men like you have defended our way of life for over 200 years.

These are the reasons you serve, LJD. Please don't ever forget that.

I don't pretend they don't exist. I honor and value their service.

I expect that, as good troops they continue to do their duty regardless. Just like when Clinton was screwing up in Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and, Oh Yeah Iraq too. Oh, wait a minute, HE let Bin Laden get away BEFORE 9/11.

If you don't agree with the policy, it does not make you, automatically a fruitcake. That privilege is earned by those in a fog of hysteria, making comments that only help the enemy. Usually it's the type that compares our troops to terrorists. I'm sick of all of them; it makes me question my motivation to serve. They need to think before they speak, if that is possible.

Im in the military and I have plenty of my own political opinions. Now, I dont go spouting off my opinions any ole time I want, but none of them are issued.

Yes, not a problem when you’re a Bush supporter.

I know the conversation has moved on, but I'll put it this way: my political opinions have never been suppressed or ordered to be changed throughout the terms of the 3 different Commanders-in-Chief that I've served. I can separate my politics from my job. I'm a professional.

Interestingly…when reviewing bios for current national leaders, Dems lead in military service by far.

Actually, I researched this about a year ago for a project, and found exactly the opposite. Of elected officials, Republicans outserved Democratics by a small margin. When you counted only active duty service, it was a large margin.

What are your sources? It's not that I don't trust you, I'd just like to see if I missed something.

Thanks.

Interestingly...when reviewing bios for current national leaders, Dems lead in military service by far.

But it was not patriotic duty but the draft, no doubt.

The silence is a response to an overly cautious order to keep it civil.

Here’s a question: What do you have for those Republicans, or Independents that support the War and the President, who HAVE served and ARE serving?

I have respect and admiration for anyone who is serving or anyone who has served.

And what do YOU have for those Democrats or Progressives who HAVE served or ARE serving right now? Who, perhaps, supported military action to hunt down Bin Laden - remember 9/11? - but not the ongoing operations Iraq???

What do YOU have for those who CONTINUE to serve, regardless of how they agree or disagree with the decisions made in Washington? Are you going to say such people don't exist? I think you better realize that that describes close to 50% of the armed forces right now.

When did this happen that it became necessary to say you support Bush in order to claim you support the troops? If you don't agree with current policy, you're automatically a commie pinko chickendove fruitcake slacker?

And as far as those people who claim our soldiers are the insurgents and terrorists - f**k them.

Here’s a question: What do you have for those Republicans, or Independents that support the War and the President, who HAVE served and ARE serving?

LJD, you should know by now.

If you don't serve, and you support the war, then you are a hypocritical chicken hawk.

If you DO serve, and you support the war, then you are a war-mongering, Bush-worshipping brainwashed lemming.

These very same people who love to proclaim that there is no "right or wrong" and no "black or white" are the same people who will angrily dismiss you as either one or the other.

I have learned that with some "fruitcakes" there is no such thing as a "healthy debate". In that case, unlike ALS, I AM looking for a fight.

Here's a question: What do you have for those Republicans, or Independents that support the War and the President, who HAVE served and ARE serving?

Nothing but contempt, I'm sure. Your site smacks of disdain for anything military. What a tribute to those who have died- you ass! Enjoy your free speech, courtesy of the U.S. Military.

#*@*%)^ Profanity... &*$@&$*^ More Profanity....

I take it the ‘fruitcakes’ would be those who share an alternate opinion from your own, the ‘non-fruitcakes’?

No, I think he means the types who say things like: "WE are the insurgents! Bring our guys home!" (actual post from yesterday's OTB)

The ones who claim to be oh-so-patriotic in one breath, and then dump all over our Soldiers in the very next.

Not trying to start a fight; I welcome healthy debate and respectful voices of dissent. In light of yesterday's "insurgent" accusation post, I can see where LJD is coming from.

http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/

Are you currently serving in the military? If not, how can we accept your opinion about politics in the military? You're just a damned chickendove.

...almost like a bunch of fruitcakes talking on behalf of the troops, a group with which they do not belong. Hyposcrisy knows know bounds with some people.

I take it the 'fruitcakes' would be those who share an alternate opinion from your own, the 'non-fruitcakes'?

I agree about the hypocrisy.