Yes, of course we were there to kill for money, since Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan are just FULL of natural resources for us to steal. Our treasury is just full of dollars we have stolen using our powerful military machine.
Except that US gasoline prices DOUBLED in the first 3 years we were in Iraq and are only now returning to what they were before the invasion. Of course we are just there to steal their oil and get rich. Too bad we are losing billions of dollars a month there - I guess we're just too stupid to have figured that out ahead of time.
It's not possible we are there for a different reason. That would not agree with what you believe.
Yes, I realize that Argentina is not Venezuela, but it is ignorant people who do not understand history (or even basic facts) that keep electing leaders like Hugo Chávez. You'll believe everything bad about the United States but don't have time or interest to learn anything good.
Now, on the original topic -
Thank you to all the servicemen and servicewomen of all good countries who have done their duty in the face of such ignorance and hate. This day is much more than a day the banks and schools are closed. It is a day to salute all those who have served and those who have died.
In particular, I'd like to offer thanks to my good friends Der Alta and Gil, both of whom served their country well, and to any other GTP members who have been in their country's military.
Friend and brother (of another mother),
Thanks for the acknowledgement.
Also, Thank you for speaking to that (expletive deleted) before I got here.
I might have been lacking in tact.
It is a serious thing to enter the military these days.
No one in the US Military is a draftee or a conscript.
We all have/had our reasons for joining.
Some to make some money for college.
Some to learn a job skill that they can use in "the world".
Some to watch the back of a friend that joined (thanks Clay and Bill)
But we ALL gave up our freedoms for a season to defend a way of life we believe in.
You wanna burn a flag? Somebody fought and died for your right to do so.
Wanna dis a soldier, sailor or marine? They fought and died for your right to do that too.
If you really wanna find out what we did, and why...put down your history book, turn off CNN. Go down to your recruiter's office, sign on the line, and say: "Here I am! Send me!"
After you've done that, come back and dis veteran's and I'll take it with a smile.
Pay2021, and those of you who just don't get it,
We didn't join up cause we were looking for a fight.
We didn't join up to pop a cap in somebody's ass.
Personally, I just needed money for college, and my folks weren't rich.
However, when the fight came, somebody had to go.
We went.
