You know, having to serve in the military isn't exactly a North Korea only thing. South Korea is the same but it is by no means a militarized society. In fact, being a professional soldier is considered very lowly here because of the old Confucian crap about how good quality steel never becomes a nail and good quality people never become soldiers. No wonder we have such a crap ass track record in defending this country. We are working very hard to reverse this trend and I hope to be a part of this effort as well.
Actually here's a fun fact: there's a match making service here (there are many) and there are certain descriptors about people which ranks them in terms of how well they are recommended to women as husbands. The lowest in this ranking system is North Korean refugee. The second lowest is military serviceman. But everyone has to join and do their part. That's the deal. If you don't, unless you have a lot of money that we want to get a piece of, we don't deal with you. Not a militarized society, but military service is a must. Hard to believe? Never mind.
If you agreed with the soldier, well that's hardly being disrespectful. But to disagree as heavy handed as you did is being disrespectful. You can disagree with the argument he made, preferably on another thread since we have tons regarding Iraq policy, but basically telling him to shut the f*ck up is disrespectful.
No, I don't think I wasn't wrong in not criticizing John Kerry. Other veterans can argue with him, but I have NOT earned the right to do so.
Actually I volunteered too. I worked at an elderly home for a while. It's a very, very sad place where nice old ladies wait for their turn to die. It's heart breaking. Yeah, I didn't get paid for it either. But it's hardly sacrifice.
There is a difference between North and South. In the North, the only thing that matters in society is the Military, everything in society is devoted to it. Whereas in south Korea and Israel, its only a part of society.
What did I say that was so heavy handed? That Iraq was about WMD (it was) that we were lied to (we were), that his political views are skewed by election rhetoric (IMHO they were). He made a tough political videoblog to Obama (kudos for him to do it) but I am absolutely entitled to either agree or refuted it. Politics is not ballet, this is a contact sport, there is no such thing as being heavy handed. The only part where I wouldn't go is to question his service, his patriotism, or him personally as that would have been out-of bounds.
And BTW I have had my patriotism question here at milforum several times. Did I whine about it? No I just put the person in his place with a refute. But I am absolutely entitled to attack his politics just like people here go after mine with equal force. That I am supposed to say nothing just because he was wounded in Iraq? Perhaps that might be some people's opinion, but its not mine and I wont abide by it. You people will have to accept that, because I will not sacrifice my principals for being Politically Correct.
And BTW I never told him to STFU, nor did I imply it. And like with USMC, I'm being accused of something I didn't say. I was hard on his opinions but I treated him as a equal opponent as I would anybody else here. I congratulate him on his bravery to speak of for his opinions, but I am absolutely entitled to pick apart his opinion.
You might not like this next part: but here goes. I admit I don't know this guy personally, but many (maybe even most) maimed people would be rather insulted if I didn't go hard on him because of their injuries. Many people who suffer grievous injuries do not want to be coddled by you, its insulting to them. What I did was to treat him as an equal by NOT throwing my verbal punches. This way I don't view as any less to me. I know two people personally who were exactly like this.
I am sorry some of you were offended, that was not my intention and its not that I am man enough to admit mistakes, but I will not apologize for something I don't feel was wrong.
