The Plagues of Egypt, Courtesy of the USAF

[charliezulu 0]

Damn! All the guys and about half the women in my office were sportin' wood when they watched that!

CZ

[freeflir29 0]

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I really can't understand what kind of person would like having that kinda firepower in their use. This is just a sick way of thinking

I always thought of it like this......I was an Air Force guy permanently assigned to do Fire Support for an Army unit. When I worked with a unit those guys became friends and we built mutual respect. My job was to assist the Army in acheiving their goals. Those goals usually involved taking some sort of objective. The enemy didn't usually like to give up that objective without a fight. They would do their best to KILL as many American soldiers as possible. That's where I came in. I would use airplanes, artillary, naval gunfire, and rotary wing to take out the bigest threats to MY soldiers. Yes, I took quite an ownership of MY Battalion, Company, or Team. I felt it was my responsibility to protect them in ANY manner necessary. I did most of my work with Infantry and smaller units. These guys didn't have a lot of firepower in the grand sense. Usually just some rifles, machine guns, and maybe a few shoulder fired anti-tank weapons. They were in trouble if a tank or two showed up. I didn't want MY soldiers to die. I didn't want their mother's crying over their grave. I wanted them to get home in one piece. So...your DAMN right I wanted and ENJOYED having "That kind of firepower" under my control. It was my job to kill enemy soldiers EN MASS so that more of MY soldiers would come home in one piece. So.....Actually I was saving lives by taking them....and fuck the enemy anyway.....he was trying to kill me....I just had better training and weapons.

[wingnut 0]

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Hey Wingnut,
What do ya think of those AMMO troops now? It's my bag baby!!!!!
IYAAYAS!!!!!

doesn't change anything.....so they can push a bulet into a really big gun......or is that the weapons guys........i do have to say i can't complain about those awsome bombs ya put together......

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[prepheckt 0]

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and fuck the enemy anyway.....he was trying to kill me....I just had better training and weapons.

Fair means I bring my people home alive...screw the others...

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[jraf 0]

Clay I can well relate to that. War is a stupid thing. It's not nice, it's not romantic and no where as pleasant as the show it in the movies. I am most fortunate to be the firs one in my family who did not have to go to war, or live in a major conflict area. Before that every generation of my family, hacked, chopped, shot or dinamited thei fellow human beings. My Dad as a kind was bombed out by the Ivan's and is full of splinters and can't hear on one ear.

Having said that, if anybody did anything to my brothers or my friends - the methods that I described above would be childs play compared to what I would do. Khengis Khan would seem like the impersonation of mercy himself!

I was in Europe when the attacks happened. I was scared for my family. I did not know what was going on. I called my brothers and friends, told them to buy food, draw money, tank up the cars and load the guns and stay put at home. Very scary. I don't want it to happen again.

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[Guest]

A friend of mine is a former LRRP, and an author of five books about SE Asia and other subjects (Silver Star, and was nominated for a second one. Also three Purple Hearts. In fact, he was so heavily decorated so early in his tour, that when he went on R&R in Hawaii [GIs have to fly in a dress uniform], that he was accosted by a Captain whose assignment was to bust those with phony decorations. The Captain demanded to see the orders for his awards. However, my friend's NCOIC had warned him about this, and he was prepared. The officer helped him arrange the ribbons in their correct order, then saluted him).

We were making a jump together one day a few years back, and the subject of war came up.

He said (and I paraphrase, for I cannot recall his words precisely), "In Vietnam I killed men who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time (lawful combatants - NVA, VC), and I don't really regret it, because it was them or me. How much more so would I feel for those who truly deserved it?"

He was referring to burglars at the time (I fully identify with this attitude. If you're in my house without my permission, especially at night, you are fair game), but I think it's applicable in this case.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[Guest]

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about half the women in my office were sportin' wood when they watched that!

Now that's something I would like to have seen...hehehe

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[freeflir29 0]

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I don't want it to happen again

Neither do I. That's why I'm glad their are highly trained AC-130 crews and controllers out there. They are doing their best to make sure there are no more 9/11's by taking the fight to the enemy.

[jraf 0]

Absolutely correct. As you said, my tax money at work. And since I am not really a good human being, what do I care if they kill a few innocent bystanders. More air for me. There could be some excellent resorts in afghanistan after this. I love mountaineering

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[freeflir29 0]

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There could be some excellent resorts in afghanistan after this. I love mountaineering

Yeah...and cave tours.....and a "pick your own land mine" patches...

[jannu 0]

Ok, so I see there is some jerking around going on too. nice to see a smile here and there too but..

I was in Finland during the 9/11 and also I was really scared and worried about all my relatives and friends living in US (ofcourse I was really sorry for all the people hurt and in danger, too!). Immediately I made a phone call also to talk about it.

I have told this same thing not to only Americans, but to many other nationalities also.. my original reply was not meant to blame you for your love of firepower (or weapons for killing other humans), everyone may or may not like something. It's when you're harming the other with your interests (in this case, killing people with your weapons), then it's not ok anymore..

(shit my english kinda sucks and my thought might not be very clear)

Ok, finally to the point. It's not ok for anyone (be it US, Al-Qaida, EU, aliens) to kill each other. Even if "they" did attack you first. So, the answer and solution to this problem... Don't know?!?!

One thing I do know.. it's not ok to kill people especially civilians. Maybe there should be some "no-mans land" (on moon?) where all the countries/'isms could go and kill each others soldiers (who have on their on will joined the forces)? No civilians would get hurt.. I admit, this was little over-the-top, but maybe you see what I'm trying to say. Maybe I'll have to edit this post a little later on when I first understand it myself

Blue skies!

[freeflir29 0]

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the answer and solution to this problem... Don't know?!?!

I don't know either. However I do know this. It seems that a lot of people in the world somehow still don't believe that this sort of people will KILL you. Yes....dead...and they will cut off your body parts and dance around over your rotting corpse. You...yes you...and your children, parents, sisters, friends. They would enjoy seeing you wryth in pain from shrapnel wounds. Not just soldiers....YOU. This planet is FAR better off without them. Period.
I was watching a TV program once showing the lives of Death Row inmates here in America. They asked one of the inmates why he comitted the murder. He simply said "Because I'm sitting here eating breakfast today and he is not." It's the same thing here. You can die or they can....PICK ONE.

[SudsyFist 0]

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He said (and I paraphrase, for I cannot recall his words precisely), "In Vietnam I killed men who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time (lawful combatants - NVA, VC), and I don't really regret it, because it was them or me. How much more so would I feel for those who truly deserved it?"

mark, there's a clear distinction between doing your job as a soldier (thus killing in battle) without regrets, and actually seeking delight in the loss of human life. to rave and drool over footage of people whose identities you can't even know being killed, selfishly longing for the gratification of having been the one pulling the trigger, is appalling.

in this case, what distinguishes your perspective from that of the radical extremist 'ragheads' you so love to watch dismembered from the comfort of home? you can default to 9/11 for reason, but they have dozens of tragedies (read: loss of civilian lives) of their own which they pin on the u.s. -- in their eyes, *we* drew first blood.

do we then, whilst engaged in the necessary evil of armed conflict, develop our own extremist attitudes of hate and bigotry? what are we to gain? and where does it end?

hate only begets more hate, my friend. it's a lesson we will probably never learn as a people, but as individuals we can incorporate this simple fact into our personal growth, making a difference in our own lives, as well as those around us.

war is indeed hell. indulging one's self in its atrocities is a conscious leap into the world of the damned.

steve

on your own admission, you raised up the knife,
and you brought it down ending another man's life.
when it was done you just threw down the blade,
whilst the red blood spread wider like the anger you made.

i don't want this anger burning in me,
it's something from which it's so hard to be free,
and none of the tears that we cry in sorrow or rage
can make any difference, or turn back the page.

[jannu 0]

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It seems that a lot of people in the world somehow still don't believe that this sort of people will KILL you.

I DO believe, that people with this kind of possibility do KILL people. Just, who are you talking about? Yourself? Hope not...

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shrapnel wounds. Not just soldiers....YOU. This planet is FAR better off without them. Period.

Without who? You? People killing people?

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I was watching a TV program once showing the lives of Death Row inmates here in America. They asked one of the inmates why he comitted the murder. He simply said "Because I'm sitting here eating breakfast today and he is not." It's the same thing here. You can die or they can....PICK ONE.

Ok, this is already offtopic, but why do you guys have such a thing as "the death row?" If someone killed someone, it won't bring back the lost even if you kill the murderer. Nor will it make future murders not happen. Same thing with revenge by means of war. So, the twin towers went down, you think now after (and during) the "war-on-terrorism" people are really going to quit hating each others? I think (I mean I'm afraid) that there will be even more terrorist acts to be seen...

I sincerely hope you understand my posts are not written to offend anyone. As I said, everyone has a right to think what they want. But remember, "everyone" means also "the terrorists." They are also human beings, they don´t kill people/themselves just for the fun of it.

Hmmm


Take care, take good care of US, I've got a home there too I just wish no more ppl do have to die for it..

[freeflir29 0]

Steve..you are OBVIOUSLY not a warrior. We can talk until we are both blue in the face and you won't understand. I don't take particular delight in watching people die. I neither derive sorrow or pleasure. Only a realization of what must be done to preserve OUR way of life.

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Without who?

Without people that see terrorism as a way of changing the status quo in the world.

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why do you guys have such a thing as "the death row?"

Couldn't tell you. I don't agree with it because I don't think any court system can be 100% right 100% of the time.

[prepheckt 0]

Hey Charliezulu,
Off topic here, but why do you have a pic of Ebola as your avatar? (I can't tell if its Ebola or Marburg,...damn filoviruses all look alike)

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[freeflir29 0]

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why do you have a pic of Ebola as your avatar?

What are you....a Chem guy?

[SudsyFist 0]

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Steve..you are OBVIOUSLY not a warrior.

wtf? you talkin' to me???

steve

[freeflir29 0]

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wtf? you talkin' to me???

[LouDiamond 1]

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in this case, what distinguishes your perspective from that of the radical extremist 'ragheads' you so love to watch dismembered from the comfort of home? you can default to 9/11 for reason, but they have dozens of tragedies (read: loss of civilian lives) of their own which they pin on the u.s. -- in their eyes, *we* drew first blood

Total bullshit. This is a battle of religions and it has been on going since the crusades. It just chose to take a breather while they destroyed themselves from within keeping their civilization fairly close to crusade era in nature. There will never be a compromise to this problem as long as RADICAL FUNDAMENTALIST ISLAM is being spread through out the muslim countries. The problem isn't ISLAM or the USA, it's the RADICAL Fundamentalists who twist an other wise peaceful religion. The only way to compromise or settle with thees type people is the same way to deal with a rabid dog....you put them down.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[Guest]

In their eyes, we're responsible for everything that's wrong with their world.

You might also see, in other areas of this thread, that I said -- I don't feel hate. What I do feel is grim satisfaction, and if that has been interpreted as delight, perhaps I could have presented my remarks in a less gleeful manner.

The only thing the ragheads have any real respect for is horrific violence. They have no respect for mankind. In fact, whenever the misanthropic ragheads have taken charge, they immediately set about the noble task of brutalizing those who cannot fight back -- Afghan women, for example. They have a habit of punishing people for the crime of being human.

Accordingly, our forces subscribe to the theory that the most effective method of fighting is to generate the greatest amount of violence in the least possible time. I take satisfaction in witnessing their pain and suffering, because they've been long overdue to learn what REAL war is. Real war isn't about setting off a car bomb in a marketplace. Our society is always reluctant to go to war (despite what the media says), because we know what it really means. The ragheads have made the mistake (as have other brutal regimes in history) of interpreting this as cowardice. Now they know better.

For there is no reasoning with these maniacs. They are rabid dogs, and a threat to mankind itself. If you think that this kind of brutality (the AC-130 gunship) is horrifying, wait til the ragheads get their filthy hands on radiological weapons.

When I see footage like that that raghead flying to pieces, I take comfort in knowing that it's one less raghead to machine-gun a school bus, hijack a plane, or commit any of the other outrages those sick, twisted monsters are responsible for. They've been at "war" with us for decades. Now they're getting a taste of their own iron, and I hope they're enjoying it, I really do.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[bbarnhouse 0]

Thank you Suds for putting into words what I couldn't. This thread is deeply troubling to me.
Shame on us all.

[Charone 0]

Sudsy, well spoken.

[Guest]

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Steve..you are OBVIOUSLY not a warrior.

Sorry to weigh in here, but I feel that I must comment.

A "warrior" is an individual, acting for himself for individual glory; e.g., Bushido (the Daimyo also had a hard time keeping those guys under control on the battlefield, because they wanted to go charging off by themselves in glorious individual combat).

This is wasteful and inefficient.

A "soldier" is a member of a unit, a greater whole. He performs his task in concert with other soldiers.

This is the difference between an army and a mob or rabble.

The Romans, although not the first to realize this (the Greeks were pretty good at it with the Phalanx), were the first to emply the concept on a large scale.

This is why they were so successful. Individual "warriors" are noble, but ineffective. Armies comprised of "warriors" were flattened by the Romans.

End of lesson....

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[freeflir29 0]

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This thread is deeply troubling to me.
Shame on us all.

Betsy...I'm proud to have done my part to allow you, Steve, and all those Hollywood actors to live in a world where you can have this sort of attitude. I watched an interesting movie last night. It was called Salvador with James Woods. Watch it sometime. It's a true story. Very sad but true. Your US Military is just about the only thing standing between you and a life like that. You could also check out "The Killing Fields" which is also a true story. Things like that could EASILY happen right here in the good old USA if young men were not willing to do things like this to defend YOU.