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Opps! *Blushing and trying to hide* I only read through the article once and thought it was five... turns out it was 10.
" A soldier convicted of rape and murder in an attack on an Iraqi teenager and her family was sentenced Saturday to 110 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 10 years. "
Quote:
Originally Posted by lizbud
One comment on the sentence......
His time will be in a military prison, where he will not have the rights of a normal prisoner.
The Parole Board he will face in 10 years IF he is allowed to go before it will not be a normal parole board, but a military parole board.
He has a snowball's chance in hades of ever being free again.
No CB.....I for one find this conversation enlightening, if you don't, then don't clickity click !!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by CathyBogart
And nobody is acting like a 5 year old.....this is not an issue for children, it is probably one of the biggest issues that face your country at the moment, so lets hear it all.
Wom
What this man, soldier or not, has done is inexcusably wrong and I truly hope he and those involved serve their full sentences.
That said I have lost two friends that I went to high school with; one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. I know a number of people that are serving in the armed forces, mostly in the Marines. I live in a military city and some of the comments made here are despicable. I'll make sure to salute the Marine pilots that fly over my work daily; I work alongside Marine corps air station, Miramar.
IRescue452, next time you make blanket statements about "these people", United States Armed Forces, remember that you include my grandparents, great uncles, my father, and my friends. Here's one of "these people's" memorials. Spc. Michael A. Diraimondo . Mike was assigned to 571st Medical Company and lost his life in 2004 when his Medevac helicopter went down in Iraq. His mission was to save lives and he lost his serving his country. Take a good look at his picture and know that I consider him one of "these people", but to me "these people" are heroes, family, and friends.
Everyone has a right to their own opinions formed from their experiences, so I figured I would share mine. Did this thread hit a nerve? Oh yea! I hate that there are bad soldiers and bad people in general, but for every sick, cruel, misguided person there are thousands that are truly good and don't deserve to be lumped together under one broad term.
A Lady Zana......how could I ingnore this post.Quote:
Originally Posted by lady_zana
Ingrate = Ungrateful; an ungrateful person. (According to the Westminster dictionary). You think by calling people ingrates is offensive ???? Well, it seems then that the truth may hurt some. But why would someone be offended by being called ungrateful ????? And isn't that just what ID Rescue has indicated here ?????? She has posted her distaste for war and the military....ALL OF IT !!!!!!! How can she not see what the military has done for her in the past ???? And probably in the future ???? Is that not ungrateful ????? Even if it is her opinion ?????? And yours ????
Honey (please excuse the patronising, but I guess it is my right to say whatever I want to), I'm a Vietnam veteran, and I'll tell you exactly what offensive means.....it means being spat at, ridiculed, called a baby killer, and generally shunned by a certain section of society. But I'm not really that offended by what I experienced, simply because I CHOSE to do what I did, just like Lady's Human here did, professional soldiers, doing what WE believe is the right thing for our country. I really don't care what you believe is the right thing, as much as you don't care what I do. But I hold my peace, I don't go bashing anti war activists, in fact in all the time I have been on PT, I have probably never even mentioned war (except for on occasion with Lady's Human when we PM each other about our experiences).
But, you know, I don't really care what ID Rescue said....true....I've been there, and heard that, it just goes in one ear and out of the other for all that it matters to me. But what I do find I'm annoyed about is being told that my post is offensive !!!!! If one takes issue with being called ungrateful because of what they have said about those who ultimately are responsible for her rights and protection, then she deserves to feel offended about that.
And....for the record.....you mention US patriots, the French and English revolutions ????? Ummmmmmmmm.......they ALL actually formed militias, which is certainly akin to an army at the time.....if they never did that, they would have had buckleys chance of winning. So I stand by my statement, that soldiers have given people the right of free speech, and the right to burn the flag, and they try VERY hard to maintain those rights for you.....do not assume that they are just magically available to you....people have fought and died for that privilege you have.
""However, know it is not ONLY military who defends our rights. The peacemakers do as well.""
Really ???? And how long do you think that would be the case without a military ?????
Wom
I'm sorry if you are upset, Wom, that I called your post offensive but I feel it was and is.
The peacemakers do support our rights as well as the military. How long would it last without the military? For quite some time. Look at the good works of Martin Luther King, JR. He preached nonviolence and taught his followers not to respond to violence.
I mentioned the revolutions not because of their militias but to point out the reasons we went to war. People believe the American Revolution was fought for freedom such as freedom of speech and religious freedom. It wasn't. It was fought because they didn't want to pay extra taxes to Britain. Is that a good reason to go to war especially when they knew they were moving to a colony which was made to make money for Britain? Probably not. The militia was not fighting for free speech.
I'm sorry that you have been shunned and insulted by many in society. Believe me, I know how horrible that can be. I've seen my friends hurt, wounded, and made into outcasts - not because they were in the military but because they are gay. However, we still believe nonviolence is the best way and will continue to fight our cause through on terms
WOW - both at reading about what these soldiers did and at the anti-soldier comments.
First off - where *I* am coming from....I was born into and grew up in - a military family. My dad served in WWII and in Korea. He retired after 27 years. My only sibling served for 25 years. I married into military, too. Hubby served in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, then retired after 26 years. We have been civilians for ten years now. Of my three now grown children, one went through ROTC in highschool and through college on scholarship (now civilian) Our one daughter is married to military and her hubby served in Iraq. We still live in a military town near an AF base. So, I tend to be patriotic, supportive of the military, yet I am also a civilian who is concerned about the war.
What I wanted to comment on was the perception and observations of "military folks & soldiers".....
I have always felt that the military soldiers and families we have met and lived with throughout the years were intelligent, honorable, dependable and disciplined. I believe the ratio of scum among the military population is way less than average.
I am disgusted to read about this rape and murder - but do not feel the soldier will get off lightly. Probably worse. This is based on individuals that I have known about who committed any sort of crime and had to be tried in our military system. I have NEVER heard of any crime being minimized - we don't want low-life in our military! The military I know does not tolerate bad behavior.
As a whole, we are among the most committed, law-abiding and respectful people I have ever come in contact with. If new neighbors move to our area - I am happy to learn if they are military. Knowing that someone has served in the military is a plus to me. When I see young men and women while I am out shopping or whatever - they are most likely polite, clean and helpful. If my car breaks down, it is quite likely that it will be someone military who stops to help me. Hubby now teaches at the local highschool and his military dependent students tend to be the most educated and behaved of the bunch. Their parents respond if they are called!
Any scum to the civilian world is scum to those within the military as well.
What sort of experiences have you all had that make you see military as scum???
I couldn't have said it better!!Quote:
Originally Posted by sirrahbed
Unfortunately after many many many stories like this I don't like any soldiers at all. I hate having to watch on the news when they have welcome back parties for soldiers. Since there is no draft, I naturally assume people who willing take part in the army can be classed together. I know not everybody is the same, but its going to take a lot to get me to trust anybody who supports soldiers or was one for this war.
--------
Wow, that's disgusting. I can only imagine what you do when you see a story about a soldier dying. My brother was in this war. You just take one bad apple from the group and assume all are the same? I really feel bad for you, that you don't trust soldiers. I for one, know my brother is not untrustworthy and does not go around raping and murdering people. Surley, he is immature at times, but who isn't? If you can't respect soldiers who defend your country, then WHO do you respect?
I can honestly say I am very offended by that comment. And to anyone else who was I'm sorry.
Has this thread been heavily edited or some posts deleted? ?? The comments that made me see :mad: yesterday seem to have disappeared?? :confused:
well, just as well I guess.
I just saw this thread, and as a Former Soldier, I am very Hurt by this statement!! Why can you not trust us??? so a few do wrong things, so do normal everyday Citizens, so does this mean you dont tust anyone?? Rediculous satement!!Quote:
Originally Posted by IRescue452
I would also like to add: my husband was a soldier, my father, my BIL, my cousins, my uncles, grandfathers, great grandfaters ect...I guess you dont like any of us!
of course this thread has been edited! There is no basis behind statements such as those that were made against our Men and Women in uniform and the original posters must certainly know that or they wouldn't have bothered editing/deleting.
I may not agree with the reasons our president sends our soldiers to war, but I damn well support each and every single one of them out there. I'm sure they are ecstatic to be away from their families, to be away from the comforts of life here. I'm sure it is a lovely picnic in the sun and sand! (sarcasm off)
They have to experience things that will stay with them the rest of their lives. They come home to people like the poster calling them scum, and have to live with people in their own country treating them like they ARE scum. Many in poverty or wounded and can't get jobs or psychological help! Many end up on the streets, mentally and physically wounded for the rest of their lives, and to have the audacity to call them scum....it's disgusting.
To those who have come before, those serving now, and those to come after, thank you for putting your lives on the line, whether you want to be where you are sent or not. You have my most sincere gratitude.
Wow. I just got through reading this entire thread. One of the things I never debate are sex, politics and religion. Everyone has their opinions. HOWEVER, stereotyping one bad apple isn't right. This guy is getting exactly what he deserves.
I have the UTMOST respect for our men and women in uniform. I believe they are brave and are doing a very difficult job that I wouldn't want to do. To all the people here on this thread who have served their country, I salute you!
The one question that came to mind is, will this guy have to register as a sex offender if he ever gets out (which is doubtful)?
I never said I flat out hate anybody who was a soldier. I said I have a hard time relating to and trusting certain people. Everybody is different and I'm perfectly willing to hear out each and every person before making a final judgement on anybody.
BTW, who's opinion is it that soldiers are defending me? So far as I'm concerned I had many of my rights as a U.S. citizen and a human being denied recently, so soldiers are defending a country that descriminates against who gets certain rights. It was only recently that a group won a battle to allow people of my religion to have their religious symbols engraved on tombstones of their dead soldiers. Seems we're having to defend ourselves as soldiers defend the country who denied those symbols to begin with. What an ironic twist of fate.