Lately, the local Chicago news has had a few folks in the gulf following American military personnel there. For years now, our fighter pilots have been getting shot at on a daily basis. There is literally a price on the head of American fighter pilots among Iraqis. For years now, we have been policing tankers from Iraq for oil-for-food violations.

But, I didn't realize how bad it is.

In Sept, a typical month, 320+ tankers were halted and searched, with 64 being filled with oil in violation of oil-for-food. That's a lot of money toward weapons of mass destruction. The UN claims the oil - and sends the ships back. No punishment, no nothing.

<font color="#ff6666">I know coming from me an avowed Pro-Military kind of guy, it may be suspect. But I have tot ell you that US service men are shot at and attacked on a regular basis on many places that regular civilians think are nice peaceful places. Puerto Rico for example. While I did my 3 year stint there we lost 7 people to terrorist shootings, they strafed our baracks with 9mm machine guns, they attacked our building no less than 4 times (during which I had to be involved in firefights), they blew up the federal building with a bunch of stolen LAWS rockets, they Killed 23 people when they ambushed the School bus that ferried those unarmed sailors to their work site, they shot a good friend of mine in the knee and attempeted to blow up the bus I was riding on to work with a case of Dynamite on a bridge...the water level rose and swept the dynamite down stream. All in all our armed forces are under assault far more often than the daily news thinks to tell you about. </font>

[ 11-13-2002, 11:13 AM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

<font color="#ff6666">I'm amazed no one had any comments. Eh, thats pretty much the support we got while under fire too [img]smile.gif[/img] no biggie. </font>

They could make a movie about your militairy career, you've seen enough, or so it seems. :D

They could make a movie about your militairy career, you've seen enough, or so it seems. :D </font>[/QUOTE]<font color="#ff6666">You would be surprised what you can do in 10 years active duty and almost 5 years as a civilian consultant. I guess I could post parts of my service record, but I would have no way to prove I didn't use some image editing tools. Ah well, believe me or not, it is in the news papers down there. or was.

Edit: notice MY post was not about ME, it was about the lack of reporting about the hazards that men and women inthe service face every day, YOUR post on the other hand seemed to be ONLY about me. </font>

[ 11-13-2002, 02:06 PM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

<font color="#ff6666"> [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img] I know that last bit sounds snippish, but I get outraged rather easily when thinking about the hazards that people go through on a daily basis that are blythly ignored by the people who benefit from those sacrifices. [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img] </font>

No offence taken, and i wasn't trying to be sarcastic either, it really sounds like you've seen a lot of shit.

6 year US-Army vet 1983 to HD 89 MagiK and all I can do is nod my Head.

Last time I got into a thread here that dealt with war and the military I was flamed. But yes I know what your talking about and whole-heartedly agree.

<font color="#ff6666"> In all honesty, I have seen my share of stuff while in the military, but the realy story is in the people who have been serving since I left the military. In the last 11 years, these guys have been having record numbers of "non-action" casualties. Non-action being governmentese for casualties resulting from military service in areas not declared a war. Which by the way, means none of them gets a purple heart. I am really sensitive about that issue and I know I get ... stupid about it. I cannot support the men and women of any nations armed services enough. All too often it is a thankless job. Sort of like the Men of Gondor as opposed to the Hobbits of the Shire.

Any way, pax.
</font>

WE CAN'T *HANDLE* THE TRUTH !!!!
:D :D :D :D :D
Actually, guys, you are appreciated. Lots.