Comments on: Exclusive: Army Sgt. Questions Why American Flags Lowered For VA Tech Students, But Not Troops http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:29:39 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: 1st Sgt's Daughter http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3816393 1st Sgt's Daughter Tue, 22 May 2007 21:24:20 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3816393 In these comments there seems to be so much name calling going on. We need to bind together as a nation. We may not agree with the decisions that are being made as far as the war is concerned, but we must support our armed forces. They are just doing the job they signed on to do which was to defend our nation. Our freedom is not "free", and some make the ultimate sacrifice. For that reason alone, we as a nation OWE them due respect. In these comments there seems to be so much name calling going on. We need to bind together as a nation. We may not agree with the decisions that are being made as far as the war is concerned, but we must support our armed forces. They are just doing the job they signed on to do which was to defend our nation. Our freedom is not “free”, and some make the ultimate sacrifice. For that reason alone, we as a nation OWE them due respect.

]]> By: Todkahdohs http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3770393 Todkahdohs Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:01:52 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3770393 To all: So Much Hate.................and yet you say you value life, I think I'm becoming ashamed to have lived in this era. If you applied all that hate and venom to doing good things and being invovled in your town, County, nation, think of what a nation and world we could have. Shame Shame Shame Todkahdohs To all: So Much Hate……………..and yet you say you value life, I think I’m becoming ashamed to have lived in this era. If you applied all that hate and venom to doing good things and being invovled in your town, County, nation, think of what a nation and world we could have.

Shame
Shame
Shame

Todkahdohs

]]> By: Angela http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3767906 Angela Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:14:55 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3767906 I asked the same question about the VA Tech massacre. 32 people? Thats nothing... we lose that many soldiers a week in Iraq and Afghanistan. Insensitive? No. I'm a military wife. Is my husband's life any less than these students' lives? No. Do YOU know how it feels to watch the number of latest fatalities rise, and wonder if you are going to get a knock at your door, because it's YOUR husband, or dad that didn't make it? Odd, because I face that every day. These people, they all deserve the same respect because at the end of the day, they're still people. They are sons, daughters, moms, dads, husbands and wives. Student, soldier... All the same. Some choose to go to college, some choose to make sure the ones that want to go to college, get to. Thank you to the soldiers that are dying to let your kids, and you, go to Virginia Tech, and every other college in the U.S. Just remember, you people that post the insensitive posts about "the soldiers signed up to do it"... karma. If a draft ever comes to be again, you better hope and pray to your God. Karma. I asked the same question about the VA Tech massacre. 32 people? Thats nothing… we lose that many soldiers a week in Iraq and Afghanistan. Insensitive? No. I’m a military wife. Is my husband’s life any less than these students’ lives? No. Do YOU know how it feels to watch the number of latest fatalities rise, and wonder if you are going to get a knock at your door, because it’s YOUR husband, or dad that didn’t make it? Odd, because I face that every day.
These people, they all deserve the same respect because at the end of the day, they’re still people. They are sons, daughters, moms, dads, husbands and wives. Student, soldier… All the same. Some choose to go to college, some choose to make sure the ones that want to go to college, get to. Thank you to the soldiers that are dying to let your kids, and you, go to Virginia Tech, and every other college in the U.S. Just remember, you people that post the insensitive posts about “the soldiers signed up to do it”… karma. If a draft ever comes to be again, you better hope and pray to your God. Karma.

]]> By: SPC Clarke http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3767783 SPC Clarke Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:19:52 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3767783 I didn't sign up to make some asshole (Prez) and his buddies rich. I didn't sign up to have children bombed by the hundreds daily. I raq was not a threat. We should have went to Africa if we really wanted to make a difference. But there's no oil in Africa. So keep driving you SUVs and let the real men die for your sins. VT did not deserve half mast, either. I didn’t sign up to make some asshole (Prez) and his buddies rich. I didn’t sign up to have children bombed by the hundreds daily. I raq was not a threat. We should have went to Africa if we really wanted to make a difference. But there’s no oil in Africa. So keep driving you SUVs and let the real men die for your sins. VT did not deserve half mast, either.

]]> By: Jason http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3767350 Jason Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:23:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3767350 Soldiers go to war and the fact that some are killed is expected. It is their job, that they signed up for, to put themselves in harms way according to the orders of our President and his war. Students don't go to class expecting to face danger, especially not a crazed gunman. And they shouldn't have to. Soldiers go to war and the fact that some are killed is expected. It is their job, that they signed up for, to put themselves in harms way according to the orders of our President and his war. Students don’t go to class expecting to face danger, especially not a crazed gunman. And they shouldn’t have to.

]]> By: Wiley Observer http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766768 Wiley Observer Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:40:39 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766768 You are not the only one to question why the flag was lowered for people who did nothing more than be in the wrong place at the wrong time while we have sailors, airmen, soldiers and marines voluntarily in harms way. Regardless that they are trained and paid, it is the voluntary (by choice) aspect that entitles our servicemembers to a higher level of awe and respect over those that are merely killed by chance. Our servicemembers put their lives on the line- voluntarily, but not without great soul searching. They question such things as why is my life worth less than others- it isn't. I'm sure noone meant disrespect by flying the flag at half mast for VA-Tech and I'm also sure that our servicemembers are not getting their due homage and respect. You are not the only one to question why the flag was lowered for people who did nothing more than be in the wrong place at the wrong time while we have sailors, airmen, soldiers and marines voluntarily in harms way. Regardless that they are trained and paid, it is the voluntary (by choice) aspect that entitles our servicemembers to a higher level of awe and respect over those that are merely killed by chance.

Our servicemembers put their lives on the line- voluntarily, but not without great soul searching. They question such things as why is my life worth less than others- it isn’t. I’m sure noone meant disrespect by flying the flag at half mast for VA-Tech and I’m also sure that our servicemembers are not getting their due homage and respect.

]]> By: peace http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766741 peace Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:34:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766741 I too wondered why the flags are flown at half mast when our soldiers die for protecting our so-called liberties that we no longer hold because of the Patriot Act and Homeland Security. Our soldiers deserve the same respect that was shown for the Virginia Tech students and other dignitaries. It didn't take the Virginia Tech students deaths for me to wonder this. Our flags need to flown at half mast. Maybe then people will begin to wake up and question this so-called war for profit for the Bush/Cheney Administration. I too wondered why the flags are flown at half mast when our soldiers die for protecting our so-called liberties that we no longer hold because of the Patriot Act and Homeland Security. Our soldiers deserve the same respect that was shown for the Virginia Tech students and other dignitaries. It didn’t take the Virginia Tech students deaths for me to wonder this. Our flags need to flown at half mast. Maybe then people will begin to wake up and question this so-called war for profit for the Bush/Cheney Administration.

]]> By: clifford e. elisary http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766584 clifford e. elisary Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:50:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766584 This soldier is way out of line, these students were in the wrong place at the wrong time. These soldiers cannot join and not except to face danger, these students had no such expectations. This soldier is paid to defend this country, he had a choice he made it, these students had no such choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This soldier is way out of line, these students were in the wrong place at the wrong time. These soldiers cannot join and not except to face danger, these students had no such expectations. This soldier is paid to defend this country, he had a choice he made it, these students had no such choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Ruby http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766308 Ruby Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:08:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766308 Bush could care less about the soldiers as do many on these boards who are always trying to defend this dumb inept piece of sh*t. These soldiers like stupid a** people in america were lied to and you fell for it. Yes, people at VA tech were killed now what? Just like thousands around the world but I do not see the Americans mourning them. Americas always want sympathy when their own gets killed but to hell with everyone else. Americans always want sympathy when they are in fact the aggressors. Bush, Cheney , Wolfowitz and the rest of these crooks see nothing but oppression of people and the collection of their weak dollar. This soldier is right and he has every reason to state his opinion. There is no honor in war. Bush could care less about the soldiers as do many on these boards who are always trying to defend this dumb inept piece of sh*t. These soldiers like stupid a** people in america were lied to and you fell for it. Yes, people at VA tech were killed now what? Just like thousands around the world but I do not see the Americans mourning them. Americas always want sympathy when their own gets killed but to hell with everyone else. Americans always want sympathy when they are in fact the aggressors. Bush, Cheney , Wolfowitz and the rest of these crooks see nothing but oppression of people and the collection of their weak dollar.

This soldier is right and he has every reason to state his opinion. There is no honor in war.

]]> By: janis http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766273 janis Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:51:52 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766273 I thank the service men and women who fight for the country. What saddens me is that there is a lack a respect for these men and women shown throughout this post. You may not agree with the current administration or why the military is in Iraq, but the fact of the matter is those who chose to serve their country should be honored. It doesn’t matter if you are discussing WWII, Vietnam, or Iraq. It seems that death and war have become accepted (or ignored); many of you will never know what war is like, and you should be grateful. Honor the dead (the VT students) and honor those who put their lives out there to help yours. I thank the service men and women who fight for the country. What saddens me is that there is a lack a respect for these men and women shown throughout this post. You may not agree with the current administration or why the military is in Iraq, but the fact of the matter is those who chose to serve their country should be honored. It doesn’t matter if you are discussing WWII, Vietnam, or Iraq. It seems that death and war have become accepted (or ignored); many of you will never know what war is like, and you should be grateful. Honor the dead (the VT students) and honor those who put their lives out there to help yours.

]]> By: s1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766066 s1 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:58:42 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766066 One death is a tragedy; a million is a statistic One death is a tragedy; a million is a statistic

]]> By: Kilo http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766053 Kilo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:04:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766053 <blockquote>Where as…. Service men and women know exactly where they are. They are in a WAR. A situation most of them chose, regardless if right or wrong. Comment by leo — April 24, 2007 @ 3:17 am</blockquote> Er... see the title of this post. It would appear this one soldier isn't real clear on the whole 'war' scenario. Apparently someone who spent several years being schooled on the exact unwaivering military policy for how bed sheets are folded thought that whether flags get lowered or not wouldn't have one. BTW, has ThinkProgress taken a leaf out of Drudge's book and is now claiming EXCLUSIVES for articles that already exist on the wire ?

Where as…. Service men and women know exactly where they are. They are in a WAR. A situation most of them chose, regardless if right or wrong.
Comment by leo — April 24, 2007 @ 3:17 am

Er… see the title of this post. It would appear this one soldier isn’t real clear on the whole ‘war’ scenario.

Apparently someone who spent several years being schooled on the exact unwaivering military policy for how bed sheets are folded thought that whether flags get lowered or not wouldn’t have one.

BTW, has ThinkProgress taken a leaf out of Drudge’s book and is now claiming EXCLUSIVES for articles that already exist on the wire ?

]]> By: Jezza http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766052 Jezza Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:00:06 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766052 First of all, the USA needs to get ride of Bush. Then get ride of guns, or rather, amend your laws to make owning a gun extremely difficult. By that, I mean you don't sell a gun to every numpty that can say his name if it's less than 2 syllables and is able to mark an X on a bit of paper. Then you might respect life for what it is and honour your dead. First of all, the USA needs to get ride of Bush. Then get ride of guns, or rather, amend your laws to make owning a gun extremely difficult. By that, I mean you don’t sell a gun to every numpty that can say his name if it’s less than 2 syllables and is able to mark an X on a bit of paper. Then you might respect life for what it is and honour your dead.

]]> By: leo http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766042 leo Tue, 24 Apr 2007 07:17:54 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766042 Big difference. Those students at Vtech weren't in the middle of a war. They were students in the middle of class... who got ambushed with nothing to defend themselves. Where as.... Service men and women know exactly where they are. They are in a WAR. A situation most of them chose, regardless if right or wrong. Big difference. Those students at Vtech weren’t in the middle of a war. They were students in the middle of class… who got ambushed with nothing to defend themselves.

Where as…. Service men and women know exactly where they are. They are in a WAR. A situation most of them chose, regardless if right or wrong.

]]> By: J. Botter http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3766022 J. Botter Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:55:59 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3766022 Clay, I bet your job doesn't consist of being blown up one day by people who were friendly to you the day before. Am I right? Yes, soldiers know what risks we are assuming when we sign up for the job. That doesn't mean you can pretend that going into a combat zone is the same thing as sitting behind a desk and staring at a computer, though. As a former Army medical sergeant, I know first-hand that this stuff is dangerous, but I firmly believe that so many soldiers have been killed that America is numb to it. I'll never be numb to it -- I lost 14 friends during my last tour of Iraq, and it still hurts. Clay, I bet your job doesn’t consist of being blown up one day by people who were friendly to you the day before. Am I right?

Yes, soldiers know what risks we are assuming when we sign up for the job. That doesn’t mean you can pretend that going into a combat zone is the same thing as sitting behind a desk and staring at a computer, though.

As a former Army medical sergeant, I know first-hand that this stuff is dangerous, but I firmly believe that so many soldiers have been killed that America is numb to it. I’ll never be numb to it — I lost 14 friends during my last tour of Iraq, and it still hurts.

]]> By: anon http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-4/#comment-3765955 anon Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:54:14 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3765955 it's because GWB is a fucking prick that needs to be impeached right now. it’s because GWB is a fucking prick that needs to be impeached right now.

]]> By: Clay Smith http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-3/#comment-3765775 Clay Smith Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:07:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3765775 Frankly, sir, I think it's appropriate that the flag be flown at half-mast for the VT students because they didn't sign up to go to VT to die. It was unexpected and horrendous. Soldiering, on the other hand, kind of goes hand in hand with death. You knew when you signed up that there was more than half a chance you were going to get your balls blown off. Lighten up. I don't complain about my job. Don't complain about yours. Frankly, sir, I think it’s appropriate that the flag be flown at half-mast for the VT students because they didn’t sign up to go to VT to die. It was unexpected and horrendous. Soldiering, on the other hand, kind of goes hand in hand with death. You knew when you signed up that there was more than half a chance you were going to get your balls blown off. Lighten up. I don’t complain about my job. Don’t complain about yours.

]]> By: rcorrino http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-3/#comment-3765767 rcorrino Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:02:34 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3765767 @ Alfred "I believe flying the flag upside down is an internationally-recognized distress signal." Not always. In some countries, flying the flag upside down is a sign that the country is/has been invaded and at war. I am not sure if that is the case with the USA but if so, then flying the stars and stripes upside down should have been done since 9/11. Maybe it should be flown at half mast all the time....just to remind us EVERYDAY of our losses. The more we sweep this under the rug the longer it will last, the easier it will be to forget and the faster it will be to repeat. @ Alfred

“I believe flying the flag upside down is an internationally-recognized distress signal.”

Not always. In some countries, flying the flag upside down is a sign that the country is/has been invaded and at war. I am not sure if that is the case with the USA but if so, then flying the stars and stripes upside down should have been done since 9/11.

Maybe it should be flown at half mast all the time….just to remind us EVERYDAY of our losses. The more we sweep this under the rug the longer it will last, the easier it will be to forget and the faster it will be to repeat.

]]> By: big papa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-3/#comment-3765725 big papa Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:36:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3765725 Comment by bang #s 144 & 145 ...another proud dumb a*s home-schooled inbred dropout... ...maybe if you had paid attention in school and applied yourself... ...your stupid a*s wouldn't be in the HELL you've created for yourself... ...you non-human shit-fer-brains" hater... ...don't hate the players fool... ...hate YOUR inability to play the frickin' game... Comment by bang #s 144 & 145

…another proud dumb a*s home-schooled inbred dropout…

…maybe if you had paid attention in school and applied yourself…

…your stupid a*s wouldn’t be in the HELL you’ve created for yourself…

…you non-human shit-fer-brains” hater…

…don’t hate the players fool…

…hate YOUR inability to play the frickin’ game…

]]> By: bang http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/comment-page-3/#comment-3765683 bang Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:07:26 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/23/wilt-troops/#comment-3765683 Why would any college kid deserve any kind of national sympathy??? What has a college kid done for anyone... They're probably in college hiding from the war. HIDING FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CITIZEN. This country is in danger because you college pussies are treated so pathetically tender. You are so self entitled. Get over it and get on with making this country better than when you arrived. Why would any college kid deserve any kind of national sympathy???
What has a college kid done for anyone…
They’re probably in college hiding from the war.
HIDING FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CITIZEN.
This country is in danger because you college pussies are treated so pathetically tender.
You are so self entitled. Get over it and get on with making this country better than when you arrived.

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