I'm so stunned and disappointed in a friend of mine...need some help here

[Blue_Roses]

for a moment trying to put this into perspective. I talked to a friend of mine who just retired early from the military due to health problems and they told me that they supported this war 100% and that we need to keep fighting for our freedom...wtf? :shrug: This is someone who I have known all my life, grew up with and feel like they are like family. They have been out of the country for a few years with the military, so we really haven't talked much about this war--mainly 'cause I thought it would be a "sore spot" for them. For the first time we talked about it today and I'm shocked to hear them say they support it. This is someone who is extremely intelligent (however, I'm beginning to see how naive') and who adores Clinton. I feel like I've been hit over the head with a billy stick!

Am I missing something here? Tell me again that this war was unnecessary and that I didn't just step into the twilight zone:crazy:
This is something I thought I would have never heard come out of this person's mouth. Support for Bush and this war? As we kept talking they said "remember 9-11 and those 3,000 people who died, we had to retaliate." I then asked, "yeah, but do you think Saddam had anything to do with 9-11," and they said, "no, but he was harboring terrorists." I went on to ask "well, what about Iran then, they are surely harboring terrorists, so should we get them next." Their response was, "we always have known Iran was up to no good." WTF...???

How can those in the military be so blind...or is it me that is blind to the last 2 years of this? This is someone I trusted to get the answers right and now I wonder...have they lost their mind or have I?

Reassurance of some kind desperately needed here...:crazy:

:freak:

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Blue_Roses]

2. Group think is right...

they are right on message...sounds like something right off of Fox news...

[Stand and Fight]

3. Served 5 years

And I think Bush and company are total a--holes. I can tell you that your perceptions are unfounded. I got out in February and most of the men and women I worked with -- I was stationed at Fort Sill, OK --hated Bush and couldn't wait to vote him out of office.
However, you're right in many respects. A lot of the soldiers are young stupid kids. I will say that and they brainwash them left and right... Maybe it was me having such strong political views that swayed them. I'm very politically active, so that may have been the reason behind that... Okay, yeah... Group-think is right.

[Benhurst]

4. You definitely haven't lost your mind; but I'm not so sure about

your friend. Iraq harbored terrorists? What about the United States of America. The terrorists not only lived here, they were allowed to take training in Florida which made it possible for them to fly the planes on 9/11. Should we bomb Florida because of this?

It's hard dealing with such stupidity from people you care about -- I know how it feels: I just survived another Thanksgiving gathering.

[Blue_Roses]

8. And this is someone who has been in the military for almost 20 years

and they were a officer (if that makes any difference) I guess I'm just so stunned to see such a complete 360 degree turn around.

[SaintAnne]

5. don't worry

I don't think you are crazy, well, crazy but in a good way. and the guy must have been brainwashed, the military will do that to you. he's still in the "9/11" phase and hasn't gotten out of it yet. you sound like you have some sense still in you, so don't worry too much, as long as you got some you should be all right.

[aquart]

6. He wasn't harboring al qaida. He was secular.

All Muslims are alike. The only good Muslim is a dead Muslim. Good old bigotry is alive and well with a new excuse: 9/11.

Sorry about your friend.

[ET Awful]

7. You should have your friend read Born on the Fourth of July

Ron Kovic once thought he was fighting to keep America free too.

[Name removed]

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[4morewars]

10. This war is WRONG !

War is not the answer, regardless of the question, war is usually the wrong answer. Don't forget that your friend has been brainwashed for many years, more so since the fake president has been in the whitehouse. The military also limits outside influences every way they can, for instance, I would wager you could not get this site to open on any military computer, except for the ones they use to spy on us. Your friend may never come around, but you should keep trying. Veterans For Peace would be a good start. Also, both of you should read this book:

"War is a Racket" by Smedley Butler

Smedley was a two time Congressional Medal of Honor winner and retired from the military as a general in the USMC.

You can read the book online here:

http://lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm

Good luck and never stop doing what you know to be right.

[Blue_Roses]

11. mods, I think this may belong in GD

I'm gonna move it there. I'm in some shock here...not thinking too clearly...

[cags]

12. Some people need to feel like what they do is for the right reason

I can't even imagine if I had killed someone in Iraq and not believe that I did the right thing.

[KnowerOfLogic]

13. Fear, ignorance and militarism is wide-spread, i'm afraid. Ask

him/her if they think we should still be fighting in Vietnam right now, and what we gained from that war.

[bush_is_wacko]

14. Military brainwashing

is essential to get these men and women to do their job. At least that's what someone who served in the military w/ tell you. After they suffer from some debilitating illness that the military Dr's refuse to treat, they may reconsider, but a lot of them especially the older ones that have served for a long time will never get over their initial brainwashing! My uncle is one of the older one's. he served 8 yrs. in the Navy and never saw a day of combat, but he thinks he's a frickin War hero nonetheless! In contrast, his younger brother served in Vietnam in the most dangerous job there was and re-upped 3 times (He was a gunner on a helicopter) got lots of medals and PROMPTLY THREW THEM IN THE GARBAGE WHEN HE GOT HOME! He's a democrat through and through! He has no problem seeing the parallels in this war to Vietnam and he actually sees this one as being far worse than Vietnam!