A MARINE IN IRAQ RESPONDS TO SENATOR KERRY

Website · Post by **thaistix** » May 21, 2007, 3:05 am

Senator Kerry's Comment: "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well, and if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Aaron, a Marine in Iraq wrote: I am a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I am currently on my second tour in Iraq, a tour I volunteered for. I speak Arabic and Spanish and I plan to tackle Persian Farsi soon. I have Bachelors and Associates Degrees and between deployments I am pursuing an M.B.A. In college I was a member of several academic honor societies, including the Golden Key Honor Society. I am not unique among the enlisted troops. Many of my enlisted colleagues include lawyers, teachers, mechanics, engineers, musicians and artists just to name a few. You say that your comments were directed towards the President and not us. If we were stupid Senator Kerry, we might have believed you.

I am not a victim of President Bush. I proudly serve him because he is my Commander and Chief. If it was you who was President, I would serve you just as faithfully. I serve America, Senator Kerry, and I am also providing a service to the good people of Iraq. I have not terrorized them in the middle of the night, raped them or murdered them as you have accused me of before.

I am doing my part to help them rebuild. My role is a simple one, but important. You see, Senator Kerry, like it or not, we came here and removed a tyrant (who terrorized Iraqis in the middle of the night, and raped and murdered them). And we have a responsibility to see to it that another one doesn't take his place. The people of Iraq are recovering from an abusive relationship with a terrible government and it's going to take some time to help them recover from that. We can't treat this conflict like a microwave dinner and throw a temper tantrum because we feel like it's taking too long.

Senator Kerry, you don't have to agree with this war. You don't have to say nice things about those of us who choose to make sacrifices for the rights of every American rather than sit back and simply feel entitled to it. But please, Senator Kerry, if you're going to call me a stupid murdering rapist, stick by what you say. Don't tell me that I misunderstood or that you would never insult a veteran because you are one too. Having been there and done that does not give you a free pass to insult me.

My suggestion for you, Senator Kerry, is to remember that your speeches are recorded, and broadcast to us simpletons over here. You may want to write down what you want to say before you say it; maybe have somebody look at it before you say it and tell you what others might hear. Remember that we can't read your mind; if there are any misinterpretations in what you say, it's because you didn't communicate clearly.

Good luck to you, Senator Kerry; if nothing else it's always entertaining to watch you try and climb out of the holes that you constantly dig for yourself.

Sincerely,

Somebody who is watching his daughter grow up in photographs so that you can have the right to say whatever you want about him.

I thought it would be appropriate to share this with all of you because this needs to be heard...Peace!!! From your FREEDOM!!

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 21, 2007, 3:08 am

Nice letter. I'm glad he had the courage to speak up.

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 5:07 am

those of us who choose to make sacrifices for the rights of every American

What does the war in Irak have to do with making sacrifices for the rights of Americans?

And ....
Is it really about a tyrant? Then why doesn't the US help countries like Tibet? Because Tibet doesn't have oil? Or because the US has an other political agenda to be friends with the "tyrants" in China?

I think it has more to do with oil, weapons trade, and economic politics.
So, I don't believe any of the "moral" stories.

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 21, 2007, 5:11 am

What does the war in Irak have to do with making sacrifices for the rights of Americans?

We have a saying in the US, Frankie: "If you gotta ask, you'll never understand."

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 5:31 am

the rights of Americans

The right to invade and bomb other countries as a first offence, to impose your way of thinking on them?
To impose your definition of "freedom" or "democracy" on other people? For money and oil?

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 5:38 am

I think the US are getting an image of wanting to dictate the world about what is right and what is wrong.
Maybe the rest of the world doesn't like that attitude.
We don't like the Muslims to do that, and we don't like the Americans to do the same.
I think a lot of Americans understand that, but maybe some Americans will never understand.

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 5:49 am

Ricohoc,

Maybe you forgot that the US created tyrants like Saddam.
The US supported Saddam and Irak when it was in their interest to fight against Iran.
The US supported groups like th Taliban in Afganistan, when it was in their interest to fight against the Russians (Sylvester stalone even made a movie about it, First Blood 3).

So, in fact, I think they are only trying to clean up their own mess.

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 21, 2007, 6:00 am

The right to invade and bomb other countries as a first offence, to impose your way of thinking on them?
To impose your definition of "freedom" or "democracy" on other people? For money and oil?

Invade and bomb as a first offense? Who did that? I understood that there were at least 17 UN Sanctions against Saddam prior to the invasion, and he had just expelled weapons inspectors.

No one is imposing the US definition of freedom and democracy on Iraq. They have a parliamentary system of government. The US has a democratic republic.

Until you can prove that the invasion is for money and oil, it's not a factor in this debate.

I think the US are getting an image of wanting to dictate the world about what is right and what is wrong.
Maybe the rest of the world doesn't like that attitude.
We don't like the Muslims to do that, and we don't like the Americans to do the same.
I think a lot of Americans understand that, but maybe some Americans will never understand.

Image and perception are not the same as facts. Are there any non terrorist countries that the US is putting serious pressure upon? If it were up to me, Frankie, we'd stop doing anything for anyone in the rest of world. Most have the same attitude that you have ... UNTIL YOU NEED US TO SAVE YOUR SCALPS.

Ricohoc,

Maybe you forgot that the US created tyrants like Saddam.
The US supported Saddam and Irak when it was in their interest to fight against Iran.
The US supported groups like th Taliban in Afganistan, when it was in their interest to fight against the Russians (Sylvester stalone even made a movie about it, First Blood 3).

So, in fact, I think they are only trying to clean up their own mess.

And Germany created Hitler. I don't hold that against present-day Germans. Saddam's tyranny was begun in a different age and time, just like Hitler's.

Many Americans who understand history realize that leaving Afghanistan without helping that country to stabilize was a mistake in 1980. That's why we are concerned about leaving Iraq before it is stabilized.

And by the way, Frankie, you'd either be talking German or Russian if it wasn't for the US. Even though you'll never admit it, say a little prayer to your spiritual leader that we were willing to spend our money and spill our blood to give you the freedom you have today to trash us.

And Frankie, it's not personal. I'm just arguing the point.

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 6:16 am

at least 17 UN Sanctions

Based upon reports of Irak having weapons of mass destuction, that were never found.
oooops

Are there any non terrorist countries that the US is putting serious pressure upon

And what would be a "terrorist country"? and according to whom?

No one is imposing the US definition of freedom and democracy on Iraq. They have a parliamentary system of government.

"a parliamentary system of government" ....installed by the Americans, while under US occupation.

in a different age and time

So I will not hold it against you that the Americans didn't bother to save the northern half of my country, and let a lot of people starve to death or freeze to death during the last winter of the second world war, and later traded our country's gold (that was stolen by the Nazi's) to Zwitserland, in stead of giving it back to us.
However we still thank the Canadians who did bother to free us from the Germans.

Also not personal, and arguing points

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 21, 2007, 6:34 am

Based upon reports of Irak having weapons of mass destuction, that were never found.
oooops

That was one reason for the invasion, but it wasn't all. They still haven't been found, but everyone's intelligence worldwide said the weapons were there. They were mistaken. What happened to your argument about invading for a first offense? Abandoned that angle?

And what would be a "terrorist country"? and according to whom?

Pretty simple: a country that harbors or finances terrorists. I think the whole world is pretty much in agreement with this. Do you know of any countries who don't think that Iraq, Iran and North Korea were the greatest threats to the rest of the world in 2002? What happened to your argument about dictating to the world? Abandoned that argument too?

"a parliamentary system of government" ....installed by the Americans, while under US occupation.

Can you site one iota of evidence that the current parliamentary form of government was not voted on by the Iraqi people? I seem to recall voting in two major elections by the Iraqi people in favor of the government now created, and there was an overwhelming turnout to vote. Had the people not wanted, they wouldn't have voted for it, Frankie.

So I will not hold it against you that the Americans didn't bother to save the northern half of my country, and let a lot of people starve to death or freeze to death during the last winter of the second world war, and later traded our country's gold (that was stolen by the Nazi's) to Zwitserland, in stead of giving it back to us.
However we still thank the Canadians who did bother to free us from the Germans.

Also not personal, and arguing points

I'm sure the US did all of that on purpose, Frankie. We're evil.

I'd like to read about that if you have a credible source to point me toward. And please, don't send me a link to Rosie O'Donnell's blog. I'd like to read something credible and based on historical fact.

Frankie, you managed to change the argument in every point you originally made and shift to something else.

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 6:57 am

I don't feel the need to provide you with information that is common information to other people. Maybe your sources are limited by political choice, maybe to only read what you choose to read if the content fits your opinion.

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 21, 2007, 7:16 am

Frankie, I have never read anything anywhere or heard any mention at any time of any stories of Americans abandoning any part of Holland and leaving people to die. I have also never heard of the US trading Dutch gold that rightfully belonged to your country. And my information is in no way limited ...

But if you can't or won't provide a source, then I am left to believe that your purpose is not to educate, but to only make accusations that cannot be substantiated.

Other than throwing up the WMD issue, which has been beaten to death for the 500 millionth time (and which had nothing to do with your original statements), I guess this means that you weren't able to back up any of your other statements toward America.

Thanks for playing.

Post by **uncle tom** » May 21, 2007, 7:17 am

Where was this letter published ?

Are sergeants now publicly feuding with members of the US Senate ?

Times have changed.

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 21, 2007, 7:32 am

Frankie, I've been searching the net for information on the atrocity perpetrated by US troops on the Dutch during WW2, but I haven't been able to locate anything directly related to that. I have found some things that are pretty interesting.

From 1820 to 1900 over 340,000 people from Holland emigrated to the United States. After the Second World War Holland was the most-densely populated country in the world. As a result the Dutch government encouraged people to emigrate to America. Today there are approximately 8,000,000 Americans of Dutch descent in the United States. The majority live in just ten states: California, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Washington and Iowa.

Why would so many Dutch come to evil America?

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAEholland.htm

That link also talks about things going on in Holland that weren't so great that forced citizens out ... You see, Frankie, every government can make mistakes.

And of course, let's not forget how the Dutch swindled the Native Americans out of Manhattan for $24 worth of beads and trinkets. Despite that, I don't ever recall hearing anyone talk about the "evil Dutch" or that lying Peter Minuit.

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » May 21, 2007, 7:56 am

i'm not sure you want to bring up the american indian issue, at least the dutch bought new york, on sale. as opposed to the american version of 'settling' the new frontier. Pennsylvania dutch, some decent food.

i'll just comment on fairly current history, as mentioned, a different time, different thinking, as all empires were brutal, one way or another, that is how they became empires. fortunitely for americans, they simply didn't exist long enough ago to develope that kind of history. americans did assist in WWI and WWII, although a bit late in both of actually committing troops. now, since those wars, i don't think i agree with much other involvement of wars since. the big ones, korea, vietnam, and now the gulf, were against UN recommendations at best, or just completely doing what they chose at worst. and in all, cut and ran, because there was no benefit to stay, which i hope happens soon in Iraq II. Iraq I had some merit, very little , as it removed occupying force from kuwait. again, leaving before the job was done, which left saddam intack, with enough army to protect his regime from internal take over.

as you can see, i'm not a fan of american's foreign policy. the ony one that comes to mind is grenada, where they kicked out a few partying cubans looking for fun. most of the other encounters in the world since the last big one have been disasters, from the reasons to engage, to the cut and run policy when 'oops' is realized once again.

anyone who thinks the US is in Iraq for any reason besides money, believes their own USA PR machine. iraq is in a state of civil war, that has been going on for centuries, the US just help change the leaders. there are acts of terrorism, but that is not what is happening in day to day civil unrest.

just my opinion

Post by **Cactusspike** » May 21, 2007, 7:58 am

uncle tom wrote:Where was this letter published ?

Are sergeants now publicly feuding with members of the US Senate ?

Times have changed.

Times Changed? I believe you have it backwards, Politicians
Seeking a useless photo op and newspaper article at the
expense (even lives) of the "lesser and uneducated"
(kerrys words) men and women of the armed service
is not something new, it has been around forever. Just as
Pointing the finger at someone who shed's light on a
politicially inconvienient speach , instead of giving proper
thought to the origianal speaker and message has been
around a long time too.

Post by **Dakoda** » May 21, 2007, 8:04 am

I am a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps

So we have an un-named sergeant

with a Bachelors and Associates Degrees

wonder why he isn't in OTS

pursuing an M.B.A.

wonder why he isn't in OTS

In college I was a member of several academic honor societies, including the Golden Key Honor Society. I am not unique among the enlisted troops. Many of my enlisted colleagues include lawyers, teachers, mechanics, engineers, musicians and artists just to name a few.

Wonder what the USMC require these days for OTS

Wonder who really wrote this so called letter. Sounds like someone from FOX News. Why now, (who cares) is Kerry running for something, or maybe someone has been cleaning up their computer.

So now let me tell you about the bridge I have for sale.......

Post by **skipvice** » May 21, 2007, 8:14 am

That letter is over a year old already,was making the rounds on gov e-mails, Author is unknown

Post by **tigerryan** » May 21, 2007, 8:14 am

Frankie, I was in the Bamboo Beer bar Soi 3 a few years ago and got to talking with a big Kuwati guy named Mo (Mohamed I suppose) when he found out the I was in the US Army Infantry during the first gulf war ( I personally didnt do squat). The guy starting singing dancing and hugging me he bought the entire bar drinks in my honor and it was really sort of embearasing but maby you should find some guys named Mo from Kuwait and talk to them about how and why the US got involved in Iraq. As far as the US not getting it done for you in the WWII maby you should talk to your Grandfather about that.

Post by **Frankie 1** » May 21, 2007, 8:16 am

Ricohoc,
Just because you didn't read about something, it doesn't mean that it didn't happen.

And I am not trying to bash America, just because I notice some things about their foreign policy, that in my opinion are negative or just not right.
I could talk about some bad things Holland did in Indonesia after the second world war, that doesn't mean that I think Holland is all bad.
It means that I don't shut my eyes for some bad policy of my own government in the past.
Also if I comment on some policy of a government of an other country, it doesn't mean that I think that country is evil. Far from that.

I read both sides of a story, and then make up my mind. If you only like to read your own propaganda is up to you. That can be fun too.

Anyway, I admire your patriotism