To both Beau and Vader -
I apologize if my post came off as offensive. It was not my intent at all.
Let me explain: I harbor no ill-feelings towards any veterans. I would welcome their company. However, what I have no use for is the concept that going to war in a foreign country protects or furthers our own freedom. I'd have to say that it does rather the opposite.
What drives me batty is when I get into a conversation with a pro-military person who says that we should invade such and such a country and kill all those buggers over there 'cause it protects our American way.
With absolutely no malice intended, I ask you to ponder this question: In what war in America's history in which we have left our own soil (WW1 & II excluded for the sake of the argument) has actually contributed to our freedom? Which one was actually justified?
I contend that ALL men are created equal, with certain rights endowed by their creator. Americans have killed many in the pursuit of the American way, and I feel that has deprived much of the world of their share of their God-given rights.
I won't apologize for sounding harsh earlier, and here's why. Hopefully it may help to answer your question.
First of all, those who say going to war in a foreign land to "protect our American way" are ignorant, and likely come from lesser educated parts of the country. I joined the Navy on October 4th, 2001, 3 weeks after 9/11. It wasn't to protect anything. I was pissed, and I wanted to fight back. And honestly, I can say that most of my buddies who joined when I did felt the same way. At 18, 19, 20 years old, I knew few my age who were patriotic. In fact, we took every bit of freedom given to us for granted. Hugely for granted. I didn't grow up with a flag flying in my yard, and I always looked forward to the 4th of July for fireworks and BBQ's rather than remembrance, and Veteran's Day just meant a day off school.
My time spent serving woke me up and made me realize that if it weren't for the men and women in uniform (police, fire, and EMS included), we would live in a vastly different, vastly scary society. Do I agree with going after Saddam in '03? Absolutely not. At least not when we should have been looking for Bin Laden. Do I agree that GW was a good president? What a joke! But, because I served a greedy, vengeful country, I did my job without complaint. We fight for liberty of not only our own, but for everyone in the world. You said it yourself that you feel that much of the world has been deprived of their God-given rights, so that's why we fight. To defend the little man. To stand up for those who can't. We may not have "won" in Vietnam, but they're no longer a torn country. Korea is divided, but look at the regime of the Kim's. Would you rather live there? The Middle East is a touchy subject, I suppose, but I'll say this. We liberated Kuwait after being invaded, and we helped free the Iraqi people from tyranny.
If the wars in the Gulf were for oil, then why is oil production in the US higher now than it was in 2001? Did you know the US exports more oil than it imports? Funny...how they say it was a war for oil. I will agree that our military leaders at the time, I think, lead more with their hearts full of revenge than brains full of strategy.
Regardless, all of these things we did, with our allies help, was written in our own decrees, by men who said "if they can't, we will."
That
all men are created equal.
That
everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Not just Americans.
I implore you to open your mind and broaden your horizons on the topic of our military. Read the first-hand accounts of the Navy SEALs who fought in battles you'd never hear about on CNN. Read Patton's biography. Tune out what you see or hear in the mainstream media. I'm totally serious when I suggest this, but stop by a local VFW or American Legion and ask a Vet to tell you about his or her time serving and why they did, prior to passing judgement. Our government is the problem, I agree. I'm not an anarchist, because I feel that if left to our own devices, we're much worse off. You need rules and laws and structure. But at the same time, we need to hold accountable those who are charged with upholding those laws and rules and structures. IMHO, I feel that Americans are too afraid to stand up against what really is a tyrannical government. Sure, we have angry groups like those found on Pro-2A forums, but that's not enough. I would argue that more than 3/4 of the country, while they say they're fed up with our government, would rather stick their heads in the sand hoping the problem goes away than stand up and take their country back.
With all that said, I respect your opinions, but I will not agree with them.