Vanity: The silly way we reward our Generals

Tha San Francisco Chronicle ^ | February 6, 2005

[wattsmag2]

I read every post on this thread. Yours were the most inane.

[SmithL]

Jessep: You want answers?

Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.

Jessep: You want answers?

Kaffee: I want the truth!

Jessep: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

Kaffee: Did you order the code red?

Jessep: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.

Kaffee: Did you order the code red?

Jessep: You're goddamn right I did!!

[CAluvdubya]

See my post #57. I already said, after it was pointed out to me, that I understood what this article was saying. I didn't get it at first because it was posted in a different manner other than I am accustomed to. I didn't and still don't get the 3 point reference, but I have not caught up with this thread and it may have been explained.

OTOH, I made absolutely no references to gays or any kind of gay bashing. If you can find a post of mine gay bashing, please point it out to me. I think you, sir, are guilty of making generalizations with this charge!

[JCRoberts]

Mission: Accomplished

[ILL]

Not only a YES. But Hell YES. I am only sorry that so many of us living in this blessing of a country can't see the forest from the trees. Same reason why Roosevelt was criticized for NOT entering the war prior to Pearl Harbor - that's why our children will be grateful to Dubya for having made gutsy decisions at a critical time - and not wait for the "world consensus". If you remember Reagan was also criticized on foolish grounds during his tenure, but a few weeks back everybody seemed to think he did exceptionally well. I don't like to wait for the man to die to realize he did well. He should know that we know it.

[JCRoberts]

OK I am confused by your answer as it pertains to the questions asked in post 106. Perhaps there is a language barrier?

Anyway. Can you please explain the 3-pointer reference?

[ILL]

OK we all saw "A few good men". So? What's the point?

Unless it escaped you that Jessep ordered Santiago to be "trained" - not knowing abouth his heart condition. It is neither Jessep's nor Santiago's fault.

But we seem to live in a society quick to judge and that's plain WRONG. Jessep did do the right thing. So did Mattis. So did Bush. Does it always have to take us 10 years after they die to understand how lucky we were to have them?

[ILL]

Not only are we too quick to judge others, but we also do it out of some foolish pride (hubris - Greek). I contend that our (any branch of the United States Military) should be the last place to look, when it comes to searching for any blame of any kind. Our boys are well trained - among other things I give free seminars to any branch of the US Military on topics ranging from self-esteem to patriotism and have yet to see a boy or a girl not fit for duty. They have all impressed me and I shall always be on their side (even if they did some minor "wrong" - I admit not very likely but it will be my pleasure to do the little bit that I can for the people in uniform (as well as vets). Next time have me post my entire biography before I post an article.

[JCRoberts]

I have read this entire thread again and cannot find the gay bashing you claim.

[ILL]

Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

[ILL]

I suppose the questions you asked were either infantile, stupid or irrelevant (take your pick) that's why it was pointless to answer them as well as many others. I can't take you all back to Kindergarten and teach you how to count..... Some growing up, you have to do on your own. It's obvious that some people DID understand the post, I feel sorry for the rest.

[ILL]

Actually this was more fun than I expected. Although it seems that some of us are not very well developed thinkers. Talking (and trash-talking) has been rated very highly.

[ILL]

Does every statement I make have to be exactly about you? On what grounds?

[JCRoberts]

The questions are based on statements attributed to Dr. iliya Pavlovich. (Whether that is you, I do not know, but use of the name indicates a fondness.) Therefore, to figure out your overall disposition, I want to know if you think the President's credibility is beyond reproach. I want to know if you fear the President's measures will be appreciated in the future. Both statement were made by Pavlovich. What say you?

[ILL]

I answered that one in full and with a far-reaching insight, having mentioned that our children will be grateful for the gutsy decissions Dubya made at critical times - why should I fear the man whom I admire? There has to be some mental breakdown in this type of communicating.

[CAluvdubya]

Does every statement I make have to be exactly about you? On what grounds?

You posted it to me! (See the TO: line above)

[JCRoberts]

Are you Dr. iliya Pavlovich?

[ILL]

Yes, it is me. That is my full name (first and last) and that's how it's spelled. I can't write about somebody else's views because I have never been inside another person's mind. Mine, I know fairly well.

[wolicy_ponk]

It's President Bush, Mr. Palovic, not "Dubya".
What kind of job can one get with a Doctorate in comparative sociology, anyway?
Useful idiot?
Intelligentsia?
Mental masterbation pivot man in a liberal (cesspool) think tank?
You posted a vanity as your first post.
You changed the title of the story.
You accused people of gay-bashing and other generalizations on this thread, this did not occur.
When called on it, you admitted you were being duplicitous "Just wanted to see if you were paying attention."
Well, some of us are.
You still haven't answered the simple question about the "three-point at half-court" reference you made.
Also, you forgot to tell us how much you love Fox news...
Here's an idea, go back to Indymedia with your fifth column buddies, around here,
we prefer not to play with misguided tools like you.

[ILL]

I don't watch TV - ever. Therefore no FOX news in my home. Our president, Mr. George W. Bush, I do call Dubya out of endearment.