You Can't Handle The Truth!!!

http://network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=135069&messageid=1000294453 ^ | 091201 | Dick G

[gunnyg]

See http://network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=135069&messageid=1000294453

[gunnyg]

That's all I have to say about that!

[Sundog]

Let me copy the message there for you.

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, Lieutenant 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 of a life spent defending something. You use them 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 that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand at post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

Thats the rest of what you need to say.

Condolences.

[germanshepherd]

Could you be more specific?

[Paine's Ghost]

It is funny now to think when those lines were spoken, it was meant to discredit the Corps. He was made to be a buffoon and fool while the faggy lawyer was the hero. I saw it then and I see it now. ex-USMC Sgt.

[B4Ranch]

Actually, Gunny, I think as a whole most civilians have the feeling of wanting to take personal revenge. They may not understand just what "standing at post" means but I think they are doing pretty good because they are not considering this a criminal act. They correctly view it as an act of WAR.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Great post. Big fan of Jack, and he is brilliant in his role in that movie.

[scubadan]

I have two sons in active duty with the Marines. As my wife and I discussed the events of yesterday, we naturally worry about the safety of our sons and hope that they will not be placed in harms away because of this attack. I realized last night that it is easy to give lip service to our beliefs when it doesn't involve your own personal sacrifice. I told my wife last night that if we truly believe this is an act of war that demands action, how can we be willing for others to make that sacrifice and not ourselves? I certainly pray for the safety of my sons and the others in our military but recognize the price to defend our freedom. As much as I hope my sons are always safe, if that moment comes I hope I have the courage to do more than give lip service to my beliefs.

[gunnyg]

Geez--yer right-thanx so much for setting me staright--yeah, we should just sit around and take it in the shorts time and time again and let it go at that. BS!!! Dick Gaines GySgt USMC (Ret.)

[gunnyg]

Just click on the link in my original post--that should do it for ya. Dick Gaines

[gunnyg]

Yeah, and if there's no follow-up attacks soon, they'll forget about it again as soon as the controlled media finds something new to jump on!!! Dick g

[scubadan]

Where the he!! did you read that in my post? I'm recognizing that I have to be willing to make a sacrifice for the things I believe in and that price could be my sons' involvement in appropriate action. Did I misrepresent my thoughts that poorly that you couldn't understand them? Geez!!

[gunnyg]

OK, but let's look at it the way we know it IS, not the way we're supposed to see it by the politically correct film industry--Marines have no trouble w/the word IS--you know IS, as in Bubba! Dick G

[gunnyg]

ya can't have it both ways, guy!

[B4Ranch]

I wonder how many can put "EP-3A" back into the front of their minds for more than .5 seconds a day. Not many looking at the business that Wal-Mart is doing everyday around here.

[scubadan]

I'm assuming this response was directed to me.

Could you please point out to me where in my post I'm asking to "have it both ways"? Isn't it natural as a parent to worry about the safety of my children? My post was meant to recognize that we often speak hawkish words of patriotism that are easy to state when the sacrifice is paid by others. My realization last night (as I expressed in my original post) was that action speaks louder than words and what honor is there in asking others to defend my beliefs without being ready to offer the ultimate sacrifice myself? My actual words to my wife were along the line of, "Are our sons lives any different than the lives of others given in the past?". Sure, they're my kids and I'll always pray for their safety but I recognize that the sacrifices made by others throughout history is no different than what might be required by our family to defend our beliefs and freedoms.

I'm confused on why you keep jumping on me. Please go back and re-read my original post (#7) and explain to me what part of my post made you think I was suggesting we "sit around and take it in the shorts" again.

[Paine's Ghost]

Slow down a bit Guns. Everthing I posted was in agreeement with you. ex-Sqt USMC

[jackbill]

As much as I hope my sons are always safe, if that moment comes I hope I have the courage to do more than give lip service to my beliefs.

Today it is your sons (and I hope they will be safe). Ten years ago it was my son and his buddies. Fifty years ago it was me and my buddies. Sixty years ago it was another group of Americans.

What can really bug one is the fact that many, many of our fellow citizens just don't understand the need for folks to put it on the line. It's like "Can't we all just get along?"

Sure we can, if you don't care how low you have to grovel.

[golder]

As I think back, great lines, this is the best.

[golder]

You see Mr. SUV these people, ready or not, might have to make the ultimate sacrifice, just so you can be a back round rambo.