No-flags order causes a flap along the front line

The International Herald Tribune ^ | Thursday, March 20, 2003 | Jim Dwyer/The New York Times

[smith288]

How gay.

[Poohbah]

Hate to say this, but the flags violate camouflauge discipline.

With the prevalence of National Guard units supporting the active Army, state flags could very easily break operational security by giving another piece of SALUTE (Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, Equipment) data.

And, of course, regimental standards DEFINITELY break OPSEC.

We have the best damn military in the world--and we are the best because we pay attention to the small stuff, from whence the big stuff comes.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Here's what I want to see for the troops in Iraq. On APO/FPO limits, the same as any overseas post, like the men and women in Europe or the Pacific get. I mean pork for one.

[MP5SD]

To be expected. Dosen't make you feel good..but its the right call. "Regular" troops will understand some day. I was proud to see Marines plant the flag in Afganistan, but as an old SOF guy I knew it wasn't a good idea. Would have been better to help them plant the Afgan flag and cheer it like it were your own.

[Pukka Puck]

Another soldier, Specialist Robert Bratton, asked: "You can't blame them. You got a lot of Americans back in the States against it."

A sergeant, Elmer Smith, said the United States was seen as interfering in the affairs of too many countries. "The U.S. meddles," he said.

Bratton asked: "What's the reason we're fighting?"

Garcia answered, "I think Saddam Hussein got them weapons."

Bratton shook his head.

"I think it's oil," he said.

Smith offered his theory. "I think it's revenge for his father," he said.

Typical New York Times B.S.

[ffusco]

Yeah............ the "white guys" , Bratton and Smith are doing the talking points and Garcia is doing an Homage to Estrada.

[LizardQueen]

I agree, it is the right call, tough as it is to swallow.
We do great on the technical stuff but we have to do a little bit better in the "hearts and minds" department to avoid future trouble in the region. This kind of concession will help.

LQ

[ex-Texan]

Sounds like a very clever strategy to me.

[AAABEST]

The worst thing for me during GW-I was not being able to have bibles for the first few months we were there.

I thought the Saudi's had a lot of nerve trying that one.

Sorry, but I have a deep hatred of Islam, unless it's of the pure secular sense.

[MonroeDNA]

"They are not, these officials say, an army of conquest, intent on claiming Iraqi land or treasure for the United States, but a liberation force. They are concerned that streams of American flags would be seen as provocative."

Tell that to our old soldiers, who liberated France, American flags waving.

Europe wet their collective pants in glee when they saw our flag. The Iraqies will be just as greatful.

Whatever PC idiot in the military gave THAT order (no American flags) should be fired immediately.

The "anti-flag" (anti-US) crowd has infiltrated the Military.

"Provocative?" I've got your provocative right here.

Let there be no doubt in the world: The Americans are coming to liberate Iraq.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Elmer Smith is an idiot.

[MonroeDNA]

""It's imposing enough that we're coming into another society," said Captain Frank Stanco, a commander with an artillery unit in the 101st Airborne. "I tell our soldiers we want to maintain our professionalism. We could be making history. I call it being quiet professionals."

I call it being shamed to be an American. I call it blatent PC cowardice.

[Little Bill]

When I was in Viet Nam we had State Flags, The Stars and Bars, US Flags, and those of several foreign countries flying, track commanders country of birth, flying, no static then.

[MP5SD]

Tell me why you left home without your bible in your ruck? Dude..its only slightly bigger than a deck of cards.

[vetvetdoug]

I sent my brother a Van Dorn Battle Flag to fly during GW I. He flew it for awhile until someone made a complaint that it looked like a Pakistani flag and someone else recognized it as a Confederate Flag.

[Alberta's Child]

It figures they'd name the place "Camp New Jersey."

It probably looks like the inside of a transistor radio, smells like burning oil wells, and is commanded by a guy who is about to be replaced at the last minute by an 85 year-old moron.

[Little Bill]

someone else recognized it as a Confederate Flag.

A friend of mine in B/3/4 Cav had Little Annie Fannie holding a RVN flag and the US Flag painted on the side of his track along with the Fighting Prince of Donnegal, Flew an Irish flag and the US Flag, until we got a new squadron CO, Ahole Lifer, made him paint over Little Annie, RPG target, we both got dinged at the same time, and used to laugh about it. He was on his second tour, went through TET and never took a hit until the painting.

[Little Bill]

someone else recognized it as a Confederate Flag.

A friend of mine in B/3/4 Cav had Little Annie Fannie holding a RVN flag and the US Flag painted on the side of his track along with the Fighting Prince of Donnegal, Flew an Irish flag and the US Flag, until we got a new squadron CO, Ahole Lifer, made him paint over Little Annie, RPG target, we both got dinged at the same time, and used to laugh about it. He was on his second tour, went through TET and never took a hit until the painting.

[Little Bill]

Double post me bad.