East Coast Blogging - Latest Comments in A Sad State of Affairs

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

Jill Foster — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:11:10 -0000

Thanks for this.

And it brings this question to mind (...one that's a bit large and general but it won't abate): What stirs people - crowds of people I assume in this case - to misdirect their anger so publicly?

Is it the influence of crowds on the individual? Have these groups of people lost loved ones in Iraq? I'm not trying to force a devil's advocacy here at all. I'm just mentally grasping at straws on how such anger can be slung at the innocent so willingly.

Do they want to feel like they are asserting their power as citizens...despite their assertions being misguided and ignorant?

So my one question turned into a slate of rhetorical ones. I'm not looking for one particular answer at all. It just feels disappointing and desperate for service men and women to suffer in this way. It's frustrating to try and process.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

jjgardner3 — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:31:32 -0000

Did you have any ideas on where I could submit to ?

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

chris — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:46:52 -0000

right on.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

Andrew Wright — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:33:51 -0000

Jimmy, this is just plain ignorance on display. Serving your country in the military is one of the greatest acts of selflessness out there. I do believe that, as a society, we have progressed quite a bit since the Vietnam War, when this type of behavior was much more prevalent. The fact that such incidents are now rare, and what seems to be a vast majority of those opposed to this war find this behavior sick is a good sign. Thanks for making the rest of us aware of this behavior.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

jjgardner3 — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:56:04 -0000

Hi Jeremy,
I am not able to for a variety of reasons. It was not a "story", rtaher an official correspondence.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

jer979 — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:18:52 -0000

jimmy-can you link to a source for this story? Not that I don't trust you, of course, I do, but having an 'original story' to point to would be helpful.

If true, it's disgraceful.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

Keith Casey — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:22:25 -0000

We need to start a new campaign: "Have you punched a hippie today?"

I have *huge* admiration for the Rolling Thunder guys.. after the protesters started going after families at funerals, they started forming Honor Guards and keeping the morons out.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

mjsante — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:19:35 -0000

What hateful and lazy people. Rather than do something constructive - write letters to their congresspeople, help the people in Iraq, support the military groups that oppose the war - they take an easy, pathetic route.

And thanks for sharing. I hear so much about "support our troops" but rarely do you see anything unless you have military friends/family. Nice to see someone actually caring enough to write something.

Any chance you'd submit this as an letter to the editor or similar? Would love to see it get broader readership.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

Ann Bernard — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:23:08 -0000

Thanks for writing this blog post Jimmy. That's absolutely absurd. It makes me very angry...which I know isn't the right thing. Just like you said - the troops don't start the wars but they are ALWAYS there to protect this country. Those military personnel are really taking the high ground not responding and "fighting" back.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

gotbob — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:57:48 -0000

Ignorant bastards are exercising the rights the same people that they are screaming at gave them!!! And you are right Jimmy they are expressing to the wrong people.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

Ryan Spahn — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:44:54 -0000

Does not make any sense at all. These are regular people working to make a living in the military. The service they provide each American's including those idiots is invaluable!

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

Suki Fuller — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:17:23 -0000

Of late I continue to be disappointed with the methods by which people express their dissatisfaction with the current war. As a veteran, I have always held the opinion that positions of opposition verbalized are what make this country great and I served to protect all, but physical and verbal assault is indeed regression paired with a slap in the face.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

jjgardner3 — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:20:04 -0000

I agree Jonny, this is not the way to treat those people.

Re: A Sad State of Affairs

InhaleExhale — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:15:07 -0000

Egads. What stupidity. Personally, I think we were misled into this war and we should find a way to extricate ourselves, but assaulting (or even insulting) service members does nothing to help change our policy.