I try not to post much politically fueled things. Usually all it does is start a fight. Growing up in such a "red state" I know the few people who have similar mindsets as myself but those, the majority, who feel different than me will just get mad and start a fight. And, unlike some I know, I hate arguing politics with those who have very political views than me. I'm not going to change your mind, and you sure as hell aren't changing mine. All that gets accomplished is my blood pressure rising. But sometimes, enough is enough.
Today is one of those days.
I am
so sick of seeing Facebook statuses about the four Marines. In my humble opinion both sides need to shut the fuck up.
To the people that think this was okay or not a big deal: Contrary to what so many think (and sometimes tell me I think) I support the troops. They have signed up for a service and duty I never have and, in all honestly, am probably not capable of doing. And trust me, that
is something I wholeheartedly respect. (But guess what, there
are other careers out there that do the same. Police or Firefighters, anyone?) And God (or whomever) bless their families...after everything they see and go through they need people who love and support them to make it through everything.
However, what those four shitheads did was not okay...on any level. Yes, the Taliban has, would, and probably will do worse to us...but is our troops acting even in the
slightest bit like the assholes that make up the Taliban something we're really going to condone?? Aren't we supposed to be better than them?? And here's a real kicker, "our side"
can and
do sometimes do wrong. It's war. It's ugly. It brings out the worst in people. Our troops do not walk on water. What disgusts me about these guys is not so much the act itself, it's that they basically nullified what so many have risked and lost lives and limbs for over there. Sadly it only takes a few to undo the good of many...but that's nothing new. Also, it makes my blood boil when I see people saying unless you've served or you are a close family member of someone who has served you're not allowed to and have no right to have an opinion on these things...
unless said service member or family member's opinion has a left lean to it....then their opinion and service don't really count and they need to shut up. Double standards are fun.
To the people who are livid over this: As I stated above, what these dicks did was not cool on any level. This adds fuel to the fire for the Taliban. I hope those guys are punished to the fullest extent of the law. The troops still deployed over there, who, of course, had nothing to do with this act, are going to be the ones who have to deal with the repercussions because of a few dumb asses.
However, and I'm going to repeat myself again here, it's
war. It's
ugly. It brings out the
worst in people. These men and women have been through, lost, and seen more ugly of the human race than most of us ever have or will. No, those Marines were not treating the corpses with the respect any human should be shown but that's because they can't think of these people as fellow human beings with families and feelings. It's kill or be killed. It's surviving. They're the enemy. If they did think of who they're fighting as just another person who needs a hug or something there's no way to do the things necessary to survive in war or probably live with yourself afterward. I know it's not at all the same thing but I've worked in health care for a while now...I know how it works to "detach" yourself from other people
or your emotions as a way to do your job sometimes. So, yeah, not exactly the same as shooting at someone or being shot at, but hopefully you know what I'm getting at. I'm not saying it's right. I'm not saying I'm okay with it. I'll never be one of the ones in the streets chanting "USA" because we finally successfully killed somebody we really don't like. But I
am saying I completely understand the state of mind and why it exists. So, while those Marines are a special level of douche, unless you've been in these people's shoes and
know how you would act under these circumstances, let's not throw too many stones.
And there's that. I'm probably going to regret writing this one, but at this moment in time I don't care.
