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Obviously, when General Eisenhower used the term "Military-Industrial Complex" and warned against the unprecedented entrenchment of "standing armies" (as Washington, Jefferson, and especially Madison warned about), well, you're right, Eisenhower wasn't REALLY talking about a "Military-Industrial Complex" or about the unprecedented entrenchment of "standing armies."
Anyone who thinks so is TINFOIL.
by judasdisney on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 06:23:27 PM PDT
He wasn't talking about the MIC. I said he recognized its necessity, and the necessity of having a strong national defense.
GOBAMA!
by USArmyParatrooper on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 06:28:03 PM PDT
[ Parent ]
to shut down any opposition to your opinion.
Straight out of the playbook.
by judasdisney on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 06:43:52 PM PDT
You got my number. I have preplanned tactics I use to shut down decenting opinions.
In my opinion, from 3 1/2 years experience in the active Army and 6 years in the UMSCR... our troops becoming Jesus freaks IS ridiculous paranoia.
I did state "in my opinion" if that's more palatable to you.
by USArmyParatrooper on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 06:47:48 PM PDT
seems a bit over the top, who are these guys?
http://www.forceministries.com/
Howe many others are there running around loose?
Think Tank. "A place where people are paid to think by the makers of tanks" Naomi Klein.
by ohcanada on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 08:35:15 PM PDT
But judging by their website they're a private organization that advocates their religious beliefs, and they focus on military and law enforcement.
It's privately owned so I have no problem with it. But the fact that I've never heard of them should tell you something.
by USArmyParatrooper on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 08:41:00 PM PDT
http://www.forceministries.com/... has this gentleman currently serving in a marketing capacity with the US navy, I am surprised that you think it unimportant, I think it's rather insidious that he can do this while serving the US people.
Captain W. Jeffrey Alderson, U.S. Navy Director, U.S. Pacific Command Public Affairs
by ohcanada on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 09:54:02 AM PDT
You don't think an active duty member should be allowed to belong to a religious organization?
You don't know how bad I wish this wasn't an online things sometimes. I would LOVE to be able to take you to ANY military base of your choosing, and we'll walk up to hundreds of random servicemen. I'm willing to bet we won't find one single person who has felt pressured toward any particular religion.
by USArmyParatrooper on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 11:22:17 AM PDT
He can go to any church he chooses on his own time, it is not the role of the taxpayer to fund his prosyltizing. If he wants to go fishing for souls to convert he should avoid using his public profile to sell himself and his organisation. I get the definite impression this is marketing to soldiers etc.. too much rah rah for little old ladies.
Secondly, a great deal of reading has me understanding there were definitely issues surrounding religion at the USAF Academy in Colorado. Can we agree on that?
by ohcanada on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 12:23:35 PM PDT
Seriously you assume too much, as do many people unfortunately. What evidence do you have that he's using tax payer dollars for his involvement in the private, religious organization? The only thing you have showed me is that A: he's in the Navy. And B: He's a key person in a religious organization.
He's probably a great guy and a fine officer, as I have no reason to believe otherwise.
On the Air Force Academy issue, I haven't read or heard about any issues. The only thing I can judge is 9 1/2 years of military experience in two different branches. Most Soldiers and Marines I've worked with aren't even religious in the conventional sense. The ones that are have always been due to their upbringing.
If you ever worked with or around military personnel for any length of time you'd realize this is a non-issue.
by USArmyParatrooper on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 12:54:57 PM PDT
reassuring in fact.
I don't think you responded to the fragging threat, what exactly is driving that if it isn't religion.
Thanks for your patience.
by ohcanada on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 03:15:39 PM PDT
I was actually posting in a diary talking about that supposed threat. Even the original source of that story said they have not yet substantiated the claim.
The person in question is SPC Jeremy Hall. I asked for a middle name so I can email him.
I'm willing to bet you accepted it as fact with no proof, right?
by USArmyParatrooper on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 03:51:34 PM PDT
http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom....
I guess we will see soon enough, freedom of and from religion matters to some. If SPC Hall actually contacted them maybe there is something to it. I was not aware of the website before. Kos is a good site for policing out lies simply by way of the recommends and troll buttons.
by ohcanada on Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 08:40:46 PM PDT
If someone has an unpopular opinion, others are free to make outrageous insults to the individual. But when that person responds in kind some TU comes along and says, "troll!"
It happened to me and I've seen it happen to another guy. Frankly, I don't care about being "troll rated".
Just by everything I have known and experienced makes me question this story as it is written. Of course, our military is 2.3 million strong and has existed for over 232 years. By laws of numbers there's going to be anomalies and happenings that are NOT representative of what is normal or acceptable.
Again, from 9 1/2 years of total military experience in two different branches, I am absolutely confident that "forced religion" isn't a problem. And I said before my own experience makes me question the validity of this story. And as I said in another thread every soldier is entitled to file a complaint with their IG (Inspector General), either anonymously or otherwise. IG responds fairly aggressively to even small complaints. They would be all over something of this magnitude.
If you could find out SPC Hall's middle name, I will email him personally.
by USArmyParatrooper on Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 08:18:04 AM PDT
wide narrow
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