Guess you showed us you do not know the difference between Socialism and opinion.Robert wrote:
DAMN WELL SAID MARINE........ HOPEFULY, your post may bring some light to one whose
perspective, through no fault of his own, has been colored by a primarily socialist European educational system, which seems to denigrate anything America has done.ChosinMead@aol.com wrote:
Our Flemish friend,
Initially, let me apologise for any name calling that took place, I agree that it has no place in an intelligent discussion.
I for one warmly welcome an opinion from a European point of view.
With that said, there are several of your statements that I disagree with.
In many years of teaching, one of the things that I had the most difficulty teaching them was that a generalization has no value until it is proven ( backed up) by facts. statistics, etc. You my friend, have been guilty of this:
"The bulk of the foot soldiers will be people of color". That has never been the case in any American war that I am familiar with. I would appreciate any facts you my have to prove that statement.
"American soldiers get away with manslaughter." In the case you are referring to there was no negligence or malice involved- it was an accident. If you have some evidence to the contrary, please enlighten us.
You speak of American arrogance- In the United States Marine corps we have a saying that"It isn't bragging- if you can do it!"
I believe you are mistaking a "can do" attitude for arrogance. Our Marines have another saying "It's had to be humble- when you are the best!"
You also said,"... if they reminded you of it every available moment, would that have not make him feel awkward?"
Welllll, if once in a while the rescued expressed some gratitude, maybe it wouldn't be necessary to remind them of it?
I have often wondered why the French were so ungrateful and seemingly anti- American. After discussing it with some of them, I realized what the problem is. They resent our National resolve and ability to fight, The very thought of it is a constant reminder of their own wartime incompetance, and in some cases- outright cowardice. A Frenchwoman who was a member of the W.W.2 Resistance told me that during the war the French underground had 4,000 members, just as the war was ending- they had 40,000 (People were 'jumping on the bandwagon') Today, they have 40 million who claim to have been in the resistance.
PS. Ed, please note in my mentioning the "foot soldiers" earlier, it included the Korean War- so it become relevent to this list......No?