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Respect The Armed Forces
Northern Star Online ^ | September 11, 2003 | Jack Daniel

Posted on 09/11/2003 8:07:38 AM PDT by Ex-Dem

Two years ago today. It has been two years since that fateful day when the world realized the extent of our vulnerability. A cowardly terrorist group, too fearful to meet us on the battlefield, attacked and killed thousands of innocent Americans. They enraged a gentle giant — the United States of America.

We are no longer a nation protected by the oceans. Technology has given our enemies the ability to strike anytime, anywhere. No amount of the already-intrusive security measures will make a difference. The only thing that will prevent more attacks is a policy of retaliation.

It is now, more so than ever, that we need a strong military to belong where we are engaged. Despite this realization, many are still anti-war. Are you willing to give up your rights to foreign invaders because you are too scared to fight?

I, for one, am proud of the work the Bush administration has done over the past two years. Let us not kid ourselves; no one wants to be engaged in a war, certainly one that’s unpopular. Despite the difficulty in recent months of the war on terrorism, I am happy to see that we will not waiver in our fight. Not only is this war for our rights as Americans, but it also will serve to help others achieve rights as well.

Speaking of rights, who ultimately has given us our most basic rights? Sure the easy answer is the U.S. Constitution. But you have to look at who defends the Constitution.

The very group whom many of you love to attack, the military, has given you that right to protest; at least show some respect. If you can’t show respect, at least show some professionalism. I found the behavior of a certain professor last year, ironically acting unprofessionally, very disturbing.

For some reason, he was so angry about our nation going to war, he found screaming at the armed forces recruiting station to be the best remedy. Surely with a Ph.D. you can find a more efficient way of protesting the war, perhaps by writing to your representative or the president himself. Why focus your attention on the military? Keep this in mind the next time you polemics that plague college campuses decide to protest again.

Remember where your rights come from, said Sgt. Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC.

“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

Don’t let the politicians use this war to divide our nation by using it as evidence on why to vote for one candidate over another. That is exactly what they are doing. Can you honestly tell me that every Democrat is against the war while the Republicans are thirsting for more blood? That is the way it is being portrayed.

I agree, it is sad to see each day that another soldier has died in this conflict; one recently from my hometown was killed. However, we must show that we will not retreat at the first sign of trouble.

To tell you the truth, I’m amazed we haven’t had another major terrorist attack since Sept. 11. But there is a reason I feel we haven’t; we have shown that those who attack us will face our wrath. Along with that threat, we’ve taken severe action to rid the planet of those people.

Had former President Bill Clinton pursued terrorism with more authority like President George Bush, Sept. 11 might not ever have happened.

Remember the explosion of the USS Cole? Reports of the attack pointed to Osama Bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist group. What was done in retaliation for this blatant act of war?

Nothing. Nothing was done.

A group of militant men had the audacity to approach a U.S. war ship and carry out their cowardly attack which led to the death of 17 sailors. Because of our lax approach to this event, the terrorist felt it was proper time to launch a full-scale attack; this is why Sept. 11 occurred.

Don’t hold President Bush accountable for the war; he isn’t the one who started it.

To prevent more attacks we must see this war to the end. Do not let the media or any political party sway your votes by means of war.

Remember the events from two years ago; perhaps then you might understand why we are at war. Is the attention span of our nation that short that we’ve already forgotten?

Whatever your feelings are about this, aim them at the leadership of our nation, not at the brave men and women trying to prevent another devastating attack on our way of life.

Remember that our armed forces are working to protect our rights as well as our lives.

Even if you disagree with their mission, at least respect their devotion to your way of life. The next time you are spitting on the flag or burning it through protest, remember who gave you that right.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 911; iraq; sept11; soldiers; wot

1 posted on 09/11/2003 8:07:38 AM PDT by Ex-Dem
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
*Ping!

“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”
2 posted on 09/11/2003 8:09:05 AM PDT by Ex-Dem (Anti-Quagmire Alert)
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To: Ex-Dem
During the Gulf War(1991),my late wife and I discovered that we could write letters of encouragement(gratefulness)and send packages to soldiers in the conflict.How can I do this now?
3 posted on 09/11/2003 8:13:40 AM PDT by bandleader
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To: bandleader
*BUMP @ bandleader's question

"During the Gulf War(1991),my late wife and I discovered that we could write letters of encouragement(gratefulness)and send packages to soldiers in the conflict. How can I do this now?"

I'm certain there're ways of sending care packages to our troops. I also think some of the various division homepages allow messages to soldiers to be posted (not sure if this is only for family members).

I'm sure they're FReepers here who can provide you with the details.
4 posted on 09/11/2003 8:21:31 AM PDT by Ex-Dem (Anti-Quagmire Alert)
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To: Ex-Dem
re: "A cowardly terrorist group, too fearful to meet us on the battlefield, attacked and killed thousands of innocent Americans."

WRONG!!!

NOT FEARFUL!!! They were to WISE!!! Cause we got plenty of cans of WHOOPASS!!!

Our military would have smashed them like a bug in a split second, and they were actually smart enough to know that, believe it or not!

That is why they are targeting innocent civilians.

5 posted on 09/11/2003 8:31:48 AM PDT by RonHolzwarth
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To: Ex-Dem
I want to make another point here, regarding "Don’t hold President Bush accountable for the war; he isn’t the one who started it."

True. The terror was was an inherited problem, Bush inherited it from Clinton.

Exactly like, Johnson inherited the Vietnam sorrows from Kennedy.

Exactly like, Hoover inherited the depression,,,

The President of the United States has a heavy burden, for sure. The weighty problems of the nation go on continously, but the standing President is usually the one blamed when things go bad.

(And quickly takes the credit when things go well too, also!)

That's my firmly held opinion. You can't change it, folks!

Think I'm right?




6 posted on 09/11/2003 8:38:04 AM PDT by RonHolzwarth
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To: Ex-Dem; MJY1288; Calpernia; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; Coop; Ernest_at_the_Beach; ...
Even if you disagree with their mission, at least respect their devotion to your way of life. The next time you are spitting on the flag or burning it through protest, remember who gave you that right.

Amen! Thank you, E.D.! This one's a keeper. Mass e-mailing to the press today.

And to whoever needs it tomorrow.

8 Unapologetically Pro-Coalition News Links and Articles

7 posted on 09/11/2003 9:14:01 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("May God bless and protect our Patriots." ~ SOD Rumsfeld, Arlington National Cemetary * 9/11/03)
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To: bandleader
Go to the Canteen, they have several links for your request.....thank-you in advance...my hubby and all the troops love receiving mail.
8 posted on 09/11/2003 9:21:29 AM PDT by mystery-ak (Happy Birthday, Mike...wish you were here.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Great Article.
9 posted on 09/11/2003 9:23:45 AM PDT by boxerblues (God Bless the 101st, stay safe, stay armed and watch your backs)
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To: boxerblues
Perhaps you can help out bandleader's question in Post #3?
10 posted on 09/11/2003 9:29:04 AM PDT by Coop (God bless our troops!)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Repectful bump!
11 posted on 09/11/2003 9:33:54 AM PDT by SAMWolf (US Marines - Technical Support for 72VirginsDating.mil (Thanks jriemer))
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To: bandleader
you have freep mail
12 posted on 09/11/2003 9:45:32 AM PDT by boxerblues (God Bless the 101st, stay safe, stay armed and watch your backs)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Right-on ~ Bump!
13 posted on 09/11/2003 9:57:18 AM PDT by blackie
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To: Ex-Dem
Thanks. We will always honor our troops.

Here is a link that will bring this thread a whole new perspective. This will epitomize WHY our troops are fighting. It explains it very well. There are quotes by our forefathers that say it well. It only takes a few seconds to play. I hope you have speakers.

http://www.fdnylodd.com/BloodofHeroes.html
14 posted on 09/11/2003 10:25:13 AM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife (CNN: where " WE report what WE decide!!")
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To: bandleader
You came to the right place. (^:

Freepers contributed some good, easy ways to help the troops here, too:

8 Letters, Small Packages Get to Troops Quicker ["The ideal size is a shoebox"]

See posts #15, 23, 34 and 41 especially.

Thanks for caring, bandleader.

15 posted on 09/11/2003 10:42:09 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("May God bless and protect our Patriots." ~ SOD Rumsfeld, Arlington National Cemetary * 9/11/03)
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To: RonHolzwarth
"They were wise"

No, they were and are cowards! The only wise people we are seeing now is our military, because they took this fight out of our country and into theirs.
16 posted on 09/11/2003 12:59:25 PM PDT by Arpege92
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump!
17 posted on 09/11/2003 3:14:23 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Coop; boxerblues; mystery-ak
Bumping for the troops ~ and for 9/12 - another bad day for the bad guys in Iraq.
18 posted on 09/11/2003 7:38:19 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("He runs an honest White House." Rudy Guiliani re. Pres. Bush, w/ Sean Hannity, 9/11/03)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I second that!
19 posted on 09/12/2003 4:26:01 AM PDT by Coop (God bless our troops!)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump!
20 posted on 09/12/2003 5:36:29 AM PDT by windchime
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