NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/community/4aaa03_soldier.txt

You decide.

In a few years, I'm waiting for some wag to write a book, and say that he couldn't find any documented cases of spitting.

Probably pretty easy to say that, if you never talk to any soldiers.

Oh, and spitting on soldiers, or hating them doesn't have to be in wartime.

From a friend:

Back in about summer of 1985 a group of protesters were protesting outside the main gate at Fort McNair in Washington DC where Alpha company, TOG is located. One morning at about 0900 or 1000 my casket team was leaving post on a bus heading over to Arlington to do funerals. As we exited the gate the protesters started spitting and throwing eggs at our bus. The windows were open and some of it ended up getting into the bus and on us and our uniforms which were hanging up along the center aisle of the bus. Suffice to say we weren’t exactly happy about it.

Military District of Washington didn’t do shit, although I’d bet the MP’s would have happily arrested the lot of em. The rule was not to fuck with the protesters unless they actually damaged something or hurt someone, then all that could be done was to call the DC Metro police.

Bit strange nobodies been charged.....

Some how the protesters that spit are worse than the people in the military that are paid to kill? I mean, in civilian life, if you are paid to murder, then you get jail time, and maybe an execution for it. But, when you put on a uniform, for some reason, you are hailed as a hero, although you are just a paid murderer in a fancy uniform. It boggles my mind how support for any military can continue.

The point being?

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/community/4aaa03_soldier.txt

You decide.

In a few years, I'm waiting for some wag to write a book, and say that he couldn't find any documented cases of spitting.

Probably pretty easy to say that, if you never talk to any soldiers.

*shrug* Goes with the job doesn't it. Has done so for years hasn't it.

Don't want to be spat at, don't solider for a living.

well you need to get hard copies of all these articles and put them in a file so you can whip them out on the day 25 years from now when someone writes and article on how no soldiers who served in iraq ever got spit on.

then you'll show'em!

*shrug* Goes with the job doesn't it. Has done so for years hasn't it.

Don't want to be spat at, don't solider for a living.

A lot of people here say it has NEVER happened...

some people are really childish. seriously, they must grow up.

He should press charges. Spitting is assault, as far as I know. It would be pretty easy to get hold of the airport security tapes that show him being spat on.

The same goes for the eggs on the uniforms. That's vandalism. One would assume that the entrance to a military base would also be under surveillance, so again, we have videotape evidence.

After all, most police officers would be willing to do such an investigation even if they weren't getting paid for it. The tapes would provide the evidence, and there we go: another hippy in jail.

I wonder why this isn't happening.

A lot of people here say it has NEVER happened...

Link, please. Thankyou.

A lot of people here say it has NEVER happened...

Ahhh so this is more of a 'See I told you so' than a 'Why do these things always happen to me' post then.

He should press charges. Spitting is assault, as far as I know. It would be pretty easy to get hold of the airport security tapes that show him being spat on.

The same goes for the eggs on the uniforms. That's vandalism. One would assume that the entrance to a military base would also be under surveillance, so again, we have videotape evidence.

After all, most police officers would be willing to do such an investigation even if they weren't getting paid for it. The tapes would provide the evidence, and there we go: another hippy in jail.

I wonder why this isn't happening.

Damn me you are not free to spit on or egg somebody in 'The Land Of The Free'?

I don't really understand the controvery here. :confused:

Damn me you are not free to spit on or egg somebody in 'The Land Of The Free'?

Not technically, but most people aren't going to sue you if you get into a fight. I'd guess that's about the same anyplace. :p

Is this what they mean by hawks and doves?

After all, most police officers would be willing to do such an investigation even if they weren't getting paid for it.

Are you suggesting that most police would care about this more than a rape or murder?

Are you suggesting that most police would care about this more than a rape or murder?

I think most police would care more about rape, murder, or even traffic tickets.

If spitting at soldiers is such a devastatingly crushing psychological weapon, why isn't it more widely employed by the 'insurgents' of Iraq? It would save them all that tedious mucking about with AK47's, RPG's and IED's.

I think most police would care more about rape, murder, or even traffic tickets.

I always suspected a rivalry between the police and soilders.

But I suspect a lot of thing...

If spitting at soldiers is such a devastatingly crushing psychological weapon, why isn't it more widely employed by the 'insurgents' of Iraq? It would save them all that tedious mucking about with AK47's, RPG's and IED's.

Soldiers expect "the enemy" to hate them. They don't expect the citizens back home who say, "We Support The Troops" to really mean, "We Support The Troops, But We Really Fucking Hate Them"

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/community/4aaa03_soldier.txt

You decide.

In a few years, I'm waiting for some wag to write a book, and say that he couldn't find any documented cases of spitting.

Probably pretty easy to say that, if you never talk to any soldiers.
*Yawns*

Then document it.

It's really not that hard to do, if it happens.
Soldiers expect "the enemy" to hate them. They don't expect the citizens back home who say, "We Support The Troops" to really mean, "We Support The Troops, But We Really Fucking Hate Them"
Then they should wake up and smell the fucking coffee. You think the ones with the bumper stickers and banners in the shop windows saying "I support the troops" really does? Hell no. If you're lucky, half of the people saying that means it. The rest simply say it, but they don't mean it.

Hell, you see the sacrifices people make in their daily lives to support the troops?

Me neither.

Are you suggesting that most police would care about this more than a rape or murder?

Um, that wasn't really the point of my post. My point was that in both these cases the victims had recourse to legal options. This would not only have punished the offenders, but brought public awareness to an issue that some people feel is being overlooked.

So, why are these people not being prosecuted?

I'm assuming the reason behind the lack of prosecutions might be because that those who get shot at for a living are not awfully perturbed by saliva, at least not enough to press charges...

I don't understand why it's so hard to believe people spit on soldiers. I mean, it's not like it's particularly physically difficult for most people to do, and it's not like there aren't people around who would. Having said that, what is the point of this thread?

Soldiers expect "the enemy" to hate them. They don't expect the citizens back home who say, "We Support The Troops" to really mean, "We Support The Troops, But We Really Fucking Hate Them"

I'm sure the people who support the troops are the first to spit on them.

A lot of people here say it has NEVER happened...

And 'a lot of people' use a single article as 'proof' that it's 'rampant' and to cloud real issues...

I'm sure the people who support the troops are the first to spit on them.

Thats how my buddy feels every time he sees those yellow ribbon stickers on an SUV. Comparing what their asked to sacrifice and those who 'support them' can't even be assed to maybe drive something more efficient...

Meh. I can understand the Arabic women's anger, but seeing as how he isn't an officer, the anger of the other's is kind of misplaced. You know, if those whole thing isn't bullshit.

Meh. I can understand the Arabic women's anger, but seeing as how he isn't an officer, the anger of the other's is kind of misplaced. You know, if those whole thing isn't bullshit.

Unless you're a military fetishist or veteran you probably can't tell the difference.

Link, please. Thankyou.

He may give you a link, but it will likely be to a "discussion" about claims he made and couldn't verify, even with a story as unverifiable as the one he linked to here. And what we said--because I was in that "discussion" was that we didn't believe him on his own, and that if the spitting was so common (he was making claims about it happening at Walter Reed, if memory serves), he should be able to document it. He never did.

And 'a lot of people' use a single article as 'proof' that it's 'rampant' and to cloud real issues...

Very Colbert of them. ;)

Unless you're a military fetishist or veteran you probably can't tell the difference.
Yep. Still doesn't mean the anger is misplaced.

The enlisted men mostly join for the college or career opportunities, never thinking they'll actually have to fight. Most of them aren't strong willed, as most humans aren't, so they don't really stand a chance against the military's methods of taking over their lives. I have trouble faulting them if they devote the best years of their lives to it.

Officers on the other hand are bright people who did well in school and went to a special, quite rigorous academy with the original intent of spending their lives in the military.

He may give you a link, but it will likely be to a "discussion" about claims he made and couldn't verify, even with a story as unverifiable as the one he linked to here. And what we said--because I was in that "discussion" was that we didn't believe him on his own, and that if the spitting was so common (he was making claims about it happening at Walter Reed, if memory serves), he should be able to document it. He never did.
RO made a claim then never backed it up?
I am shocked, I telts ya, shocked.

RO made a claim then never backed it up?
I am shocked, I telts ya, shocked.

It was more like "no, your word that it happened isn't good enough, but if it's as common as you say, film it and you'll have a cudgel with which to bash protesters forever." Strangely enough, he didn't seem to think that was a worthwhile endeavor.

Soldiers expect "the enemy" to hate them. They don't expect the citizens back home who say, "We Support The Troops" to really mean, "We Support The Troops, But We Really Fucking Hate Them"

When "troops" includes sadistic shits like you, who say that killing Muslims is better than sex? Whose role models "like" killing? Yeah, we do hate them, because you are a stain on democracy, civilization and human goodness.

When "troops" includes sadistic shits like you, who say that killing Muslims is better than sex? Whose role models "like" killing? Yeah, we do hate them, because you are a stain on democracy, civilization and human goodness.

This one's my fave. I didn't quite know how to articulate my feelings toward RO properly when I came to this thread. But, I read this post, and found that I GT had done it for me. Bravo.

Conclusion: Kimchi agrees with FreedomAndGlory that dissent of any kind demoralizes our troops, therefore is treason.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/community/4aaa03_soldier.txt

You decide.

In a few years, I'm waiting for some wag to write a book, and say that he couldn't find any documented cases of spitting.

Probably pretty easy to say that, if you never talk to any soldiers.
Two replies to the story that I can readily agree with:

HUH? wrote on Jul 19, 2007 6:07 AM:

" A stable Iraq? What an oxymoron. This whole story sounds a bit fishy to me. It sounds like something you would have heard in the Viet Nam era. There are many uniformed people walking around the airport. I haven't seen any spitting or name calling on one of them. I have heard, "take care, be safe, thank you." Even by the very people who don't agree with this war. I just don't believe that he was spit on twice and called a baby killer. "

bb wrote on Jul 19, 2007 12:49 PM:

" kp" The point of making this up" Oh to make one self more important. To make one self a victim. To support one's cause, no matter how flawed it is. To cause more hate towards arabic people. To make his family to feel sorry for him. Gee there is a long list why this guy would make up this story. Thank you for your service, but, I also don't buy your story. "
The nationality of the alledged spitter is important?

I thought military weren't allowed to walk around in their uniforms. Or is this just when US are stationed in another country? Because my cousin in Germany cannot wear his when off duty or whatever. They have to change into uniform on the base and change back into civilian clothes before leaving/going home. I thought it was the same way here to keep them from being a target and just safety in general.

And they are spitting at the wrong folk. Go to the White House for that shit.

Edit: I'm not condoning spitting.. was just making a comment. It's quite a nasty thing. Just throw water balloons at the white house.

A sad day. A very sad day.

Neither a soldier nor a journalist/editor/newspaper staff (probably with spellcheck on their computers) knew that the past tense of spit is spat.

Spat upon soldiers should dry their eyes.

Oh, and spitting on soldiers, or hating them doesn't have to be in wartime.

From a friend:

Well it's not really war time, as Iraq is currently under invasion (the US and UK troops were supposed to get in, get rid of Saddam, establish an Iraqi government, and get out. They did the first three but changed the fourth one to 'take over the country' - and even though there have been several terrorist attacks, as we're not seeing loads of Iraqi troops invading the US and UK, we're not at war - what is currently happening with regards to Iraq is an invasion).

It was more like "no, your word that it happened isn't good enough, but if it's as common as you say, film it and you'll have a cudgel with which to bash protesters forever." Strangely enough, he didn't seem to think that was a worthwhile endeavor.
well of course not, silly.

If anyone posts anything online claiming to be US military and says that either:
1. They've done something good;
or
2. Someone's done something bad to them.

That's all the 'proof' RO needs to create thread after thread about how noble and glorious his brothers-in-arms are and how nasty and horrid everyone is to them.
Any questions and requests for clarifications and/or evidence just puts you into category #2 and thus can be dismissed.

However, if a person claiming to be US military says they've done some total abhorrent things, then RO starts squealing about the need for documented evidence, independent corroboration, video footage, trustworthy eyewitnesses (which precludes any US soldier, as a 'true' US soldier would never rat on his brothers) and a thorough military investigation (we can't trust independent ones, as they're full of people from category #2).
And then, of course, the inevitable dismissal of the claimants as being liars and frauds, having never been US military ever.
Followed, if claims are found to be true, by the assertion that this is just a exceedingly small number of bad apples, the poor dears were under tremendous pressure and anyway the Muslims deserved it simply by being Muslim.

got it?

Although I do not believe the military should exist, I don't think that soldiers should be treated disrespectfully.

A lot of people here say it has NEVER happened...

Someone allegedly spit. A claim has been made...and we're to take it at face value? Kind of goes against your regular line of 'well no one's been convicted yet so it didn't happen'.

Some how the protesters that spit are worse than the people in the military that are paid to kill? I mean, in civilian life, if you are paid to murder, then you get jail time, and maybe an execution for it. But, when you put on a uniform, for some reason, you are hailed as a hero, although you are just a paid murderer in a fancy uniform. It boggles my mind how support for any military can continue.

you like police protection though right? I mean if you were being maimed and a cop showed up and saved you, you would be happy?

I am sure you really hate all the soldiers of the past too?

I guess I am glad you have the right to act like a petulant 3 year old.

It's always interesting how in response to the rapes and murders caused by US soldiers engaged in an unjust occupation of a foreign nation, someone thinks "spitting on soldiers" is equivalent.

And you know, I've been spit on before, and I've not been traumatized by it. Aren't soldiers supposed to be like, tough?

And why is it spitting on people of other professions isn't held up as some treasonable, immoral crime against humanity? Did I fall asleep and wake up in the middle ages? Are soldiers not just guys who hit people, but noble, chivalrous knights who wage holy war and of course, own the land us peasants only rent?

Are soldiers not just guys who hit people, but noble, chivalrous knights who wage holy war and of course,

If you watch only Fox, that will be your view on them.

own the land us peasants only rent?

Politicians, but close enough.

how very interesting - this guy's story fits right in with the urban legend, right down to it being the womenfolk calling him a baby-killer and spitting on him. its almost as if there was some underlying psychological phenomena at play here. also, does anybody else find it interesting that this one poor guy has been called a baby killer and got spat on and got called names for a total of at least 4 separate incidents? seems like everybody is out to get him personally or something...