NationStates Jolt Archive

I have a friend who has been bombarding me with "support the troops" emails. Most of them have been mawkishly sentimental and cloyingly patriotic. And, while I wouldn't tell her this, I occasionally find them offensive. This primarily stems from the fact that both my kids were in the Navy during Desert Storm and my daughter is now an officer in the Air Force and could be deployed any time. She (the friend) is a "good Christian" who managed to raise a drug dealer, a high school drop out who married because he had to and a daughter who also married because she had to - not one of her kids has made any move toward the military, apparently content to let someone else do it while cheering from the sidelines.

This, as I've indicated, really annoys me. Yeah, I know, this is bloggish, but I was wondering what others, particularly military and relatives of military people, think of this sort of chicken hawk behavior.

Get better friends.

And a Livejournal...

I had a friend send me extremely "Christian" emails and I sent her an email saying "Please don't send me these emails any more. I don't force my beliefs on you, so don't force your beliefs on me." We haven't spoken since. I don't care. Why would you be friends with someone like that anyway?

They(all the jarheads I know) usually laugh at the stupidity of it. If you want to support the troops send porn, booze, cigs and stfu.

I have a friend who has been bombarding me with "support the troops" emails. Most of them have been mawkishly sentimental and cloyingly patriotic. And, while I wouldn't tell her this, I occasionally find them offensive. This primarily stems from the fact that both my kids were in the Navy during Desert Storm and my daughter is now an officer in the Air Force and could be deployed any time. She (the friend) is a "good Christian" who managed to raise a drug dealer, a high school drop out who married because he had to and a daughter who also married because she had to - not one of her kids has made any move toward the military, apparently content to let someone else do it while cheering from the sidelines.

This, as I've indicated, really annoys me. Yeah, I know, this is bloggish, but I was wondering what others, particularly military and relatives of military people, think of this sort of chicken hawk behavior.

Tell her so.

And what is Mawkish?


Also, the phrase "lip service" makes me think of cunnilingus.

Cerean;14273217']They(all the jarheads I know) usually laugh at the stupidity of it. If you want to support the troops send porn, booze, cigs and stfu.Pshaw. I supported a guy on another forum I frequent by letting him know what he should expect when he gets transferred to Germany.

Pshaw. I supported a guy on another forum I frequent by letting him know what he should expect when he gets transferred to Germany.


And what should he expect? Better porn and booze?

Those people, and emails, annoy the hell out of me. Especially the ones with political messages (almost always inaccurate ones) hidden in them, which was a big thing during this election. I had some friends email me such crap quite a bit during the last election, to which I'd generally reply with the Snopes page showing that Obama actually isn't a Muslim, or whatever the hidden message was. They stopped sending me those emails. Being immune from being called a "damned liberal hippie traitor who wants American to lose!" is one of the few perks of being a deployed soldier. I also find it quite useful when engaging in political discussions on campus back home.

The vast majority of people sending those emails back and forth are doing it so they can feel good about themselves. I'm sure there are a few who actually have good intentions, but most are doing it simply for self gratification.

If you really want to "support the troops", vote for politicians who won't send us off on foreign adventures at every possibly opportunity, support legislation like the Post 9/11 GI Bill and buy us lots of beer when we get back from the aforementioned foreign adventures.

Pshaw. I supported a guy on another forum I frequent by letting him know what he should expect when he gets transferred to Germany.

I was stationed in Germany for two years (2000-2002 near Frankfurt). Damn, I miss that place.

And what should he expect? Better porn and booze?Plastic bags are not free, batteries are not to be disposed of in regular trash cans, sales tax is higher, but already included in the price, shops close at night and on Sundays, among other things.

I was stationed in Germany for two years (2000-2002 near Frankfurt). Damn, I miss that place.
Where exactly? Gießen?

Pshaw. I supported a guy on another forum I frequent by letting him know what he should expect when he gets transferred to Germany.

But you aren't doing the mawkish "support teh troops!!!!" crap. Pointing out the best whorehouses by Ramstein or Landstuhl is much different. and very useful:tongue:

Cerean;14273235']But you aren't doing the mawkish "support teh troops!!!!" crap. Pointing out the best whorehouses by Ramstein or Landstuhl is much different. and very useful:tongue:I gave him advice on how to avoid picking up underage girls in bars. I don't frequent whorehouses, nor would I recommend them to anyone if I knew of any.

Plastic bags are not free
Good, they shouldn't be

batteries are not to be disposed of in regular trash cans
Do you have special battery disposal cans or something?

sales tax is higher, but already included in the price
I'm fine with a higher sales tax, and I think it's better that it's already included in the price. The extra calculation we have to do is kind of annoying.

shops close at night and on Sundays, among other things.
Lots of places are closed at night and on sundays.

Where exactly? Gießen?

Friedberg, which is apparently closed now. We loved to annoy our German girlfriends by pronouncing Giessen as Gieben.

Lots of places are closed at night and on sundays.

Yeah, but EVERYTHING is closed at night (after 1700) and on Sundays. On Sundays we had to buy our booze on post, which generally sucks. It's like that in much of France as well, I was on leave there about a month ago and one Saturday all I ingested was lots of Guinness, woke up on Sunday afternoon really hungry but couldn't find anywhere to eat. I ended up finding a gas station on the other end of town and bought several bags of potato chips.

Good, they shouldn't beIn return, they're sturdier.
Do you have special battery disposal cans or something?Every store that sells them is required to take them back for proper disposal.
I'm fine with a higher sales tax, and I think it's better that it's already included in the price. The extra calculation we have to do is kind of annoying. Tell me about it...
Lots of places are closed at night and on sundays.But not all of them.

Friedberg, which is apparently closed now. We loved to annoy our German girlfriends by pronouncing Giessen as Gieben.That's HORRIBLE!

Gießen was the closest base to Camp Freedom, the BSA summer camp I used to staff at 2001-2003. We'd always go there on weekends to stash up on supplements to our mess hall diet.

That's HORRIBLE!

Gießen was the closest base to Camp Freedom, the BSA summer camp I used to staff at 2001-2003. We'd always go there on weekends to stash up on supplements to our mess hall diet.

The only reasons I ever went to Giessen are to go to the bigger PX there. I had to in and outprocess from there because my brigade was headquartered there, but that's about it.

In return, they're sturdier.
Interesting. I generally get paper bags. Though often I bring my own bags to the grocery store.

Every store that sells them is required to take them back for proper disposal.
So, do you just put them in a bucket and bring a bucket of batteries to a store or something? how does that work?

Tell me about it...
Yeah, it would make things so much simpler here if all prices included sales tax.
But not all of them.
True. Lots of places here are open sundays and there are some 24 hour places.

Interesting. I generally get paper bags. Though often I bring my own bags to the grocery store.

That's generally how it works there too. You buy a plastic bag, which is, as Laerod said, much sturdier and you bring it back with you from home. At least, that's how it works in France, I don't recall how it worked in Germany.

So, do you just put them in a bucket and bring a bucket of batteries to a store or something? how does that work?

Something like that. I don't use that many batteries, so when they died I'd put a couple in my pocket on my way to the store and dump them off in the disposal box.

Reminds me of a conversation one Rememberance Day back in elementary school. I had a teacher who was livid about people who didn't wear poppy pins on Rememberance day or to ceremonies for it (We had the day off so the school held a ceremony on the closest day), and went right for me because not only did I never wear it, I refused to. So after a long argument in front of the class and principal she just outright asked me why I wouldn't wear it to remember soldiers who gave their lives for us. I simply responded "I always remember them, I don't need a stamped piece of plastic to remember something." Shut her up real quick, especially when my Social Studies teacher pointed out I was the military history buff of the class (if not school).

My long story short. These idiots will always be around, they do it because they want to show they care and make a difference, when they really don't. It's pathetic.

I make it very clear, politely, what exactly is wrong with such emails whenever I get them, and request I not be sent any such more again. Helped every time, so far.

I believe that asking for support for whatever your cause is is okay, and valid. Doing so via emotional blackmail, telling half-truths, pressuring people etc. is not okay, but what is usually done in that kind of email.

Always reminds me...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/BushsTroops.jpg

I have a friend who has been bombarding me with "support the troops" emails. Most of them have been mawkishly sentimental and cloyingly patriotic. And, while I wouldn't tell her this, I occasionally find them offensive. This primarily stems from the fact that both my kids were in the Navy during Desert Storm and my daughter is now an officer in the Air Force and could be deployed any time. She (the friend) is a "good Christian" who managed to raise a drug dealer, a high school drop out who married because he had to and a daughter who also married because she had to - not one of her kids has made any move toward the military, apparently content to let someone else do it while cheering from the sidelines.

This, as I've indicated, really annoys me. Yeah, I know, this is bloggish, but I was wondering what others, particularly military and relatives of military people, think of this sort of chicken hawk behavior.

I'd rather not hear "support the troops" unless they are actually acting on it. Then again, I'd rather not get spam from Code Pink, either. Both piss me off.

I have a friend who has been bombarding me with "support the troops" emails. Most of them have been mawkishly sentimental and cloyingly patriotic. And, while I wouldn't tell her this, I occasionally find them offensive. This primarily stems from the fact that both my kids were in the Navy during Desert Storm and my daughter is now an officer in the Air Force and could be deployed any time. She (the friend) is a "good Christian" who managed to raise a drug dealer, a high school drop out who married because he had to and a daughter who also married because she had to - not one of her kids has made any move toward the military, apparently content to let someone else do it while cheering from the sidelines.

This, as I've indicated, really annoys me. Yeah, I know, this is bloggish, but I was wondering what others, particularly military and relatives of military people, think of this sort of chicken hawk behavior.

Some years ago I informed everyone on my email list that such emails, infact any chain emails sent to me would be summarily marked as spam. I don't get them any more.

I have a really old great aunt who sends me those things, I let them slide because she is 93. I also have some "friends" my age who send them to me and I reply with what I disagree about, and it only causes drama.

I'm inclined to tell you that if the subject line looks dodgy just to delete them without reading. If it bothers you a lot (it sounds like it does) I would probably bring it up in person but without attacking her, much in the same way I am going to tell a dear friend to quit sending me forwarded "Muslims are evil" emails.

Tell her she's not fooling anyone into believing those e-mails are for anyone's benefit but her own. She's selfish.

Also, the phrase "lip service" makes me think of cunnilingus.

You sir, have been spending too much time in the sex thread.;)

I've never received nor seen any :confused:

the wonders of being a tommy I guess

who married because he had to and a daughter who also married because she had to

kinky.

Well, I don't think she has to send her kids off to the military just to show that she supports the troops, unless I am reading something about the way you said your OP wrong.

Now, I support the troops. Not because the yellow ribbon is so stylish, or because its nice to jump on bandwagons (cushions, anyone?). Not even because it was easier to do so and it was a way to feel "patriotic".

I do it for one simple reason. Because they are doing things that are important, if not always right because their government is the equivalent of monkeys on a crack binge, and I do not have the courage to do the same.

I really don't. I know if I'm drafted, hoping it doesn't come to that as that would mean the shit has REALLY hit the fan, I will do my best to serve my country. However, I would not go voluntarily as I do not think I would make a good marine, soldier, airman, what have you. I am rather afraid of war, combat, conflict even. I can't stand two friends fighting, much more guns going off all the time around me. I honestly don't think I could be a soldier whom everyone could count on. So, I support those who are and do so voluntarily. That's all there is to it.


Now back to your regular programming.

Well the fact is that most people who aren't in or have never been in the military ,or have family in view the military , view it from a perspective that is influenced by Hollywood and an illusion on what they perceive military service to be. To them its all like watching a movie. They haven't a clue as to what it takes to live that life ...or of the sacrifice involved. Although they feel as though their feelings are patriotic, and that they are showing respect, their position is from an ignorant perspective. It is formed by a need to feel safe and the illusion to them is that it comes guaranteed and without a personal price. They haven't the first idea what it takes to achieve the accomplishments that one serviceman...or woman achieves through a career in the armed forces. These people have also never seen the result of flesh and bone being penetrated by a foreign object. Their concept of worrying for their children mostly is the result of their childrens actions primarily the result of which directly affected by poor parenting or single parent home environments. These people think that this country owes them the feeling of safety . If ever they had to cut back on the items they used on a daily basis to support a war effort they would run screaming into the streets and probably loot and riot! They expect to be provided for and to remain comfortable while our sons ,daughters brothers and sisters put themselves in harms way to defend democracy and combat what we view to be the evils of the world...the debate over those desicions is an entirely different matter for another time. The only thing that brings me comfort is that if ever it was nessesary to do without the modern conveniences that so many depend on in their daily lives, I and my family and most of the people I know would not only survive but do very well. Why ? Because being from a military family , from a very young age I was taught not only what it takes to survive, but how to do so with honor ,integrity and respect for others and for those who made it possible to do so. This country has grown weak in its materialism and slowly but surely its morality is being systematically eroded. Respect for your fellow man is being lost . Mostly people care only for how things directly affect them and to hell with the rest.

Well the fact is that most people who aren't in or have never been in the military ,or have family in view the military , view it from a perspective that is influenced by Hollywood and an illusion on what they perceive military service to be. To them its all like watching a movie. They haven't a clue as to what it takes to live that life ...or of the sacrifice involved. Although they feel as though their feelings are patriotic, and that they are showing respect, their position is from an ignorant perspective. It is formed by a need to feel safe and the illusion to them is that it comes guaranteed and without a personal price. They haven't the first idea what it takes to achieve the accomplishments that one serviceman...or woman achieves through a career in the armed forces. These people have also never seen the result of flesh and bone being penetrated by a foreign object. Their concept of worrying for their children mostly is the result of their childrens actions primarily the result of which directly affected by poor parenting or single parent home environments. These people think that this country owes them the feeling of safety . If ever they had to cut back on the items they used on a daily basis to support a war effort they would run screaming into the streets and probably loot and riot! They expect to be provided for and to remain comfortable while our sons ,daughters brothers and sisters put themselves in harms way to defend democracy and combat what we view to be the evils of the world...the debate over those desicions is an entirely different matter for another time. The only thing that brings me comfort is that if ever it was nessesary to do without the modern conveniences that so many depend on in their daily lives, I and my family and most of the people I know would not only survive but do very well. Why ? Because being from a military family , from a very young age I was taught not only what it takes to survive, but how to do so with honor ,integrity and respect for others and for those who made it possible to do so. This country has grown weak in its materialism and slowly but surely its morality is being systematically eroded. Respect for your fellow man is being lost . Mostly people care only for how things directly affect them and to hell with the rest.

Good points and all but please... use paragraphs...

Well the fact is that most people who aren't in or have never been in the military ,or have family in view the military , view it from a perspective that is influenced by Hollywood and an illusion on what they perceive military service to be. To them its all like watching a movie. They haven't a clue as to what it takes to live that life ...or of the sacrifice involved. Although they feel as though their feelings are patriotic, and that they are showing respect, their position is from an ignorant perspective. It is formed by a need to feel safe and the illusion to them is that it comes guaranteed and without a personal price. They haven't the first idea what it takes to achieve the accomplishments that one serviceman...or woman achieves through a career in the armed forces. These people have also never seen the result of flesh and bone being penetrated by a foreign object. Their concept of worrying for their children mostly is the result of their childrens actions primarily the result of which directly affected by poor parenting or single parent home environments. These people think that this country owes them the feeling of safety . If ever they had to cut back on the items they used on a daily basis to support a war effort they would run screaming into the streets and probably loot and riot! They expect to be provided for and to remain comfortable while our sons ,daughters brothers and sisters put themselves in harms way to defend democracy and combat what we view to be the evils of the world...the debate over those desicions is an entirely different matter for another time. The only thing that brings me comfort is that if ever it was nessesary to do without the modern conveniences that so many depend on in their daily lives, I and my family and most of the people I know would not only survive but do very well. Why ? Because being from a military family , from a very young age I was taught not only what it takes to survive, but how to do so with honor ,integrity and respect for others and for those who made it possible to do so. This country has grown weak in its materialism and slowly but surely its morality is being systematically eroded. Respect for your fellow man is being lost . Mostly people care only for how things directly affect them and to hell with the rest.


Parapgraphs.

And, your name puts you on my "requires further observation" list.

Parapgraphs.

And, your name puts you on my "requires further observation" list.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Well the fact is that most people who aren't in or have never been in the military ,or have family in view the military , view it from a perspective that is influenced by Hollywood and an illusion on what they perceive military service to be. To them its all like watching a movie. They haven't a clue as to what it takes to live that life ...or of the sacrifice involved. Although they feel as though their feelings are patriotic, and that they are showing respect, their position is from an ignorant perspective. It is formed by a need to feel safe and the illusion to them is that it comes guaranteed and without a personal price. They haven't the first idea what it takes to achieve the accomplishments that one serviceman...or woman achieves through a career in the armed forces. These people have also never seen the result of flesh and bone being penetrated by a foreign object. Their concept of worrying for their children mostly is the result of their childrens actions primarily the result of which directly affected by poor parenting or single parent home environments. These people think that this country owes them the feeling of safety . If ever they had to cut back on the items they used on a daily basis to support a war effort they would run screaming into the streets and probably loot and riot! They expect to be provided for and to remain comfortable while our sons ,daughters brothers and sisters put themselves in harms way to defend democracy and combat what we view to be the evils of the world...the debate over those desicions is an entirely different matter for another time. The only thing that brings me comfort is that if ever it was nessesary to do without the modern conveniences that so many depend on in their daily lives, I and my family and most of the people I know would not only survive but do very well. Why ? Because being from a military family , from a very young age I was taught not only what it takes to survive, but how to do so with honor ,integrity and respect for others and for those who made it possible to do so. This country has grown weak in its materialism and slowly but surely its morality is being systematically eroded. Respect for your fellow man is being lost . Mostly people care only for how things directly affect them and to hell with the rest.

Paragraphs. Learn2use them.

You sir, have been spending too much time in the sex thread.;)

Oh, I assure you, It would remind me of it anyway.

And who wouldn't want to spend a lot of time on the sex thread?

Yeah, that kinda sucks...

I tried to join the Air Force, but, i didnt meet the requirements and just went to college on my ACT scholarship instead...

Might still try again though, with Army instead, if this or the next semester doesnt end up going well...

As a soldier, I don't mind that much...usually. When it is just emails with "support the troops!" and pictures and whatnot, I look them over, think "well, at least we won't have the same crap with returning soldiers as we did during Vietnam," and delete them.
But like somebody already mentioned, I hate it when they turn the emails into political messages.

Those people, and emails, annoy the hell out of me. Especially the ones with political messages (almost always inaccurate ones) hidden in them, which was a big thing during this election. I had some friends email me such crap quite a bit during the last election, to which I'd generally reply with the Snopes page showing that Obama actually isn't a Muslim, or whatever the hidden message was. They stopped sending me those emails. Being immune from being called a "damned liberal hippie traitor who wants American to lose!" is one of the few perks of being a deployed soldier. I also find it quite useful when engaging in political discussions on campus back home.

The vast majority of people sending those emails back and forth are doing it so they can feel good about themselves. I'm sure there are a few who actually have good intentions, but most are doing it simply for self gratification.

If you really want to "support the troops", vote for politicians who won't send us off on foreign adventures at every possibly opportunity, support legislation like the Post 9/11 GI Bill and buy us lots of beer when we get back from the aforementioned foreign adventures.



I was stationed in Germany for two years (2000-2002 near Frankfurt). Damn, I miss that place.

*gets legislation passed sending NW to a military base in Antarctica* :p

I have a friend who has been bombarding me with "support the troops" emails. Most of them have been mawkishly sentimental and cloyingly patriotic. And, while I wouldn't tell her this, I occasionally find them offensive. This primarily stems from the fact that both my kids were in the Navy during Desert Storm and my daughter is now an officer in the Air Force and could be deployed any time. She (the friend) is a "good Christian" who managed to raise a drug dealer, a high school drop out who married because he had to and a daughter who also married because she had to - not one of her kids has made any move toward the military, apparently content to let someone else do it while cheering from the sidelines.

This, as I've indicated, really annoys me. Yeah, I know, this is bloggish, but I was wondering what others, particularly military and relatives of military people, think of this sort of chicken hawk behavior.

With friends like that, I'd hate to see your enemies.

With friends like that, I'd hate to see your enemies.

I have no enemies (at least not living).

Cerean;14273217']If you want to support the troops send porn, booze, cigs and stfu.

^ This.

Although I'm pretty sure that you can't send booze through an APO.
Even the porn is sketchy, depending on the host country.

Reminds me, I have to put together a care package for my brother.

Copenhagen Snuff, Jolly Ranchers, pretty much anything that is shelf-stable and won't melt.

I have no enemies (at least not living).

Well, that sounds ominous. :eek:

Although I'm pretty sure that you can't send booze through an APO. Even the porn is sketchy, depending on the host country.

Definitely no booze, I couldn't even send or receive any when I was in Germany. As to porn, definitely not in Kuwait or Iraq, although it's not as though they're going to open your packages and look at any magazines in there.

*gets legislation passed sending NW to a military base in Antarctica* :p

As long as I get extra money for being deployed. One of the perks about the National Guard is we get extra monies for being gone for extended periods of time.

I have no enemies (at least not living).

I see. Good job.