An Australian friend of mine sent me this via e-mail. It's kind of long, but well worth reading ALL of it. I don't have the link to post, sorry.

Comments?

A Military Man's Perspective

The tragedy that befell all of us on September 11th shocked America.
America no longer feels safe. Many of you have said, "The government should
have known! 30 Billion Dollars is spent on intelligence! What about the
Military!?"

Just a reminder, America, you voted our government into office. For ears
you allowed some dishonest politicians and twisted television media
personalities to shape your ideas about the defense of our nation.
Why? Because most Americans were too lazy to look beyond the three minute
sound-bites on the evening news. Here's a news flash not being broadcast
much: "On September 11th, America had the exact level of protection, both
military and intelligence, that it was willing to pay for".

Only yesterday the Congress and the Senate approved 40 BILLION dollars as a
"Down Payment" to fight this War. A short time ago, our politicians said a
100 Million dollar increase for the Navy budget was substantial. In that
same bill they ordered the Navy to conduct an 85 Million Dollar Study
on....... they wanted Breast Cancer research. Yes, America, your elected
officials decided that the US Navy needed more mammograms and less
missiles.
Was this an under the table sneaky move? No, it was right out in the open.
The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy both opposed it. A
New York Senatorial Candidate (Yes, she's the one) was enraged that the
Military would be so sexist and irresponsible to the needs of civilians and
wanted the Navy to give the money back immediately! But the media paid it
little mind. So, America paid little attention.

Did any one ever watch CSPAN? Particularly when the Heads of our Armed
Services essentially begged OUR representatives to give the Military more
money to fight terrorism and maintain a strong defense? Did you see the
debates by the Heads of the Intelligence Services that terrorism was the
new
threat? They told the committees of Congress that the CIA, the FBI, and the
Service did not have the money to build the necessary intelligence networks
in the areas where terrorists were being harboured. They warned again and
again that there was clear and present danger within America's borders.

Americans must have been watching one of their other 114 satellite
channels.

cont.

The Military said: "We need more money to maintain military readiness and
Combat Training." America Answered : "What the Military needs is
Sensitivity
Training! You're all sexist homophobes! I saw it on 60 Minutes!"

The Military said: "We need money to build ships, planes, tanks, and
improve
our technology. America still has credible threats throughout the world.
Terrorism will come to America's doorstep." America Answered: "You're all
part of a vast right-wing conspiracy. There is no more Soviet Threat! My
Senator told me so! He/She says we do not need such a big military! You're
dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold War! We need Social Programs!"

The Military said: "We need to recruit more Americans into the military. We
need to increase our force." America Answered: "You're not taking my kids!
We're going to shut down the ROTC programs at our high schools and
universities, because you discriminate against alternative lifestyles! ROTC
teaches CHILDREN (under 21) how to shoot guns! You just want another
Columbine!   Rosie and Oprah say so!"

The Military said: "We can't keep interfering in the civil wars of small
insignificant countries. It wastes our time, expends our resources,
decreases training, and demoralizes our troops. The men and women of the
United States are Warriors trying to defend OUR nation, we are not the
third
world's police force." America Answered: "You heartless bastards! Can't you
see the tear in the eye of that starving child!?! There are flies on her
face for Christ's Sake! Get Moving! Jesse Jackson on CNN said that is what
we pay you for!"

The Military Asked: "Why isn't America enraged over the terrorist attack on
the USS COLE that killed seventeen AMERICAN Sailors? How about the Air
Force
barracks bombed in Saudi Arabia? The embassy staffs in Africa? The Soldiers
mutilated and dragged through the streets in Somalia?" America Answered:
"We
don't have time right now! We're busy defending Animal Rights! Our schools
are handing out automatic weapons! The federal government is discriminating
against cross-dressing Bolivian hermaphrodites! The police are all members
of the Ku Klux Klan! The lack of Ozone is ruining my tan! If they cut
deeper
into Food Stamps those poor women will have to move down to Size 18/20
dresses! AND THE WORST! Corporations are raising the prices of their
products sooo high I might not be able to afford the multi-disc DVD Player
for my 36'" digital-ready TV! Besides, YOU GUYS ARE PAID TO DIE!

So, America, while you sit on your couch or around your office coffee pots
and ask, "Why did those terrorists kill innocent civilians? Why didn't they
go after the Military?" remember this, America: They already had, but
America didn't care. These Terrorists realized that they needed to kill
American Civilians, and lots of them, before they could have their desired
reaction from the people of this country.  Well, now they have it.

I also received that by email. It was written by a Marine Aviator. From the attitude, I suspect a Marine [b]Attack[/b] Aviator.

Never thought I would say this, but
[b]SEMPER FI![/b]

Airborne!
Don Out

All The Way, Stud!

My mom's little brother spent 1969 in the A Shau with the 101st. You have my deepest respect.

Damn, That brings a tear to my eye.  My unit, got activated (USAF Security Forces) . We don't have vehicles and we had to barrow Humvees.  Isnt that F@#$ed up.  How are we expected to fight in the state we are in!!!!!!! GREAT ARTICLE!!!! Defensor Fortis

Thanx, Bro.
The stud part was 15 years ago. I'm heading back to the Eighty-Deuce in a few weeks. Hopefully we'll be able to keep the young'ns alive (seen too many Hollywood movies & think they're invincible, I hear) & safe.

Don Out

DAMN I hate "practice" roadmarches!

No doubt about watching over the young'uns. I have my interview with the Marine Corps prior service recruiter tomorrow morning to go back in to the Ready Reserves. Time to put a little SNCO smackdown on the comm shop at the infantry battalion in Fort Worth.

I'm going back in as the world's oldest active-duty E-4!!!Things were so short in the Army's frontline first deployment troops (82d) that the 325th AIR had women assigned to all admin duties in this COMBAT brigade!!! (This was UNHEARD of when I left (2 months after Klinton's assuming the throne).

This needs to go BTT

Agree with initial post. Unfortunately, in a Democracy if 49% of the the people agree but 51% disagree then you know what the result is....

Is there any other kind?

11H1P,
 oH MY GOODNESS!  I NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE F/M'S IN THE COMBAT BRIGAGES.  WHAT THE HELL DOES THE HIGHER UPS IN DIVISION THINK THESE TROOPERS ARE GOING TO DO ONCE THE POO POO HITS THE FAN, ARE THEY GOING TO PUT A RUCK ON THEM, JUMP THEM IN AND MAKE THEM THE NEW ERA OF PARATROOPERS?  I am sick.

Dude, Good luck!  I was in the 1/505 and never thought the day would ever come to have f/m in the combat brigades.  I thought it was the last vestige of American military.

This might start a flame but who cares.  F/m have no place in a front line, direct action, combat unit.

Things have gotten way too bad! [V]