What do the troops think about being in Iraq? *video*

[ballz2wallz]

From Cpl Chris Mason, a soldier who was killed in Iraq in November, 2006. His father posted this video today.

YouTube Video

Before you go claiming that this one guy 'doesn't represent the rest of the troops', just realize that he likely wouldn't make such a video if he was the only one believing such things.

[JaJae]

RIP. Good man.

[rjones25]

Thank you for sharing this video. I like that this man took time to make a candid and thoughtful record of his views about his job and the happenings in Iraq.

[MTdream]

Godspeed great man!!!!

he is not by any stretch of the imagination the exception to the rule, he is the rule, and those opposed (within the military)are the exception...

but we will never hear of that, as it is counter the agenda...

[smokie700]

great find ballz, I am glad this thread has scared the military bashers on the forum away this one.

[DosEquis]

His service and opinion are respected. I agree with him on some of his points, and I disagree with him on others. For example, it would appear he supports nation building and the use of our soldiers to install governments in other countries, in effort to make them a "pro-usa" country/democracy. On that point I disagree with his statements. It is very costly, imperialist in nature, and generally does not result in the pro-usa form in which it is intended.

It is extremely unfortunate that we lost him. I can't help but think he would still be around today if we did not invade that country in what many conservatives today call an "optional war" or "war of choice". I can't help but think he could still be around today if this conflict was not so poorly managed, which may have put him in a position to where he would be more likely to lose his life.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

I can't help but think he would still be around today if we did not invade that country in what many conservatives today call an "optional war" or "war of choice". I can't help but think he could still be around today if this conflict was not so poorly managed, which may have put him in a position to where he would be more likely to lose his life.

I don't think he would have had it any other way

[RMNIXON]

Here is what John McCain had to say Sunday:

"The American people are not getting the full picture of what's happening here. They're not getting the full picture of the drop in murders, the establishment of security outposts throughout the city, the situation in Anbar province, the deployment of additional Iraqi brigades which are performing well, and other signs of progress having been made," said McCain, of Arizona."


And:

Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi promised the recent attacks would not derail the neighborhood-to-neighborhood sweep that began in Baghdad on Feb. 14.

He acknowledged an increase in violence outside Baghdad even as the death toll is down in the capital but said the security crackdown was providing an example of how to fight it.

"The fact that the violence decreased in Baghdad, the terrorists went to the surrounding areas and these areas are breeding grounds for violence," he said. "The terrorist elements are backed into a corner and we are going to continue to carry out these operations......


"Speaking at a joint news conference with al-Moussawi, U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Mark Fox also expressed confidence in the security sweep, saying half of the U.S. troop reinforcements are in place, but he warned it would not be easy to pacify the capital and asked for patience.

"The effort to exert security in Iraq will take time," Fox said. "Our job will not be accomplished within days or weeks."

"We are going to see more violence in the coming weeks and months," he added."

MyFox Washington DC | McCain Sees Improvement in Iraq

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

Here is what John McCain had to say Sunday:

"The American people are not getting the full picture of what's happening here. They're not getting the full picture of the drop in murders, the establishment of security outposts throughout the city, the situation in Anbar province, the deployment of additional Iraqi brigades which are performing well, and other signs of progress having been made," said McCain, of Arizona."

Was that when he was visiting Iraq, walking down the street in body armor and being flanked by Gunships and dozens of troops?

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I don't think he would have had it any other way

That doesn't make him right. He is not paid to make political statements or "statements to the democratic leaders". He is a soldier their to follow orders. He is entitled to his opinions, but opinions are like assholes. Unfortunately his orders resulted in his death. I am sure if he could choose between being alive and dead, he would choose alive.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by Scrum

Was that when he was visiting Iraq, walking down the street in body armor and being flanked by Gunships and dozens of troops?

I did not see a Youtube link with the story or the photo Op....

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

That doesn't make him right. He is not paid to make political statements or "statements to the democratic leaders". He is a soldier their to follow orders. He is entitled to his opinions, but opinions are like assholes. Unfortunately his orders resulted in his death. I am sure if he could choose between being alive and dead, he would choose alive.

I wouldn't mind dying for my country. After hearing what he had to say, I doubt he would either.

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I wouldn't mind dying for my country. After hearing what he had to say, I doubt he would either.

I wouldn't mind it either, except dying in Iraq is not dying for our country. It is dying for their country.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

I wouldn't mind it either, except dying in Iraq is not dying for our country. It is dying for their country.

He doesn't see it that way, if you listened to the video...and neither do I.

[tbone]

I think his views are great. Soldiers need to believe in their mission, otherwise they have no chance of accomplishing it.

Whether that mission is correct is debatable and should be debated by elected officials and their employers (tax payers).

Soldiers in general fall into the conservative realm of politics, the liberal ones are the ones you hear from and I suspect those are few and far between. I know this is a stereotype, but I beleive it's true. Just like you won't find many conservatives working at a homeless shelter in a major city. Idealistically their beliefs oppose it.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by tbone

Just like you won't find many conservatives working at a homeless shelter in a major city. Idealistically their beliefs oppose it.

For another thread obviously, but I disagree with that. Conservatives are not against helping others, especially from private organizations. I guarantee there are far more churches filled with conservatives helping those in need, like the homeless, than there are shelters. That alone makes your statement false.

Conservatives are against the government forcing you to help others. Conservatives strongly believe that there are many man people out there with hearts good enough to help those in need without being forced to.

[tbone]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

For another thread obviously, but I disagree with that. Conservatives are not against helping others, especially from private organizations. I guarantee there are far more churches filled with conservatives helping those in need, like the homeless, than there are shelters. That alone makes your statement false.

Conservatives are against the government forcing you to help others. Conservatives strongly believe that there are many man people out there with hearts good enough to help those in need without being forced to.

Your right for another thread! Notice the word "working" which implies being paid, not volunteering. Big difference.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by tbone

Your right for another thread! Notice the word "working" which implies being paid, not volunteering. Big difference.

Oh, I thought you meant the physical act of doing something. I didn't know you meant as a career.

You're probably correct in that regard. Conservatives are more likely to have a job and spend their volunteer time and money helping others. Is one better than the other though?

Personally, I find that liberals up here in Beantown like to work at a non-profit organization for the purpose of bragging about working for a non-profit. Everytime I hear people say "I work for a non-profit" I cringe, cause I know they hate it but they like being able to say it. It's like they work there to make themsleves feel/look good, not really to help others.

[Linzyhop]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Oh, I thought you meant the physical act of doing something. I didn't know you meant as a career.

You're probably correct in that regard. Conservatives are more likely to have a job and spend their volunteer time and money helping others. Is one better than the other though?

Personally, I find that liberals up here in Beantown like to work at a non-profit organization for the purpose of bragging about working for a non-profit. Everytime I hear people say "I work for a non-profit" I cringe, cause I know they hate it but they like being able to say it. It's like they work there to make themsleves feel/look good, not really to help others.

haha. probably. otherwise they'd say the name of the company they work for. I know a couple of those.

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by tbone

I think his views are great. Soldiers need to believe in their mission, otherwise they have no chance of accomplishing it.

Whether that mission is correct is debatable and should