A lot of times I see stories in the news and comments made about them and just do the virtual “walk-by” because the comments are so ludicrous. This one I could not though. Warning --- there is some very derogatory comments made in the comments section ---
http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/06/man-loses-5-family-members-in-disputed-nato-raid/#comments
What you’ll find is a story about an Afghan man claiming that his family was murdered by NATO forces. I'm not going to say anything else about that part of the story since it is my understanding that an investigation is ongoing and honestly it’s not my place. What I do want to discuss is the comments made by readers.
The derogatory comments made, focus around the general thought that all Soldiers are a bunch of murdering, rapist, thugs. One person even goes so far as to say that as long as the Military is comprised of the bottom 10% of society, what do you expect. This is the area of the article I want to rebuke.
First off, bottom 10% of society. Thanks for your elitist attitude. Just because we didn’t go to some Ivy League school? Just because maybe we grew up on the wrong side of the tracks? Maybe it’s that we had to work for everything we ever wanted? The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard Sailors I know are some of the best men and women I have ever had the distinct pleasure to meet and to lead. They would literally give you the shirt off of their back even if they were freezing themselves. Their sense of honor and right is impeccable. They joined the military for many reasons; serve their Country, do the right thing, money to go to College, learn a vital skill. But none, because they wanted to be some sort of thug. I would suggest you check your facts….and I would request CNN pull comments that are outright untrue and outright wrong.
Secondly, about civilian casualties. I have seen Soldiers put themselves between danger and civilians so many times I cannot even begin to count them anymore. There is the famous picture from Iraq of a young Iraqi boy hiding behind an American Soldier after a terrorist attack. Nothing could be a more accurate depiction of the truth. Our Troops, whether it is actively protecting civilians, or bringing food and medicine to outlying villages, or helping orphanages here in Kabul are some of the most caring and kind people in the world. They truly are not just protecting the American People, but also on a daily basis protecting and assisting the Iraqi and Afghan people.
I don’t fault CNN for these comments. They published a news story, but the comments disgusted me. I would ask CNN to pull the more inflammatory and malicious ones, and also for all of America to remember that their best young men and women, our Precious National Treasure is overseas fighting a war, and spilling much of that National Treasure to keep you safe.
God Bless America
Bryan
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Thank you Bryan,for the great blog post. I think with positive blog posts like yours that also educate civilians like me, these hateful comments would decrease.
Until these people actually walk in your boots or educate themselves on what you and the other fine military personnel are about and go through, they need to keep their derogatory remarks to themselves.
Ironic, isn't it that you fight so they can retain their rights to make these nasty remarks.
Take care. Be safe and know that prayers are said for you. Thank you! :)
Bryan,
Great post. I agree that CNN is not at fault but it is a shame that those with the most negative thoughts shout the loudest in most comment sections. Fortunately those comments do not represent the majority opinion of the men and women in our Armed Forces. The vast majority appreciate your service and sacrifice that makes it possible for everyone to share their opinion. My thanks to you and all who serve.
You be careful over there!
Thanks,
Rick
Greetings Major,
It makes me sick to my stomach that someone would say such a thing!
Where a soldier "ranks" in society is unimportant. What is important is that this soldier is overseas fighting to keep everyone safe and willing to sacrifice their own lives for a stranger, a child, a mother...
If this war was happening in their backyards, I wonder if they would care what kind of "background" the troops showing up to help would have.
Bet they wouldn't have a one bad word to say then now would they?
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I can never say it enough.
Keep safe,
Cyn
My response to "the bottom 10 percent" comment is: "Why isn't YOUR elitist ass out on the front lines then? Schooling is not education, but an education that has as its product or result someone whose awareness is such that he takes responsibility enough to enlist to defend his countrymen is high above the mark. And that type of education does not necessarily come from our public schools or our public or private colleges. It comes from the institutions that uphold the values of a culture of Life, Family, Religion. Those with the negative comments, regardless of where they were "educated" have not moved above or beyond the bottom 2 percent of our culture.
Thank you Bryan for the post. There hangs on the wall in my office a photo with HONOR in capital letters underneath it..then it says "The difference between the good guys and the bad guys is whether they use human shields or they make themselves human shields." The photo is three American soldiers sitting at the ready on a hillside with an Afghan father and child shielded behind them. It is because of such honorable men and women that I am proud to be called an American. God bless our troops.
Thank you Bryan for the post. There hangs on the wall in my office a photo with HONOR in capital letters underneath it..then it says "The difference between the good guys and the bad guys is whether they use human shields or they make themselves human shields." The photo is three American soldiers sitting at the ready on a hillside with an Afghan father and child shielded behind them. It is because of such honorable men and women that I am proud to be called an American. God bless our troops.
Well, Major,
I must redouble my appreciation of you and the troops for your protection: you buffered me from exposure to the article or the comments, which I'll "walk" by.
Still, I believe there's a benefit to arrogant ignorance being exposed to the light of day, thus my devotion to freedom of speech.
Recent reports indicate that 70% of America's youth are physically incapable of qualifying for military service. I can't help but postulate that their sedentary, overfed, pampered, undisciplined and perpetuated childhoods contribute to endemic obesity and their scorn of "peers" who step up.
Last month I had the honor of spending 4 hours with an Army Infantry company before the boarded the bus. These grandsons, sons, fathers, brothers and nephews were the light and strength of their generation. Their perilous mission is to defend and protect. The deepest wounds they'll return with will be scarred souls from being unable to protect the helpless. And if any among them were to drift from honor or flounder, their team, squad and platoon brethren will intervene.
So to those who cast stones from elite heights or from their parent's finished basements, I suggest this: type less, open your eyes and MOVE! The world extends beyond their scope.
Fly
ps: Oh, and as always, I hold you and your troops high in esteem and dear in my heart, every moment of every day. "Thank you" isn't adequate
The people who make derogatory comments, hold on to stereotypical viewpoints, and plaster others with their vitriolic rants aren't educated at all.
They're bigoted individuals and deserve to be called on the mat as such. I would not extend the words "educated" or "civilized" to them at all. They may have passed through a system of schooling, however, life never taught them fairness, to look beyond assumptions or to give others the benefit of the doubt. They also have accumulated a mass of self righteousness, which is reinforced by only choosing friends with the same POV as themselves. What a cesspool!
Unfortunately, I have met them from all walks of life.
I think calling them small minded bigots with stunted development is fair enough.
By who's standards does a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine rank in the lowest 10%? I served 20 years and I can tell you firsthand that they are among the top 10%. There is no more honor or integrity found anywhere in society than what there is in the military. I have known less than a handful of people who don't fit that description. As a civilian, I meet people who have no standards nearly every day. You folks carrying the torch just keep doing what you're doing and know that there are far more of us who support you than those who would denigrate you.
Bill R.
MSgt, USAF Ret.
It is a shame that these people make such disgusting comments. When it comes from a High paid Politician or Celebrity , it is even worse. Our Troops lay their life on the line for us.
Hey Major, if you can accept some advice from an old-timer (Vietnam), don’t get exercised about these commenters. We got the same kind of thing 40 years ago. They’re coming at this with a political attitude (seems like everyone has a political attitude about everything these days) and demonstrate their ignorance every time they touch a keyboard. There’s nothing you can do about these as*holes, so ignore them and pay attention to things that you CAN do something about.
And remember — a huge slice of the American public supports our military and, even if they don’t like the war you’re fighting, definitely feel supportive of each and every one of you, hope and pray that nothing bad happens to you, and appreciate the sacrifices you and your families are making.
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