Fred Reed A true patriot speaking on the war

I'm not going to say a whole lot just yet, as I need to collect my thoughts on these topics, but I thought I would put it to you anyhow. I was reading Joe Sobran's column today and his article turned me on to a man I had never heard of and started my mind spinning in a way that it had not spun in quite some time.

It all started with the thread regarding what the American children are being taught about the value of freedom and the meaning of those papers we quote and misquote, interpret and mangle. And then my mind turned to the Presidents state of the union address with the word freedom being ladeled on like gravy on the dry tasteless meatloaf of the latest version of democracy. Freedom at the cost of many lives, freedom dependant upon the freedom of other soveriegn countries, freedom stipped for the sanctity of itself from those whom it should serve. The fact that our children are being taught that freedom is in the hands of the authorities, that it should not be trusted to the common man, makes me angry and sad but most of all frightened. The thought train somehow stopped off at Sobran's comments on the President's innaugral speech which introduced me to Fred.

Fred is a war hero, a true patriot, who left this country to seek the freedom he fought for elsewhere as he bore witness to it's demise on his home turf. He speaks of the forgotten fighters, the men and women who give freely their lives, arms, legs, eyes and bowel control in an effort to protect that which many in the US seem so willing to give over to the government in an effort to not be forced to think. As the tanks roll on we honor the soldier, but what do we leave them for their homecoming? A less free country then when they boarded that carrier? More closed minds following blindly the straight and narrow path towards the abolishion of our freedoms under the guise of protection from a phantom enemy. I do not know. Maybe I don't want to know. Remember that freedom is precious and that you are your freedoms only protector. No President can or will do that for you whether he is red or blue, donkey or elephant. And as you remember your freedoms and sit thinking of those who fight for the freedoms of others, do not forget what they fight to protect for all mankind, you you owe them in return by preserving it in this country.

Here is Sobran's column and the column by Fred which instigated the whole thing:

http://www.sobran.com/columns/
http://www.fredoneverything.net/FOE_Frame_Column.htm

I said that I wouldn't say much and then I did....disjointed and stream of consciousness as it was....

Great post!

I like Fred Reed (well, most of the time lol) and Joe Sobran is all right in my book too.

Thanks for the links, Isis.

The ominous parallels are even more ominous and parallel these days...

Good reads... thanks for the links.

great read (reed?)

Thanks for posting!!!

Thank you Isis! Right on!

Thank you Isis for a consisive post. I am no scholar nor college student as I realize every day most of my community here is. However I am and always will be a soldier. On that credential alone I beg your ears.

After I came home from Iraq in August of 2003 I could not watch the news for almost six months. I still cry real tears damn near every day when I read or listen or watch news reports from over there.

I was ORDERED to go over there as every soldier who is there today was. We had/have no choice in the matter. Sure, we can say no and challenge it in court, but guess what? For that we will gain prison time and a marred record (read Federal conviction) against ever holding gainful employment in the 'free' world.

IMHO; I have no regrets for the part I took in unseating Saddam Hussein. He was a sadistic, inhuman psychopath who needed to be removed. The sights I saw (with our embedded reporter) were horrifying. Adults pushing kids into our traffic to make us stop so they could pilfer our vehicles for food and run.

The military will always have jaded brass ridden officers speaking for them. This is the rule for the day as it has always been. The Joe pulling the trigger has no recourse but believe you me he has remorse. It is always truly kill or be killed. The fancy pants giving you the 'news' and 'briefings' have for the most part never experienced it.

For whatever reason we went over there should not be an issue or a quagmire now. We are there. We cannot leave them now. I do not support the Bush administration in their execution of the war against terror. We should have maintained a stronger force in Afghanistan and finished that effort. (Read Kill Osama)

The Iraqi war was a vendetta of revenge for his father's failed machinations after the invasion of Kuwait. I supported that war as Hussein's actions then were obvious. (If you weren't there and didn't see the results don't argue with me)

My point here is thus, Mr. Reed is an honorable newsman and what he reported was not untrue. However, 99.9% of the military deployed in that deplorable situation have no recourse. I repeat, they have no recourse. What would you do? The answer is you don't know and won't know unless you experience it ! I knew SFC Paul Smith who is being post-humously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour for these actions against the innocent Iraqi people /sarcasm Read This

He died, I didn't. I cried when I read this. Will you ? I doubt it because you haven't experienced what we have in forced combat. Whether you believe in the cause or not, if you are in the military, you are obligated to fulfill the orders of your superiors and keep those charged to you alive.

Peace

Lecktor,

Man I am without words (well sorta). You couldn't be more correct and I believe that is exactly what Reed was saying as well. With all the partisan propoganda we all too often forget that our soldiers are doing the best they can and doing so with as much honor and integrity as a war allows. It is easy for the arm chair warrior to defame a soldier for an attack on a civilian but unless you are on the battlefield you really have no idea of the motives behind the attack or the psychological ramifications afterwards.

Administration aside, it is our duty as civilians to ensure that those who are fighting are not doing so in vain. We need to make certain that the homeland they return to is as free as the one they left behind. As I said before, while you fought for the freedoms of others it is my job to fight for your freedom at home.

I would like to sincerely thank you, Lecktor, and all of your brothers in arms for your bravery on the field of battle. And as for your "lack" of education through the system, I am sure your education through life has far outweighed what any book can teach me. You are an intelligent and compassionate person, no amount of lectures will ever teach the lessons you have learned. So stand proud brave soldier and expect that the civilians should do their part in this battle for freedom as well.

Thank You

No, Lecktor -- thank YOU

I'm not sure if this question is best left to another thread...

Now mind you, I don't want to incite any bad feelings and nor is it my intention to offend, but I wonder about this often and simply wish to know, preferrably from soldiers themselves:

is absolute obedience the best way to train soldiers?

The point Lektor has raised intrigues me... he either had to fight or face jail and possibly losing his freedoms. We know what he chose and what almost all do in that situation... it's one of the bazillion reasons why the wars continue.

Is there no recourse for soldiers who disagree with the orders coming from their superiors?

I wonder how many soldiers were ordered to kill civilians and how many did.

It wouldn't surprise me if there were and if the soldiers who carried out that order could justify it. Here's why.

Again, sorry if this is an uncomfortable subject and if it is inappropriate, I am more than willing to take my inquiries elsewhere.