D.o.S. wrote:Dude, I've exhausted enough good will in this thread already. I don't want to burn anymore.
I'm tempted just redirect you to the last few posts I've made, rather than retreading points from a few pages ago.
However, that smiley at the end makes it pretty clear you're also one to indulge in assholish behavior. So:
The government hires soldiers because, in your words, they want to "maintain a standing force of defense."
There's problem #1--people are getting paid for their readiness to enter into armed conflict (i.e. war, though I suppose you could also tack on "interventions" and "liberations" in there). Therefore, people are making money (in other words, profiting, in other words "profiteering") from the continued use of force by our National Defense*, otherwise known as war--though since you seem to be splitting hairs, we could say the possibility of war or the perceived impossibility of avoiding war.
So, while soldiers themselves run risk of injury, death, PTSD, when actually engaged in arm conflict, they're making their living off of war (as defined above). I've known several military peeps who never saw a lick of combat in their 20 years of active duty. They've definitely profited off of war.
*Although, really, that line is almost entirely bullshit. In the last hundred plus years we've invaded or "intervened" or "fucked with" in 14 countries. Sometimes at the behest of businesses (Hawaii, Panama), sometimes because of ideology (Cuba, Chile), very rarely for "defense."
I still think you have them confused with Black Water. If that's who you meant then I agree with you completely!
jfrey wrote:wsas3 wrote:Well what did you mean? Do you mean you don't want them to protest for you or you don't have the same ideals?
I meant that my ideals are just about as opposite as it is possible to be. If I were the kind of person that felt offended by things I'd be offended that they claim to be protesting on my behalf.
I was going to try to give a lengthy explanation before, but I suppose it can be left at that.
jfrey, I'm actually curious as to what you see as "morally wrong" with these protests. This thread has had its share of grumpy old men and devil's advocates, but to have someone genuinely opposed to it does cause me to want to see it through your eyes. I do believe that people will have their own motives for jumpy on the wagon (or pitching tents in this scenario), and the selfish/ignorant attitudes of those around us can put a bad taste in our mouths, but what about all this makes you feel like what they are fighting for is wrong. I hope you don't see this as me trying to bait you, I really do want to know how you feel about all this. Just a couple bros talking about things that matter (other than fuzz, which obviously matters most!)
edit: I will admit, I didn't hear a whole lot about this movement, until a few weeks ago, other than what my buddy had to say when things started stirring up in Milwaukee a month or two back. That's a big reason why I stopped by here, because even though I don't always agree with what people have to say around here, ILF is probably the most open minded online community I am a part of, so I did want to know what your opinions are on the matter.
Damn, I wasted a whole morning getting caught up on this thread. I need to visit the General Discussion forum more often.
My opinion on all this is nothing will ever change unless we can somehow put an end to corporate lobbying.
), what're the occupyers gonna do about inclement weather?
