Sorry for the profanity (and the abundant use of the "f" word), but when I get on the topic of Americans and Soldiers, I get pretty heated. So, judge me or not, but It was very hard to hold back when there are a handful of ungrateful people on this website.

I'm not even American and I support the troops over there I was actually shaking with rage as I read some of the comments I totally agree with this guy, well actually I disagree with the " get the **** out of the "United" States " part, stay in the united states and get the **** away from my country, we sure as hell don't wan't you. and for those people who want the military to disband, you not only need to disband the armed forces but also swat, riot control, highway patrol, and regular police forces. in saying that, I would love for there to be some way for this to happen. unfortunately the only way for that to happen is if we are all dead, so do the world a favor and go back to elementary school. one more thing if you see troopers carrying a coffin covered with a flag on tv you'd better well respect the fact someone has given their lives for YOU OP: FML sorry things turned out the way they did regards, DM

Not a single person in this thread suggested that the military be disbanded.

People like you terrify/sicken me.

Well, if you are proud of where you live and your country as a whole, I'm pretty sure every American would want to stand for the Pledge. It's just paying proper respect to those who died to keep this country alive. It's just plain respect. Yeah, you can be proud of where you live and "not want to stand for the pledge", but that's pretty disrespectful. Not saying you have to go home every day and say it silently to yourself, but when you hear it (and the National Anthem), you should stand.. and be darn proud of standing. And, the OP didn't do anything wrong, so he shouldn't technically "F Off" (out of anger), but, he should have reminded his mom there was a soldier in their presence, and she was being rather rude.

People like that guy have no qualms with being hypocritical.

Except that the United States has not been under threat of invasion since 1812. If you buy into the fear mongering of the recent government, then sure you might think the "terrorists are gonna git you!" but in reality there is no country on the planet (not allied with America) that has the capability of occupying it. Our rights are not being threatened by Iraqis any more than they are by our own government. I have far more respect for the Iraqis fighting than I do for the American soldiers. They are fighting for their home and what they believe is right. The soldiers are fighting because they want either money or glory, and the men commanding them are fighting because they want oil. My rights and my home are as safe as they have ever been. Soldiers, don't use me to justify your actions. You do what you on your own accord.

Actually lmmr the U.S. was under threat of occupation during WWII. The Axis Powers had planned on forcing us to fight a two front war with the hopes that we would concentrate most of our efforts defending the Mexican border. Effectively allowing them to dominate and seize control of Europe. After which, they would set their sites on us. This plan was intercepted and thankfully had to be aborted. Just an FYI. Also, do you not respect our soldiers because of this one single war? Did you forget that had the U.S. not participated in the World Wars you probably wouldn't have such freedoms that you enjoy now? You generalize every soldier to be a person who only thinks of themselves. Many of them have the belief that they are enlisted to protect and serve their country (Including you). You have a bleeding heart for a regime of people that would delight in holding you for ransom and executing you on camera if their desires are not met, all because you're an American. Judging by some of your other posts, if you don't respect our soldiers because of this one war then you're a hypocrite and your opinion on this matter can be disregarded being that it no longer holds any validity.

more to to the point Immir at its current rate of growth china will be a bigger financial entity than america in like 15 years. its rnd particularly in nuclear and military (provided the above rate of growth) will equal america in less than 100 years. and forgive me for assuming that you are moderately intelligent but have you seen the size of china? its got the manpower to occupy america more to the point can I assume but the above statements that when you see a soldier alive or dead on tv. you don't think wow they would rather be home with their families, but there not there thousands of miles away maybe fighting a war they don't believe in and they're stuck there because they cant leave their jobs and support their families (economic climate remember).... the soldiers deserve my respect you think america is invincible. no one can hurt me, if an enemy attacks me then a piece of paper or soldiers (who I've downtrodden) will protect me. thus they don't deserve my respect. plenty of ANZACs died in the first world war. if you asked anybody who goes to the memorials in Canberra or Wellington or any other place, they won't tell you it was glorious or anything, some will tell you than both countries sent their soldiers to Europe so they could play war with the big boys. but even those people who disagree with the state will still be out in the freezing pre-dawn singing prayers and listening to the last post on the 25th of April to remember and honor the fallen soldiers regardless of how the states used them so from someone who gets up every year to honor and respect the lost soldiers whom i never knew, who died for a cause i might not agree with. yes it is frustrating listening to people bad mouth soldiers you might not want to give them your respect, but they sure as hell dont deserve your contempt and for the record, the post from failsatlife wants to disband the military, my comment was for him/her and the point everyone is making about 'soldiers protect the freedom of speech' they are saying that the 4th amendment or whatever of the constitution say you have that right. the current government is responsible for enforcing that right and the soldiers are responsible for protecting that government who enforces the right you are given to finish it off with a quote from David Weber "even the best diplomats operate on credit. Sooner or later someone who’s less reasonable than you are is going to call you, and if your military can’t cover your I.O.U.s, you lose" soldiers are always needed, even if only as an insurance policy, so when you see troopers carrying a coffin covered in a flag you'd better respect that person who gave their live so the government can ensure that the american constitution does not simply become hollow words Remember the american constitution, in the end a piece of paper with words on it From someone who respects soldiers regardless of their deployment policies DM