"The Static Drinking Game" - or - "Why Should I Support the Military?"

POSTED BY: Succatash
UPDATED: Friday, March 19, 2004 20:30
VIEWED: 24289
PAGE 1 of 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEXT PAGE

SUCCATASH

Friday, February 13, 2004 3:20 AM

I've been drunk for weeks, ever since I started the "Static Drinking Game." You see, I keep a special bottle of Cuervo by my computer, and I take a drink whenever Static mentions the military.

It was fun at first, but damn! I can't sober up. Static keeps talking about the military and I'm starting to lose my mind.

All joking aside, I struggle with my feelings towards American soldiers, and Static keeps hitting a nerve. I often ask myself, "Why should I support the troops?" And yes, I'm an American and I love my country, and I'm glad the U.S. has a strong military.

Ideally, I consider the military to be evil, a necessary evil. It's a cruel world out there, and let me reiterate, I'm glad we have a military. Because the world is cruel. By "Evil" I mean, purposefully training a group of people to kill. Too bad we need a military, but we obviously need one, it's a reality.

The military should be used as sparingly as possible, and soldiers should be treated with solemness, because their job is so serious.

Soldiers kill.

In the old days, every town had an Executioner, because they needed one. But Executioners, though respected and well paid, were feared and considered creepy to be around.

I am really disappointed that my country started the war in Iraq. I believe our military is being extremely misused. It bothers me the way the majority of U.S. citizens treat the war like a football game, rooting for the home team without even really thinking, "Why is this happening? What are we doing?"

It's not a game, lots of people are dying.

The thought of soldiers whooping and hollering, excited to kill, is chilling. The fact that Static and his comrades shout Firefly quotes ("No power in the 'verse can stop me!") just before they go kill, doesn't make me very happy.

As far as I'm concerned, the only reason we should be shipping Firefly DVD's to the troops is because they don't have a Suncoast Video nearby.

In the rules of the "Static Drinking Game," you have to drink twice when he says, "I'm off to save the world." Needless to say, I'm way past drunk by now.

I do not believe our current military actions are saving my life, or protecting my "freedom" in anyway. I believe they are helping increase the risk of me losing these things. Either a soldier blindly follows orders, or he doesn't. I wish our soldiers had refused to go to Iraq. But they were just following orders. So why are they heroes? It confuses me.

Instead of working at a gas station, Joe Guy joins the army which pays for his college, and in return he'll kill anyone, when he's told to. Why is he my hero?

911 happened two and a half years ago. Seems we're still intent on bombing every village in Afghanistan. What are we still doing there?

The way I see it, instead of killing everybody who hates the U.S., we should be focusing on WHY they hate us. Maybe it's because we bomb the shit out of everyone and we act like assholes. Our military can try to kill everyone who hates America, but that's impossible, we just end up making 10 times, 100 times more enemies. We're doing a GREAT job of making new enemies.

I don't buy the "We're Good, they're Evil" crap. It's nonsense. The fact is, the U.S. pisses off a lot of people, and therefore we have enemies.

As far as soldiers go, it may be "necessary" to completely break down a person's soul during Basic Training, over and over, then build him back up as a "better soldier," or even a "better man," but I would never, ever, in a million years submit myself to that kind of torture. I consider it brainwashing. I find military people creepy to be around.

Having said all this, Static appears to be a very nice, enthusiastic Firefly fan and that is what really matters on this board. He doesn't post mean things on this site, and he has a right to say what he wants. Static talks a lot about the military, and that bothers me, but I post more than my fair share of bizarre and annoying stuff too.

But, Static's continual mention of the military has pushed a butto

SAINT JAYNE

Friday, February 13, 2004 4:55 AM

I'm surprised Static didn't reply first. =)

STATIC

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:15 AM

Tash,

I agree with some of what you said.

I disagree with some of what you said.

You have never been anything but polite, kind, nice, cool, neat, and downright shiny to me since I arrived on this board. I'm proud to call you a friend.

What kind of friend would I be to let an honest opinion come between us?

I'm sure some folks expected to see an argument, or at the very least, a heated debate. Sorry if they're dissapointed. But this is something that you are clearly passionate about, and I am clearly passionate about my purpose here in Afghanistan. Passions tend to turn debates into arguments, and arguments into flame-wars, and I have no desire to enter into that realm with a friend.

I hope that when I am home, you and I can meet face to face, raise a glass together, hug one another, and never speak of disagreements, but only speak of common ground.

Thank you for trusting me enough to speak your mind.

Christopher

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

KNIBBLET

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:27 AM

Static wrote: I hope that when I am home, you and I can meet face to face, raise a glass together, hug one another, and never speak of disagreements, but only speak of common ground.

.... And that, children, is what we call 'a class act'.

Static, come home soon. Until that day arrives ... keep your head down, your arse unshot and your spirits up.

Love and hugs.

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

BEATLE

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:28 AM

Since I have been on other boards where something like this would turn into a flame war from hell, it's refreshing to see that opinions can be stated, accepted, and responded to with civility.

SEVENPERCENT

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Beatle:
Since I have been on other boards where something like this would turn into a flame war from hell, it's refreshing to see that opinions can be stated, accepted, and responded to with civility.

I dont think I've seen a flame war on this site yet, unless I missed one (you all leave me out of everything, you know) - That's one of the things I've learned about the FF fans- Class acts all around-

------------------------------------------
He looked bigger when I couldn't see him.

SHINY

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:40 AM

I kind of wanted to give Static a chance to reply first too, but since I'm reading this now, here are a few of my own thoughts on the matter:

1) I believe we were justified in going into Afghanistan (where Static happens to be stationed)
2) I do NOT believe we were justified in going into Iraq (if we really had good evidence they were an imminent threat to the region/world, it would not have been so hard to get broad support for international intervention)
3) I do NOT believe in celebrating the death of anyone, even if the person being killed is an threat to me or mine (it may be necessary, but I take no pleasure in it)
4) I want U.S. soldiers to be safe and to come home when their mission is complete. If I believe their mission is unjust, it is my responsibility as a citizen to push/advocate/lobby/vote for change in the rrelevant U.S. policies so that their mission is changed to something more just.
5) I believe that it is possible to 'support the troops' and still disagree with/fight the policies that have them in a particular situation/with a particular mission.
6) I don't believe in undermining the morale of the troops by blaming them or trying to make them feel guilty if they are honorably fulfilling their duty. I believe we should blame our elected officials if our soldiers are given an unjust mission and even more, ourselves for not being sufficiently educated, skeptical, involved, and vocal about foreign and military policy. I believe it was a terrible injustice that so many who opposed the war in Vietnam blamed the soldiers who were forced into a jungle hell halfway around the world just to return to jeers and taunts at home. It is not the fault of the military when the country they serve fails them. It is OUR fault. WE need to own the decisions that led to these situations, including the decision to do nothing or not get involved until after the fact.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

SUCCATASH

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Static:
Tash,

...Thank you for trusting me enough to speak your mind....

Christopher

Um. Possible misunderstanding here. I don't trust you at all.

You imply that I possess an ability to speak my mind, because I trust you. Oh, I see what you mean. Oh, you're going to make me use the four-letter word that drives society? F.E.A.R.

ZAPHODB

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:52 AM

Quote:
I dont think I've seen a flame war on this site yet, unless I missed one

There's been one or two threads that came close. Here's one of them - The Big Vid Kerfuffle -

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=13&t=1837

It even made Fandom_Wank. Weird stuff. Heh.

Industrial Looniee & Madness - http://www3.telus.net/vchrusch

SEVENPERCENT

Friday, February 13, 2004 5:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ZaphodB:

Quote:
I dont think I've seen a flame war on this site yet, unless I missed one

There's been one or two threads that came close. Here's one of them - The Big Vid Kerfuffle -

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=13&t=1837

It even made Fandom_Wank. Weird stuff. Heh.

Industrial Looniee & Madness - http://www3.telus.net/vchrusch

Yep- That one pretty much nailed it- Glad to say I missed that one-

------------------------------------------
He looked bigger when I couldn't see him.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEXT PAGE