Masterful1 Wrote:Ok... Last time I post in this thread, and not in response to specific things said here.  I am not going to waste time arguing with those who have not been there, seen it, lived it, EXPERIENCED it...  Most of the responses sound like a college students opion paper carrying over into this medium. 
Most of the responses ARE people's opinions, just like your responses have been made up of your opinions.

Just because you have fought in a war, doesn't mean that you alone are justified to give your opinion on that war.

Masterful1 Wrote:If you didn't have what it takes to serve, in my honest opinion, you don't get to tell me what MY service meant to me.

I haven't seen anyone try and tell you what your service meant to you, and don't start calling everyone who has not fought in the war a coward.

Masterful1 Wrote:I was a grunt, pure and simple.  I wasn't involved in the politics of the greater arena.  I was an enlisted infantry soldier, period.  I followed orders.  I helped when I could.  I killed when I HAD to.  I showed compassion whenever the opportunity presented itself.  And I met some of the truly nicest people that I have EVER met in my life over there. 

I don't think that anyone was criticizing you personally (I know I wasn't), I think that some of us have been criticizing some american politicians.

Masterful1 Wrote:TRUE Islam is about compassion and understanding, not judgement, Jihad, or hate.  Extremists take their agendas and fool a mostly undeducated population into doing their dirty work and sacrificing themselves.  I have SEEN it.

Maybe so.

Masterful1 Wrote:What have you done, other than watch some videos, look at some pictures, and read a few articles?  I did what you were either unable or unwilling to do.

No, not everyone agrees with the war, and many do not want to be involved, that does not make them cowards.

Masterful1 Wrote:I CHOOSE to view what I did positively because I tried to make a difference to those people.  I helped deliver medical supplies to hospitals, visit children in schools and help with English or LEARN Arabic from them, tend wounded civilians caught in the blast of the bombs of THEIR OWN people, console the families of the ones lost, sharing their tears and wishing that I could undo it.

I don't think people are questioning your morals. As I said, it's a criticism of American government.

Masterful1 Wrote:You have NO FUCKING IDEA what is like because you pass judgement from afar without having done it and ASSUME that what I did there was some unholy, evil series of acts, all conspired to a grand evil design.

Who's saying that?

Masterful1 Wrote:And if you think that doesn't affect me and my family in its own way, your ignorance still shows.  Fuck each and every one of you that thinks I am evil because I was a part of the conflict.

Honestly, it's like you are arguing against points that haven't been made. Peace.