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21 Aug 03 - 05:20 PM (#1006097) Subject: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: GUEST,ribkie I've often pondered the thought process which runs through another human being's mind when contemplating whether or not to join up (army). I remember having the notion myself when I was attending primary and early secondary education, but with little thought of the consequences only of what I could get from it ie. paid training, proving myself regarding physical endurance, fighting for my country and the stature which accompanies it, travel, the feeling of ridding problems etc.. Naivety/ignorance must be the army's recruiting ace as the young (at least in the UK)partake in little or no political matters hence excluding the reasons nations wage war or intervene in volitile situations throughout the world. The army target the young for their athleticism, lack of ties, and the lure of the above mentioned, or at least that is their rhetoric. Perhaps this may explain the abscence of political studies in secondary education as knowledge of current world affairs and our part to play in them would almost certainly affect the already dwindling numbers enrolling. Another down side to this void in education only enhances the abscence of young peole voting at the polls as they only feel the urge later on in life when they see that politics affects their life's either directly or indirectly. I suppose giving too much trust to our corrupt decision makers with all their spin, just following blindly, not for a second believing that they may have ulterior motives for their actions results in a continuous conveyor belt of more than willing pawns. Thankfully, (as far as I am concerned) people seem to be unwilling to put their life on the line, more to the point exterminating others, this possibly as a result in the deminishing numbers attending church and with a faith as they are not falling for the old 'god is on our side' and 'god will look after us as they are evil and we are good' crap. Sorry about the brevity of this message as I value life and have little time to squander!. Appreciate any comments, be them nods or shakes. |
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22 Aug 03 - 02:28 AM (#1006312) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Dead Horse I refuse to bite. |
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22 Aug 03 - 10:41 PM (#1006791) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: GUEST,mg I was a pawn and remain in their service until I die. Without people who are willing to become pawns, this world would be unthinkably horrible..leagues past anything we have seen up to now. Thank you all past, present and future pawns. mg |
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22 Aug 03 - 11:16 PM (#1006803) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Rapparee THESE, in the day when heaven was falling The hour when earth's foundations fled, Followed their mercenary calling, And took their wages, and are dead. Their shoulders held the sky suspended; They stood, and earth's foundations stay; What God abandoned, these defended, And saved the sum of things for pay. |
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23 Aug 03 - 12:35 AM (#1006827) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: mg here's something by Kipling about some former pawns..I wonder if it has a tune put to it.. Or ever the battered liners sank with their passengers to the dark I was head of a Walworth Bank and you were a grocer's clerk I was a dealer in stocks and shares and you in butters and teas and we both abandoned our own affairs and took to the dreadful seas wet and worry about our ways panic, onset, and flight had us in charge for a thousand days and a thousand-year-long night we saw more than the nights could hide more than the waves could keep and certain faces over the side which do not go from our sleep we were more tired than words can tell while the pied craft fled by nd the swinging mounds of the western swell hoisted us heavens high now there is nothing not even our rank to witness what we have been and I am returned to my Walworth Bank and you to your margerine mg |
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23 Aug 03 - 02:19 AM (#1006845) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: mack/misophist The young think themselves immortal. When I enlisted (during Viet Nam), I had no other thought than getting out of Texas and my mother's house. Patriotism didn't spur me on or self preservation hold me back. |
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23 Aug 03 - 03:03 AM (#1006852) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Banjer I served proudly in the United States Army...I volunteered for the draft in 1968. Many times I wish I had remained in the service past my two years. Had I remained in I would have been able to retire after twenty, fifteen years ago! |
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23 Aug 03 - 09:03 PM (#1007141) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Rapparee I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer, The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here." The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die, I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I: O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away"; But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play, The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play, O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play. I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me; They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls, But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls! For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside"; But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide, The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide, O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide. Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap; An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit. Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?" But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll, The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll. We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints, Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints; While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind", But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind, There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind, O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind. You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all: We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational. Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace. For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!" But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot; An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please; An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees! |
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24 Aug 03 - 05:40 PM (#1007477) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: The Walrus God and the soldier we adore In time of danger (not before), Danger past and all things righted God's forgotten, the soldier slighted. |
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24 Aug 03 - 06:55 PM (#1007498) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Gareth When we did bang, Monsiuer Conflan, You sent us beef and beer, Now the French are beat we've nothing to eat, For you have nohing to fear. Gareth |
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24 Aug 03 - 07:12 PM (#1007507) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Deckman I am an American Army veteran, pre- vietnam. I served full term, with honors, mostly under President Kennedy. This current President, I think his name is bush, makes me feel ashamed. He has made the U.S. Army service his personal tool. Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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24 Aug 03 - 07:42 PM (#1007519) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: Rapparee I served as a sergeant, with the primary Military Occupational Specialty of 11B40 (Light Weapons Infantry), from 1963 to 1971. I was taught not only how to kill, but how to treat wounds and even how to comfort the dying. I was taught to respect, not hate, those whom I might someday have to kill. I was taught how to protect to the best of my ability not only myself and my buddies, but prisoners of war, civilians, and others not involved in fighting. I was taught that I did not swear allegiance to the President, but to the Constitution of the United States. And I was taught that when I felt it necessary I could question the orders I was given. I have never been ashamed of either my service or the United States Army. I *have* been shamed by politicians. |
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24 Aug 03 - 10:50 PM (#1007594) Subject: RE: BS: to be an infantry pawn From: mack/misophist Some say that politics is the art of the possible. Perhaps, but first and foremost it's the art of getting re-elected.....over and over, till nothing else matters. |