"Stealing Their Thunder" written by Jason on estrip.org

Category: war

07/05/06 03:55 - 70ºF - ID#23663

Stealing Their Thunder

Anyone else think this "war resister" (COUGH) is going to be featured soon in an issue of our beloved Artvoice?

Jason

jason writes at 06:13:58 07/06/06 - Comment #9573: My take-

I was taught that if you make a commitment to something, you should carry out the commitment, or you lose face. I don't agree with (e:Joshua) at all - I think he knows perfectly well that a Stryker team is one of the more dangerous jobs a soldier can undertake. I think he knows what he signed up for, but when push came to shove he decided he made a mistake (although not after who knows how much $$ in training, education, etc it costs to train a Lieutenant).

He is a Lieutenant. I'm sure he is fully informed concerning his duties as a soldier and an officer. Given this, I really have no idea why he thinks he can pick and choose where to be deployed. The fact that he would serve in Afghanistan is duly noted, and its worth is primarily to prove that he was not unwilling to perform Army duties, but in the end everyone familiar with the military knows that you don't choose where to go.

This case is different than the others I've read in Artvoice, in that this person seems to want to stay and fight his case to the end, in comparison to fleeing to Canada, which I find utterly despicable. Staying and fighting your fight, taking a stand, challenging the government, not running away from your problems, now THAT is at least respectable.

In the end, whatever moral objections that are raised are worth very little, because they will not be considered when it comes to his punishment. He will be punished (and I think he should, although I wouldn't throw the guy in the clink), and I will be interested to see where this case leads.

joshua writes at 02:14:40 07/06/06 - Comment #9555: Ajay this ain't a cafeteria - you do not get to pick and choose where you serve as a member of the military; you are told where you are going to serve. The fact that he said, "well, I'll go to Afghanistan though!" is absolutely meaningless.

As far as resisting illegal orders and the war in Iraq is concerned - the suggestion that a soldier can refuse to go to the war in Iraq on the basis that the war is illegal (I just know the ACLU will be going here on this one) will not get him anywhere.

In the end, I feel badly for this kid - he's made a decision that I don't believe he truly understood the consequences of. Despite what he might think, he should have never joined the military.

ajay writes at 12:47:56 07/06/06 - Comment #9535: Keep in mind that he's opposed to the war in Iraq, and has volunteered to fight in Afghanistan .... which is more than can be said of those criticizing him.

libertad writes at 09:41:51 07/05/06 - Comment #9523: good for him

metalpeter writes at 08:14:41 07/05/06 - Comment #9520: If the war is truely illegal then He and anyone of his rank who truely belive it is illegal shouldn't go either. Interesting story in any event.

zobar writes at 05:26:14 07/05/06 - Comment #9518: Well ... I don't know about next week, but it didn't make deadline for this week. Pete's been following the war resistance pretty closely, but I don't think he'd tell you anything next Thursday that you couldn't get from the dailies sooner.

Dr. Niman might submit an opinion piece about it, but my gut feeling is that he'll find the Mexican elections to be a bigger story.

If you're afraid this story won't get covered, you can certainly drop the editorial department a line. I can't guarantee anything, though, since we average less than half a dozen pages of politics every week and we tend to prefer local stories.

- Z

ajay writes at 05:04:19 07/05/06 - Comment #9517: I will agree with the general precept that signing up for the military means more than just getting the benefits of the GI Bill.

Having said that, I'll take the opposing view, and not in the least because (e:Jason) has posted this; but because when we look at all angles of an issue, we can make more informed decisions than if we just look at what "We Are Supposed To".

Not aiming to draw parallels, or to invoke Godwin's Law here, but: keep in mind that during the Nuremberg trials, the Allies did punish the German soldiers (not just SS, but also the Wehrmacht) for following illegal orders. The US's position has always been that soldiers in any army must disobey illegal orders.

Something to think about, even if you don't agree.

mrmike writes at 04:24:20 07/05/06 - Comment #9516: I agree with you Jenks. If you register, you gotta do what they want. If you're anti-war, looking to the army wasn't the best career choice.

ladycroft writes at 04:24:07 07/05/06 - Comment #9515: i didn't even get that much. all i got was a big fat bill after 6 months of bullshit....

jenks writes at 04:02:41 07/05/06 - Comment #9514: am I the only one that thinks if you sign up for the military, you should be prepared to serve? There's more to it than just gov't perks and loan repayment...

Permalink: Stealing_Their_Thunder.html
Words: 31
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: potpourri

06/21/06 04:20 - 71ºF - ID#23662

Heja Sverige!

The Swedish National Football Team advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup, by drawing the BLOODY ENGLISH this week. I love the World Cup, and I love the motherland.

Here is Henrik Larsson, reacting after scoring the equaliser.

My man Freddie Ljungberg, one of the best, an Arsenal star.

He does some modelling too. For the ladies, the gay boys, and JOSHY.

Oh yeah, the Swedish ladies. The most beautiful anywhere.

Sweden is pretty much a hottie factory. Myself included, of course. Their fans at the World Cup have been awesome. If you guys haven't been watching the World Cup, SHAME ON YOU!!! Countries shut down for this shit, and civil wars have been halted for it!!! It is a one of a kind event. Check it out!

Heja Sverige!

Permalink: Heja_Sverige_.html
Words: 142
Location: Buffalo, NY

06/20/06 11:25 - 69ºF - ID#23661

Okay, I'll Answer The Survey

People:
1. How did you find out about/why did you become of estrip?

I saw the chalk advertising on the street and decided to join.

2. How "out" are you about having a publicly accessible online journal. Do your friends know? Does your family know? Do your co-workers know? Does your boss know? Do you use your real name? Do you use your real photo?

Everyone knows I have an online journal. Yes, I do use my real name, and no I do not use my real photo. It all has to do with the one time some asshole threatened me with violence after GWB won again.

3. How many epeeps have you met real life?

Many. Not as many of the new folks though, as I have been absent at the parties lately.

4. How has estrip changed the way that you meet people, on and/or off line?

I've learned that one or two things that irk you about someone are insignificant compared to the things we have in common. I look for commonality now. I also don't take shit so personally.

5. How has estrip affected you love life?

It has gotten me laid, and I don't know how many people can honestly say that.

6. How many of your friends have joined estrip because of your influence?

My brother. So I guess that makes one? The rest don't feel at all comfortable with doing an online journal.

7. Are you from Buffalo/do you live in Buffalo?

No/Yes

Equipment:
1. What type of hardware or software purchases have you made as a result of using estrip?

None

2. Have you used the mobile version of estrip? Why or why not?

Yes, when I had my Sidekick. Not at all anymore.

Lifestyle:
1. In what way has estrip changed your Internet surfings habits? Describe the amount of time you spend on estrip, when you use it and about how long?

I look at it as much as I look at my e-mail. Who knows how long each day, it varies depending on how interested I am in the content of the day.

1a. How many journals do you usually read per day?

5ish

2. In what ways has estrip changed the way you perceive your local community?

In a way, my perceptions have been strengthened and reinforced.

3. How has journaling about your life affected the way you spend your free time?

Journaling hasn't affected my approach to life at all.

4. Has estrip changed your living situation in any way?

Nope.

5. Do you find that you mediate/document more of your experiences now that you share them with others?

YES. This should tell you how open I am about sharing shit recently.

6. Has publishing on estrip affected the way that write?

Not at all.

7. Do you have other online journals? If so, with what service and has estrip affected your usage of that journal?

No, unless you count MySpace as a journal, which I do not. This site is about equal to the other in usage time.

8. Have you ever gotten in trouble for using estrip at work?

Never, at least not that I am aware of.

9. If you have stopped using estrip, why?

Intolerance. I think this stuff is cyclical.

Permalink: Okay_I_ll_Answer_The_Survey.html
Words: 534
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: potpourri

06/20/06 11:00 - 69ºF - ID#23660

Nothing To Say

Actually it isn't true. I've tried writing a few entries, but I get about a paragraph into it before I say "fuck it" and erase the entire thing.

So, I'll just say Hello.

Permalink: Nothing_To_Say.html
Words: 33
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: potpourri

05/23/06 07:36 - 55ºF - ID#23659

Ladycroft!

Yes, of course I will help you! Just e-mail me the details or something so I know when and where to show up. And don't worry about the reward, unless it's food. I like food. Especially when Josh isn't here to cook for me.

Oh, and I also got your message, I turned my phone off earlier. Why? Oh well Jason was a fucking moron and didn't take his medicine for 8 days straight, which makes for a very unpredictable and dangerous situation. So today I went and got my pills, took them, and went to sleep for a few hours so shit could get in to my system. So that's why I wasn't able to get coffee and whatnot.

Anyway let me know whassup.

-J

Permalink: Ladycroft_.html
Words: 125
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: mexico

05/21/06 01:52 - 48ºF - ID#23658

Hypocrite in Spanish = What?

Check this out:

Speaking of the hundreds of thousands of Central Americans who enter Mexico each year, chauffeur Arnulfo Hernandez, 57, said: "The ones who want to reach the United States, we should send them up there. But the ones who want to stay here, it's usually for bad reasons, because they want to steal or do drugs.

.....uh........uh.........uh.........

Permalink: Hypocrite_in_Spanish_What_.html
Words: 75
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: love

05/11/06 10:38 - 58ºF - ID#23657

Voice of an Angel

I'm sure it's not manly to admit it, but I was so moved to tears tonight after watching a CBC story about a young Quebec boy, struck by some strange illness, who sang for the Pope in Rome recently.

I saw and heard him talking about how he thanks God that he is alive, and that the best way he can thank God is to sing for the Pope.

It got me thinking, this young boy has such a joy of living, despite his own faults and illness, so how the hell could I possibly maintain such insane thoughts about throwing my own life away, wanting a do-over? It couldn't be more accurately said, it is insane to think that way. What an inspiration! What a gift, what a beautiful lesson this young child has given us!

I wish I could thank him. If it were in my power to relieve him of any and all infirmities, sacrificing part of my own life I would do it in a second. He's taught me something that I'll never forget.

Permalink: Voice_of_an_Angel.html
Words: 178
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: politics

05/11/06 12:32 - 73ºF - ID#23656

Ben Stein Speaks!

Ben Stein talks about perspective:

A pretty good article, not so political in nature.

Permalink: Ben_Stein_Speaks_.html
Words: 23
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: food

05/09/06 12:30 - 65ºF - ID#23655

New Sushi Place?

Word on the street is that a new sushi joint is opening where Kuni's used to be. I've seen people filling out applications there over the weekend, but does anyone know for sure if it is going to be a sushi place?

Permalink: New_Sushi_Place_.html
Words: 42
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: theft

04/28/06 03:15 - 54ºF - ID#23654

JOSHY!

Did you *accidentally* take my charger again with you? PLEASE LOOK!

<3

Your bro