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10-17-2007, 11:56

JATX, I was not trying to disregard his service or the sacrifice of his friends. I have edited my post to reflect that. Perhaps I should have worded my commentary more carefully.

What I should have said is "House to House" by Staff Sergeant David Bellavia conveys some of the same ideas/politics and does it far more effectively because while describing the events that happened to his platoon in Falujah, he talks about circumstances where men/women of the armed forces have to make no-win life and death decisions under impossible pressure. Just his description of these situations made me feel for those men and think about how it must feel to be held to rules like don't shoot a child, unless he is carrying ammunition for the RPGs that are being fired at him and men in his stead.

It's easy to demonize things and say this is bad or good. Bellavia does a excellent job of making me understand what people in his position must go through and the sacrifices they make. It also makes me very conscious various people in the media, political arena that are always trying to draw lines between good and bad, right and wrong, etc.

Regarding how I choose to think or live, while under the protection of a "better man"...There are millions of men and women in the military, government and law/enforcement of the USA am I not allowed to take issue with anything of them say because I haven't been in the military or police or government? Because I have never been a member of the Federal government does that mean I'm not allowed to have an opinion about how are government is run? Because my trade is not in the military or government does that mean I have no right to an opinion on what my country does?

I am discussing the writing in the book. I'm not even trying to make a point about agreeing/disagreeing with the politics of it, my beef is specifically with the writing. Is it possible to critique the work without "casting aspersions" or "slander" to his character? Can we not write a negative review of something just because it was written by a veteran or member of the US Government?

No one on this forum is a former President of the United States, but I see plenty of critiques (some less than subtle) at different former POTUS's. I can think of no one I would classify a "better man" than that. In fact, theoretically the POTUS is the "best man" in the United States of America, because he has been elected by the population of our country to represent their wants, needs and hopes and make decisions that will keep us all safe and prosperous.

I've never made claims to being a soldier or a better man than anyone. I don't try to pass myself off as military, LEO, etc. because I don't need to. I pay taxes and contribute where I can.

j

10-17-2007, 11:56	#13
eva05 Guest Posts: n/a	JATX, I was not trying to disregard his service or the sacrifice of his friends. I have edited my post to reflect that. Perhaps I should have worded my commentary more carefully. What I should have said is "House to House" by Staff Sergeant David Bellavia conveys some of the same ideas/politics and does it far more effectively because while describing the events that happened to his platoon in Falujah, he talks about circumstances where men/women of the armed forces have to make no-win life and death decisions under impossible pressure. Just his description of these situations made me feel for those men and think about how it must feel to be held to rules like don't shoot a child, unless he is carrying ammunition for the RPGs that are being fired at him and men in his stead. It's easy to demonize things and say this is bad or good. Bellavia does a excellent job of making me understand what people in his position must go through and the sacrifices they make. It also makes me very conscious various people in the media, political arena that are always trying to draw lines between good and bad, right and wrong, etc. Regarding how I choose to think or live, while under the protection of a "better man"...There are millions of men and women in the military, government and law/enforcement of the USA am I not allowed to take issue with anything of them say because I haven't been in the military or police or government? Because I have never been a member of the Federal government does that mean I'm not allowed to have an opinion about how are government is run? Because my trade is not in the military or government does that mean I have no right to an opinion on what my country does? I am discussing the writing in the book. I'm not even trying to make a point about agreeing/disagreeing with the politics of it, my beef is specifically with the writing. Is it possible to critique the work without "casting aspersions" or "slander" to his character? Can we not write a negative review of something just because it was written by a veteran or member of the US Government? No one on this forum is a former President of the United States, but I see plenty of critiques (some less than subtle) at different former POTUS's. I can think of no one I would classify a "better man" than that. In fact, theoretically the POTUS is the "best man" in the United States of America, because he has been elected by the population of our country to represent their wants, needs and hopes and make decisions that will keep us all safe and prosperous. I've never made claims to being a soldier or a better man than anyone. I don't try to pass myself off as military, LEO, etc. because I don't need to. I pay taxes and contribute where I can. j Last edited by eva05; 10-17-2007 at 12:00.