U.S. Holds War Games In Thailand Despite Coup

[PeaceBlondie]

This is about WAR GAMES. Games?

I'm listening to Joan Baez sing one of her anti-war songs, about how the loyal Australian boy answered his country's call and came back to Circular Quay all torn up. It's not entirely off topic to ask the simple questions like "What if they had a war and nobody came?" and "Were those Germans just obeying Hitler when they did the Holocaust?"

Are the military members who kill their enemies and the innocent victims all the same everywhere, and are we civilians still just as guilty as any war criminal if we send them off to war?

[Flysiam]

This is about WAR GAMES. Games?

I'm listening to Joan Baez sing one of her anti-war songs, about how the loyal Australian boy answered his country's call and came back to Circular Quay all torn up. It's not entirely off topic to ask the simple questions like "What if they had a war and nobody came?" and "Were those Germans just obeying Hitler when they did the Holocaust?"

Are the military members who kill their enemies and the innocent victims all the same everywhere, and are we civilians still just as guilty as any war criminal if we send them off to war?

To debate guilt or innocence in war I think is an entirely different topic. But you are a moderator so what you says goes.... There are rules of engagement and, granted, not every soldier follows them - if not, they are indeed guilty of possible war crimes. If politicians, leaders, or anyone else orders someone to do something contrary to these rules (I don't make them or maybe even agree with them - that's just the facts) then they are guilty as well. Otherwise, those under them have the responsibility to not obey those orders. Every soldier has the responsibility to deny to obey an illegal order - hence the reason that those under Hitler could not use the excuse they were just following orders. They obeyed an illegal order. Those who obey a rightful order are not considered guilty of war crimes.

Ahh but wouldn't it be nice if they did have a war and nobody came........

If you want to differentiate and debate moral laws and written laws... you can debate it forever and you will never have agreement or resolution. There is not enough time in the day but ...knock yourself out.

/edit for clarity and spelling

Edited May 10, 2007 by Flysiam

[thefusilier]

I have a U.S. Military Retirement (20 years) ID card. What's in your wallet?

So do I hero. Plus a six-line rack with Silver Star, Bronze Star with 2 Oakleaf Clusters, four Purple Hearts and a CIB. And you? My guess is you are a gold-plated REMF.

But Americans give out medals every which way. Which one was for gaurding the base parking lot? JK...

[fxm88]

So do I hero. Plus a six-line rack with Silver Star, Bronze Star with 2 Oakleaf Clusters, four Purple Hearts and a CIB. And you? My guess is you are a gold-plated REMF.

Only four purple hearts? Guffaw!

[bernie66]

Nobody is flexing muscle. There are things going on in the world that none of us know about. So all of us can sit here and make assumptions of intentions of the great capitalist empire all day long. Do not mock the humanitarian portion of the mission. This is done through the cooperation’s of the two militaries both Thai and American that want to see some efforts of the joint venture benefit the poor. 100% genuine and of only good intention This is not political propaganda. These are the choices of the soldiers not politicians back in the States or Bangkok. They are not building swimming pools in the backyards of local politicians they are helping people. Who cares why or how the poor get some help if its just done. Humanitarian and disaster relief takes practice and training and they are using an ally to practice with. So what! “Hypothetically” If a school needs a new roof but cannot afford it then you are not taking a job away if the job would have never been financed and started. This is what the naval construction battalions do! They need to do it while deployed to learn what obstacles they will run into and a school needs a roof that doesn’t leak. They need to use tools and equipment for training and operational checks and the school can’t afford to have it done. Why do you guys choose to negatively comment on soldiers doing positive things. Humanitarian training,” in my opinion” is the most important training for any military forces in the world. This shows young soldiers that civilians of different races on a battlefield are human beings. I believe this is important to reduce rape and murder of civilians in times of conflict. Nobody in the United States Military sees them selves as “police of the world” of any sort. Maybe the politicians do but this is not about them. And if any of you had ever been arrested and jailed by military police like I have, you would understand this. They do not have the “us against them attitude” that police have. So our medics do inoculazations and medical treatments! How the hel_l do you know what these people need? And who do think you are to comment what goes on between the child’s parents and a medic. In our military we have specialist with specific training that want the opportunity to study these people in their own environments to better make determinations on how to treat them and the world benefits because of the documentation they produce.

COMMUNICATIONS IS A BENIFIET TO EVERYONE! The Thai Marines benefit from the U.S Marines learning how to communicate during joint ventures and so do we. Learning each others order of operations helps reduce friendly fire. They receive up to date scenarios and tactics to better defend their country. It will help everyone operate when there are language barriers between two aggravated nations. Top military leaders knowing each other on personal levels can stop armed conflicts before they start especially when they are being fueled by politicians. It puts into place protocols to be implemented in times when there is no time to learn from mistakes. It will help to reduce casualties if either side is ever asked to help remove an armed force from this area of the world. We all learn from cobra gold and everyone benefits. There is no hidden agenda you sorry drunken old sods. You want to bad mouth the soilders for going to Pattaya but all of you go their! Why do you care? Do you think Pattaya is your own little secret honey hole that only you are worthy to molest?

[richard10365]

What a wonderful world it would be if Walt Disney was in chage of things as some of your seem to believe.

I'm sure the soldiers on the ground have good intentions and enjoy helping the poor. I'm also sure that the poor enjoy seeing and being helped by the soldiers.

I'm sure the face to face contact on the ground is a wonderful expierence for all. There's no doubting the intentions of the soldiers on the ground.

However, the ones who pull their strings, are the ones who I doubt. While one hand reaches out to shake the hand of it's Thai counter part, the other hand is behind the back and hiding something.

For the ones pulling the strings, the most visible part of Cobra Gold is not the important part. To them, it is what is being held in the hand behind the back that makes Cobra Gold worth the trip.

[Dakhar]

I have a U.S. Military Retirement (20 years) ID card. What's in your wallet?

Pobably twice if not more of what is in yours.

[richard10365]

I have a U.S. Military Retirement (20 years) ID card. What's in your wallet?

Pobably twice if not more of what is in yours.

It hasn't helped your spelling much.

[Flysiam]

I have a U.S. Military Retirement (20 years) ID card. What's in your wallet?

Pobably twice if not more of what is in yours.

Now ....do you feel more a man? Sheesh

[Dakhar]

Matter of fact, yes I do. You see, I didn't get a 20 year skid, to get where I am.

[skipvice]

Why do some people turn a post about a joint nation humanitarian exercise into a bashing and pissing contest. why are so many angry? It is the thai goverment that request and run these exercises. why turn something positive into a negetive.

[richard10365]

A comment was made to step up or shut up. The comment refered to joining the military and making a commitment to serve your country.

My "whats in your wallet" response was a rude way of saying I stepped up. I could have said it in a nicer way and probably should have but I didn't. It was an immature thing to say.

Some days I'm a dick and some days I'm not. Hence the name.

Now back to my "skid".

[farang prince]

So do I hero. Plus a six-line rack with Silver Star, Bronze Star with 2 Oakleaf Clusters, four Purple Hearts and a CIB. And you? My guess is you are a gold-plated REMF.

Only four purple hearts? Guffaw!

It is what it is ######. I'll be back in LOS in October. If you have the balls, we will meet someplace and you can insult me face to face.

[richard10365]

Maybe we should rename this thread to "ThaiVisa members holds war games in Thailand despite the coup"

[PeaceBlondie]

Okay, folks. Too many personal insults and threats. I apologize if I contributed to it somehow, but we've got to shut it down. closed.