It's going to take another 9/11 SHTF type scenario to unite our country together again I'm afraid
Our country is at a tipping point where people can't even agree on whether it's partly sunny or partly cloudy, everything turns into a disagreement anymore
Back when we were kids in school, we were allowed to say 'The Pledge of Allegiance' and never had to worry about offending anyone
But now a days, it's deemed "politically incorrect" and many schools no longer allow it or you have to take out the "Under God" part (sigh)
Well, that kinda takes the meaning away from the Pledge IMO
What I find sadder?
The next attack on our country, be it by our own government OR terrorists?
It will just create MORE Draconian laws to make us live stock more so than the human beings we actually are!
I know it is scary to think about and dangerous for me to even say it on the internet that is monitored by our government!
It's the damned truth!
What happened to us? I am not pointing fingers either! I can see how my vigilance lapsed, but can others? Yet we still blindly put our faith in those who oppress us?
I want off this rock! Call me a coward! But I don't want to kill another human being! I prefer to just leave. My fear is that I am not going to be afforded that privilege. I will become that which I do not want to become. To what end? They already have their bunkers and underground cities in which to run and hide while we become "Zombies".
the true heroes have always come across as humble beyond belief
THAT!!! Is what I am talking about!
As a young and dumb war mongering youth, I would always ask someone who served in Viet Nam, what it was like. Not one of those vets EVER bragged about how many people they killed. They actually avoided my question.
Thank you for putting me on track!
Well, since you mention Vietnam, I'll point out that Carlos Hathcock came to be known as a living legend in his time with a Marine firing range, among other things, named for him. He was an accomplished sniper for that war and only left Vietnam when he was literally burned nearly to death from a fire on a Marine APC. (Given how few there even WERE outside cities in Vietnam, much less a Sniper would be around...it was an ironic thing to happen to a world class shooter). Hathcock made a 'down the scope' kill shot as well as a nearly unbelivable 2,500 yard .50 shot with an M-2 he turned into a sniper rifle of sorts. Creative little guy. (RIP 1999)
So it isn't unique to Kyle, really. He's just a bit unusual in some of the specifics of his Service and of course, he set a record or two of his own, didn't he? There is something a bit different about how Snipers are seen, I think. On and off the battlefield, and in opposite ways for that matter.
As a young and dumb war mongering youth, I would always ask someone who served in Viet Nam, what it was like. Not one of those vets EVER bragged about how many people they killed. They actually avoided my question.
Thank you for putting me on track!
Well, since you mention Vietnam, I'll point out that Carlos Hathcock came to be known as a living legend in his time with a Marine firing range, among other things, named for him. He was an accomplished sniper for that war and only left Vietnam when he was literally burned nearly to death from a fire on a Marine APC. (Given how few there even WERE outside cities in Vietnam, much less a Sniper would be around...it was an ironic thing to happen to a world class shooter). Hathcock made a 'down the scope' kill shot as well as a nearly unbelivable 2,500 yard .50 shot with an M-2 he turned into a sniper rifle of sorts. Creative little guy. (RIP 1999)
So it isn't unique to Kyle, really. He's just a bit unusual in some of the specifics of his Service and of course, he set a record or two of his own, didn't he? There is something a bit different about how Snipers are seen, I think. On and off the battlefield, and in opposite ways for that matter.
Okay! You got me!
Maybe it's just me, but bragging about how many human beings you killed IMO, isn't honorable. Describing the battle won out of bravery is?
I just wish wars were still fought with swords and shields. One reason, I really feel I was born in the wrong century.
I think you and I my friend could argue till our old bones are dust on this one?
I am not saying you are wrong, but my opinion is just different.
Our opinions are different... I found a bit more about Hathcock. I was going to mention something about his 93 confirmed kills with 300 probable (his claim on 300), then found this.
I suppose it says it all like little else could.. Er... lol.. I knew the Viet Cong had a price on his head, as an individual man, but I didn't realize he went quite this far. I mean, his book hadn't mentioned this part as I recall.
In his first few years in the Corps, Hathcock broke just about every shooting record and received many awards including the 1965 Wimbledon Cup, the U.S. Long-Range High-Power Championship. Maj. Land needed that type of person as an instructor for a sniper school he started in Vietnam for the First Marine Division.
Land’s 17-man instructor team trained more than 600 snipers between September 1966 and April 1967. During one 90-day period the sniper team took out more Viet Cong than entire local battalions. That’s when Land’s group of ice-water marksmen was tagged with the ominous moniker “Murder Incorporated.”
One of the best known fighters out of the Russian/Eastern Front of World War II was a sniper. Millions fought there, of course and it didn't make the sole shooter better...just better known. Perhaps its for how very personal a war it is for those guys. A part of but set apart from everything else.
There are many who lost the feeling of flag waving after Vietnam. The POWs that were left behind because Uncle money printing Sam refused to pay a couple of billion for their return.
The false flag stuff and all the pretense and the next thing you know; You Lost that feeling
Very true 727. Vietnam and Watergate ruined the trust of a nation and really, a society for that matter.
Folks tend to cross the warrior with the leaders that use them though. We never want soldiers who pick and choose what they will or will not do. Anarchy and national collapse lay down that path, IMO. The leaders use the military as a tool..and while I have come to distrust everything about the leadership (as an understatement)...I can't carry that against the men and women to have served.