While it might be possible that they would try, I hardly think it is effective. Public dissent and questioning of our govt. is a strength for our nation and way of life. It is the embodiment of what makes us great, and shows off our best possible side. It is especially great when it comes from people who sacrificed to serve in our armed forces. It is not a weakness that can be exploited even if someone were to try it. How on earth could this be used as propoganda against our nation, when it is the very essence of our nation itself?
we cannot help how jihadists choose to twist any action or statement made by us. they do not have our best interests at heart in case you haven't noticed. free speech brother, we need to hear all sides, that is what democracy is. if you feel differently then i would suggest that you have a regressive agenda, like the currrent admiinistration, that runs counter to the principles under which this nation was founded. and that is unamerican.
Show me the unAmerican part: "- I said he wasn't a terrorist sympathizer - I said he doesn't hate America _ I said his letter could be used for propoganda purposes _ I said his letter could be demoralizing for our troops - I said he needs be wary of unintended consequences" The so-called "chicken hawks" get a lot of heat from your side in this place for wanting to stand up to those who would kill us. I'm sorry but, as you pointed out, those who hate us don't care for our truths so articulating is but an exercise in what... making us perhaps more vulnerable? Who do you see standing around applauding our free speech?
That must be the same side where they begin to slit your throat to cut your head off... All that makes me feel warm and fuzzy about the American ideal, but exactly how is it going to protect our legacy from those who would grind us into non-existence?
Wow!!! Read the post in the blog of this article. Our country is losing it... Talk about divide and conquer....... I cant believe some people are actually challenging Kevin Tillman's competence and motives for writing this... Its a sad day in America.....
No, you want OTHER people to stand up to those people who would kill us. You know, real men like the Tillman brothers. You've stood up for nothing. I find it disgusting that you feel a man who has defended this country should watch what he says when he's speaking the absolute and unassailable truth about the policies of this administration. I guess that's because what are really a breeding ground for enemy propaganda, demoralizing our troops, and has resulted in unintended (but utterly obvious) consequences are the policies of this administration. Then, again theat whole concept is apparently completely over your head. I guess applauding this administrations policies like a wind-up monkey is easier than facing facts for you chicken-hawks.
Wow. How utterly embarrassing for you. In the future, you'll want to stick to something you know...like fast food.
got news for you sunshine. You have more chance of being killed in a car wreck or by my second hand smoke than you do of being killed by a terrorist. There are no unintended consequences from utilizing your right to free speech unless your right to free speech is attacked. Welcome to America. Cheers, Brock
From such a lover of Bush and his policies, did you consider that Bush's lack of being wary of unintended consequences is what is making the Iraq occupation such a mess. Bush did not consider the possibility of a civil war after we removed Hussein. In fact he was not even personally aware that there were 2 different factions of Muslims in Iraq. Bush did not consider that we would be providing a training ground for terrorists to learn, demonstrate, and train others in terror tactics. You are worrying about consequences of someone exercising free speech in the US, instead of consequences of inept and ignorant leadership in taking over and occupying a Iraq. Better leadership would do much more for troop morale than anything anyone is saying back in the us.
So everyone should just shut up and let this "competent" Administration keep running wild? Kevin Tillman should get a medal, along with deep, heartfelt thanks from the nation, for speaking out. If this is somehow "aid and comfort to the enemy," then we don't deserve to call ourselves a democracy. A comment on just how "great" a job this bunch you admire are doing, giddy. Part of an endless stream of bad news due to it's equally endless capacity for stupidity: October 21, 2006 Envoy: U.S. Showed 'Stupidity' in Iraq By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 5:18 p.m. ET BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A senior U.S. diplomat said the United States had shown ''arrogance'' and ''stupidity'' in Iraq but was ready to talk with any group except Al-Qaida in Iraq to facilitate national reconciliation. In an interview with Al-Jazeera television aired late Saturday, Alberto Fernandez, director of public diplomacy in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department offered an unusually candid assessment of America's war in Iraq. ''We tried to do our best but I think there is much room for criticism because, undoubtedly, there was arrogance and there was stupidity from the United States in Iraq,'' he said. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Iraq-US-Insurgents.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Keep D&D Civil.
[rquoter] Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet. It’s interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat. [/rquoter] Honestly this little bit says it better than I could. Every soldier that I've talked with at this point is already demoralized from getting sent back for another tour or having their tours extended and the fact that they don't see anything in Iraq getting better. The demoralizing effect of this letter is the proverbial fart in a hurricane. It is also a totally self serving argument. The concern for the morale of the troops primarily comes from the fact that poor morale might hurt them in the election booth. I am positive of this because most of the people who say it were demonstratively not concerned for the troops when they were criticizing U.S. operations in Yugoslavia when Clinton was president. Furthermore, this is an argument straight from Joseph Goebels mouth on why it was important not to criticize Adolph Hitler or the Nazi Party. It’s totally disingenuous.
That's such nonsense. They get heat for initiating war with a country that never attacked us, didn't have plans to attack us, and didn't have the means to attack us. They also get heat for using tactics in defense of our country that bely the very foundations of our democracy. Kevin Tillman is right on the mark. This whole thing has become an American disgrace. To assert that any American, much less a veteran of this war that has doubly earned his right to speak, should watch their mouth because the terrorists are watching is reprehensible.
especially considering that the GOP is currently broadcasting the terrorist's message, in their own words, in slow motion captions out of a desperate bid to keep power through spreading fear. Freakin' hypocrits.
They've got this story on the front page of ESPN.com. I wonder how many people will read this story that normally wouldn't now that its there?
Sorry, I forgot this was a one-man show: "So as President Bush thinketh, so shall it be..." Everyone should think about the unintended consequences of what they say and do. I was asked about Tillman's remarks so I commented. Terrorists are going to find a training ground somewhere. At least we get to kill a bunch of them while they practice their profession.
1. Woe are we when the only people who can comment are those who have trod the battlefield... shall we tell you to shut up? 2. Don't confuse an opinion with the truth. You do know there are others -- maybe even others with longer or more hazardous military careers who will disagree with Tillman, don't you? 3. I do more fighting the adolescent, knee-jerk reactions in here than applauding anyone's policies.
Other than shooting back at Japanese warplanes at Pearl Harbor, where were the first (or at least very early) US agressions after entering WWII? North Africa, I believe.... going after German soldiers. So did we invade North Africa? BTW, those German soldiers had the decency to wear uniforms in their fight against us. We can't even tell if we've truly killed an enemy unless they die with a grenade launcher in their hands.
