Not all US soldiers should be supported

[YELLOW_S]

While looking around on some forums, I came across this video(below). US SOILDERS in Iraq throwing rocks at a dog, which THEY injured. You can see it only has two front legs. If you look closely you can also see other dead dogs around this dog. They are also laughing while throwing rocks at it. I feel very sorry for the dog, having two my self. I could hardly watch this video. I am disgusted at these soldiers. You can also hear them saying "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen." I hope the department of Defense investigates this video, and finds the soldiers who were involved in this and hold them responsible for what they did.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OpDgZOsteMNR

[tourunigo]

While looking around on some forums, I came across this video(below). US SOILDERS in Iraq throwing rocks at a dog, which THEY injured. You can see it only has two front legs. If you look closely you can also see other dead dogs around this dog. They are also laughing while throwing rocks at it. I feel very sorry for the dog, having two my self. I could hardly watch this video. I am disgusted at these soldiers. You can also hear them saying "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen." I hope the department of Defense investigates this video, and finds the soldiers who were involved in this and hold them responsible for what they did.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OpDgZOsteMNR

...I did not watch the video; you described enough. War does terrible things to so many - especially such wars stemming from inept thinking. Sometimes pepetrators are victims too. No excuse though. Maybe a few others who have been closer to such things can shed light on what is really happening here. Sad isn't it? -Bob

[BubbaZanetti]

your url is broken,

but i can imagine the video.

remember those kids that used to catch fish and smash them on the docks

or the ones that blew up frogs with fire crackers

the ones that tortured cats


these people get older but they don't really grow up, the world can be a sad place

[RandyB]

See if you can clean up the link and send it to me. If I can see the unit patches, I'll forward it to the major command. It's a chain of command issue and they'll handle it. That sort of thing makes us all look bad.

As Robert E. Lee said "It is a good thing war is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."

Check your PM too.

[knary]

See if you can clean up the link and send it to me. If I can see the unit patches, I'll forward it to the major command. It's a chain of command issue and they'll handle it. That sort of thing makes us all look bad.

As Robert E. Lee said "It is a good thing war is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."

Check your PM too.

Do a search on Youtube for "us soldier dog" and it comes up various permutations.

[Hodag]

how do you know this is real and isn't a fake video? your link isn't even working, you're pissing on the honor of Veterans with your thread title and no real proof.

[knary]

how do you know this is real and isn't a fake video? your link isn't even working, your pissing on the honor of Veterans with your thread title and no real proof.

What???? How is saying that some soldiers are doing something bad "pissing on the honor of Veterans"?

[wezul]

Anymore I wonder about anything I see in video or pictures because of the proliferation of falsified imagery.

However, in this instance if this video is real, it's not just bad, it's disgraceful.

[Hodag]

What???? How is saying that some soldiers are doing something bad "pissing on the honor of Veterans"?

"not all US soldiers should be supported"

I hate to tell you soldiers are all trained to do something "bad", they are trained to go and kill each other.

now we have a video of questionable origin and we pass judgement from the confines of our cushy homes. sorry I can't condemn them, can't bring myself to even think about passing judgement.

[hondarider]

There's always a few delinquents in any crowd...there were kids in every neighborhood who enjoyed strapping bottle rockets to cat's...sometimes these kids grow up and become soldiers...pacifists don't exactly flock to military service...but I might point out that the horrors of combat may desensitize a soldier to a level that the viewers at home in their living rooms will never understand or even relate to. I'm not defending such behavior but I can imagine that its difficult to maintain one's military bearing while inundated with death, turmoil, and the ever-present possibilty of your own demise. It's hard to say exactly how you would react or act out when faced with those circumstances...I've known a lot of guys who've gone a variety of different ways after combat...I don't think any of them could have predicted how they would change...war is bad for everyone...just my $.02

[knary]

"not all US soldiers should be supported"

I hate to tell you soldiers are all trained to do something "bad", they are trained to go and kill each other.

now we have a video of questionable origin and we pass judgement from the confines of our cushy homes. sorry I can't condemn them, can't bring myself to even think about passing judgement.

:dunno

I hate to tell you this, but there are some bad people in the service of our nation. Thankfully they are, as with the civilian population, a small minority. While the soldiers are trained to do something "bad", they are not trained to do something wrong.

Or do you think we should look the other way when ever the rare "bad" soldier does something wrong (http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/18/soldiers.court/) because they're soldiers?

[RedBeemer]

Cruelty to animals is bad no if ands or buts.
Now put on the green suit and take a year in combat and that won't even make the radar as bad, not by a long shot!

[knary]

Cruelty to animals is bad no if ands or buts.
Now put on the green suit and take a year in combat and that won't even make the radar as bad, not by a long shot!

Of course not, but that doesn't excuse it. I always thought moral flexibility was supposedly a weakness of so-called liberals.

[Hodag]

Or do you think we should look the other way when ever the rare "bad" soldier does something wrong (http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/18/soldiers.court/) because they're soldiers?


no I think they should be court martialed as the story describes not tried on the internet by a bunch of keyboard jockeys

[The_Veg]

no I think they should be court martialed as the story describes not tried on the internet by a bunch of keyboard jockeys
God forbid we lowly taxpayers (some of us vets) should ever have anything to say about soldiers.

[knary]

no I think they should be court martialed as the story describes not tried on the internet by a bunch of keyboard jockeys

Have you watched the video? It's very clear that these soldiers are abusing that dog. Seeing as I have no power to do anything to those soldiers, no one is being "tried". It isn't close to equivalent to what the animals did to that Iraqi girl and her family, but if the video is real, there should be some kind of disciplinary action.

If, on the other hand, you believe that we as civilians have no business knowing anything about the rights and wrongs of the military, then we will always disagree. Serving, while noble, does not give you hall pass on basic morality.

[Hodag]

Have you watched the video? It's very clear that these soldiers are abusing that dog. Seeing as I have no power to do anything to those soldiers, no one is being "tried". It isn't close to equivalent to what the animals did to that Iraqi girl and her family, but if the video is real, there should be some kind of disciplinary action.

If, on the other hand, you believe that we as civilians have no business knowing anything about the rights and wrongs of the military, then we will always disagree. Serving, while noble, does not give you hall pass on basic morality.

yes I watched the video, I missed the part that proves it was really Iraq and was US soldiers, looked like all the other "stuff" floating around the internet.


can you define this?
"basic morality"

[knary]

yes I watched the video, I missed the part that proves it was really Iraq and was US soldiers, looked like all the other "stuff" floating around the internet.

So then what's your beef? Non-existent soldiers in a non-existent place are being maligned?

I'm curious, do you have an example of something else that's "fake" like this?

can you define this?
"basic morality"

Yeah.
Don't murder.
Don't steal.
Don't rape.
Don't lie.
Don't throw rocks at helpless dogs.
Don't cheat on your wife.
Don't beat your children.

This is the easy stuff.

[jdmetzger]

Don't throw rocks at helpless dogs.


Throwing rocks at a crippled dog (or a healthy one) is inexcusable, no matter the time, place, or circumstance. That dog is nothing but a victim, totally innocent, and doesn't deserve that treatment. Sick jerks.

[Stuff2C]

This is a real example of "what doesn't belong" on the MOA site. This truly has no real "value"
I vote DOG HOUSE!

[wezul]

Yeah, I see this spinning into that ever widening vortex of nasty.

[RandyB]

Let me tell you why this is important, from the point of view of a man who has been a soldier and a contractor for nearly 25 years, in peace and in war(s).

There are five qualities of a soldier (or cop, firefighter….). They are:

Skill at arms
Pride
Valor
Hardihood
Discipline

Discipline is what causes a man to stand against fire, or advance into that fire with or without orders, knowing he may be killed. It prevents atrocities. It maintains morale. It gives us the moral high ground.

Andersonville, where thousands of Union soldiers died, was a breakdown in discipline. Elmira, where thousands of Confederate soldiers died, was a breakdown in discipline. My Lai, Vietnam, was a breakdown. Haiditha, Iraq….

Abusing a dog is a breakdown in self and unit discipline. It is the seed of atrocity. War crimes do not happen instantly and in full bloom. They develop, over time.

Life lesson, for those of you seeking mates: Watch how that person treats waiters, busboys, cabbies and salespeople. If they are kind to them, you have a keeper. If they are cruel, leave. How people treat the helpless is a measure of their humanity.

I gave one Rule of Engagement brief, one time, while I was there. I told my guys that when they were grandfathers, and their grandchildren asked, “What did you do during the war?” to make sure there was no shame in what they told them.

Being a Southerner, born and bred, I believe a man should

Remember his heritage
Guard his honor
Protect his legacy

We are in a war of cultures, and of values. That is why this is important.

[BubbaZanetti]

now we have a video of questionable origin and we pass judgement from the confines of our cushy homes. sorry I can't condemn them, can't bring myself to even think about passing judgement.

i would judge these soldiers in the same way i would judge ANYONE i saw throwing rocks at a helpless animal. yes, war creates difficulties, both physical and mental, that us "civilians" will probably never encounter and have no way of understanding. that being said, behavior such as this is inexcusable from ANYBODY, in ANY circumstance.


and as far as the doghouse goes.......it may be heading there, as it stands now it is a difference of opinion that does not violate any of the posted guidelines. the title of the thread may be inflamatory, but in relation to the content within (with a corrected link) it seems justifiable. i do not support these particular troops in this particular action.

[jdmetzger]

He who is without sin cast the first stone. :banghead

Isn't this what started the whole thread? :D

Was that in bad taste?

:hide

[RandyB]

The soldier in the pic earned his third Purple Heart a few days after this, not far from that spot. He was the second biggest killer in the unit and gave more time, candy and money to Iraqi kids than anyone. I ran the medevac that brought him out (He lived, shot three times.) because I was on TOC duty with a hole in me.

The little guy was his friend. He came out every day to see "his Americans."

Discipline.

[Stuff2C]

"Not all US soldiers should be supported"

IS A F'd up thread title!!! how about "what are these guys thinking". Yellow S this is a thread that will only breed hate and discontent. Shame on you!:nono You should turn in your password and find a new place to cause trouble.

[wezul]

Isn't this what started the whole thread? :D

Was that in bad taste?

:hide


There ya go. A little humor please and let's not try to solve the world's problems in here.

[RandyB]

"Not all US soldiers should be supported"

IS A F'd up thread title!!! how about "what are these guys thinking". Yellow S this is a thread that will only breed hate and discontent. Shame on you!:nono You should turn in your password and find a new place to cause trouble.


Relax. We were all young once. He needs an Airhead to keep him busy.

[Hodag]

I just have a hard time when you look at 53 seconds of a video and you can label a group of people? I didn't watch the 61 second video becuse I didn't like registerring. I know to many Vietnam Vets that never received the thanks they deserved because of the sound bites and evening news crap. You got 50 YO men that tear up when you say "Thanks For Your Service", because they never heard that.

For every 1 bad "you tube" video there should be 10,000 good ones showing what US soldiers really do, but no its always the negative crap that sells the papers, and we dwell on that.

Its sad and it makes me mad when I think about it.

[knary]

Let me tell you why this is important, from the point of view of a man who has been a soldier and a contractor for nearly 25 years, in peace and in war(s).

There are five qualities of a soldier (or cop, firefighter….). They are:

Skill at arms
Pride
Valor
Hardihood
Discipline

Discipline is what causes a man to stand against fire, or advance into that fire with or without orders, knowing he may be killed. It prevents atrocities. It maintains morale. It gives us the moral high ground.

Andersonville, where thousands of Union soldiers died, was a breakdown in discipline. Elmira, where thousands of Confederate soldiers died, was a breakdown in discipline. My Lai, Vietnam, was a breakdown. Haiditha, Iraq….

Abusing a dog is a breakdown in self and unit discipline. It is the seed of atrocity. War crimes do not happen instantly and in full bloom. They develop, over time.

Life lesson, for those of you seeking mates: Watch how that person treats waiters, busboys, cabbies and salespeople. If they are kind to them, you have a keeper. If they are cruel, leave. How people treat the helpless is a measure of their humanity.

I gave one Rule of Engagement brief, one time, while I was there. I told my guys that when they were grandfathers, and their grandchildren asked, “What did you do during the war?” to make sure there was no shame in what they told them.

Being a Southerner, born and bred, I believe a man should

Remember his heritage
Guard his honor
Protect his legacy

We are in a war of cultures, and of values. That is why this is important.

Great post. Thank you. :thumb

[RandyB]

How you treat the helpless is a measure of your humanity.

[BubbaZanetti]

How you treat the helpless is a measure of your humanity.


so true, thank you for your contributions

[knary]

I just have a hard time when you look at 53 seconds of a video and you can label a group of people? I didn't watch the 61 second video becuse I didn't like registerring. I know to many Vietnam Vets that never received the thanks they deserved because of the sound bites and evening news crap. You got 50 YO men that tear up when you say "Thanks For Your Service", because they never heard that.

For every 1 bad "you tube" video there should be 10,000 good ones showing what US soldiers really do, but no its always the negative crap that sells the papers, and we dwell on that.

Its sad and it makes me mad when I think about it.

I fully understand your larger point and don't disagree with it - that we need to be aware that some would be foolish to take a single incident and use it to lambast all that serve. But that's my point. No one here is labeling a group of people. No one. Take the thread title and flip it around. It's not saying don't support the troops. If anything, especially in the light of what you remind us of, that unfortunate lesson of the vietnam war, the thread title implies that we should support all of the U.S. troops except for those few that have stepped outside the boundaries. What more could you ever want? Clearly that lesson from the vietnam era was well learned.

[Motor31]

Lots of anger being expressed in the thread here. Lots of condemnation for some alleged US troops in a video. When someone can verify the actual circumstances and veracity of the clip I'll be concerned about it. Until then there is only an allegation of dubious heritage and accuracy. I won't make a condemnation on that basis. I suggest you withold your rightous anger at any US troops until you are sure it is directed properly.

[Hodag]

What more could you ever want?


Peace

[wezul]

Cool. Let's move on.

Peace indeed.

Wez

[knary]

Peace


:thumb

and sausage
always more sausage

[Bob_M]

How you treat the helpless is a measure of your humanity.

Thanks for your perspective. Clearly we are in a culture war, but not among fellow Americans.

I am not a vet, not a supporter of the war, nor the politics that put us there, but I am humbled by the servicemen who give beyond measure to serve the country's call.

As in any group there are jerks and asses in the military - call them the 1%, but the code of conduct and mindset you reflect speaks well of our boys in uniform, our country and its values.

May they all come home soon and find good oportunities, hot girlfriend/boyfriends and a welcoming community.

Repeat "Peace".

[wezul]

Oooooh SAHSAGE!
Now we can discuss! :eat

And let's all be thankful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to discuss these matters freely and without repression.

Peace again and again.

Wez

[GregFeeler]

Oooooh SAHSAGE!
Now we can discuss! :eat

Don't forget the cheese & beer! :beer

[PacWestGS]

Had to read it, don't need to see the video.

I'm not a tree hugger, but you all already knew that.

Compassion goes so much farther than bullets...

* SNIP - Meaningless Drivel *

This is not about a few misguided and undisciplined soldiers. There is a much bigger picture that is being missed by the general public. (Both militarily and civilian)

In the moment – Leader’s fail, subordinates blunder, and atrocities happen.

It’s how we deal with those atrocities after the fact that separates us from them. (Who is right? Only time will tell)

Compassion goes a long way towards healing the wounds of war.

The video made the internet; it was how many seconds long? I wonder how long those soldiers will remember their actions that day, and live with that for a life time? Will they laugh, cry or spend their lives in a VA Hospital? Only they will know and it is them that will have to live it. Condemn them if you will, but they have already violated their own principles, making them no better than the enemy they fight.

I’ll have some sauerkraut with that sausage, a heaping of compassion, and a dollop of peace.

Is that Micro Brew or store bought? :buds

[gfspencer]

how do you know this is real and isn't a fake video? your link isn't even working, you're pissing on the honor of Veterans with your thread title and no real proof.

I don't know if the thread is real or not. (I'm not going to look at it anyway.) However, after serving 30+ years in the Army I can say that soldiers are just like everyone else. Most soldiers are "good people" but there are some bad ones too.

[Stuff2C]

Cruelty...http://www.moggies.co.uk/articles/2003/china_cats.html

Not all Koreans can be trusted...http://www.dogbiz.com/dont-eat-dog-meat.htm

and you can go on and on....

The thread title is BS and should be DOG HOUSED and Yellow S should find a new place to spead his HATE.

[hondarider]

Most soldiers are "good people" but there are some bad ones too.

Tell me about it! My room mate at Ft. Ord was a jerk! I still hate that guy. LOL

[Oldhway]

I have 8 dogs. I love every one of them. 3 of them sleep in the bedroom every night (and i have thrown a pillow once or twice when they keep me up, but no rocks). If the video is genuine, what was done was wrong, no doubt or debate. But I wonder where these guys were an hour or day or week before and how that influenced their state of mind? I wonder if they are all still with us? War sucks. it makes us less than we are (and sometimes far more). I hate what this video is described to portray (I also won't watch it). But without the facts and until I've walked those streets in those boots, I will not condemn the men, just the act described. The American soldier is the best trained, most disciplined soldier in the world today and we all owe them at least the benefit of the doubt (and in my mind, an awful lot more). What they did was wrong but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.


Ya' have any of that sausage with the cheddar cheese mixed in?

[phil]

The American soldier is the best trained, most disciplined soldier in the world today and we all owe them at least the benefit of the doubt (and in my mind, an awful lot more). What they did was wrong but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.


Ya' have any of that sausage with the cheddar cheese mixed in?

Well said. Think about this...If it wasnt for our soldiers we wouldnt have a BMW MOA. Or if we did it sure and hell wouldnt be in english. I will not tolerate someone saying bad things about our soldiers. Those soldiers could die for us today.

[Belquar]

Cruelty...http://www.moggies.co.uk/articles/2003/china_cats.html

Not all Koreans can be trusted...http://www.dogbiz.com/dont-eat-dog-meat.htm

and you can go on and on....

The thread title is BS and should be DOG HOUSED and Yellow S should find a new place to spead his HATE.

:snore

[tourunigo]

...an interesting read. Again, I did not watch the video;no intent. Although it was said that Yellow S was spreading hate I am somewhat lost on that count. Maybe the title wording could have been tweeked a bit but hateful intent? I doubt it. I still wear my Support Our Troops cap although I may not support a particular initiative. Back in the Vietnam era I was actively involved in some things which, in hindsight, I would have done differently (from a protest perspective). Yellow S is just the messenger. Remember where you were at his age?:brow - Bob

[jwhite518]

This is a real example of "what doesn't belong" on the MOA site. This truly has no real "value"
I vote DOG HOUSE!

+1

This month's version of divisiveness on the MOA forum. And it's not even on topic. Take it private, folks.

[Stuff2C]

:snore

When I hit your age it will surely be my favorite way to pass the rest of my time...in the meantime:dance

[kbasa]

+1

This month's version of divisiveness on the MOA forum. And it's not even on topic. Take it private, folks.

Yep.

Take it off line.

[mrich12000]

While looking around on some forums, I came across this video(below). US SOILDERS in Iraq throwing rocks at a dog, which THEY injured. You can see it only has two front legs. If you look closely you can also see other dead dogs around this dog. They are also laughing while throwing rocks at it. I feel very sorry for the dog, having two my self. I could hardly watch this video. I am disgusted at these soldiers. You can also hear them saying "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen." I hope the department of Defense investigates this video, and finds the soldiers who were involved in this and hold them responsible for what they did.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OpDgZOsteMNR

:stick The canine problem is the dogs bite.:eat and are strays that carry Rabies
the standing order is to kill them.:fight :fight

[Belquar]

When I hit your age it will surely be my favorite way to pass the rest of my time...in the meantime:dance

Says the man with the picture of himself sleeping in a Kermit Chair. :laugh

But I believe brother Watts you have me beaten by a few years already. I am a youngun at 31.

My comment was not directly aimed at you...just the beginnings of an engagement online that has happened so many times before and doesn't change a thing for any of the parties involved except the wasted energy they put out trying to change the beliefs of others. After all isn't that the "new" american way.

[Stuff2C]

Says the man with the picture of himself sleeping in a Kermit Chair. :laugh

But I believe brother Watts you have me beaten by a few years already. I am a youngun at 31.

My comment was not directly aimed at you...just the beginnings of an engagement online that has happened so many times before and doesn't change a thing for any of the parties involved except the wasted energy they put out trying to change the beliefs of others. After all isn't that the "new" american way.

It's not the body it's the mind...and I was resting my eyes:lol

[GlobalRider]

remember those kids that used to catch fish and smash them on the docks

or the ones that blew up frogs with fire crackers

the ones that tortured cats

these people get older but they don't really grow up, the world can be a sad place

Amazing how technology has advanced in the last 100 years....too bad the human race hasn't in the last 1000.

[john1691]

I believe a man should

Remember his heritage
Guard his honor
Protect his legacy

We are in a war of cultures, and of values. That is why this is important.

+1!! Well said

john1691
2000 K1200RS

[Pat Carol]

That was a bad thing the boy's did. They should not have done a video. Yes it was wrong. At least they did not video a beheading of a human being.
Unless you have been in the theatre of war. You cannot imagine what these guys and gals are going through.
Do you think that in past wars that there were not atrocities committed? Since Vietnam, war has been brought into American homes. Now it is even more accesible with satellite feeds and other technological wizardy.
It is pretty hard to be politically correct during a war with an enemy that looks like the rest of the population. Especially when you have a camera on every street corner. I do not condone what these boy's were doing. If I were there platoon sarge or squad leader, I would stop them and put the dog out of it's misery myself and then discipline my troops.
Did you see War Stories with Oliver North? Heck they had a picture of General Patton urinating in the Rhine River. So no one can bash on our troops unless you have been in country. I did my share during the first Gulf War. Believe me, there is nothing in that region that would want me to go back.

Take Care
PC

[shoeman]

A big problem in Iraq are a large number of dogs running around freely.Many (most) are loaded with ticks and fleas and lice (and other vermin). They are not well fed by the populace and quickly come to beg from the soldiers there. After a few flea, lice and other infestations the patience with all dogs diminishes quickly. Being cruel is not good, being infested with disease carried by dogs is also not good. A picture does not always tell all of the story and judging the actions of others based on a video with no explanation is a poor practice.

[RandallIsland]

There will be another anti-war march in Washington, to the Pentagon, on March 17 and I hope all of you and your friends and family will consider joining. I don't know if it made any difference to anyone else, but it made a difference to me.

What I do know is that the occupation of Iraq will end in 12 months and the "surge" will be aborted if a million people show up in Washington on March 17. It's worth another $90 and I'll be there. Please read this column by Gold Star mother Amy Branham if you need any more encouragement (and please pass it on).

reason one (http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/013007B.shtml#) or same reason different bat channel (http://amybranham.blogspot.com/)

[RandyB]

No, it won't and if it does, it shouldn't have. As reprehensible as I find this administration's lies to us, we are in the right fight, at the right time.

I doubt anyone is more anti-war than a soldier. I'm glad people have the courage of different convictions. Despite the occasional heat, I think this discussion has been healthy.

[Raevyn]

...just don't lose sight of the guys over there, my son being one of them.
My guess is most are there not by choice.

Don't stop supporting the troops. :nono

[RandallIsland]

...just don't lose sight of the guys over there, my son being one of them.
My guess is most are there not by choice.

Don't stop supporting the troops. :nono

I'm aghast that you suggest anyone would.
Of course they're not there by choice. They take orders. Orders I'll disagree with because I don't want to lose any more of my best friends, fellow bikers, running 'round on patrol in HV's.

As to the end in 12 months, well, it wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong, but optimism is cruel that way sometimes.

Randy, I wish I could agree. Why we are there is to ensure "our" way of life, "our" freedoms and "our" control or influence, geopolitically, of access to "our" oil supply.
The sad fact is that the "our" is not inclusive for "them" and as long as we have a friendly government established there, the current administration doesn't care a skosh for true democracy. We are not there for the oil, the people or anything noble. We are there to ensure our own domestic stability, by stabilizing access to the region.

Is that good? Well, oil production peaked around 1970. Exponential growth is a frightening thing. No, ignoring it is not the solution. But there is a responsibility for our resource use that no one wants to talk about.
Life is not fair. True. But we have got to stop coaching all this rhetoric and PC nationalism behind a facade of unjustified indignation, racism, arrogance and chest thumping about who's right, who was wronged first or worst ... and take a look back a hundred years to the 1907 Anglo-Russian Convention.

The region was screwed up then. It's screwed up even worse now because we have nationalism thrown into the mix on a very personal level. I challenge anyone here to name one thing important in their lives, today, that doesn't involve oil on some level.

Anything.

Gelett Burgess said, "If in the last few years you haven't discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead."

The Prize (http://www.bestwebbuys.com/The_Prize-ISBN_0671799320.html?isrc=b-grt-pznon)

[Polarbear]

How many have done this lately? Animals are put down every day, because there are not enough folks, or too many creatures vs. people to make a dent. Two legged dogs and rock throwing seems extreme for anyone to have fun with, but who knows. Maybe the stink'in terrorists had an explosive device attached to the poor critter and the soldiers had no heart to shoot it. Seems wierd, either way. Why bring this topic up anyway. When is the last time any of us walked in harms way. I know veterans are amongst us here and they are, for the most part, the most honored folks among us. This war is like no other, with the most unusual tactics from our enemy being utilized, so when so many are dying for us and others, why bring up what appears to be a stupid stunt by a few soldiers that may not come home. Just don't throw rocks in your glass house! Happy Trails Randy13233

[tjschaff]

Please don't get me wrong. I did not see the video clip and I can not comment on its authenticity.

I write from "somewhere in Southwest Asia" (deployed to the desert for the 7th time).

Dogs over here are not always the sweet pets we know and love back home. They are freequently prime carriers of disease. Military members are cautioned against adopting "pets."

Even so, that does not justify taunting or cruelty to animals.

tjschaff