| Author | Message | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 96 Registered: 1-2006 |
I found out today that my brigade is being deployed to Iraq soon. This would be good news for me because I want to go, but I cannot. I have not finished training and will not until 2009. On one hand, I hope that I will never go, but on the other I really want to. | ||
| alembic_doctor
Intermediate Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 182 Registered: 8-2002 |
Brother. First and foremost, Thank you for serving. Second, all in good (The Lord's) time. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 464 Registered: 3-2004 |
Thank you for your service and your dedication to the country. | ||
| eastcoastepic
Intermediate Member Username: eastcoastepic Post Number: 198 Registered: 10-2003 |
Brother applejuice, Your bravery and courage is unequalled and very much respected. Be patient, your time will come where you will utilize the skills that you have learned; hopefully in a peacekeeping role, rather than combat mode. You may also want to consult with Brother ajdover regarding implementation of Alembic hardware in a foreign, sometimes hostile environment...  Best wishes, be safe....... | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 508 Registered: 12-2004 |
Joe, If it's any consolation, I'd characterize both Iraq and war as less than fun. But I understand what you're saying. What is your MOS, that you have 2 years of training before being deployable? Thanks for serving. | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 97 Registered: 1-2006 |
97E, but I really wanted to be 11B. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 467 Registered: 11-2003 |
Joe, I am taking from both your age and what you've said that you're either a Reservist and/or Guardsman. My hat goes off to you - not many your age are willing to volunteer to do anything, much less put your life on the line for your family, community, and country if need be. Second, I've been an 11B (Infantryman, specifically, light infantryman). Actually, I've been an 11A, Infantry Officer, with a 3X, 5P, and 5W identifier (Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Commander, Parachutist, and Jumpmaster respectfully). I've commanded a company in the 82nd Airborne, a platoon in combat with the 1st Cavalry Division, and numerous Psychological Operations units. I hold the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge amongst the things our nation has seen fit to give me, and I'm humbly grateful for them. Trust me, I'm no hero - too many others have done and given far too much more for me to ever deign to stake claim to that title. I can empathize with your desire for action -it is not unusual in young men, nor in those who have not experienced combat. Most folks who have been there, regardless of conflict, will tell you that combat is primarily 90% utter boredom mixed with about 10% sheer terror. From my experience, they are correct. It is not fun. It is not clean. It is the most disgusting thing you will ever experience. You will see friends ripped apart unmercifully; everything will appear black and ugly; you will witness the most amazing acts of both heroism and barbarism; you will do things you never thought you could or would want to do; you will be scared XXitless; others will be scared XXitless too, on both sides. In the end, you will hope you make it to see the next day. Your whole life will be just that; day to day. I won't dissuade you. It didn't work on me either. All I will tell you is that it is not like you think it is, regardless of what you see on TV. It is dirty, messy, smelly, hot, painful, and ultimately, the most contradicting thing you can participate in as a human being. If you seek advice, here it is - be careful what you wish for. You just might get it. My two cents, Alan J. Dover Major, U.S. Army Veteran, Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm A Company, 1st Bn, 5th United States Cavalry 1990-1991 Veteran, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) 2001 Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2005-2006 (Message edited by ajdover on February 28, 2007) (Message edited by ajdover on February 28, 2007) | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 975 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thank you both for serving. I'm proud to know you through this forum. John | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 468 Registered: 11-2003 |
John, Thanks. Care to give up that Series 1 1/2 to a deserving vet? Ahh, Damn, that's what I thought! I'll have to satisfy myself with my Essesnces, the SC Sig Del,the DW, the Spyder, the Europa, and my incoming Series II. I'm proud to know you through this forum as well. Alan | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2074 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks to all those that keep us safe and preserve our way of life! Stay safe, Alan! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2134 Registered: 7-2004 |
I've been biting my tongue, as I do from time to time on this site. However I can no longer constrain myself without saying something. I very much appreciate all who volunteer and serve to protect the U.S. You are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us can go on leading our lives. As a citizen I believe the social compact I have with you is that you will give your life, if necessary, to protect me and my family, but I will never ask you to place yourself in such jeopardy unless it is absolutely necessary for the survival of this grand experiment in humanity we call the United States. I would never dream to ask anyone else to risk their life so that the friends of people in high government levels can make more money, or so that it will be a little less expensive to drive my jeep. Joe, you are 18 years old. I hope you get to spend many, many more years on this planet. I hope you get to play many more Alembics. I hope you get to fall in love, have a family, pursue dreams, attain satisfaction. I hope you don't get killed. I hope you never have to kill someone else for questionable reasons and then struggle with remorse and other related feelings for the rest of your life. I am old enough to have lived though the Vietnam era. These days you'd think there was unanimous opposition to that war. I don't know anyone who today will admit they supported that war. Yet, back in the 60's - 70's, the U.S. government spouted the same pronouncements they are now making about Iraq. The conservatives, called the "Hawks" back then, sang the praises of "supporting our troops" just like today. At least there was, obstensibly, an opponent in that war, we were supposedly fighting the North Vietnamese. I ask, who is the "enemy" in Iraq? Just whom are we supposed to be fighting? The Saudi Arabians who attacked our nation on Sept. 11th led by the son of one of our President's family's best friends? Joe, please don't die or kill some foreign mother's son over this bullshit. Bill, tgo | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 209 Registered: 2-2005 |
Bill, that was worded awesomely! TGO indeed :D | ||
| alembic_doctor
Intermediate Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 183 Registered: 8-2002 |
I support the War on Terrorism. Kill them or they will kill us. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2137 Registered: 7-2004 |
Doc, the question I would ask is who is "them"? I see no difference between "Terrorism" and the "Boogieman". Both are indefinable nebulous creatures of the imagination that scare the living bejeezus out of people to the point that they react emotionally rather than rationally. There is a known, definable organization of people out there who attacked the U.S. I have no problem defending our nation aginst this group. Iraq has nothing to do with them. Iraq is a fractured society composed of groups of various cultures and beliefs who do not get along with each other. About the only thing they can all agree on is that the situation is none of the U.S.'s business. I personallly agree with them. Regardless of my beliefs, the war our nation is now mired in has some very scary implications: 1. It has nothing to do with the Sept. 11 attacks; 2. It distracts us from using our limited respources to avenge the Sept. 11 attacks; 3. It creates immense ill will in the world towards the U.S. which will inevitably result in more attacks agains us; Any government that would make the claim that increasing the number of troops by the 10s of thousands is not an "escalation", but merely an "augmentation" cannot be trusted to do the right thing. (Augmentation? It sounds like they want to give all the soldiers breast implants!). Personally, I'd like my government to be honest with its citizens. Bill, tgo | ||
| alembic_doctor
Intermediate Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 184 Registered: 8-2002 |
Bill. Perhaps we should start another thread. I'd hate to hijack applejuice's thread with this debate. I enlisted in the Marine Corps just before Desert Storm and I just missed going over there. And I'd re-enlist now if I were 40lbs. lighter and a couple of years younger. The enemy is not a "nebulous creature of the imagination". Just ask any soldier who is currently fighting them, will be fighting them, or has fought them. Okay. I'm sayin any more about this ion this thread. Bill, if you'd like to start a new thread, I'll engage. I believe that you and I can have a civil discussion in this forum. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 509 Registered: 12-2004 |
Joe, That security clearance will do you a lot more good (in life) than learning to throw a grenade. Like Alan, I'm a Desert Storm Vet, and Combat Infantryman's Badge holder (but no Bronze Star!). I was an 11M (mechanized infantry), and can confirm that it seemed romantic at first, but didn't continue to seem that way while I was watching approaching scuds get shot down. Godspeed, whatever happens. Bradley | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2138 Registered: 7-2004 |
Doc: Again I ask: "Who is 'them'"? Our gov't told us we went there to fight Saddam (who had nothing to do with 9/11) and stop his WMD programs. It's now several years later. No WMDs. Saddam is dead. Saddam's gov't is dead. Who is "them"? Bill, tgo | ||
| alembic_doctor
Intermediate Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 185 Registered: 8-2002 |
Bill. Start another thread please. aj's thread should not be hijacked for the debate that is about to ensue. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 469 Registered: 11-2003 |
Bill, My intent in responding was to convey advice from an older man to a younger man. Didn't intend to start a political debate - perhaps we should take this offline. Email me and I'd be happy to share a few thoughts with you if I may and if you're interested. This, IMHO, is not the place for political threads as they tend to ingnite passions in all of us, and I'd rather not go down that route. Looking back on it, I probably should have sent Joe an email, and left it out of public debate here. I will certainly do just that in the future. Best regards, Alan | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2139 Registered: 7-2004 |
Alan: 'nuff said. Bill, tgo | ||
| alembic_doctor
Intermediate Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 186 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thank you Alan. I don't think this is a wholly unappropriate place for debate such as this. I do think that hijacking the thread of one of our beloved defenders for this debate is bad form though. I would like to hear what you (Alan) have to say. And I would like to debate Bill too. Let's just do it on another thread or another forum. I don't think that Mica would mind this. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4815 Registered: 5-2002 |
From my position as moderator, I most humbly request that this "debate" not be continued in this or any other thread on this forum. It's certainly an important debate; and as a human being who cares about all of the other human beings on this planet, I have been and continue to be very vocal and active in this "debate". But not here. And while I am sure that many members of this board are indeed capable of having a "civil" discussion on such an emotionally charged subject, experience suggests that, for the good of this board as a whole, such discussions be held elsewhere. And again, it's not because I don't think it's important; and I do indeed believe that educating people on this subject is very important. And I've been educating my congressman about this subject at his office twice in the last three weeks. But as a moderator of this particular board, and given what I perceive as my responsibility to the board, its hosts, and its members, I don't think that discussion should be held here. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4816 Registered: 5-2002 |
I should add that I completely understand why Bill and Doc would feel compelled to post as they did. And it would be understandable if they, or anyone else, disagreed with my position on this. I'm just trying to be the moderator. And just to be clear, my comments about the "debate" should not be construed to include Alan's response to Joe; which I found to be not only appropriate given the context of the thread to that point, but quite valuable in my own quest to become better informed on the subject. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2140 Registered: 7-2004 |
Dave: I've been waiting for you and your inevitable injection of calm and reason. I knew it was coming, just not when. You are right, of course, that this is neither the time nor the place and I will endeavor to place my bi-cuspids back into my lingual flesh. Before signing off, however, I would like to make one point: I think we should all be proud of this forum that we can even brush against this topic without losing civility and respect for each other. Though I disagree with others, it does nothing to diminish the comraderie I feel with all of my fellow Alembic nuts. If only Congress could get along so well ... oops ... never mind. LOL Apologies to all. Joe: The best of luck in your future endeavors, whatever direction they may take, and may you lead a long, healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. Bill, tgo | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 427 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hmm. That's a shame. I understand the logic of taking up the issue on a separate thread, but it's a shame it can't be discussed here. I personally found all viewpoints expressed important, and was looking forward to the intelligent and civilized responses of the other members. But it's your perrogative, of course. On a different note, my experience -and I was raised in a military family- is that the overwhelming majority of the people in the military -at least the ones I've met- really believe they're fighting for this country, and fighting for freedom. I think the brave soldiers -and civilian contractors- risking their lives there believe that they're trying to bring freedom to Iraq. The sad thing is that while they're over there risking their lives for freedom over their -for us- freedom is being dismantled here as we speak... as I write this, and as you read it. Our soldiers deserve so much better. If they can risk their lives and die in a far off country in the name of freedom, then we can certainly take the equally-if-not-even-more important and/yet much less risky step of forcing the status quo to change for the better -BY USING OUR ABILITY TO VOTE and to holding the government responsable for when they break the law. We can change things. Every citizen who respects the courage and sacrifice of those in the military should show it by VOTING and by VOTING SMART. Vote out those that are part of the problem. Hold government officials accountable for their actions when THEY break the law. Remove people from office that commit treason against the citizens. The problems go on because we let them... because we don't put a stop to them, either because we're lazy, stupid, or both. The best way to honor the military, to honor the people who've died, who've been crippled and maimed, and who risk such -is to USE the system... the LEGACY that they fought and died for... to peacefully and democratically change the system by the use of ideas, free exchange and assembly, and voting. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 470 Registered: 11-2003 |
Doc, Email me if you wish to discuss further privately. Alan | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 977 Registered: 10-2003 |
"Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 8:47 am: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John, Thanks. Care to give up that Series 1 1/2 to a deserving vet? Ahh, Damn, that's what I thought! I'll have to satisfy myself with my Essesnces, the SC Sig Del,the DW, the Spyder, the Europa, and my incoming Series II. I'm proud to know you through this forum as well. Alan" I'm sure we could work out some sort of trade.. ;) You're welcome to use it anytime you're in the area! John | ||
| jack
Intermediate Member Username: jack Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2005 |
Applejuice, Just saying hello from one Echo to another. I bought my Alembic down the hill from DLI. I've got fond memories of them times. -Jack | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 98 Registered: 1-2006 |
Jack, I cannot wait to get there. What language did you learn? | ||
| jack
Intermediate Member Username: jack Post Number: 134 Registered: 11-2005 |
Russian. Also played a lot of music out there. There's one bar, can't remember the name but on the same strip as a place called the British Bulldog that does open jams once a week, a great way to meet other musicians. I met a lot of people and got into a decent gig backing a woman singer/songwriter that way. Also the Army has a rec center there with instruments and amps. Ten years ago they did, anyway. I also recommend doing some volunteering, depending on where your other interests lie. A lot of people carried scorecards for the Pebble Beach golf tournies. I worked for a big brother type thing, where we sold tickets at laguna seca and got to go to a lot of the races for free. We'd camp all weekend, BBQ and booze. It was cool, standing on the line selling tickets, and these people drive up in car clubs, so all of a sudden you'd get the deafening roar of a dozen Panteras all racing up the hill together. Neat, if you're into that sort of thing. My favorite were the classic races, with that old guy in an old BMW 2002 just outdriving all the camaros and firebirds. But the AMA races brought out the crowds, the sponsors, and the girls. Man, I'd like be 19 again, under the trees overlooking the famous corkscrew on a hot sunday afternoon with a coolerfull of bud and an eyeful of bikinis. Gotta get out of this office in mid-town manhattan, they're killing me. -Jack | ||
| phylo
Member Username: phylo Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2005 |
Despite better judgement telling me otherwise, I am gonna jump in here. There have been numerous topics that don't relate to Alembic guitars here in the time that i have been checking out this message board. I think we take a pretty hefty risk when we decide that there is one particular topic that is off limits. Especially a topic that so many of us want to contribute towards. At 33, i still for some reason consider myself a young guy. But I have seen a chasm spreading between our society. The latest being red vs. blue, where opinion is reduced to a sport; one versus the other. Communication is the cure - and should have been the prevention. In this blue vs red world, I clearly align with one side, but I do have an open mind and the comments on this thread have given me reason to think about what I think. That is a positive thing. I think everyone should think about we think. And as long as we don't behave like a football mob, we should share our thoughts on important topics. The saying to 'never discuss politics and religion' is certainly best honored in certain situations, but if taken as a mantra, it is potentially dangerous. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 437 Registered: 9-2005 |
I couldn't agree with you more. It's unfortunate that certain people/interests have succeeded in getting the masses to buy the notion that "sex, politics, death, and religion" shouldn't be discussed. (In other words, philosophy.) I submit that it's self-evident that these are some of the most important philosophical topic for people to discuss. It's arguably preferable to not discuss something than to have a pointless, uncivilized conversation -but, by the same token, it's better to discuss important things civilly than to repress/avoid discussing them. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 605 Registered: 1-2004 |
Contrary to popular belief a forum isn't a public space. Both the owner and moderator(s) have the final decision in what topics are OK to discuss and what topics aren't. There's plenty of places on the world wide web specially equipped and moderated for this purpose, where anyone can discuss the topics that Dave so kindly asked us to not discuss on this forum. There's also newsgroups that aren't moderated, that can give you a raw insight in how 'civilised' discussions can get out of hand very quickly, not to mention plenty of 'real life' situations where these topics are also accepted as a no-go area from a not-the-right-place-and-not-the-right-time perspective. We should also take into account that this is a very international forum, as the Alembic community is spread all over the planet. My experience is that discussions about politics and religion are only guarnteed to remain civil as long as no-one ventilates a critical point of view. For example: after 9/11 I quickly learned to avoid all global-political discussions on international forums, because they without exeption resulted in heated "you're either with us, or you're against us" unpleasantness, sometimes damaging the atmosphere and communal sense of a forum completely and permanently. I'm sure we all would hate that to happen with the Alembic Forum. I think there's very good reasons to avoid certain 'hot' topics in the off-topic/misc. section of a forum and I don't think it's fair to Dave to continue the discussion in this topic, thereby questioning / ignoring his kind request and (indirectly) this forum's rules. Wilfred | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2148 Registered: 7-2004 |
Allright, I jumping back in. You're either with me or against me. So? What's it gonna be? Guitars or basses! hehehehe Mark wrote: "It's unfortunate that certain people/interests have succeeded in getting the masses to buy the notion that 'sex, politics, death, and religion' shouldn't be discussed." I've heard politics and religion, but I hadn't heard sex and death included before. I guess discussing death can almost be synonymous with discussing religion. As for sex, the only reason I can imagine to avoid talking about it is the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words"! LOL Seriously though, this club is more like shooting the breeze in the lobby of the Hotel Wickersham rather than a public forum, with Dave as the conceriege. Our hosts have made a request. I shall endeavor to honor it. Bill, tgo | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4832 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jon and Mark; You've made some interesting comments that suggest that I was unclear in my earlier posts. So, to clarify: I agree, communication is important. Never discussing politics and religion is not my mantra. I pretty much discuss them everyday. I study politics every day. I read several national blogs daily; and I contribute to one in particular from time to time. I host an online discussion group (local, private) whose sole topic is politics. I recently gave a talk at my congressman's office. I train volunteers. I attend and help organize meetings, events and rallies. I carry signs. I make telephone calls. I sign petitions practically every day. I call the offices of my congressman and my senators. I write letters to the editor. I educate myself on the issues. My positions change as I accumulate more information. I appreciate all sides of an issue. My spiritual practice infuses every thing I do every day - everything I think and do is part of my spiritual practice. I discuss practice with others regularly. I read material related to my practice daily. If I think someone can help me on my path, I'll ask; if I think I can be of assistance to someone on their path, I'll volunteer. So no, never discussing politics and religion is not my mantra. And no, I'm not trying to get the masses to buy the notion that "sex, politics, death, and religion" shouldn't be discussed. I think they should be discussed. I read and participate in these discussions all the time. And I think everyone should continually educate themselves on these topics. What I know about Iran today, I literally did not know yesterday. There are lots of venues available for such discussions. In fact, if you really want to start a discussion, it's very easy to setup your own blog and start having discussions. You can put a link to your blog in your Alembic club profile, and all of the Alembic club members who want to join you in that discussion can click on the link and do so. You can email all of your friends, family and work related contacts and invite them as well. There are just zillions of blogs that discuss the war. If you aren't having daily discussions on these topics it's not because venues aren't available. Wilfred talked about forums where the atmosphere and communal sense were completely and permanently damaged. I've seen it happen, several times. Online communities that I participated in and cared for, including some that I hosted, and some that were invitation only, just disintegrated. Invitation only; we invited people that we knew, and that we thought could have a civil discussion about politics; it was a disaster. In these cases, people whose online company I really enjoyed and valued would leave because of the comments of others. People get very emotionally and viscerally engaged on certain topics. So it has been my experience that there are forums where people can go and relax and feel at home and feel a sense of community. And there are forums where people can go and expect to talk politics. Now I acknowledge that I may be completely wrong about this. I'm just trying to help this forum the best I can as moderator given the experience set that I have to draw on. I don't and can't know what will happen. Personally, I get very emotional about the war. While Alan was in Iraq, I kept a picture of him beside me at my desk. I thought about him, and Iraq, and the war, every time I looked up at that picture. I was very happy when he returned home from the war. I would imagine that we all get emotional about war, no matter what side of the debate we are on. When it comes to war, positions that you hold dear will be painful to others, and positions that others hold dear will be painful to you. There was a case here in this forum where a club member stated that another club member's pride and joy Alembic was ugly. People say hurtful things often without even thinking about it or realizing it. When you start talking about issues where people have starkly opposing and strongly held emotionally charged positions, it just seems to me that you increase the chances of saying hurtful things, even if you don't mean to. And then this place might not be the comfortable oasis for some that it has been. There are a lot of members of this forum, over 2,000; and they are from all over the world. We are all drawn to this forum because the main topic here is Alembic basses and guitars. I would imagine that for some, this place is a refuge; a warm and inviting place to go where you know you are amongst friends, like-minded individuals who think, talk and live Alembic; people who will look at pictures of your beloved Alembic and appreciate it as much as you do. I would imagine that if you're a bass player in Jerusalem, there's a chance that maybe you don't want to know that the guy who said all those great things about your bass has a totally polar opposite position on the settlements than you do. Maybe you just don't really need to know that about him. Maybe it's just too emotional of an issue for you. Maybe if you are a guitar player in Mexico City, maybe you don't want to know what that guy who loves your Alembic thinks about your brother who's in the US illegally. Maybe all you wanted was some people to talk guitars with. Maybe you're really emotionally burned out on hearing people talk about immigration and you're just looking for a place with a great group of people who love talking about guitars. I don't know. Maybe the last thing that any of you wanted to know was that the moderator has strongly held political views. After all, what he really needs to be doing with his time is practicing bass. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1303 Registered: 6-2002 |
I felt saddened by the original poster's hunger for battle. Born and bred in a nation that is proud of having virtually no patriotism, the notion of "willing to die for your country" is pretty foreign to me. It would be such a waste. To show my colours, I should add that I was officially recognized as a conscientious objector to military conscription, and was made to serve time-and-a-half in civilian duties (and a cushy job at that). | ||
| phylo
Member Username: phylo Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2005 |
Dave, I want to clarify that my comments were not meant as condemnation of your request, but as my $.2 (or less) on the dire polarity that is growing in this country and probably the world. I recongnize that this is a forum on a commercial website. I respect your decision on what is to be disucussed and ultimately and sadly agree that you are correct to nip this in the bud before someone is offended, insulted or otherwise disrespected. This forum has been a highly enjoyable diversion for me over the past few years. Thanks to everyone who is a part of it. Ain't no time to hate. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 981 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm just glad you're all here (wherever "here" may be), and posting stuff for me to read and view! John | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1070 Registered: 12-2002 |
Just my 2cents what i dont understand is iraq was no threat to us at all before 911 & after, so why invade a country that did nothing to us & now that poor country is violently outta control & is deteiorating daily rapidly. we cant win that war because there's too many terrorists willing to die & take americans & innocent people with them. so we spend $100 trillion trying to put a band-aid on a shotgun wound that wont stop bleeding & then we got soldiers coming home with no legs & arms and on the other side of the coin we cant find bin laden?!!!!remember he is the one on the run for the 911 incident! so what the F#@k are doing in iraq??? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4844 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Jon! | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 812 Registered: 11-2004 |
Dave and some others here, THANK YOU. I think what some of you are trying to do here is preserve the Alembic club as the warm, caring bunch of people we, for the most part, are. There is one thing we all seem to agree on. That is that we all love Alembics and the Alembic company. That is what sets this club apart from the others. We could discuss all the things that we disagree on until the club membership is polarized to the point that every US member is so POd at the other side that we can't even talk about Alembics anymore. Several people have suggested that the subject of the US's role in the war be discussed elsewhere. There has already been enough damage done here. I'm sure that there are several people here who will no longer be able to read certain individuals' posts without thinking about their political views. That is too bad because people here have many fine comments and suggestions about Alembics and how to enjoy them to the fullest. Most importantly, I feel, is that it has been suggested that we treat this forum as if we are guests in the Wickersham home. I don't think any of us would dream of turning a dinner invitation from Ron, Susan, and Mica into a verbal slugfest with another invited guest. I feel we need to do the same here, as has been requested by Dave. I hope that this club can stay the same warm place that it has been for me for the last 2 1/2 years. I like it here and want to see the feeling continue. Thank you, Rich | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1174 Registered: 2-2006 |
I couldn't agree more Rich. Very well put too. |
