Do you have a friend in the military or who wants to be in the military?

[The Red Next Door]

Do you have friends who are in the military and how you get along with them and are you okay with their choice?

[which doctor]

I have an older brother in in the US Army right now; he's in Afghanistan. You'd never think he was the kind of person who would ever join the military, but he took an ROTC scholarship in college last minute and began his transformation into a member of the US military culture. He's a reasonably intelligent person, but I think his energy was funneled down the wrong hole. He's not a stereotypical gung-ho conservative tea-bagger or anything, more like a product of our post-modern, neocolonial military empire where wars aren't fought in the same matter they used to be and it has been reduced to pure pragmatism.

We're not that close and I've never discussed the topic of his military involvement in depth with him.

[The Douche]

I am in the military...

[F9]

I have, but its not their choice, so it wont be my choice next year:rolleyes:

[Il Medico]

Have quite a few friend who signed up for the military. Mostly Army or Marines, though two went Navy. I also have a cousin in the army right now, he did two tours as a mechanics in Iraq.

[Jazzratt]

Just the one. He's going to afghanistan soon, apparently. I barely talk to him anymore, I went to the pub with him a few months back and that's about it.

[The Red Next Door]

my bud is plaining to go the marines

[The Red Next Door]

I am in the military...
really?

[Raúl Duke]

A few acquaintences (2-3) of mine are in the military...personally I don't understand why and I actually think it's dumb they did but that's because I believe no Puerto Rican should join the U.S. military at times of combat since PR had no say concerning these wars.

One of my cousins is also in the military; but he was born in the U.S. so I don't think much about it. His father, my uncle, was also in the military and served in the first gulf war.

[Pogue]

I'm in the US Marine Core, I'm a Drill instructor, you fucking maggots.

[NecroCommie]

I have, but its not their choice, so it wont be my choice next year:rolleyes:
There is always a choice.

[mykittyhasaboner]

No, and to be totally honest, I would never speak to anybody I know who joins the US military ever again, unless it's to talk them out of it. I can't keep inconsistent friendships. For me it just doesn't work. I was thoroughly disappointed when a aquantaince of mine, whom people call "Commie *****" (he walks around with an ushanka, and has a sick hammer and sickle tattoo on his back, and claimed to be a member of the CPUSA :rolleyes:) said he was probably going to join the military because he had "no where else to go". I was like wtf? I never got to know him well at all, but it was still a let down to see someone I thought was an actual communist say something like that. I don't know if they actually joined, since I haven't seen him (maybe this is an indication that they did?) but I have my doubts about him coming to his senses.

[mykittyhasaboner]

There is always a choice.
Not if your a citizen of a country that practices military conscription.

[Panda Tse Tung]

There is always a choice.
He's probably referring to compulsory military service, in which case the choice is abstaining for pacifism (in which case you'll be driving military ambulances or something). Or abstaining and going to jail. OR fleeing the country, to a country that will not extradict you.
Doesn't seem like very good choices to me. Also they are very strict about the pacifism shit in a lot of country's. And some don't even have them.

[Raúl Duke]

Not if your a citizen of a country that practices military conscription.

This; although in some cases it's a duty of principles to refuse to serve even if if it means jail. I say this rule should apply to armed forces currently involved in any obvious/explicit imperialist war/action/occupation or any entity with a long-standing use of armed forces to maintain/perpetuate unjust or inhumane conditions.

(For example,in the case of the Israeli army, I believe all leftists should by principle refuse to serve the Israeli army until the Palestinian issue is resolved at the very least. However, I understand if some leftists do not want to serve jail time and would not exactly look at them less then before; although if they refuse I would surely look up to them more then before for having guts to do so.)

[Panda Tse Tung]

This; although in some cases it's a duty of principles to refuse to serve even if if it means jail. I say this rule should apply to armed forces currently involved in any obvious/explicit imperialist war/action/occupation or any entity with a long-standing use of armed forces to maintain/perpetuate unjust or inhumane conditions.
The Dutch CP called on the youth to join the military during the Dutch war against Indonesian independence. They called on them to join and defect to the Indonesians. Though i think thats not a reasonable solution for Israeli youth.

[F9]

There is always a choice.

As others have said, yes there is a choice, joinning or refusing and joinning jail.The state(the one with the communist president:rolleyes:) is pushing harsher and harsher measures to those that even try avoid it, with long time jailling, and closing out of the society with numerous ways.So yeah you get the choice, but in the end you dont...

[NecroCommie]

Not if your a citizen of a country that practices military conscription.
Like, hmmm... Finland?! :confused:



but in the end you dont...

Tell that to these guys. ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_and_Iraq_War_Resisters It might be news to them. Besides, you don't have to go that far. There are several ways to avoid conscription, which all vary from country to country.

[Sam_b]

One of my best friends is in the army.

[BobKKKindle$]

One of my younger brothers is probably going to enter the army, and by the looks of things my other younger brother might end up doing the same. One of the members of my local SWSS branch has recently signed up as well, and has been booted out as a result, although we were never close.

[The Douche]

really?

Yes. One tour of Iraq, still have two more years left in the army.

[RedDragon]

I have a friend who plans to join the RAF next year.

[LeninBalls]

Got a cousin in Afghanistan, my friend is considering joining the Irish Army next year.

[Invincible Summer]

Yes. One tour of Iraq, still have two more years left in the army.

I don't want to sound like I'm flaming you, but... why?

[Tyrlop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMmJwbOxsGc
OMG SEE

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

My best friend- my brother from another mother- is a sniper in Afghanistan. He told me straight-up he's going to join the IVAW when he gets home in March and that he's got some stories that he says that the American people MUST know...

I worry about him every moment of my life, and I can't wait for him to get home. :(

[Honggweilo]

classmate i used to get high with served in afghanistan

he hasnt changed though ; (wants to insert picture of him standing in a massive wildgrowing hennep field in uruzgan, but cant find it :p)

well this one must do then

http://94.100.114.124/596850001-596900000/596889501-596889600/596889541_5_mzHm.jpeg

walking stereotype..

[Panda Tse Tung]

Not friends (luckily), but i know some peeps who r.

[Honggweilo]

oMmJwbOxsGc
OMG SEE
incredible story... but what an amazingly nerdy suburban fetishist dressing up in maoist combat gear.

[Angry Young Man]

My brother, but I don't really care what comes of him

[Spawn of Stalin]

Good attitude.

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

I am, and I have quite a few buds.

[Lyev]

I'm still at secondary school, so obviously I, or none of peers can join the army, but I know loads of people who are part of the cadets for, I think, under 16s (the British MODs indoctrination tool) and they're going to join the army when they leave school.

In fact I got into quite a heated discussion with one of them in history class the other day. We were studying Vietnam and our teacher, quite rightly, compared it to the situation in Afghanistan. My classmate spouted the usual bullshit that the deaths of 9/11 and 7/7 need to be 'avenged'. What utter bullshit.

Anyway, I was gonna add the point that a lot of people my age see joining the army as an easy way out, so to speak. They can't see any alternative career, for lack of imagination or whatever, but furthermore, for them it seems like a very decent career, and plus our army accepts anyone. The average rank and file soldier needs no substantial qualifications, I think. The army provides well for it's soldiers, they get good pensions, I do believe, but, then again, there is the inherit risk of death.

[Искра]

I'm lucky and I don't have to go to army.

My classmate is in Afghanistan...

[Искра]

Anyway, I was gonna add the point that a lot of people my age see joining the army as an easy way out, so to speak. They can't see any alternative and for them it seems like good pay and whatnot because the army provides for it's soldiers, does anyone know what I mean?
Jup. Army pays collage and after you finish it you get job. You won't go to dole as I'll.

[Pavlov's House Party]

I signed up with one of my mates for Artillery, apparently the Canadian army isn't taking Infanty recruits anymore because there's been a surge of volunteers. Probably an indication of the economic recession on students.

[Angry Young Man]

Good attitude.

I didn't ask him to be a shithead since I was born...

[Spawn of Stalin]

I was being serious, I think the "support the troops, oppose the war" attitude is far too widespread amongst the left. Good on you.

[black magick hustla]

a few mates in the airforce. i dont think i could be friends of marine folks tho

[#FF0000]

I've got a few friends in the Air-Force. One is joining the Navy soon and I'm trying like fuck to change his mind.

But yeah I'd instantly drop any motherfucker who joins Army or Marines.

[Kléber]

But yeah I'd instantly drop any motherfucker who joins Army or Marines. Then you would have to "instantly drop" Lenin, because he advocated joining the Russian Army during WWI (a policy which successfully ended the war by causing soldiers' mutinies).


I was being serious, I think the "support the troops, oppose the war" attitude is far too widespread amongst the left. I hope you realize how stereotypical we all sound here. Why antagonize the soldiers? So that we can "pose" as cool ultra-leftists and piss off the section of the working class that's in a position to either kill us or ensure our victory? If the Bolsheviks had taken the SP-USA approach to conscription, and spent WWI *****ing about how lame it was to join the army, there never would have been a Soviet Union.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

please explain how exactly the US military is in a position to ensure the victory of workers?

if they obediently bomb the fuck out of millions of innocent people the world over routinely, what makes you think they'll side with the left?

[The Douche]

I don't want to sound like I'm flaming you, but... why?

I am a broke high school dropout, I wanted to make sure I could go to college, and I wanted to make sure that I had something I could fall back on if I couldn't find a job later in life.


I was being serious, I think the "support the troops, oppose the war" attitude is far too widespread amongst the left. Good on you.

Fuck you. Fight me.

[Искра]

cmoney are you joking or what? :D
I really doubt that you were in army..

[Kayser_Soso]

I am a broke high school dropout, I wanted to make sure I could go to college, and I wanted to make sure that I had something I could fall back on if I couldn't find a job later in life.



Many people join the army for college money, and end up never getting a penny out of it.

[Comrade B]

I have yes many friends

I come from rural America
Majority of my friends who left town are in the military.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

is it class treason to voluntarily serve in an imperialist military, is the important question here

[Os Cangaceiros]

My best friend's brother is a battlefield medic in Iraq.

[Il Medico]

is it class treason to voluntarily serve in an imperialist military, is the important question here
I hardly think most are doing it out of want to betray their class. One friend of mine only joined up cause the Army offered her 20,000 dollar sign up bonus. Most Americans have little if any class consciousness beyond some not being all to friendly with uppity rich people. However, a large portion of the military in the states is made up of people who want to "do their patriotic duty" or some other nationalist nonsense. I generally regard these members of the military as class traitors whether I should or not.

[The Red Next Door]

I've got a few friends in the Air-Force. One is joining the Navy soon and I'm trying like fuck to change his mind.

But yeah I'd instantly drop any motherfucker who joins Army or Marines.
Did they drop you for being a communist? that not right they are your friends

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

does it really matter what their intent is?

[The Red Next Door]

Then you would have to "instantly drop" Lenin, because he advocated joining the Russian Army during WWI (a policy which successfully ended the war by causing soldiers' mutinies).

I hope you realize how stereotypical we all sound here. Why antagonize the soldiers? So that we can "pose" as cool ultra-leftists and piss off the section of the working class that's in a position to either kill us or ensure our victory? If the Bolsheviks had taken the SP-USA approach to conscription, and spent WWI *****ing about how lame it was to join the army, there never would have been a Soviet Union. thank you

[The Douche]

cmoney are you joking or what? :D
I really doubt that you were in army..

I am still in the army for another two years, and I really did do a tour in Iraq.


is it class treason to voluntarily serve in an imperialist military, is the important question here

Yes it is class treason. But the level of how "volunteer" it is, is up to debate. I don't feel that I had any choice if I wanted to have a decent life but to join the military. In retrospect however, I feel it would have been better to be homeless than to be in the military.


Many people join the army for college money, and end up never getting a penny out of it.

That's very true, they have yet to get my benefits worked out correctly, and I have been in for 4 years this coming January.


All I really got out of the army was a couple shitty paychecks and a case of PTSD. But luckily, I have been able to convince many people not to enlist, because of my experience.

[Dr Mindbender]

I used to want to join the RAF.

I once knew an SWP'er who was in the navy.

[Invincible Summer]

I am still in the army for another two years, and I really did do a tour in Iraq.



Yes it is class treason. But the level of how "volunteer" it is, is up to debate. I don't feel that I had any choice if I wanted to have a decent life but to join the military. In retrospect however, I feel it would have been better to be homeless than to be in the military.



That's very true, they have yet to get my benefits worked out correctly, and I have been in for 4 years this coming January.


All I really got out of the army was a couple shitty paychecks and a case of PTSD. But luckily, I have been able to convince many people not to enlist, because of my experience.


Thanks for sharing, cmoney :cool:. Good to get another perspective on this

[Comrade B]

I've got a few friends in the Air-Force. One is joining the Navy soon and I'm trying like fuck to change his mind.

But yeah I'd instantly drop any motherfucker who joins Army or Marines.
Air-force is the middle class branch of the military, which I have the least sympathies for.

I have 1 friend in the air force, 3 in the marines and 1 in the army as well as 3 in training I can think of off the bat
I give the 3 training to be officers crap about it excluding one who got a full ride scholarship to the air force academy, but all 3 in the marines are recent immigrants, 1 is joining got gain full citizen ship, the guy in the army was expelled from the main public school in my town, and the one in the air force has a few problems which it seems like he was just trying to get away from.

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

To be in the air force these days (with so many applicants), you pretty much have to be have a very high score on the Asvab as well as a near impecable record. A single alcohol related incident can sink you.

Oh, and it's very, very hard to get in if you have any dependents. Which honestly makes little sense, since if you join the air force you're most likely going to Kansas to unload cargo planes, whereas if you join the Army, Marines, and especially in many cases the Navy, you better be OK watching your kids grow up via email for years at a time.

[Kléber]

please explain how exactly the US military is in a position to ensure the victory of workers?

if they obediently bomb the fuck out of millions of innocent people the world over routinely, what makes you think they'll side with the left?The French and Russian revolutions were only possible because masses of soldiers defected from the old regime to the revolutionary camp. And that didn't happen "spontaneously" it was because the revolutionaries appealed to the soldiers as comrades. The ordinary soldiers banded together and formed soldiers' councils where they educated themselves in revolutionary theory. Russian, French and German soldiers' mutinies were what ended WWI! The imperialists had to make a temporary truce at Versailles to ally against communism.

US soldiers ended the Vietnam war with mutinies, base takeovers, and refusals to fight. There was also resistance in the air force, so enough of this "army is ok but fuck the air force/marines/insert special branch here".. if we got cossacks to support us in Russia we can get anybody! Youtube/google video a documentary called "Sir, No Sir!" if you don't believe me!

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

The French and Russian revolutions were only possible because masses of soldiers defected from the old regime to the revolutionary camp. And that didn't happen "spontaneously" it was because the revolutionaries appealed to the soldiers as comrades. The ordinary soldiers banded together and formed soldiers' councils where they educated themselves in revolutionary theory. Russian, French and German soldiers' mutinies were what ended WWI! The imperialists had to make a temporary truce at Versailles to ally against communism.

US soldiers ended the Vietnam war with mutinies, base takeovers, and refusals to fight. There was also resistance in the air force, so enough of this "army is ok but fuck the air force/marines/insert special branch here".. if we got cossacks to support us in Russia we can get anybody! Youtube/google video a documentary called "Sir, No Sir!" if you don't believe me!

I wish more people would understand this. I mean, sure, we can't "support our troops" because they're not OUR troops... but the troops are us. Or something like that. The point is, we'll need the soldiers in order to win the revolution.

Regardless, revolutionaries in this day and age seem to see things as soooo either/or or as they're reading from fantasy script, when a basic look at history will make you think twice.

[#FF0000]

Did they drop you for being a communist? that not right they are your friends

Maybe but I know a lot of kids who went off to the marines and came back emotionally disturbed psychotics. And I don't think it's just PTSD either.


Then you would have to "instantly drop" Lenin, because he advocated joining the Russian Army during WWI (a policy which successfully ended the war by causing soldiers' mutinies).


It's not an ideological thing. It's a "marines are fucking crazy" thing.

[the last donut of the night]

one of my homies wants to go to west point...

[Kléber]

It's not an ideological thing. It's a "marines are fucking crazy" thing.
The cossacks were pretty crazy too.. they had a reputation for ruthlessly killing protesters. Yet, in the critical year of 1917, the cossacks deserted the Czarist state. In Petrograd, they formed councils among themselves and refused to charge down any more hungry strikers. They deserted the Kornilov putsch which tried to strangle Kerensky and the soviets in one blow. The cossacks were one of the most reactionary military branches of all time, but Bolshevik propaganda and infiltration, targeting the cossacks, was nevertheless successful.

Veterans of the US Marine Corps have been converted to socialism and communism before, why can't they again? Ever heard of Marine Corps General Smedley Butler? He called himself an ex-"gangster for capitalism" and turned in the fascist plotters who tried to overthrow FDR in 1933.

[Comrade B]

What exactly makes the marines different from any other division of the military... Where do you come off saying they are "fucking crazy"

[FreeFocus]

No, I wouldn't befriend them if they weren't my friend, and if they were, this is the type of thing that would make me cut ties with someone.

[Spawn of Stalin]

I hope you realize how stereotypical we all sound here. Why antagonize the soldiers? So that we can "pose" as cool ultra-leftists and piss off the section of the working class that's in a position to either kill us or ensure our victory? If the Bolsheviks had taken the SP-USA approach to conscription, and spent WWI *****ing about how lame it was to join the army, there never would have been a Soviet Union.
Unlike most people I do not subscribe to the belief that soldiers are forced into joining up, or that they are tricked into it. They know very well what they are doing and why they are doing it, anyone who joins an imperialist force is an idiot, and anyone who re-enlists after seeing action for the first time probably doesn't deserve to make it home. I do not support imperialist wars so I do not support imperialist twits, I am opposed to imperialist twits, I do not care about class, a reactionary is a reactionary is a reactionary, end of.

Fuck you. Fight me.
Case in point, go fuck yourself.

[Kléber]

Your attitude is that of a petty-bourgeois poser, not a proletarian revolutionary. There is such a thing as economic conscription; if you look at the class makeup of, say, the US Army and their recruiting practices, they deliberately target working class neighborhoods where there are few if any stable employment opportunities. Even if workers do get duped into joining the army, it is always possible to become class conscious, to realize that they have no interest in the war. They can still become revolutionary socialists. But people don't become socialists automatically or through osmosis; we have to put the propaganda out there (which we obviously did a bad job of if people are signing up for wars to begin with! so how can you blame people for our own failures as revolutionaries?) and why would they want to become socialists if you're calling them "twits?" Most veterans of the current wars I have met were pushed to the left because of what they saw there, they feel sold out by the government. It is crucial that we, and not the fascists (who will reappear anywhere a mass socialist movement does) or somebody else appeal to that discontent. Look at revolutionary history and how many great socialists and communists were veterans not to mention there are vets on revleft, are they not our comrades? Even if you can't believe they are victims of capitalism, there is nothing to be gained by stereotyping and demonizing them.

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

What exactly makes the marines different from any other division of the military... Where do you come off saying they are "fucking crazy"

Mainly because they're fucking crazy? Or at the very least, you're fucking crazy if you join the marines?

No, many of them are quite smart and well eductaed, and the few I know that match this description have risen fast and no longer pound dirt. But the marines in and of themselves are mainly the guys who go in when the shit goes down guns drawn, while the army more or less sets up camp afterwards.

A large part of their basic training is to make the recruits realize they're going to die a marine, and that there's no better reward. There's usually a couple suicides and at least a dozen (usually much more) attempted suicides in their 12 week basic training.

Most of them are a bunch of fucking assholes, if you ask me, or they come back and there's something....not quite right with them, if you get my drift.

[Walt]

I felt a need to post here, even though I don't want to join the army.
About 3 months ago I was arrested on a few felony charges I wouldn't like to discuss. Long story short, apart of the plea bargain with the Judge, and escaping 1-2 years in jail, I was forced to go to a private Military Academy for 2 years. Currently, I've spent about 30 days there already, and I'm on a 10 day Thanksgiving vacation at the moment.

The school works just like the army, with ranks, marching, etc etc. Honestly, I hate it, but it's much better than jail.

[Manifesto]

A kinda friend I have wants to join the army right after high school even though he is almost certain that he will die.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Long story short, apart of the plea bargain with the Judge, and escaping 1-2 years in jail, I was forced to go to a private Military Academy for 2 years. Currently, I've spent about 30 days there already, and I'm on a 10 day Thanksgiving vacation at the moment.

what exactly do you mean with this?
the court ordered you to attend a private military academy?
is this standard practice in the United States?

[The Red Next Door]

Your attitude is that of a petty-bourgeois poser, not a proletarian revolutionary. There is such a thing as economic conscription; if you look at the class makeup of, say, the US Army and their recruiting practices, they deliberately target working class neighborhoods where there are few if any stable employment opportunities. Even if workers do get duped into joining the army, it is always possible to become class conscious, to realize that they have no interest in the war. They can still become revolutionary socialists. But people don't become socialists automatically or through osmosis; we have to put the propaganda out there (which we obviously did a bad job of if people are signing up for wars to begin with! so how can you blame people for our own failures as revolutionaries?) and why would they want to become socialists if you're calling them "twits?" Most veterans of the current wars I have met were pushed to the left because of what they saw there, they feel sold out by the government. It is crucial that we, and not the fascists (who will reappear anywhere a mass socialist movement does) or somebody else appeal to that discontent. Look at revolutionary history and how many great socialists and communists were veterans not to mention there are vets on revleft, are they not our comrades? Even if you can't believe they are victims of capitalism, there is nothing to be gained by stereotyping and demonizing them.

I agree with you very much

[Walt]

what exactly do you mean with this?
the court ordered you to attend a private military academy?
is this standard practice in the United States?
Not necessarily 'standard', but it's a plea bargain with the judge. I talked to my lawyer, and he worked out things from there.

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

The school works just like the army, with ranks, marching, etc etc. Honestly, I hate it, but it's much better than jail.

That sucks, but honestly most academies are worse than the military as far as the bullshit goes. Now, if you were shooting guns, running, and drinking a helluva lot of beer each and every goddamned day it may begin to resemble army life, as my friends describe it.

I'm in the navy and haven't marched anywhere since boot camp.


what exactly do you mean with this?
the court ordered you to attend a private military academy?
is this standard practice in the United States?


While it's being phased out, army or jailtime was a common practice for many verdicts.

[The Douche]

I do not support imperialist wars so I do not support imperialist twits, I am opposed to imperialist twits, I do not care about class, a reactionary is a reactionary is a reactionary, end of.


Nobody is talking about "supporting the troops", we're talking about recognizing the realities of the situation. Soldiers are derived primarily from the working class, and after a small number of years in the military will return to the working class.

Also, the bolded statement speaks for itself.


Case in point, go fuck yourself.

Whats your point mother fucker? That I am angred by somebody talking shit on me? Big fucking suprise. Keep acting hard on releft, dickcheese.

[Spawn of Stalin]

Nobody is acting hard, you are getting your knickers in a twist over nothing. You want me to support imperialist troops? How very revolutionary of you. Sooner or later you are going to have to accept that we're not all apathetic liberals who hate war and love soldiers. Nothing personal against you, but giving a shit about imperialist monkeys is just not something I'm comfortable with doing. Grow up and get a real job like the rest of us.

[The Douche]

Nobody is acting hard, you are getting your knickers in a twist over nothing. You want me to support imperialist troops? How very revolutionary of you. Sooner or later you are going to have to accept that we're not all apathetic liberals who hate war and love soldiers. Nothing personal against you, but giving a shit about imperialist monkeys is just not something I'm comfortable with doing. Grow up and get a real job like the rest of us.

Hey moron, look at the post above yours, allow me to quote it for you:


Nobody is talking about "supporting the troops", we're talking about recognizing the realities of the situation. Soldiers are derived primarily from the working class, and after a small number of years in the military will return to the working class.


Dont say its not fucking personal when you tell me to "grow up and get a real job like the rest of us". Considering many (most) of the people on here are students/part time workers and I work full time and have been involved in revolutionary politics for 5 or 6 years now.

You think you're hard cause you talk shit on soldiers on the internet, if you want to be tough then go out to a military base and knock out a squaddie. But don't get delusional and think its revolutionary to hate soldiers. Nobody here "supports" the troops.

[The Red Next Door]

Nobody is acting hard, you are getting your knickers in a twist over nothing. You want me to support imperialist troops? How very revolutionary of you. Sooner or later you are going to have to accept that we're not all apathetic liberals who hate war and love soldiers. Nothing personal against you, but giving a shit about imperialist monkeys is just not something I'm comfortable with doing. Grow up and get a real job like the rest of us.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABx4fG1ZJL4 imperialist monkey?

[Spawn of Stalin]

Dont say its not fucking personal when you tell me to "grow up and get a real job like the rest of us". Considering many (most) of the people on here are students/part time workers and I work full time and have been involved in revolutionary politics for 5 or 6 years now.

You think you're hard cause you talk shit on soldiers on the internet, if you want to be tough then go out to a military base and knock out a squaddie. But don't get delusional and think its revolutionary to hate soldiers. Nobody here "supports" the troops.
Who says I want to be tough? I'm just speaking my mind here. Being involved in revolutionary politics for however many years is no excuse to join an imperialist army and serve the capitalist state you supposedly wish to destroy. That is my opinion, you don't like my opinion, so what? I don't like the genocidal wars you fight, so shall we call it quits?

[The Douche]

Who says I want to be tough? I'm just speaking my mind here. Being involved in revolutionary politics for however many years is no excuse to join an imperialist army and serve the capitalist state you supposedly wish to destroy. That is my opinion, you don't like my opinion, so what? I don't like the genocidal wars you fight, so shall we call it quits?

Where did I make excuses? In fact you will find that I said the following:


Yes it is class treason. But the level of how "volunteer" it is, is up to debate. I don't feel that I had any choice if I wanted to have a decent life but to join the military. In retrospect however, I feel it would have been better to be homeless than to be in the military.


But you're trying to get tough and say "fuck soldiers". You think that because people aren't jumping on your moronic and simplifying bandwagon that we are support the troops liberals. But its not that simple, *****.

[Spawn of Stalin]

No, nobody is trying to get tough, mate, let's be clear on that. You are the one throwing around mindless insults like dickcheese and mother fucker, along with obligatory sexist terms like *****, is that how the army teaches you to talk to people? Because all I said was I couldn't give a crap about the troops and that I think you'd be a fool to disagree with me. Do let me know if you want to debate this like an adult, right now you are just making yourself look like a crying little boy, and that's okay with me, but my offer stands, if you want to discuss this in a reasonable manner, I am more than willing to.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

I have two female friends who are Marines, but all of my male friends who enlisted joined either the Army or Air Force.


(he walks around with an ushanka, and has a sick hammer and sickle tattoo on his back, and claimed to be a member of the CPUSA http://www.revleft.com/vb/../revleft/smilies/001_rolleyes.gif) Political tattoos are imaginative appeals to insecurity, I feel.

[RHIZOMES]

One of my more left-leaning school mates is joining the NZ Air Force :bored:

[Partizani]

I was going to join the British Army, Royal Armoured Corps on the basis that we havn't lost a single tank and i wanted military experience. Very very close to signing up, untill i read about that because they dont 'need' tanks they are sending Royal Armoured Corps guys out as infantry and they are getting killed all the same. Something im not too keen on.

[-Marxist-Leninist-Maoist-]

I am joining the infantry to get military experience.

[Comrade B]

Mainly because they're fucking crazy? Or at the very least, you're fucking crazy if you join the marines?

No, many of them are quite smart and well eductaed, and the few I know that match this description have risen fast and no longer pound dirt. But the marines in and of themselves are mainly the guys who go in when the shit goes down guns drawn, while the army more or less sets up camp afterwards.
These are 17 (you can sign up in advance), 18 year old often signing up for this, they don't necessarily think it through. My friend U joined because his brother is a marine, and as any younger sibling does, he always admired his brother. My friend J, well, he is actually a little crazy, and A, the only one over the age of 19 when he signed up, couldn't find any good work and the marines are the most active recruiters in the area. Though people should, they don't always think it through too well.


Most of them are a bunch of fucking assholes, if you ask me, or they come back and there's something....not quite right with them, if you get my drift.
I find that there are a lot of people who are ass holes in every career, being tough tends to just make people bigger ass holes. But yeah, people do often come back pretty fucked up, but it can't be too different for any branch deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan.