I have read the messages here and all have merit and a good point.
I am an American and have respect for all those that give it back or whom diserve it. I too am a Veteran having served 15 years in the United States Army. During this time I completed one tour in Iraq, getting into Baghdad the day the statue of Saddam was pulled down. More on this later. To reflect back, I spent a large amount of my youth preparing for a war against a foe I had never met for the good of our country, while never thinking twice about what I was doing, and I was proud to do so. During those years I traveled to different countries for different reason and have found interesting comparisons and people in all.
I feel there is nothing more honorable than a person willing to give his life and serve for the good of his country, regardless of the country. I will also say that freedom and peace is cherished by a soldier regardless of country. No person cherishes peace as does a soldier.
I do not find it amazing, but rather typical that people from different countries can get along regardless of their political bearing or place of birth, if the persons involved have the capacity to respect one another other on at least a human level. I have been truly humbled by others that have so little, but so much at the same time.
I went to Iraq ready to oust the leader and right his wrongs, a truly idealist mindset from a person that did not have one idea about the middle east culture he was stepping into. As in all countries, I met the good and was subjected to the bad, and still felt compassion for the general person in Iraq. I truly felt honored to meet what I considered heros; those who understood what they had to lose by working with the Americans while they attempted to rebuild their country in the way they could. I was also a student of many there, understanding that my idea of freedom was not the same as theirs.
I met a proud and respectful people, but also a population that had known war and its terrors for many years, and knew what it took to survive. People that had been filed with empty promises before, and knew what could be lost by posting an aleagance without forthought of its consequences. I met honest people and was kissed on the cheek and thanked for ridding sadam and his people, then heckled and hated for the same within the hour. But one thing I learned was people can generally get along if placed one on one in a room with an open mind. I find it funny that politicians cannot do this simple task that the lowest level person can seem to be able to do. How bold of me to think I can go into a country and change their way of thinking to my values, and think this is for thier good. To me that is not what freedom is about, but the opposite. I have no greator respect and appreciation than for the people of my great country and what it was built on, but at the same time I am disgusted on some of the perversions I have to be subjected to under the name of freedom to express themselves. I could go on regarding this point but I will choose not to.
The United States has not had a great track record as stated in following through with its intentions, which is as much to blame on the public as it is on the politicians involved. I think it is unreasonable to make blanket statements regarding a population, never the less a countries veiw or stand on something, as there are too many variables. There has always been sabre rattling between the countries, and the cold war was fought and won through economics rather than bullets shot. I am not a smart enough man and certaintly do not have enough information to make an informed decision on whether America should have gotten involved in Iraq, nor do I have a solution on how it should be ended. I hate to see anyone die before their time, but would gladly lay my live down in the name of freedom and for my country that I cherish. Do not ask me how to explain this as I cannot. I would truly hate to see another setback in communications involving the people of Russia and the United States.
One thing I believe in is that good people die during a war, and to educate yourself in anothers culture will make you a richer person in the long run, while breaking down the barriers of ignorance. I do not wish harm to my brothers and sisters living in other countries, as we are all humans and many times even share the same interests, as seen at this website and many others like in on the web. I can totally understand the aprehension of the Europeans regarding the missiles in Poland, and I remember a Cuban incident that was not tolerated by American when the tables were turned the other way. How can I expect one to live or follow a different standard that I do?
As stated, I too have learned much about the Russia's involvment in the second world war through my interest in this sim, which is much more than that, but is truly a gateway for international relationships and understanding. I just hope I am able to teach my children of some of these valuable lessons of toleration.
Baghr
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