Military and Veterens only

Ofcourse they are but the guy that started this thread was asking the opinion of other VETS or Active Duty.  You dont ask an Eskimo how great the weather is in southern Fla. because he couldnt tell you. Ask a Native right?

I am a veteran of the Army.  I served in Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo.  I know what its like to be stuck somewhere without the "support" of the country.  Heck half the time I was surprised to hear that anyone actually payed enough attention to know where Kosovo was located on the map.  Here is my opinion on the matter.

I think the soldiers have done thier job. They did what they were asked to do and more.  Now I support our soldiers to make it home using any means neccessary.  None of this "Shoot only when shot at" crap.  if there is a shot fired at anyone and the troops hear it... well I say they should lay down a wall of lead so thick that every IED in the area will explode prematurely from the sheer magnitude of it.  I support the troops and think its time for them to come home.  That way we can get back to Afganistan.

Think of who is conducting thease polls......MAINSTREAM MEDIA!!!!!!!!

Take it with a grain of salt.............

I think "thanks" are in order, to President William Jefferson Clinton.

Our country is in serious trouble pending a Dem. President. Now is not the time to buy into the "change" rhetoric. If you plan on voting Dem.. please stay home and watch American Idol....

SGT, LRRS 10th Mountain Light Infantry

Greg,

I know exactly what you are saying.  I dont think that anyone is trying to say that the Non - veterans are not welcome or cant say thier own mind.  I think the thread was more of a question to the veterans on the board.  It has been mentioned before that the people who have yet to serve may not have the ability to see a veteran's view as he (or she) has not walked in our shoes.  This for the most part is correct.  I am now a veteran.  I admit I have trouble looking at any issue with the same eyes that I looked at the issue before I joined the Army. 

I find the issue here similar to cancer survivors.  If I have not had to endure the treatments and worry that Cancer survivors have to endure, then I can hardly speak for the ones who are going through treatment now. 

After saying that ... You are correct sir.  We should not take away  the individuals right to speak.  Be it veteran or civilian.

Liberal academics say the same thing about veterans contributing to academic discussions (if you don't have a Ph.D, your opinion can't contribute - what a crock).  I believe that everyone has a right to be heard, and I argue against shutting out veterans from the discussions in academia just as strongly as I argue against shutting out non-veteran viewpoints here.

It is a public board.
Like I said, I did 20 years and retired.  I believe that they have every right to be here, and until the owner of the board decides to limit access, they apparently believe the same thing.

I think the point was already made that "you don't ask an eskimo about the weather in Ft. Lauderdale, FL". I just kinda showed up on the scene, but IMO a thread entitled "vets", discussing issues that only vets would be familiar with, should prob be limited to vets.

I think you are missing the point. No one is denying "non-vets" any constitutional rights. Just simply asking that only vets participate in one thread among thousands.

Apparently they make battery operated chemlights, now. They run on the same "watch" batteries that M68s use.