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Another night before Christmas

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by tig2 2 views

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TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.

This poem was written by a Marine.

I don't know about any of you. I needed to open a fresh box of
Kleenex for this one.

102 replies

by captbilly1eye

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these invaluable, special people who have sacrificed so much would get. It does not matter if you agree with war, or not, just remember they are fighting for what they feel is right. When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20307-5001

Feel free to pass this along via email.

I'm sending a stack of cards.
I challenge others to do the same.

by tig2

I have a box of Christmas cards handy and will happily
send them. I appreciate the address, Capt!

Let me back this one-
If you made a donation to the 3 Day, I will send one in
YOUR name. You guys raised nearly $2000- almost
$1000 in less than one hour. I may get writers cramp but
I am happy to do that.

Christmas flat sucks scissors if you are active and away
from home on Christmas. In the ten years I was married
to my ex, he didn't manage to be home for Christmas
much. I know for a fact how much your outreached hand
means at the holidays.

by nicknielsen

My first 8 years in the USAF, I was at 24-hour sites; I was also single.

In almost every 24/7 shop I was in, the holiday schedule was 14 days of 12-hour shifts, 7-on/7-off, with Christmas and New Year's the fourth day of the seven. The single troops would usually volunteer to work Christmas week so those with families could celebrate the day with their families.

What we got in return was New Year's week to party. Also, the married troops would each invite one or two of the singles over for a home-cooked Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. (Once, it was even delivered hot to the site.)

I'm still not sure which I appreciated more, the meal or the party time, but I always thought it was a pretty good exchange.

by cupcake

My years in the Army during the holidays, I did the same, as I wasn't Christian. In turn, someone always covered for me for my holidays.

And thanks Tig for the poem... it touches everyone, not only those who celebrate the holiday. I'll be adding a few notes to the mail for those recovering as well.

by jessie

I'll see if I can't get a gang from work to write a card... Or maybe I'll just get a bunch of cards addressed and make them all sign one.

by michael jay

very nice, reading it was not quite Kleenex time, almost but not quite.

Tink's video link got me.

by tig2

I had never seen this before and happened across it on
another forum. I guess I'm a big baby- I could hardly read
the end through the tears.

I'm going to print it out and take it to my Uncle's grave after
Christmas. Seems like the right thing to do.

by tink!

It's basically just a narration put to music, but just the way it's done - it gets ya in the heart every time.

by michael jay

Manheim Christmas CD's, just edited the post, had the wrong one. Too early for Christmas lights anyway.

by jamesrl

...had the same thought there.....the title of her post is...um...possibly salacious?

Oh I'm glad its Tammy not Mae....

James

by jamesrl

Thank that will get her attention? She was ignoring the last lure we threw in the pond.

James

by Tammy.Cavadias

starts singing at the top of her lungs...

::::Gonna wash them thoughts right out of your brain... gonna wash them thoughts right out of your brain....::::

There... all nice and clean ;) :p

-Tammy :-)

by oz_media

I'm gonna toss chunks.

First of all, while people get visions of soldiers in Iraq, this was written by a soldier in Okinawa, Japan (circa 1993)

Here's another if you enjoy this crap:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/glurge/different.asp

The poem is terribly rewritten to simply spew a bunch of weepy-eyed thoughts about a Christian icon delivering gifts to a soldier.

Give me a break.

Yeah, those poor hard done by soldiers, what a horrific place that WE sent them to because we were lied to and feared for our lives. (note I am saying WE because I think all people, whether for it or not, have accepted this retarded war now, too late not to).

Sorry, I don't mean to sound cold and uncaring, because I actually DO care that we elect leaders that send good men and women to stupid wars, but this is just pathetic.

One minute it's "We aren't gonna take that, lets kick some turban a$$!! Blow the bastards up!"

Then it's Santa weeping over a soldier as he lies in his dirt home in the cold.

Shoulda 'kin though of that before flying the rally flag I guess. Did you think they were staying at the Holiday Inn Downtown Baghdad for a week ot two then flying home after a few days in the hot desert sun? A good friend just came back from Baghdad where he was rebuilding a network infrastructure. He said they were all like gung-ho testosterone junkies, ready to kill some "Sand ni**ers".

For Chr**** sake people! Get with the program, its a frickin' war that YOU started by invading their country for noncompliance of YOUR imposed sanctions, even though he claimed to have complied [b]and you still haven't proven otherwise.[/b]

Give your frickin' heads a shake and wake up.

Sorry but I am sick of such teary eyed, poor little solder BS.

They WANT to go and shoot 'towel heads', they spew it proudly, and with all the racism they can muster all the time.

"That's what we do, we are trained to kill people, I don't want to sit here in America when I should be out there killing people"

Where's the macho BS now? Up Santa's arse?

Give me a break

You want to remeber and recognize yoru fallen soldiers each Christmas, that's great send your love and support. But these stupid little poems, aimed and tearing the heart strings of the suckers that were lied to, are just annoying.

by jellimonsta

Sorry Oz, I think you are being a tad presumptuous to label all armed forces as racist, gung-ho testosterone junkies.
[q] A good friend just came back from Baghdad where he was rebuilding a network infrastructure. He said they were all like gung-ho testosterone junkies, ready to kill some "Sand ni**ers" [/q]
I highly doubt even a large percentage fall into that catagory. IMHO.

by oz_media

"Sorry Oz, I think you are being a tad presumptuous to label all armed forces as racist, gung-ho testosterone junkies."

Correct, and that's why I didn't "label all armed forces as racist, gung-ho testosterone junkies."

Read it again.

With respect to your humble opinion, which of course you are more than entitled to;
Ever watched any of the footage of reporters supposedly on the front lines? I think sand 'ni**er' or 'f-in towel head' is used by troops more often than 'sir'.

I can understand why they have this agreesion; they are being shot at and their friends/brothers in arms are being killed for no logical reason at all, other than the fact that your government sent them there to fight and die.

Its not the solders I resent at all, but I also don't buy into the pity crap either.

No, I don't think they have an easy task, no I don't think they are living in the lap of luxury, no, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes and no, I didn't vote for Bush nor support this pathetic war to begin with either.

Especially after reading/receiving endless taunts and coward accusations for not supporting it to begin with. I am a bad Canadian for nto supporting my country, I'd allow terrorists to walk in and kill my family, I am a terrible citizen for not backing my country, I've even been called a supporter of terrorists (one guy even saying he'd notify Homeland Security, because I support terrorism if I don't support the war in Iraq, fool).

No, I wouldn't knowingly allow my family to be killed by a tyrannical leader but that doesn't mean I should go to war in Iraq either.

by captbilly1eye

I had been deceived by many of your recent posts that you may possess some amount of intelligence. I have been proven wrong again.

Of course many of us recognize the poem was a repeated and albeit sappy one. (yes. others are aware of Snopes). The fact that a member wanted to express her concern for our servicemen and felt she wanted to pass along that sentiment was enough for me. Evidently not enough for you to keep your hateful opinions to yourself and instead attempt to destroy a sincere request. A simple request for the support of those serving their country through military service.

Oh yes... I forgot. You were in the service at one time and therefore represent everyone who has ever served in the military. The majority of US servicemen are Christian, BTW.

How big you must feel to attack someone for expressing a heart felt sympathy toward our troops. Yes. You must be right. Wanting to show those people appreciation using a Christian reference or icon must be a bad thing and deserves punishment!

Thanks again for sharing your deep insightfulness and compassion!

Too bad the rest of us cannot be as easily guided by our bias and ignorance. Wouldn't it be such a better world?!?

Thanks again for straightening us all out on this one.

by oz_media

[i]"I had been deceived by many of your recent posts that you may possess some amount of intelligence. I have been proven wrong again."[/i]

Offering something you disagree with, pertains to a lack of intelligence....on MY part. LOL

[i]"The fact that a member wanted to express her concern for our servicemen and felt she wanted to pass along that sentiment was enough for me. Evidently not enough for you to keep your hateful opinions to yourself and instead attempt to destroy a sincere request."[/i] concern for servicemen? It was a poem about Santa visiting a soldier, had nothing to do with "concern about servicemen."

HATEFUL opinion, I expressed hate towards NOBODY, ESPECIALLY your soldiers. Remember YOU commented on intelligence, apparently you have some reading difficulties.

[i]"A simple request for the support of those serving their country through military service."[/i]

Nope just an old sappy poem, requests to support troops came later. I made no comment for or against the idea, as I do support the troops without crying about their choices in life.

[i]"How big you must feel to attack someone for expressing a heart felt sympathy toward our troops. "[/i]

Well I would if that's what I had done but it had NOTHING to do with attacking someone for supporting your troops, especially Tig. It was just a weepy, 'poor them' post.
Support? That's not support its just a way of dealing with knowing how wrong it is that they are there to begin with. How does a poem on the internet SUPPORT anyone fighting in the Middle East, even if they read it? Don't bother, it just doesn't.

Its the whole 'OUR poor troops' routine that I tire of, don't hear it anywhere else in the world that send their citizens to die, just America. "We want to go to war, OOOH the poor people are at war!"

[i]"Thanks again for sharing your deep insightfulness and compassion!"[/i]

You are more than welcome, however personal thanks are not needed, perhaps just a rewritten version of a poem or Christmas story will help me get over it.

[i]Wanting to show those people appreciation using a Christian reference or icon must be a bad thing and deserves punishment![/i]
This isn't showing ANYONE appreciation, its just about feeling sorry for the troops, its SELF satisfying.

[i]Too bad the rest of us cannot be as easily guided by our bias and ignorance. Wouldn't it be such a better world?!?[/i]

Yeah, and sitting around and crying about the horrible world has solved so many problems over time.

[i]Thanks again for straightening us all out on this one.[/i]

Straightening you out? Did someone say get bent before I did?

by jdclyde

Now that you have finished intentionally insulting Tig and anyone else who was not offended by what she posted, the question is, what exactly did you get out of your post?

Your post was quite ugly, and completely unprovoked. Are you really that angry inside?

Get councilling. You have some real anger issues you need to work out.

by tink!

I don't believe this poem makes the soldier, or what he stands for, seem sappy. The santa weeping is the sappy part - and it symbolizes our (the common citizen's) empathy for the fact that there are many of our sons, daughters, fathers and mothers on duty and not able to be home for the holidays.

The soldier in this poem says that life was his choice. This presents him as strong and steadfast, unwavering in his purpose.

The poem does not point out any particular war, or target and therefore has a very generalized theme. This has allowed it to be passed around again and again for many years. Although the wars/targets may change each year, the situation is the same. There are soldiers out there, who chose to be soldiers, and because of their choice, they are not home for the holidays. When you become a soldier, you do so knowing the chances that you may be on duty during holidays. Whether or not the reasons for you being on duty are validated or not is not the issue, at least not with this poem anyway.

That's what I feel. :)

by oz_media

At least you don't seem to see it as a personal attack on you, as so many have come running to your defense over.

I just can't STAND such crap though, there's no place for it, if you want to respect and feel sorry for teh soldiers at war, by all means do so, a poem adds nothing to that though it is just a poem written to get the heart strings and perhaps make someone famous for writing it, it is no Flanders Fields though.

all this about soldiers going out there because its their choice, etc.
Yeah, exactly so sit at home and make the most of the life you have been left to live.

Passed around for many years?

I've heard it two, perhaps three times in teh last 10 years and each time it seems to change somewhat to become less and less specific in an effort of making it timeless.

"The soldier in this poem says that life was his choice. This presents him as strong and steadfast, unwavering in his purpose."

Do you hear a choir humming God Bless America in teh background of that statement?

Nobody is discounting your or anyone else's soldiers. Just this patriotic poem.

You will never get me to see the side of war that needs people at home crying over and feeling sorry for the men and women who fight.

I respect and value solders as much as anyone, I just don't think I need to feel for them.

I have spoken to many a vet from WWII, the last really worthy war, and understand what they did to make MY life better while sacrificing their own, but that's it.

I pay my respects to the fallen, then I stand up tall and get on with my life.

i don' tbuy into teh poems and partiotic songs and crap that we are fed to make us feel sorry for men who by choice, and usually with a lot of Hoo-rah to back it, have taken on this duty that so many millions of others have done over time. Its a fact of life, we have military and they are often at war, it their job.

Nobody writes a poem when someone loses their job or makes great personal sacrifices to feed and raise their kids.

I feel more pain for the women who gets her faced punched for not having dinner on the table when her drunk husband comes home to beat her and the kids each night, but still no poem.

My heart goes out to the elderly who are in constant pain and still smile at children and offer cheer as they stroll in the park. but again, no poem.

My heart goes out to my mother for all teh things she has lived through, a war, a divorce and endless daily hirdles that she scaled in order to make my life as good as she possibly could for me, she would give her lif eany day to save mine, still no poem.

I'd write her eone but I think she'd look at it and say "Thanks, that's nice" while thinking, 'what a lot of rot and drivel, who needs that weepy crap!'

So I don't need to have the soldiers hardships and some form of guilt put upon me to make me appreciate what they do.

It has nothign to do with you, as I think you figured out (with your being a little quicker to the draw than most others here)but I just don't see a reason to constantly pine over soldiers who accept a job offer and go to work.

Respect? the utmost respect.

Bleeding heart? No, sorry.

by tig2

You are more than welcome to share my bunker on this one.
I'll put on a nice pot of coffee.

by Former member

My scared feeling of below discussions which you bring is more than mine to death.

I know you care about your neighbor, but sometimes you really need to care the tone.

by oz_media

I don't need luck Bighair, I've been playing this game for years now.

Its all a game and just a heap of fun, see how they all huddle together and side with each other with the mentality that it makes them stronger.

A few people have caught on though and just wait it out, knowing better.

I wouldn't let yourself get wrapped up in it though.

by jellimonsta

You didn't exactly espouse you disagree with your friends sentiments that 'all of them' are like that.
Also, I can't really say I have watched the footage of reporters on the frontlines as I find most new reports too slanted to be viable news, and find them more 'opinion'.
I never for a moment thought you believed all armed forces personel to be racist, but I just felt you had painted with way too broad a stroke.

by oz_media

When I say Americans are fat, do you REALLY think that I am saying ALL Americans or even the MAJORITY of Americans are fat?

If someone says, I like to drive all the time.

Do they REALLY mean they want to drive ALL the time and never stop, eat rest, etc.?

When someone says "I was at school and everyone was complaining about the food in the cafeteria" do they REALLY mean EVERYONE was complaining? Or do they mean, a great deal of those who were in the cafeteria were complaining?

But if I say a friend said "they were all" then that is instantly defended by you because not ALL soldiers are that way.

When a reporter is on the front lines and 6 guys in a Hummer are all using racist taunts because they are fueled on adrenalin, does that mean ALL soldiers in Iraq are doing it?

Exactly, so why the defense on a third party comment, just because it was about Americans.

If I had said, all the Afghans were shouting "Down with Obama", I don't think I would have seen a single keystroke form any Americans here, when such a comment is just as contestable in every way, however bring America into it and the instant defense shield goes up, "HELP, SOMEONE IS ATTACKING US, SEND IN THE MILITARY!"

Settle, nobody was having a go at you, Jelli.

Have you really been in America so long that you think in reverse, like an American, now?

by jdclyde

Is hardly a racial slam.

And there was someone on this board that DID mention it when global enemy number #2 made racial slams against Obama being the house negro/slave.

It was you that followed up and rationalized away what he said.....

or was "I don't think I would have seen a single keystroke form any Americans here" just another generalization?

by jdclyde

If a post/title can be "taken" more than one way, plan in it going "The wrong way".... :D

by captbilly1eye

So.... who pi$$ed in your Wheaties today, little man?

That fact that you cannot see your post as an attack on the post-er is a clear indication of your ignorance. Clear as day!

Yours is a case of self-absorbed arrogance that is only surpassed by an uncontrollable desire to spew uneducated political opinions at every opportunity. Your schtick is tiresome.

Don't worry, though Ozzie, it really doesn't matter. If there IS a Santie Claus, I'm sure he has a rotten tomato or lump of coal reserved with your name on it.

-

by oz_media

If I was having a go at Tig, I would have done so without sidling around, as so many do.

I would have called Tig out on it, instead I simply commented on the poem she had found online, NOT tig, you'll understand the difference when your emotions mellow and you start thinking rational thoughts again.

That teary eyed, poor old sodier sh1t makes me puke. There's no draft, people volounteer and HOO-RAH off they go to kill terrorists, or so they are told anyway.

I couldn't give a rats arse what you think of my or my comments, especially when they are neither directed at your nor for your benefit, you just decided to take a stand for a peer, who I hadn't even mentioned in my post. Do yuo REALLY think that I would attack someone and not make it VERY clear who I was targeting?

I don't blame soldiers, I don't blame Tig, but I am also British, stiff upper lip and all that, suck it up and get on with it.

This weeny weeping over poems is just stupid in my eyes, I won't apologize if you just don't get it and prefer to have a little weepy weep and feel better that you at least think you care more than others do.

If you think that crying about the people you supported going to war, for the wrong reasons, is a way of showing that you care, you have a lot to learn.

To suggest that someone not following the sobbing and regret does not care about the soldiers or the war they are fighting is simply clueless.

Remember I am from a country that has suffered war, more war than you can imagine and more terrosism than has hit the US EVER.

How about the Taliban bombed New York endlessly, every night with thousands of bombs for a month. Every day you get up go to work and go straight to a bomb shelter to listen to more shelling ALL night long EVERY night.

That is war, and people weren't crying over poems or dead parents in the streets, getting together to have a big hartfelt sob for the boys. "Shine your shoes and get on with it", soft hearted people at home helps nobody.

Perhaps it's another reason you just don't get it.

Seriously, my mum lived through the London Blitz as a little girl, she would roll her eyes and laugh at the way you lot carry on.

Now pull up your socks and get on with your day, otherwise soldiers will come home to a country that has fallen apart while they were gone.

by captbilly1eye

There's no bigger target here than you little buddy.

It's your lack of originality and restraint topped with a healthy portion of unwarranted arrogance that causes so many to react. But that's your schtick. Although I, like many others, have chosen to tolerate it and simply avoid a confrontation with a clown, I was unable to resist this recent and blatant attack. It's sad you still don't see how your original post served as nothing more than a pathetic attempt to drown out someone's positive intent.

The opening alone was enough to elicit a reaction since coming from you, if not for the content, would have been laughable.
- [i]"First of all, while people get visions of soldiers in Iraq, this was written by a soldier in Okinawa, Japan (circa 1993)
Here's another if you enjoy this crap:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/glurge/different.asp"[/i]

Fortunately for you, others have not been so critical of your posts. example:
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=277867&messageID=2632012
Too bad you didn't Google the first few lines of the 'Ice Cream' story. How embarrassing for you. But then again, I suppose it's difficult for someone so unoriginal to catch unoriginality in others.

Yea... It's OK, OZ, Keep telling yourself (and try to convince others) that your post was merely meant to be a statement against what you see as disgusting sentiment. I'm sure TiggerTwo appreciates your heart-felt contribution. I know I do.
Seeing how you treat your friends, I'm certainly glad I ain't one!

Now I will just go back to ignoring you.

by nicknielsen

Somebody is going to call it a duck.

[i]Well I would if that's what I had done but it had NOTHING to do with attacking someone for supporting your troops, especially Tig.[/i]

It sure looked like an attack on something.

by oz_media

YOu are a bottom feeding tosser.

That would be a direct insult.

I think Tig knows I wasn''t attacking her, but the BS poem that was being wept over. I can't even believe that a soldier wrote such tripe, I wonder if it was the B (Brokeback) company.

There's no time for tears and bleeding hearts in times of war, get on with it and keep it to yourself, we've all got our problems to deal with while the soldiers are at war.

It was definitely an attack, on the poem and whining about the poor soldiers; not Tig in any way, shape or form.

Have a complaint about it? Tell someone who actually cares.

by nicknielsen

I am not, and never have been, a tosser! ;)

I agree with you on the poem. Snopes' word "glurge" perfectly describes this kind of stuff. And there's all kinds of glurge. In my 24 years in the USAF, I attended many retirement and memorial ceremonies. At almost every one since 1983, the "theme" song has been Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." I love my country, but I [u]hate[/u] that song.

by jdclyde

it is a country song, so it is suppose to make you feel that way, with a touch of nausea, just like all country "songs"...... ;\

Oh, and ignore the dogs from next door "singing" along..... they like it and only SEEMS like they are in pain. Ignore the blood dripping from their ears as well, as that is how they show how much they like a sound and is perfectly normal.....

by jdclyde

Sweet, lovable, non-dissing me? :p

I haven't given Tammy a hard time since the last time I did.... ;\

by oz_media

a House or negro slave?

the problem with that is teh same as the problem with teh many bibles people believe in. they were all bad translations from an ancient language that has many English words than can replace each Hebrew word.

This is not something I am even SEMI interested in discussing though, I don't even know what you are contesting, it was a friday yuk. If you want to have a hissy fit over something or split hairs for a couple of weeks over verbage, enjoy it, you can get two logins and argue with yourself, probably just as conctructive if you don't already do that anyway just so you can create arguments by yourself.

Really starting to bore me JD.

by oz_media

"It's Bad For Ya" It seems it was filmed 3 mos before he passed (RIP Georgie!!).

He did a great piece on patriotism and rights.
"There ARE no rights, just privileges. If you believe in rights, Google 'Japanese Americans 1942' THESE were Americans who were stripped of any rights in order to suit the need of the day. It happens all teh time, rights are removed, stepped on, ignored etc.

He also did a piece on Anthems and patriotic songs and sayings. "God bless America, WHY?" Do you really think God is keeping track of 200 countries and has chosen out of ALL countries to bless only America? "

"Why, because you have the most money, the biggest military? Why would God only bless America and not your chosen enemies?"

I always liked Carlin, straight up and to the point, doesn't believe in God and doesn't let 'God' cloud his ability to think logically, has great reasons for not following the mass insanity that stops us from progressing as a civilization. Doesn't believe in authority, doesn't LIKE people etc.

He's was just so matter of fact and real abotu the way he saw things without the BS. I'm sure he would have a similar opinion of this poem too, and probably far more offensive to others than my own.

and speaking of tossing:
A kid walks into the optometrists because he thinks he's got something in his eye. The doctor pops out to the waiting room to have a quick look and he is examining the kid's eyes, he says, "You have to stop masturbating!"

The kid asks, "why, am I going blind?"

Doctor: "No, but your making the patients in the waiting room uncomfortable"

by cmiller5400

Are you saying that you don't feel for the soldier that misses his son/daughter's birth? The solder that misses his kid's first birthday or first steps? What about the soldiers that just plain old miss their family's? Should you not feel for them because "it was their choice"?

I'm sorry. Any human being with an ounce of empathy would feel something, maybe not a "bleeding heart" like you describe but something. I don't cry over it but I feel for them.

by oz_media

First of all, I have not said here nor anywhere else that I don't feel for soldiers, thats your brilliant deduction, run with it, make what you wish of it.

You, with your crap sling about children's first steps, and missing families, whatever, I haven't said ANY of that you have fabricated it all yourself, 100% self created BS.

It has NOTHING to do with empathy at all, NOTHING. I have empathy for many people and I have yet to write a poem about how valiant they are or how they miss their families.

A friend of mine just returned from 2 years in Agfhanistan, as a network contractor, he missed his childs birth and recently her first steps, nope nobody wrote a poem for him, was it because he was there but not killing anybody for his country?

My dad was in the RAF in Singapore when I was born, nobody wrote him a poem or wept for his loss. My mother certainly didn't feel sorry for herself, and I sure as hell wouldn't want her to either. My dad did come home after his duty and we had a great relationship together, no loss he just didn't have to watch my mom scream blue murder as she popped me out. BIG DEAL!

Many Americans are all about false emotions, false hope, false pride, false partiotism as if that excuses and heals all of their bad karma.

Face it we are just living organisms growing on a rock like the ants, beetles, snakes, whales, trees & flowers, mold, and fungus and all else, just existing and living the best we can until we die, then someone else takes our spot and we are worm food.

Its not a matter of hope, praying, god watching over people or anything else, we just livem then we die. That doesn't mean we can't make teh most out of life and enjoy this tiny blip of time that we have. It doesn't mean we can't strive to suceed or have nothing to live for, it is just reality.

Just like war, humans are destined to start wars, that's what we do for idiotic reasons.

Some of us just move ahead and reallize that no amount of weeping, being upset, writing poems or anything else will resolve these issues, other than to selfishly offer some personal gratification.

I have explicitly explained more than once how I feel and respect soldiers, so don't even pretend to spew your self righteous crap my way, it just doesn't stick.

"I'm sorry. Any human being with an ounce of empathy would feel something, maybe not a "bleeding heart" like you describe but something. I don't cry over it but I feel for them."

exactly, and at what time or point have i said I don't feel something for them ? I have explicitely stated again that I am nto about to cry over them, crying helps NOBODY....EVER.

It has never been a solution to anything nor has crying ever solved a problem, unless from a child trying to win over parents.

Bleeding heart, spare me. Caring doesn't mean I have to get all weepy and feel sorry for them for makign their choices in life, nobody cried when I made my life choices (better bloody not have anyway).

So this whole 'Oz is so mean and uncaring, he doesn't care about poor soldiers', or even more misguided 'he is attacking Tig', is complete 100% horsesh1t.

I've seen other forums and the absoluetly insane comments Americans throw in, and it is no different here, you guys just run with whetever little thought farts through your head and must make it known to all that you are more righteous and caring than others. Tell it to enough people and someone will believe you one day I suppose.

People get so emotional and wrapped up in their self absorbed world of pity that they lose the ability to read and comprehend what people say, they wind up just fabricating comments and summarizing what was said so that it helps them hate someone for not feeling as they do, or on fewer words, its absolute crap. Its either that or you just don't get English at all.

Such as your own comments, you threw out a bunch of assumptions that were not said by me at anytime. Just a result of an overemotional misunderstanding of what was actually said. People have their conclusions and when others don't toe the line and fall into a simmilar place they get upset and offended.

So with that said, GET ON WITH IT!!

There are better issues for you to deal with, more constructive use of your time than to worry about me not caring for soldiers who don't see their baby's first steps; I know I certainly have more to think about.

by cmiller5400

[i]exactly, and at what time or point have i said I don't feel something for them ?[/i]

A quote by [b]YOU[/b]: [i][b]I just don't think I need to feel for them[/b][/i]

That is what I based my response on.

You aren't worth any more of my time. We will agree to disagree on our views.

by oz_media

Just a glance and I read the post, not realizing it was Tink and not Tig. Oh well, should I write a freakin' poem for her then?

And who the 'k are you anyway? What part of anyone's comments have ANYTHING to do with you? You are like one of those little pis$ ant kids that hang around a fight just playing both sides and working the crowd, 'k-off already, you bore and tire me.

If I wanted to waste time walking in circles and splitting hairs, I'd post to you and actually mention your name.

Personally I don't give a flying 'k what you or your mom, or your ex-wife, or your children or your neighbours think, you are just trying to play father figure or big brother to the women of TR, as if they have some need for your protection or benefit from your pathetic reading comprehension skills, which perhaps rival that of a 2nd grader.

In reality it is your own pathetic need to feel needed that leads you to this selfsatisfying world you seem to like living in.

So if Tink wants to correct me, I'm pretty sure shes a grown up woman now and would easily do so herself, if she found it necessary.

If Tig wants to disagree and tell me off, she's a big girl and can do so without your little winging whiny 2 cents.

You want to have a little girl's rally behind the scenes and all say how horrible and uncaring I am, call me a baby raper or whatever makes your feel better about yourselves, pour your tea and do so by PM because I couldn't give a sh1t myself.

Get a life, loser; I really pity women that have to deal with being around you all day, you treat them as if they can't speak or stand up for themselves, you feel a need to coddle and speak up for grown women, which is the biggest turn off for many women anyway, some clingy little loser who is looking for SOME form of self apprectiation and importance in life. I don' tknow if they get off on that 'big man' BS in the US but it doesn't fly up here and I sure as hell aint gonna buy it.

Find another route.

by jdclyde

I have not made any of the other accusations that you just got done crying about.

Not sure what issues in the meat world are getting you down, but it really has you over the deep end. A shame you don't seem to see it, because you normally are only like this about politics, and there is nothing political in this discussion.

Get bored or insult me personally if it floats your boat, I really don't care either way.

by oz_media

You should seek out a job with the Enquirer or Star magazine!

That full sentence, which you cleverly took right out of context was "I respect and value solders as much as anyone, I just don't think I need to feel for them."

So I have clearly explained that I care, but I don't WINGE over them (so, I used the term FEEL as that is what you seem to relate winging over them is).

'Feeling' for someone is not about crying about them or wishing they were at home when they chose to be some other place, that would be rather selfish and uncaring of THEIR choices.

Ever think that maybe SOME of these guys are actually happier with their mates in the army than at home with the wife whining and crying over spilled milk?

I am nto worth any of your time? I didn't ask for, need or want any of your time, you just decided to open your pie hole and have a little bitch session for some insane reason.

You've decided to shut up? Great, thanks for that too.

by oz_media

No, I'll leave that to you, you seem so well versed at it.

What is getting ME down? Nothing, my life's great, I'M not the one in Iraq fighting for some retarded leader that made a grave mistake his country will regret for decades to come.

I'm not teh one who feels such a need for self redemtiopn that I cry over the soldiers I supported bein sent to Iraq because I was scared into submission. I'm not the one living under the presidency of GWB, I'm pretty safe and very happy with my life, it may not suit everyone but it sure isn't anythign for me to complain about, everyone's got problems, mine are not that different afterall.

Get bored or insult me personally? Its hard just keeping up with yours.

To say I am normally like anything is to show that you think you know me, and you obviously do not, so don't bother pretending to be the level headed voice of reason in this, doctor.

Perhaps you've been watching too much celebrity rehab and think you've got personalities all figured out now.
If they don't match your own, they are wrong. You are just so clever, aren't you?

You don't care either way, but your care enough to winge and complain relentlessly along your misguided impression of who I am and what I think.

by oz_media

My last 5 posts for your approval: I figure you can stick your oar in and offer your disapproval and insults to make yourself feel more important.

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=279605&messageID=2647347

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=279605&messageID=2647345

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=279546&messageID=2647344

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=279546&messageID=2647340

https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=279546&messageID=2647336

by captbilly1eye

I really enjoyed reading all your amazingly interesting posts!
Wow! Business must be slow, eh? What a shame! You now seem to have so much extra time to spend in your endless endeavor to convince us Yankeedoodles that as a Canuck you have such a clearer picture of what goes on in the U.S. then we do.

Too bad you don't have a single original thought in either your Big head or your wee little one.

It is kinda strange, though.... sometimes you actually start to sound somewhat rational. Are you Bi-Polar?
... gee... I hope I don't have to get emotional and start to feel sorry for picking on you.

by ontheropes

I know some bipolar people who would be quite insulted to have the great Oz counted as one of them based on his posts here. There's effective medicine for bipolar disorder. Untreated folks may go loop the loop like Oz appears to do to me but WTF do I know?

Feel free Oz. Sue me. Flame me. Big freaking deal.

by maxwell edison

.....that with very few exceptions, I won't come to the defense of anyone if an ensuing flame war (or even a war of words) might result. Moreover, if someone comes after me in the defense of another, I'll not reply.

We are all capable of speaking for ourselves around here; and if someone presumes to speak for another, I'll simply turn it off.

By the way, what are you gonna' add to the coffee?

by tig2

But a reasonably stocked bar if you prefer something else.

I agree, Max.

by oz_media

That you would take fellow, upset Americans under your wing and keep them safe in your bunker, but dont start letting them destroy good alcohol by letting them mix it with coffee; that's acohol abuse and YOU are responsible for anyone that gets hurt.

by shellbot

just the name calling bits..

everyone has thier right to commentary..but when the sand starts to fly out of the sandbox it usually gets yanked..

by jdclyde

At least the BS "nice" rule has been lifted, and we are finally allowed to behave like adults, minus the porn. B-)

by tig2

Oz is welcome to his opinion. Just as I am welcome to mine
and others to theirs. It's an opinion, no more or less.

You are always welcome to hang out in the bunker. Good
people, nice tone. It's working for me.

by shellbot

Ah, I agree with ya..to each thier own..
I just meant that with the whole P$ssy d!ck thing the lads had going on, that I was surprised it didn't get censored :)

by oz_media

pussy, prick, doesn't work unless its censored. :)

Edit: perhaps I was wrong, then. Sorry if I offend, we all know how offensive pussy can be.

by tink!

I want coffee with Irish cream! :D

I said my 2 cents and I'm staying out of the rest, so let me in the cozy bunker - the one with coffee and coffee additives!

by shellbot

nasty nasty

(oh god has another day strated already...when will friday 5pm get here :( )

by oz_media

What a lot of absolute rubbish that last post was.

My friends? Who are you and what the hell do YOU know about my friends?

I have peers online here at TR, but I don't consider acquaintances and online personalities "Friends".

Friends are physical entities with that I see, interact with and share my life with, THIS IS THE INTERNET! Man, you must be one sad and very lonely individual to have 'friends' online. To consiider someone you only interact with in text form to be a 'friend' is ridiculous and should be quite embarassing. That is the reference of a shut-in with NO life and NO real friends.

I don't hate anyone here, in the same sense that they are not really 'friends' either.

How many of yoru 'friends' here can you call on to help you out on the weekend, to help [aint your house or move your furniture, how many help you get up when you fall (besides a few simplistic keystrokes of support)?
If that is REALLY what you consider a friend, it sorta explains your lack of knowledge of what a friend really is, I supose.

Acquaintances, perhaps, PEN PALS more accurately, but FRIENDS? That's pathetic.

I don't have to convince ANYONE of ANYTHING, most certainly not one as lost in his own mothers basement as yourself.

You can dream, you can pretend to be a mind reader, you can pretend to have real friends, but it doesn' tmake it so. I have plenty of friends, and many more I deem acquaintances, why would I possibly have any issue with what YOU feel about me? You don't fall ito eithre category, you are just some je*koff in an internet forum. Which makes your opinion of me less than completely worthless.

by oz_media

You lot just make this site so much fun!

What a bunch of tossers, way to prove your point. LOL :D

You rant about what ONE person says to ANOTHER person when it has abolutely NOTHING to do with you at all.

And to take time to read the links I posted for JD is hilarious, HE didn't even waste his time with it, he KNOWS what I was doing but prbably didn't know some half-witted idiot would take the bait and waste time with it.

Instead of my roasting JD, you two just stepped forward and roasted yourselves! :D

I have a couple of friends who joke about what the morons on TR have been up to the past week and ask me if they mind their logging in as Oz for a bit, which of course I do not. This one will make for a few laughs between races this weekend for sure.

As for being Bi-Polar, in case you haven't realized, even when I've said it, in the past; I am not the ONLY OzMedia that posts here. Its a login that three (sometimes four) people that play with it.

I've been caught out before because one friend types well and had to purposely start mispelling words. In fact this TR Alias started as a psyche project years ago when Max was the chosen target to solve a debate about assumed leadership amongst peers/alpha males.

I have gone away for a week and come back to see that a friend has dragged you all into complete hysteria, which I run with for a bit too.

Even the peer mail acocunt for this login is a generic one used by several people! You are just SO simple and such an easy mark, its pretty boring with you and some others though, but there are a few here who make it interesting still and a few I consider good acquaintances. THEY do know who I am and they know it all funs and games, so pretend to be clever and pretend to know what your talking about, pretend you have 'ME' all figured out, it just makes for more laughs for the rest of us.

OMG, to think you buy into online personalities as 'friends' is just way too much to handle sometimes. How sad is that?

by oz_media

It was just a bit of a 'guy joke', not a very nice one though.
"We all know how offensive p***y ban be." badum-dum, booooo.