"I want to go and kill people, so we can go home..."

[IndyOp]

This quote is from a US Marine just before the seige on Fallujah.

It explains quite succinctly why I am a pacifist - war, any war, all war can turn decent kids into...

Tension and anticipation ran high among the young Marines surrounding Fallujah, many of whom have never tasted combat.

''We're ready to go. I'm just ready to get this done. I want to go and kill people, so we can go home,'' said Lance Cpl. Joseph Bowman, 20, from North Zulch, Texas. ''Kill them and go home, that's all we can do now.''

But first, the Marines had a little fun with the horses.

''Friends, Romans, Marines: Lend me your ears for the rules,'' bellowed the master of ceremonies - Capt. Jonathan Vaughn, 30, of Cleveland. ''If all horses die before the finish line, whichever makes it the farthest, wins.''

ANJA NIEDRINGHAUS/The Associated Press - U.S. Marines of the 1st Division try to control a horse as they stage a chariot race reminiscent of the Charlton Heston movie 'Ben-Hur,' complete with confiscated Iraqi horses, on Saturday at their base outside Fallujah, Iraq.Vaughn's rule seemed prudent since some of the horses didn't look in prime racing shape, although none died. And the race didn't come off exactly as planned - one steed turned on its charioteer in the first race and tried to bite the Marine - who fended the horse off with a wooden trident, drawing loud cheers.

Marines blow off steam with chariot race
http://www.fund4horses.org/info.php?id=342

[unpossibles]

1. man

http://www.fund4horses.org/info.php?id=17

crazy. My in-laws raise gaited horses (Rockies) and they are so sweet. I hate to see stuff like this.

[atreides1]

2. "... war, any war, all war can turn decent kids into..."

On what knowledge do you base your assumption that this particular Marine was "decent", or at least your definition of the word.

I am not a pacifist, and I truly believe that talking is better then fighting. But I will not hesitate to fight should the need arise.

[genie_weenie]

3. How many DUers are against our "Current" military

structure? It should be 100%. The way the military has been organized post-Civil War has always indicated it's main goals. Conquer and enforce American Will on those we wish to dominate and exploit. You can call them "Native" North Americans, Nicaraguans, Cubans, Colombians, Filipinos, Hawaiians, Japanese, Okinawans, Vietnamese, US citizens...

Why do people think this is a "new" war? There's nothing a commander from Napoleonic Spain or a Marine General from Luzon circa 1901 or a British officer from the Second Boer War or a Breton partisan in France 1942 wouldn't understand about the tactics being used in Iraq today. Only now an order to "Kill everyone over 10" would, most likely, not be followed.

Doesn't anyone at the DU remember Full Metal Jacket?
What makes the grass grow? Blood, Blood, Blood!
What are Marines and other branches taught? Kill, Kill, Kill!

What were the US armed forces sent into Iraq to do? See above.

What is boot camp all about? Indoctrinate, Indoctrinate, Indoctrinate!

And what's worse are the Mercs we have gallivanting around Iraq and Afghanistan with even more abandon than some units.

This is the State. And when it comes down to the final equation it doesn't matter if the Glorious person in the White House has a {D} or a {R} or a {W} or a {:applause:} behind their name. This is glory of Government which has access to limitless power, a large compliant workforce, no spending caps and a pool of disenfranchised poor people.

[Greyhound]

4. Never, ever, underestimate the efficacy of our military indoctrination

programs. They are derived from thousands of years of experience and have been tweaked for our own purposes for well over two hundred. Objectively, you have to admire any program that can turn an adolescent into willing cannon fodder in a few weeks.