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Post by gatheringking on Aug 16, 2009 0:25:44 GMT -5
I know that this might not be the most soldier-friendly forum but, I'm just curious if there are any other enlisted men or women around. I'm not trying to start a pro-war, anti-hippie or political thread with this question. I'm just curious about the possible make-up of military folks in a predominantly "leftist" scene/forum. Regardless of political stances, I hope that we can all agree (to some extent) that our brave service men and women deserve some recognition.
I'm a Corporal in the Marines. I spent 26 months in Afghanistan(until I shattered my left femur). I was only involved in 9 fire-fights during my tour but, the people I fought beside in those instances were, without any question, the finest people I've ever met. No, they weren't all stereotypical, asskicking, gung-ho rednecks either. They spanned the gamut....and then some. I stood, lived and fought beside some of the bravest Americans there are. I lived with one rapper, four guitarists(I play bass) and a techno producer. Music was a HUGE part of our daily routine. Slayer, Peanutbutter Wolf, Willie Nelson, Jay-Z, Stuck Mojo, Springsteen, Talking Heads, Plastikman, GWAR, Phish, Johnny Cash, Dead Kennedys, Gorillaz, Outkast, The Mars Volta, The Rolling Stones, Built To Spill, Ghetto Boyz, and Boards Of Canada! That was (only a small part of) the soundtrack to our lives over there. And it was what, in NO small part, held us together during some of the roughest nuts you can imagine. Even talking nuts about someone else's band of choice helped keep us sane sometimes. It was beyond horrible at times, but far beyond beautiful at others. And without the music to listen to, remember, talk about and plan on seeing, many of us wouldn't have made it through some of those nights.
Again, from what I learned over there, I know I can't be alone here. If I am, I'm sorry for the rant but, I think you guys need to know who's on the front lines.
Last Edit: Aug 16, 2009 2:21:33 GMT -5 by gatheringking - Back to Top
Post by luciddream5 on Aug 16, 2009 0:52:20 GMT -5
I support the troops. I myself have never been in the military but I have had family in every war that this country has fought in. My dad was in Desert Storm. I remember when he left, I was still pretty young. For the longest time I didn't understand where my dad had went.
My uncle Trent has been over in Iraq for some time now. He has been on at least 4-5 tours already. He first went in as a scout in the Army and then the next few times he went back as security. He was in Blackwater for over a year and now he is working with different contractors.
My grandpa Clark was a paratrooper in the 82nd during WWII. He dropped on D-Day and fought all the way up until just after the Battle of the Bulge and got shot in the hip. He was sent back to England to recover after that. And an issue of Time magazine in which they had a picture of him in it.
But yeah, I could go on...but I won't. I want to thank you also for serving. So thank you.
I didn't think so...or I wouldn't have joined. I just thought I should get that part out of the way quickly. You know, Just in case. ( For the record: I'm a liberal (maybe not a Democrat). I'm pro legalization. I'm pro gay marriage. I believe in health-care reform. I think FOX news is a poison. My girlfriend is African American. I'm pro gun-control. )
Last Edit: Aug 16, 2009 0:59:57 GMT -5 by gatheringking - Back to Top
There's a pretty wide range of political ideologies represented on these boards too. Bonnaroo's not just for hippies anymore.
LOL - yup there are several of us damn conservative type Rethuglicans on here - we just don't come out very often. ;D
Of course, everone keeps saying I am really a hippie Democrap that just won't take the first step out of the closet.
I am a USAF brat and fully support our troops - thank you to everyone who served and/or serves. We have a very good friend in Afghanistan at the moment - Special Forces - I pray that he makes it home safely!
They spanned the gamut....and then some. I stood, lived and fought beside some of the bravest Americans there are. I lived with one rapper, four guitarists(I play bass) and a techno producer. Music was a HUGE part of our daily routine. Slayer, Peanutbutter Wolf, Willie Nelson, Jay-Z, Stuck Mojo, Springsteen, Talking Heads, Plastikman, GWAR, Phish, Johnny Cash, Dead Kennedys, Gorillaz, Outkast, The Mars Volta, The Rolling Stones, Built To Spill, Ghetto Boyz, and Boards Of Canada! That was (only a small part of) the soundtrack to our lives over there. And it was what, in NO small part, held us together during some of the roughest nuts you can imagine. Even talking nuts about someone else's band of choice helped keep us sane sometimes. It was beyond horrible at times, but far beyond beautiful at others. And without the music to listen to, remember, talk about and plan on seeing, many of us wouldn't have made it through some of those nights.
Again, from what I learned over there, I know I can't be alone here. If I am, I'm sorry for the rant but, I think you guys need to know who's on the front lines.
That is a very touching statement. It brought tears to my eyes.
I didn't think so...or I wouldn't have joined. I just thought I should get that part out of the way quickly. You know, Just in case. ( For the record: I'm a liberal (maybe not a Democrat). I'm pro legalization. I'm pro gay marriage. I believe in health-care reform. I think FOX news is a poison. My girlfriend is African American. I'm pro gun-control. )
My kind of guy.
Yeah, there are lots of military and former miltary on here (at least among us older folks.) Most of my "liberal" friends are former military.
And you know I've never met anyone who was not pro-soldier.
BTW I'm former Army(peacetime thank God), my 3 brother were Army (Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Cold War Berlin), Dad was in WW2, Granddad in WW1. And my wife's brother did 3 tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan as Marine Recon.
I am not sure being liberal means you do not support our military. I have always supported the troops, and never have held the fact that I did not support their mission against them. To me if you do not like what the military is doing you go after the politicians not the men doing their job.
Out of curiosity, other than being a left leaning board, why did you think we would have a problem with a service member? Bonnaroo, and this board are both at least partially about embracing diversity of opinion and character, and I think both reflect that in their makeup. Last year I was actually camped in VIP next to a young Lieutenant on leave from Iraq, other than asking us not to eat our corn very close to him, there were no problems, and we actually had a pretty in depth intelligent discussion about global politics.
I am not sure being liberal means you do not support our military. I have always supported the troops, and never have held the fact that I did not support their mission against them. To me if you do not like what the military is doing you go after the politicians not the men doing their job.
Out of curiosity, other than being a left leaning board, why did you think we would have a problem with a service member? Bonnaroo, and this board are both at least partially about embracing diversity of opinion and character, and I think both reflect that in their makeup. Last year I was actually camped in VIP next to a young Lieutenant on leave from Iraq, other than asking us not to eat our corn very close to him, there were no problems, and we actually had a pretty in depth intelligent discussion about global politics.
I may have mis-typed when I said that this board might not be "soldier-friendly", and for that I apologize. I'm (was) a soldier, but I'm also a hardcore liberal, so I know that liberals aren't all anti-military. However, after 3 trips to Bonnaroo, I have noticed a decidedly anti-war and anti-establishment vibe among many of the people in the jam/festy scene(which are both more than understandable to me). I just wanted to be cautious in my approach when starting this thread. It wasn't my intention to come across as defensive at all. I was just trying to address what I thought was a very possible attitude towards me being a Marine. Like I said in an earlier post, If I thought that you guys were all raging, "fuck-the-troops" nutjobs, I wouldn't have joined the board in the first place. I just wanted to address that concern right away. Does that make sense?
PS- So far, you guys and gals have made me feel very welcome and right at home. Thank you.
Last Edit: Aug 17, 2009 21:53:35 GMT -5 by gatheringking - Back to Top
Post by nitetimeritetime on Aug 17, 2009 22:33:21 GMT -5
I hear you GK, it's always a good idea to get a sense of the community so you don't unknowingly irk people.
My RL friends and I are about as liberal as they come, and like Troo I've never actually met anyone who was anti-soldier. Anti-war, sure, but I don't know anybody in this day and age who blames troops for the wars they're sent to. The ubiquitous phrase "support our troops" that started popping up in 2003 was a rhetorical ploy intended to silence critics of the political decision to invade Iraq by falsely conflating opposition to that war with hatred of soldiers.
As far as being anti-war, I think General H. Norman Schwarzkopf said it best: "Any soldier worth his salt should be anti-war. And yet there are things still worth fighting for."
However, after 3 trips to Bonnaroo, I have noticed a decidedly anti-war and anti-establishment vibe among many of the people in the jam/festy scene(which are both more than understandable to me)..
Well I am decidedly both anti-war, and anti-establishment, I still hold nothing against our troops though, and since I didn't say it before I will now. Thanks for the service you have done for our country, it is certainly more than I have ever decided to give. I was just curious as to your motivation for starting the thread.
On a further note how close to Missouri do you live?
However, after 3 trips to Bonnaroo, I have noticed a decidedly anti-war and anti-establishment vibe among many of the people in the jam/festy scene(which are both more than understandable to me)..
Well I am decidedly both anti-war, and anti-establishment, I still hold nothing against our troops though, and since I didn't say it before I will now. Thanks for the service you have done for our country, it is certainly more than I have ever decided to give. I was just curious as to your motivation for starting the thread.
On a further note how close to Missouri do you live?
Actually, my main motivation in starting this thread was two-pronged. I wanted to see if there were any other service men and women around and I also wanted everyone to know how important music was/is to our brothers and sisters overseas. I'm nowhere near Missouri but, since you appear to be from Nashville, I am curious as to why you'd ask.
^Okay. Now I see. Sorry, but my leg doesn't really allow me to do camping fests anymore. I appreciate the thought, though.
Last Edit: Aug 17, 2009 23:09:58 GMT -5 by gatheringking - Back to Top
Also at least two of our moderators are vets as well. Sorry didn't think about the leg thing, zoe is not the place to be if you have trouble walking, consider yourself invited in spirit though. I forget how accessible Bonnaroo is compared to most festivals.
Last Edit: Aug 17, 2009 23:14:00 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
that's a shame. you could always do the roo hotel package?
and shattering your femur - ow. that happened to my mom in a bad car accident where someone fell asleep at the wheel and drove into her. his giant pickup was no match for my mom's modest mid sized sedan. however, im guessing that is not quite the same as being shot at / blown up. damn.
for the record - i'm and anti war, anti (big) establishment, lefty liberal - but pro-troop. i really dont know how you guys can do it!
i keep hearing that there is a movement in the military to make it almost quasi religious - although not officially - of course. what was your experience with that in iraq / the marines?
Welcome to inforoo! You've found a great community of people, very accepting and kind. I'd say you couldn't find a better group of people, I've been quite open about my military background and have never ran into any disagreements or disgruntled mofo's so enjoy the board, welcome!!
I didn't think so...or I wouldn't have joined. I just thought I should get that part out of the way quickly. You know, Just in case. ( For the record: I'm a liberal (maybe not a Democrat). I'm pro legalization. I'm pro gay marriage. I believe in health-care reform. I think FOX news is a poison. My girlfriend is African American. I'm pro gun-control. )
;D
Don't take that the wrong way. It's just me having fun.
Welcome to inforoo! You've found a great community of people, very accepting and kind. I'd say you couldn't find a better group of people, I've been quite open about my military background and have never ran into any disagreements or disgruntled mofo's so enjoy the board, welcome!!
Thanks, Brother! It's really good to know I'm not alone here! OORAAH!
i keep hearing that there is a movement in the military to make it almost quasi religious - although not officially - of course. what was your experience with that in iraq / the marines?
For fear of insulting or dishonoring my brothers and sisters, I don't really want to go deep into this one. I hope you understand. I will say that religion was a pretty big part of the experience. There was organized prayer and an expectation that we were all on the same page spiritually but, nothing was ever forced on us. I think when you're dealing in life-or-death matters, people will always tend to gravitate towards whatever comforts and unites them the most.
Also, for the record, I served in Afghanistan. And my injuries were not the result of enemy (or friendly) fire. As unextraordinary as it may sound, I was actually just run over by an arguably under-trained forklift driver.
^^You were still injured while serving. Most people don't realize that military service is dangerous even in peacetime. I know several people injured and one killed in the military while never seeing enemy fire.
Hope you can find a way to make Roo in the future.
Post by luciddream5 on Aug 20, 2009 9:08:25 GMT -5
In 2007 when the Flaming Lips played they spoke for quite awhile about the war. I remember him saying how he wished we could get out of this war and that maybe next year we will see their faces here at bonnaroo and not still over there. Something along those lines...I just remember that really touched me when he said that. We even took a moment of silence and I couldn't help but get emotional.
I'm anti-war, anti-establishment, and I guess as far as political you could call me left.
I've been to six 'Roos so far, the first one I went to was my Dad's idea, and he bought our tickets and set everything up while I was STILL IN Iraq. I got back in March of 2005 after an intense 8 months. We were directly involved in the takeover of Fallujah and I lost four buddies on the first day of that invasion. But, to get back on track, my first Roo in June 2005 was immediately following my return home, my dad set it up because he thought it would be a perfect wind down, which it was. I showed up on the farm with a high and tight, dogtags still on and that jittery/nervous/anxious feeling coursing through my body. I was most nervous about the large crowds and such... It took me maybe 1/2 a day to get accustomed to the laid back, peaceful feeling of the farm and I was good. Started mixing up some Jack and Cokes and burned a little corn and was extremely comfortable. 'Roo was my letdown from war, and the people I shared it with helped it to be that way as well as the Roo community and everything that encompasses it. I know a lot of you are anti-establishment and anti-war, and I respect that to the fullest, personally I am not for war either, but the troops, I will die for.
Post by StreetBum87 on Sept 9, 2009 10:34:01 GMT -5
i respect the men and women within our military. i have a buddy who gets back i think on october 2nd...it might be the 1st. but this will be the first time seeing him in a year, and i can not wait for it. i salute you and all military men and women.
I've been to six 'Roos so far, the first one I went to was my Dad's idea, and he bought our tickets and set everything up while I was STILL IN Iraq. I got back in March of 2005 after an intense 8 months. We were directly involved in the takeover of Fallujah and I lost four buddies on the first day of that invasion. But, to get back on track, my first Roo in June 2005 was immediately following my return home, my dad set it up because he thought it would be a perfect wind down, which it was. I showed up on the farm with a high and tight, dogtags still on and that jittery/nervous/anxious feeling coursing through my body. I was most nervous about the large crowds and such... It took me maybe 1/2 a day to get accustomed to the laid back, peaceful feeling of the farm and I was good. Started mixing up some Jack and Cokes and burned a little corn and was extremely comfortable. 'Roo was my letdown from war, and the people I shared it with helped it to be that way as well as the Roo community and everything that encompasses it. I know a lot of you are anti-establishment and anti-war, and I respect that to the fullest, personally I am not for war either, but the troops, I will die for.
What an awesome Dad you have, to know the power of roo!
I've been to six 'Roos so far, the first one I went to was my Dad's idea, and he bought our tickets and set everything up while I was STILL IN Iraq. I got back in March of 2005 after an intense 8 months. We were directly involved in the takeover of Fallujah and I lost four buddies on the first day of that invasion. But, to get back on track, my first Roo in June 2005 was immediately following my return home, my dad set it up because he thought it would be a perfect wind down, which it was. I showed up on the farm with a high and tight, dogtags still on and that jittery/nervous/anxious feeling coursing through my body. I was most nervous about the large crowds and such... It took me maybe 1/2 a day to get accustomed to the laid back, peaceful feeling of the farm and I was good. Started mixing up some Jack and Cokes and burned a little corn and was extremely comfortable. 'Roo was my letdown from war, and the people I shared it with helped it to be that way as well as the Roo community and everything that encompasses it. I know a lot of you are anti-establishment and anti-war, and I respect that to the fullest, personally I am not for war either, but the troops, I will die for.
That's great, but if your first Roo was in 2005 you haven't made it to more than five yet.
