In the military world that I know, there is no such thing as a former Marine or ex-Marine. You are a Marine for life, so either you are an imposter or you resisted becoming a Marine, no small feat, and still served your time. Which is it? And why is anger and invective enjoyable? -- Retired Military Patriot

RMP... that "military world that you know" wouldn't have been in the rear with the gear would it now? A non Marine attempting to tell a Marine what's what, lol. Now, if you are indeed your moniker (and I have no reason to doubt you), you must know that, as a Marine, I find that affront almost intolerably galling.

It is neither here nor there whether you believe me or not but, for the record, you are almost correct. You are correct that there is no such thing as an ex-Marine. Which is why we call ourselves former Marines. "Once a Marine, always a Marine" is true enough but we are not all still active and the "former" label is simply used to identify those who are inactive/retired. It is really only valuable in cases such as this where, if I write "I am a 38 year old Marine," you may conclude that I am still active (it also works when we want to castigate someone for calling us an ex-Marine). The "ex vs. former" may seem like a small distinction but it isn't to us.

I often wonder, if I had it to do over again and I would have had the opportunity to read Gen. Butler's War Is A Racket before I enlisted (instead of well into my 5th year while on a westpac pump), if I would have enlisted at all. Who knows? I was young and stupid and anything was possible. Rest assured I bought in at the time and now, 18 years later, I sometimes question whether I even want the title. C'est la vie...

Anger and invective are not enjoyable. That was just me jabbing at Kitt. They are funny (in a sad sort of way) when folks use them in a defensive manner in an attempt to rattle or hurt you though. I would say that I do appreciate the passion found in both from time to time. People should be angry... no, they should be outraged, so, like I wrote to someone the other day, who was attempting to save Kitt when he had gotten in way over his head, I don't mind a good "fuck you" every now and again. It at least lets me know people still care about things.

So... not sure if I passed the veracity test of the Retired Military Patriot or not but then, I don't really give a shit either.

No offense.

It is not as dependent on the approval or support U.S. citizens for its survival and successful operation as it used to be. For America's Versailles, the U.S. is not so much a home as a host. -- Michael Harold

Very interesting and well said Michael. I think this presents a problem to folks like Glenn and all of those that still believe that the system is ours to control through exposing corruption, letter writing and making demands... that eventually the MI-congressional-executive-complex has to bow to our peaceful calls for change right? This is still the America we think it is right?

Not so much.

I find it hard to believe Bush will allow his wiretapping setup to fall into the hands of a Hillary Clinton, for example. If the Democrats win the Presidency and increase their majorities in Congress, no doubt they will eventually discover just how extensive (and illegal) the wiretapping was. Bush can't let that happen.

I think you guys are kidding yourselves. Discover? What is there left to discover that could possibly make a difference? They already know he has broken the law and dismantled the constitution. They haven't stopped him yet. In fact, they have helped him do it. They have to figure he has been spying on them... on anyone of prominence that might threaten their ideology. The specifics don't really matter when you can see all of this for what it is. Clinton doesn't care and if someone like her is elected there won't be any investigations post BushCo. Bush is more than willing to let Clinton run with it. They might be afraid of someone like Feingold or Kucinich but Clinton? They aren't afraid of Clinton. Hell, many of the inside the beltway wingers are doing write-ups on how Clinton is acceptable. Now why would that be?

It's good that Unclaimed Territory and other blogs are keeping a record. Hooray for the truth... whoo hooo! Perhaps some nation in the future, composed of citizens willing to actually fight for a functioning Republic -- or perhaps even a true Democracy, will benefit from the accounting of the fall of the United States of America.

http://www.chris-floyd.com/content/view/1272/135/

"What is the price-current of an honest man and patriot today? They hesitate, and they regret, and sometimes they petition; but they do nothing in earnest and with effect. They will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy the evil, that they may no longer have it to regret." –Thoreau.