U.S. Clears Soldiers in Italian Agent's Iraq Death
Apr 25, 4:57 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. investigators have found that American troops who shot dead an Italian agent at a Baghdad checkpoint on March 4 committed no wrongdoing and will not be disciplined, an Army official said on Monday.
But Italy disagrees with key findings in the preliminary report by the U.S. military investigators and has balked at endorsing it, added the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. troops fatally shot the Italian intelligence officer, Nicola Calipari, when they opened fire on a car heading for Baghdad airport in which he was escorting Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, a hostage who had just been released.
The friendly fire incident has caused tension between the United States and Italy, one of America's staunchest allies in Iraq. Calipari was fatally wounded as he threw his body over Sgrena to protect her from a hail of bullets. She was wounded but survived.
The Army official said Italy was disputing two factual issues in the report: the speed of the car as it approached the checkpoint; and the nature of communications between the Italians and U.S. forces in Iraq before the incident.
"The soldiers were only complying with the standard operating procedures for those checkpoints, so therefore are not culpable to dereliction of duty (charges)," the Army official said. "Everybody feels terrible about it. But given the climate and the security atmosphere, the security procedures at the checkpoint operations have to be run by the letter."
Wes Adams via ScubaMonster.com wrote:> A word of advise to future peace advocates enter a war zone> are warned to stop their car, and warning shots are fired, STOP!!>
Ever tried to actually inform yourself about the facts?
-- Michael Wolf
-----
Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil?
Horsecollar via ScubaMonster.com wrote:> IMO, they were clearly trying to engineer an incident and got more than> they bargained for... like 1 dead, 1 debunked.>
-JA>
One of your staunchest allies and a buddy of George...yeah, right...
-- Michael Wolf
-----
Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil?
U.S. Clears Soldiers in Italian Agent's Iraq Death>
Apr 25, 4:57 PM (ET)>
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. investigators have found that American troops> who shot dead an Italian agent at a Baghdad checkpoint on March 4 committed> no wrongdoing and will not be disciplined, an Army official said on Monday.>
But Italy disagrees with key findings in the preliminary report by the U.S.> military investigators and has balked at endorsing it, added the official,> speaking on condition of anonymity.>
U.S. troops fatally shot the Italian intelligence officer, Nicola Calipari,> when they opened fire on a car heading for Baghdad airport in which he was> escorting Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, a hostage who had just been> released.>
The friendly fire incident has caused tension between the United States and> Italy, one of America's staunchest allies in Iraq. Calipari was fatally> wounded as he threw his body over Sgrena to protect her from a hail of> bullets. She was wounded but survived.>
The Army official said Italy was disputing two factual issues in the report:> the speed of the car as it approached the checkpoint; and the nature of> communications between the Italians and U.S. forces in Iraq before the> incident.>
"The soldiers were only complying with the standard operating procedures for> those checkpoints, so therefore are not culpable to dereliction of duty> (charges)," the Army official said. "Everybody feels terrible about it. But> given the climate and the security atmosphere, the security procedures at> the checkpoint operations have to be run by the letter.">
So George's close buddy, Berlusconi, is a commie?
-- Michael Wolf
-----
Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil?
Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick 26 April 2005 14:41:56 [ permanent link ]
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message news:426deecf$0$7746$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...> Horsecollar via ScubaMonster.com wrote:> > IMO, they were clearly trying to engineer an incident and got more than> > they bargained for... like 1 dead, 1 debunked.> >
-JA> >
One of your staunchest allies and a buddy of George...yeah, right...
But when you reverse your logic and ask why we would target the Italians that are out staunchest allies and a buddy of George, it all holds credence for you then.
BTW, Marines despise Italian soldiers, and have for half a century.
-- If Ward Churchill can be a college professor, what's David Duke waiting for? - Coulter
Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick 26 April 2005 14:42:48 [ permanent link ]
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message news:426dee9b$0$7746$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...> Wes Adams via ScubaMonster.com wrote:> > A word of advise to future peace advocates enter a war zone> > are warned to stop their car, and warning shots are fired, STOP!!> >
Ever tried to actually inform yourself about the facts?
Compared to you?
That's rich.
-- If Ward Churchill can be a college professor, what's David Duke waiting for? - Coulter
U.S. Clears Soldiers in Italian Agent's Iraq Death> >
Apr 25, 4:57 PM (ET)> >
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. investigators have found that American
troops> > who shot dead an Italian agent at a Baghdad checkpoint on March 4 committed> > no wrongdoing and will not be disciplined, an Army official said on Monday.> >
But Italy disagrees with key findings in the preliminary report by the
U.S.> > military investigators and has balked at endorsing it, added the official,> > speaking on condition of anonymity.> >
U.S. troops fatally shot the Italian intelligence officer, Nicola
Calipari,> > when they opened fire on a car heading for Baghdad airport in which he
escorting Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, a hostage who had just
been> > released.> >
The friendly fire incident has caused tension between the United States
Italy, one of America's staunchest allies in Iraq. Calipari was fatally> > wounded as he threw his body over Sgrena to protect her from a hail of> > bullets. She was wounded but survived.> >
The Army official said Italy was disputing two factual issues in the
report:> > the speed of the car as it approached the checkpoint; and the nature of> > communications between the Italians and U.S. forces in Iraq before the> > incident.> >
"The soldiers were only complying with the standard operating procedures
those checkpoints, so therefore are not culpable to dereliction of duty> > (charges)," the Army official said. "Everybody feels terrible about it.
given the climate and the security atmosphere, the security procedures
the checkpoint operations have to be run by the letter."> >
So George's close buddy, Berlusconi, is a commie?
I believe Scott was referring to "Giuliana Sgrena", a reporter for Il Manifesto - a communist newspaper. I guess it is possible for Giuliana, working for a communist newspaper, and whose father is a member of the communist party to be a Goldwater-type conservative, but I think it more likely that she'd be communist also.
http://www.ilmanifesto.it/pag/sgrena/en/ "The car kept on the road, going under an underpass full of puddles and almost losing control to avoid them. We all incredibly laughed. It was liberating. Losing control of the car in a street full of water in Baghdad and maybe wind up in a bad car accident after all I had been through would really be a tale I would not be able to tell."
Hmmm.....if one is driving slowly, it'd be no problem avoiding puddles of water, y'think?
This is interesting. In the washington post interview, she says "It was not a checkpoint, but a patrol that started firing right after lighting up a spotlight. "
When did you become aware that your car was being fired at?
We had no signal. We were just on the way to the airport. They started to shoot at us without any light or signal. There was no block, there was nothing. It was so immediate. I didn't know how I was alive after all that attack.
Dennis>
-- > Michael Wolf>
----->
Cthulhu For President.> Why settle for the lesser evil?>
Sgrena, a veteran war correspondent for the communist newspaper Il Manifesto, said the findings were even more disappointing than she had expected, given the Americans had initially called the shooting an accident. "Now they're not even talking about an accident, at least according to the reports, but it seems they want to lay all the blame on the Italians," Sgrena told TG3 television.
"Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick" <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote in news:116s6n8fhvmhc66@news.supernews.com:
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> news:426deecf$0$7746$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...>> Horsecollar via ScubaMonster.com wrote:>> > IMO, they were clearly trying to engineer an incident and got more>> > than they bargained for... like 1 dead, 1 debunked.>> >
-JA>> >
One of your staunchest allies and a buddy of George...yeah, right...>
But when you reverse your logic and ask why we would target the> Italians > that are out staunchest allies and a buddy of George, it all holds> credence for you then.
Depends...
BTW, Marines despise Italian soldiers, and have for half a century.
There were no Italian soldiers in the car...
--> If Ward Churchill can be a college professor, what's David Duke> waiting for? - Coulter>
-- Michael Wolf ------------
Cthulhu for President! Why settle for the lesser evil?
"Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick" <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote in news:116s6osq8b0189@news.supernews.com:
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> news:426dee9b$0$7746$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...>> Wes Adams via ScubaMonster.com wrote:>> > A word of advise to future peace advocates enter a war zone>> > are warned to stop their car, and warning shots are fired, STOP!!>> >
Ever tried to actually inform yourself about the facts?>
Compared to you?>
That's rich.
no, that's a good idea.
--> If Ward Churchill can be a college professor, what's David Duke waiting> for? - Coulter>
-- Michael Wolf ------------
Cthulhu for President! Why settle for the lesser evil?
U.S. Clears Soldiers in Italian Agent's Iraq Death>> >
Apr 25, 4:57 PM (ET)>> >
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. investigators have found that American> troops>> > who shot dead an Italian agent at a Baghdad checkpoint on March 4> committed>> > no wrongdoing and will not be disciplined, an Army official said on> Monday.>> >
But Italy disagrees with key findings in the preliminary report by>> > the > U.S.>> > military investigators and has balked at endorsing it, added the> official,>> > speaking on condition of anonymity.>> >
U.S. troops fatally shot the Italian intelligence officer, Nicola> Calipari,>> > when they opened fire on a car heading for Baghdad airport in which>> > he > was>> > escorting Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, a hostage who had>> > just > been>> > released.>> >
The friendly fire incident has caused tension between the United>> > States > and>> > Italy, one of America's staunchest allies in Iraq. Calipari was>> > fatally wounded as he threw his body over Sgrena to protect her>> > from a hail of bullets. She was wounded but survived.>> >
The Army official said Italy was disputing two factual issues in>> > the > report:>> > the speed of the car as it approached the checkpoint; and the>> > nature of communications between the Italians and U.S. forces in>> > Iraq before the incident.>> >
"The soldiers were only complying with the standard operating>> > procedures > for>> > those checkpoints, so therefore are not culpable to dereliction of>> > duty (charges)," the Army official said. "Everybody feels terrible>> > about it. > But>> > given the climate and the security atmosphere, the security>> > procedures > at>> > the checkpoint operations have to be run by the letter.">> >
So George's close buddy, Berlusconi, is a commie?>
I believe Scott was referring to "Giuliana Sgrena", a reporter for Il> Manifesto - a communist newspaper. I guess it is possible for> Giuliana, working for a communist newspaper, and whose father is a> member of the communist party to be a Goldwater-type conservative, but> I think it more likely that she'd be communist also.>
http://www.ilmanifesto.it/pag/sgrena/en/> "The car kept on the road, going under an underpass full of puddles> and almost losing control to avoid them. We all incredibly laughed. It> was liberating. Losing control of the car in a street full of water in> Baghdad and maybe wind up in a bad car accident after all I had been> through would really be a tale I would not be able to tell.">
Hmmm.....if one is driving slowly, it'd be no problem avoiding puddles> of water, y'think?>
This is interesting. In the washington post interview, she says "It> was not a checkpoint, but a patrol that started firing right after> lighting up a spotlight. ">
When did you become aware that your car was being fired at?>
We had no signal. We were just on the way to the airport. They started> to shoot at us without any light or signal. There was no block, there> was nothing. It was so immediate. I didn't know how I was alive after> all that attack.
Strange though that the Italian government isn't agreeing with the US report...probably the other Italian officials were telling the same thing...
-- Michael Wolf ------------
Cthulhu for President! Why settle for the lesser evil?
Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick 26 April 2005 16:07:45 [ permanent link ]
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message news:Xns96448AE46908Bmichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...> "Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick" <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote in> news:116s6rl1fdp45ad@news.supernews.com:>
Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick wrote:> "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> news:Xns96448AE46908Bmichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...>
"Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick" <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote in>>news:116s6rl1fdp45ad@news.supernews.com:>>
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message news:Xns96448AE46908Bmichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...
An Italian secret service man, who freed a hostage and protected her with> his live...how typical of you...
He fell on her after taking a bullet through the head.
After paying kidnappers a ransom, which always a real smart idea.
After speeding up to a check point staffed with American soldiers with orders (and ability) to stop any vehicle that approaches and doesnt slow or ID itself. They dont have to wait to see if you are going to blow them up. Baghdad and all you know.
After being warned and not slowing down.
With the knowledge, one would think, that the sodiers at the checkpoints arent fucking around *at all*. After all, wasnt the commie there to look for stories where innocents were killed at checkpoints for not stopping or slowing down?
And finally, I will add that it wasnt Americans that sent her to Iraq, it wasnt Americans that kidnapped her, and it isnt Americans that are lying.
Scott wrote:> "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> news:Xns96448A34EC86Amichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...>
Depends...>
On whether a bitter Euroweenie like yourself needs another incident to prop> his jealousy on.
No, actually it's some US poster around here that keeps on posting drivel out of some kind of misplaced pride (which seriously inhibits his ability to think clearly)
BTW, Marines despise Italian soldiers, and have for half a century.>>
There were no Italian soldiers in the car...>
There were sure as hell a bunch of American soldiers, werent there?
Your point being?
-- Michael Wolf
-----
Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil?
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message news:Xns96448B8FAAE93michaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...> "Dennis \(Icarus\)" <nojunkmail@ever.invalid> wrote in> news:ac8c2$426e2696$45010e17$1790@KNOLOGY.NET: <snip>>
Strange though that the Italian government isn't agreeing with the US> report...probably the other Italian officials were telling the same> thing...
I find it much more interesting her own inconsistencies. Maybe its a language thing.
Or the definition of "high rate of speed".
If you're driving slowly, do you have difficulty avoiding puddles of water?
Dennis>
-- > Michael Wolf> ------------>
Cthulhu for President! Why settle for the lesser evil?>
In article <426e329d$0$7743$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be>, Michael Wolf <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote:
€ Scott wrote: € > "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message € > news:Xns96448A34EC86Amichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71... € > € > € >>Depends... € > € > € > On whether a bitter Euroweenie like yourself needs another incident to prop € > his jealousy on. € € No, actually it's some US poster around here that keeps on posting € drivel out of some kind of misplaced pride (which seriously inhibits his € ability to think clearly) €
In article <116sdu6b3ln8n07@news.supernews.com>, Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote:
€ "Scott" <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote in message € news:KAqbe.15$aA2.626@news.uswest.net... € > € > "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message € > news:426e3144$0$7746$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be... € > € > > Thanks you, glad you're up to admitting it. € > € > http://www.reliefweb.int/library/nordic/book1/pb020e.html € € € He doesn't care. € € If it's anyone else, it's just history, water under the bridge, of the € consequences of circumstance. € € If we're involved, it's a projection of an imagined worst case scenario € due to evil, incompetence and imperialism. €
The last time I checked, we were the only country in the world doing the invading and empire building.
"Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message news:260420050647264521%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com...
? No, actually it's some US poster around here that keeps on posting> ? drivel out of some kind of misplaced pride (which seriously inhibits his> ? ability to think clearly)
In article <pWqbe.21$aA2.826@news.uswest.net>, Scott <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote:
€ "Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick" <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote in message € news:116sdu6b3ln8n07@news.supernews.com... € € > If we're involved, it's a projection of an imagined worst case scenario € > due to evil, incompetence and imperialism. € € Evil, Incompetence and Imperialism. € € I like the sound of that, being an American Imperialist and all. €
Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick 26 April 2005 18:00:00 [ permanent link ]
"Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message news:260420050649312059%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com...> In article <116sdu6b3ln8n07@news.supernews.com>, Douglas W. \"Popeye\"> Frederick <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote:>
? "Scott" <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote in message> ? news:KAqbe.15$aA2.626@news.uswest.net...> ? >> ? > "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> ? > news:426e3144$0$7746$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...> ? >> ? > > Thanks you, glad you're up to admitting it.> ? >> ? > http://www.reliefweb.int/library/nordic/book1/pb020e.html> ?> ?> ? He doesn't care.> ?> ? If it's anyone else, it's just history, water under the bridge, of the> ? consequences of circumstance.> ?> ? If we're involved, it's a projection of an imagined worst case
scenario> ? due to evil, incompetence and imperialism.> ?>
The last time I checked, we were the only country in the world doing> the invading and empire building.
Once again specifically stating support for the regime of Saddam Hussein.
And aiding and abetting the enemies of Iraqi freedom.
-- If Ward Churchill can be a college professor, what's David Duke waiting for? - Coulter
"Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message news:260420050658042835%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com...> In article <pWqbe.21$aA2.826@news.uswest.net>, Scott> <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote:>
? "Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick" <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote in message> ? news:116sdu6b3ln8n07@news.supernews.com...> ?> ? > If we're involved, it's a projection of an imagined worst case
scenario> ? > due to evil, incompetence and imperialism.> ?> ? Evil, Incompetence and Imperialism.> ?> ? I like the sound of that, being an American Imperialist and all.> ?>
Hail Augustus!
More along the lines of Evil Roy Slade;
Slade stands for Sneaking, Lying, Arrogance and Deny Everything
In article <116si3fjfreb190@news.supernews.com>, Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote:
€ "Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message € news:260420050647264521%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com... € > In article <426e329d$0$7743$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be>, Michael Wolf € > <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote: € > € > ? Scott wrote: € > ? > "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message € > ? > news:Xns96448A34EC86Amichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71... € > ? > € > ? > € > ? >>Depends... € > ? > € > ? > € > ? > On whether a bitter Euroweenie like yourself needs another incident to € prop € > ? > his jealousy on. € > ? € > ? No, actually it's some US poster around here that keeps on posting € > ? drivel out of some kind of misplaced pride (which seriously inhibits his € > ? ability to think clearly) € > ? € > € > Ouch. € € Alan takes his side, considering pride in one's country "misplaced". € €
There's a difference between being proud of your people, and being blind to your government's shortcomings.
Dennis (Icarus) wrote:> "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> news:Xns96448B8FAAE93michaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...>
"Dennis \(Icarus\)" <nojunkmail@ever.invalid> wrote in>>news:ac8c2$426e2696$45010e17$1790@KNOLOGY.NET:>
<snip>>
Strange though that the Italian government isn't agreeing with the US>>report...probably the other Italian officials were telling the same>>thing...>
I find it much more interesting her own inconsistencies.> Maybe its a language thing.
Maybe it's a wounded woman, being just freed out of captivity thing...
Or the definition of "high rate of speed". >
If you're driving slowly, do you have difficulty avoiding puddles of water?
-- Michael Wolf
-----
Cthulhu For President. Why settle for the lesser evil?
"Scott" <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote in message news:FRrbe.26$aA2.848@news.uswest.net...> "Chris Guynn" <chris.guynn@gmail.com> wrote in message> news:_Orbe.414$gd5.20@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...> >
"Scott" <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote in message> > news:XHrbe.23$aA2.126@news.uswest.net...>
And 9/11 was what?> >
not perpetrated by another country?>
Supported and celebrated by more than a few.
I'm not arguing that fact... I'm just wondering exactly what that has to do with being "the only country in the world doing the invading and empire building."
Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick 26 April 2005 18:26:50 [ permanent link ]
"Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message news:426e48a7$0$30476$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...> Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick wrote:> > "Scott" <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote in message
He doesn't care.> >
If it's anyone else, it's just history, water under the bridge, of the> > consequences of circumstance.> >
If we're involved, it's a projection of an imagined worst case
scenario> > due to evil, incompetence and imperialism.>
And you didn't read it too...
Tell us what you think it says.
-- If Ward Churchill can be a college professor, what's David Duke waiting for? - Coulter
In article <116siajha27l4ea@news.supernews.com>, Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote:
€ > ? If we're involved, it's a projection of an imagined worst case € scenario € > ? due to evil, incompetence and imperialism. € > ? € > € > € > The last time I checked, we were the only country in the world doing € > the invading and empire building. € € Once again specifically stating support for the regime of Saddam Hussein. €
What an amazing jump in logic.
Once again, repeat slowly: Saddam wasn't a threat to the USA. Saddam wasn't a threat to the USA. Saddam wasn't a threat to the USA.
There's lots of governments I don't support (quick, name the worst example of genocide in the last 10 years). That doesn't mean I think we should invade them. As far as I can see, the only difference between Iraq and Myanmar is oil, and a potential threat to Israel.
€ And aiding and abetting the enemies of Iraqi freedom. € €
We have neither the obligation nor the right to force our way of government on other countries or people. There are a lot of Marxists that think their way of government is best. Would you support China forcing their way of government on another country?
Dazed And Confuzzed 26 April 2005 18:48:59 [ permanent link ]
Alan Street wrote:> In article <116si3fjfreb190@news.supernews.com>, Douglas W. \"Popeye\"> Frederick <Buzcutt454@aol.com> wrote:>
"Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message> news:260420050647264521%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com...> > In article <426e329d$0$7743$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be>, Michael Wolf> > <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote:> >
? Scott wrote:> > ? > "Michael Wolf" <michael.wolf@advalvasstopspam.be> wrote in message> > ? > news:Xns96448A34EC86Amichaelwolfstopspamt@195.130.132.71...> > ? >> > ? >> > ? >>Depends...> > ? >> > ? >> > ? > On whether a bitter Euroweenie like yourself needs another incident to> prop> > ? > his jealousy on.> > ?> > ? No, actually it's some US poster around here that keeps on posting> > ? drivel out of some kind of misplaced pride (which seriously inhibits his> > ? ability to think clearly)> > ?> >
Ouch.>
Alan takes his side, considering pride in one's country "misplaced".>
There's a difference between being proud of your people, and being> blind to your government's shortcomings.
You fail to realize that this country (and it's people and government elected BY THE PEOPLE), despite it's "shortcomings", is still seen as the best in the world by many (including Non-American citizens), and one of the countries that does the most for the downtrodden, the poor, and the disadvantaged in other countries. While most other countries make wonderful speeches the words are at best hollow, and when they send 'peacekeepers", they are ineffective even where they choose to intervene. Most promises of aid are political, hollow promises, that are at best ineffective in the end.
I am proud of my country despite it's "shortcomings". If you aren't, then I suggest you leave, and find one you can be proud of.
--
My diesel truck has been modified to run on an environmentally friendly mixture of clean burning Caribou fat and whale oil.
I strongly urge everyone reading this to check out WWW.anysoldier.com, and support our troops with a letter, a package or a donation.
