DirecTV is Dropping OANN

[SavannahMann]

Sure! I enlisted in 1991 while the Gulf air campaign was going on. The ground war kicked off while I was in Basic; our TI would give us updates in the evening. I came in Open/Mechanical, so I had no idea what my AFSC would be. I could just as easily been assigned to be a jet maintainer or weapons specialist, which would have had me deploying soon after technical training.

As it was, I was assigned 3E0X2, Electrical Power Production. Generator mechanic. I deployed numerous times to the Middle East, operating and maintaining prime power plants, (always a target of the bad guys), portable electric generators, and aircraft arresting systems. Of the 9 years I spent in deployable units, I was in the Middle East for a total of 2 years. And that doesn't include a year at Kunsan AB in South Korea. I retired in 2011 with 20 years in uniform.

Thank you for your service.

Then you have seen the Elephant. I don’t know about the fellows you served with. But my friends in the 37th Engineers didn’t die for Bush’s war. They died fighting America’s war.

Troops in Afghanistan didn’t die fighting Obama’s war, or Bush’s war, or Trumps war. They died fighting America’s war. Our war.

I voted for Trump in ‘16. I didn’t vote in ‘20. Because both candidates were full of shit. I’m sick of pretending that one pile of shit smells a little less worse than the other.

Right now. A Brigade of Paratroopers. Men and Women who aren’t too dissimilar to how I was are in Poland. They didn’t volunteer to fight for Trump. They didn’t enlist to fight for Biden. They enlisted to fight for the same reasons we did. It was right, for us, to do it.

I walked up to Boobie Trapped bunkers and pitted my wits against the enemies. Not for Papa Bush. Not for Republicans or Democrats. I did it so the Infantry would live. My unit rigged Talil Airfield’s munitions to explode. Not for any Politician, but because the Lieutenant told us to.

The troops join because they have their own reasons. College, limited choices, or desire to serve. They don’t join because of who is President. They don’t walk away because a President they don’t like is elected.

We joined for our own reasons. I stayed for nine years and walked away when my term was up. My DD-214 shows an Honorable Discharge. I’m sure yours does too. I have the scars and tattoo from those days. I get the small amount for my injuries from the VA every month. You probably do too.

We didn’t do it for money. We didn’t do it for politics. We did it because others mattered. Freedom for our families. Taking care of the troops around us. We did it for the same reasons that have always caused young people to enlist.

Don’t be one of those idiots who denounce the troops who serve claiming they are stupid for joining to fight Biden’s war. It’s wrong. Morally and truthfully.

Biden didn’t start this. Putin did. Biden warned us it was coming. And people bought the stupid claim it was propaganda.

I know people you knew died. Don’t dishonor them this way.

 

[daveman]

Then you have seen the Elephant. I don’t know about the fellows you served with. But my friends in the 37th Engineers didn’t die for Bush’s war. They died fighting America’s war.

Troops in Afghanistan didn’t die fighting Obama’s war, or Bush’s war, or Trumps war. They died fighting America’s war. Our war.

I voted for Trump in ‘16. I didn’t vote in ‘20. Because both candidates were full of shit. I’m sick of pretending that one pile of shit smells a little less worse than the other.

Right now. A Brigade of Paratroopers. Men and Women who aren’t too dissimilar to how I was are in Poland. They didn’t volunteer to fight for Trump. They didn’t enlist to fight for Biden. They enlisted to fight for the same reasons we did. It was right, for us, to do it.

I walked up to Boobie Trapped bunkers and pitted my wits against the enemies. Not for Papa Bush. Not for Republicans or Democrats. I did it so the Infantry would live. My unit rigged Talil Airfield’s munitions to explode. Not for any Politician, but because the Lieutenant told us to.

The troops join because they have their own reasons. College, limited choices, or desire to serve. They don’t join because of who is President. They don’t walk away because a President they don’t like is elected.

We joined for our own reasons. I stayed for nine years and walked away when my term was up. My DD-214 shows an Honorable Discharge. I’m sure yours does too. I have the scars and tattoo from those days. I get the small amount for my injuries from the VA every month. You probably do too.

We didn’t do it for money. We didn’t do it for politics. We did it because others mattered. Freedom for our families. Taking care of the troops around us. We did it for the same reasons that have always caused young people to enlist.

Don’t be one of those idiots who denounce the troops who serve claiming they are stupid for joining to fight Biden’s war. It’s wrong. Morally and truthfully.

Biden didn’t start this. Putin did. Biden warned us it was coming. And people bought the stupid claim it was propaganda.

I know people you knew died. Don’t dishonor them this way.

Again, thank you for your service. You did it for the right reasons, and the Soldiers with whom you served are grateful, as am I.

I've been to Tallil. I have a picture of me in front of the Great Ziggurat of Ur. Rebuilding it was one of the few good things Saddam did.

I support everyone who stands beside a flag and raises their hand, whatever their reasons for doing so. It's something so many people just aren't built to do.

You misunderstand my question, though. I've been asking it of everyone who supports Biden's war. It's the same question they asked of those who supported the Gulf War and the War on Terror. "Have you enlisted, or are you a chickenhawk? If you don't, you're a coward!!"

Turnabout is fair play. And we're talking about people who have a visceral contempt for the military to begin with. It's not like any of them will enlist anyway.

So, I apologize for asking you the question. I do not apologize for asking anyone else.

 

[SavannahMann]

Again, thank you for your service. You did it for the right reasons, and the Soldiers with whom you served are grateful, as am I.

I've been to Tallil. I have a picture of me in front of the Great Ziggurat of Ur. Rebuilding it was one of the few good things Saddam did.

I support everyone who stands beside a flag and raises their hand, whatever their reasons for doing so. It's something so many people just aren't built to do.

You misunderstand my question, though. I've been asking it of everyone who supports Biden's war. It's the same question they asked of those who supported the Gulf War and the War on Terror. "Have you enlisted, or are you a chickenhawk? If you don't, you're a coward!!"

Turnabout is fair play. And we're talking about people who have a visceral contempt for the military to begin with. It's not like any of them will enlist anyway.

So, I apologize for asking you the question. I do not apologize for asking anyone else.

Ine of those reasons I joined was the Constitution. First Amendment. I won’t bother quoting historical figures on why it is important.

The question is meant to browbeat the supporters into either silence, or opposition. That is my objection to it.

Have you ever heard of the society of the white feather?

I’ll summarize. Before Britain had the draft they depended on voluntary enlistments during the First World War. An idea of Kitchener was the Society of the White Feather. Young and attractive women would approach military aged men on the street demanding to know why they had not joined the Army. Then these women would give the men a White Feather. A symbol of cowardice.

The women were paid to shame people into enlisting.

I never agreed with that attitude. Or approach. The people like us. Those who joined. We felt a sense of civic duty. You can’t force that into someone. We were willing to take the risks. And we understood that the results might be bad.

I’m sure you had a couple guys in your unit. People who deeply regretted joining. You knew that you could not count on them when bullets started to fly. Imagine a situation where half the people in a unit fell into that category. That is what you get when you draft or shame people into joining. Reluctant or unreliable soldiers. Those soldiers are the ones who require threats and fear to keep them in line.

I don’t want to see any American Troops die. But I know that if we don’t stand up now. The cost will be far higher in the future. A lot more kids dead. A lot more money spent.

I voted for Trump and did not agree with everything he did. I didn’t vote for Biden. I understand why he isn’t sending troops to Ukraine. I think it is going to cost us a lot more in the next couple years.

 

[daveman]

Ine of those reasons I joined was the Constitution. First Amendment. I won’t bother quoting historical figures on why it is important.

The question is meant to browbeat the supporters into either silence, or opposition. That is my objection to it.

Have you ever heard of the society of the white feather?

I’ll summarize. Before Britain had the draft they depended on voluntary enlistments during the First World War. An idea of Kitchener was the Society of the White Feather. Young and attractive women would approach military aged men on the street demanding to know why they had not joined the Army. Then these women would give the men a White Feather. A symbol of cowardice.

The women were paid to shame people into enlisting.

I never agreed with that attitude. Or approach. The people like us. Those who joined. We felt a sense of civic duty. You can’t force that into someone. We were willing to take the risks. And we understood that the results might be bad.

I’m sure you had a couple guys in your unit. People who deeply regretted joining. You knew that you could not count on them when bullets started to fly. Imagine a situation where half the people in a unit fell into that category. That is what you get when you draft or shame people into joining. Reluctant or unreliable soldiers. Those soldiers are the ones who require threats and fear to keep them in line.

I don’t want to see any American Troops die. But I know that if we don’t stand up now. The cost will be far higher in the future. A lot more kids dead. A lot more money spent.

I voted for Trump and did not agree with everything he did. I didn’t vote for Biden. I understand why he isn’t sending troops to Ukraine. I think it is going to cost us a lot more in the next couple years.

You mistake my intention. I have no illusions that my question will shame anyone into enlisting. As I said, on the whole, these are people who believe they're above military service.

Biden got the invasion he wanted, and it's getting innocent people killed. The people to whom I direct my question don't give a shit.

 

[SavannahMann]

You mistake my intention. I have no illusions that my question will shame anyone into enlisting. As I said, on the whole, these are people who believe they're above military service.

Biden got the invasion he wanted, and it's getting innocent people killed. The people to whom I direct my question don't give a shit.

Phooey. I also reject the idea that Biden wanted this invasion. I’ll write more about that in a moment.

But lets get back to the idea that “these people” believe they are above Military Service.

Trumpâs popularity slips in latest Military Times poll â and more troops say theyâll vote for Biden

About half of troops surveyed for the poll said they have an unfavorable view of the commander in chief.

www.militarytimes.com

While we don’t know how the troops ended up voting, the polling was pretty consistent. A slight preference for Biden over Trump. So “These People” seem to be the ones joining.

And me, I describe myself as a Moderate. I’m Liberal on some issues, and Conservative on others. I knew several troops who felt similarly back in the day.

About one in five soldiers come from Texas, and California.

Facts and Figures

California of course is well known as a Liberal Shit Hole, so the Volunteers are unlikely to be hard core RW believers. Not with the recruiters being in cities and population centers in such numbers.

So “These People” are in fact enlisting. And by whatever metric we choose to examine the issue, apparently make up about half the population of the Army. Which is about what the population of the nation seems to be.

Let’s deal in that reality for a few minutes. About a third of the Nation would vote Democrat even if Satan was the candidate. About a third of the nation would vote Republican if Satan was the Candidate. Either through Apathy, they don’t know anything about the candidate, or a believe that anything is better than THEM. I’m sure you know more than a few Republicans who fall into that category.

The remaining third are like me, somewhat Moderate. They switch back and forth. Depending on the issues, they switch from Conservative Democrats, to Liberal Republicans, and occasionally third party out of disgust with the two main parties.

When a majority of that group votes conservatively, we hear how the Republicans are on the ascension and the Democrats are dead for all time by the idiot pundits. When they shift to vote more Liberal, then the Republicans are dead for all time, they’ll never win another election, and the nation is more Liberal from different idiot pundits.

Nobody has won a landslide victory since Reagan, and his last election was 1984. Now, I’m on record for giving him credit, and taking issue with his policies. One of those things I give him credit for is his stance on the Soviet Union. One of those things I take issue with him on, is Mental Health Treatment. A lot of our problems today, socially, were created, or exacerbated by Reagan’s policy on Mental Health. Reagan was a good President. He communicated well, and was driven by Principles. I can respect that, even when I disagree with him on some issues.

Now, to Biden “getting the war he wanted”. As I said above. Phooey. Biden is not responsible. He didn’t give the order to have Russia invade. I think you are making a mistake, a common mistake. You are blaming your political enemy for things they have no control over. Yes, I rejected that attitude when Bush was President during Katrina. Yes, I rejected it when Obama was President, and when Trump was President. Look it up. I said a year into Trump’s Presidency that the opposition to Trump was not based upon policy or actions but hatred of the man.

I don’t agree with everything Biden is trying to do. I didn’t agree with everything Trump tried to do. I oppose things I believe are wrong. No matter who is in office.

When I was a boy, I learned that Principles were the only foundation of beliefs. Ronald Reagan had Principles. You could have sat down with him on an unprepared discussion, and asked him his ideals on any issue, and he could talk about them for fifteen minutes easily, because his positions were based upon his principles. He believed the Soviet Leadership was evil. He could discuss that with ease. He believed the Russian People were good, and wanted freedom. He could discuss that equally easily.

The “leaders” of today are bereft of Principles. And yes, I include Trump in that. Their only Principle is that winning is good, and loosing is bad. Everything else is negotiable.

Biden tried to talk to Putin, but the information he was getting from the Intelligence Services told him that Putin was stringing us along, preparing to invade.

When Biden told us that, the folks on the right, who detest Biden because he is a Democrat. Well, they told us that it was all Propaganda, that Biden was trying to create an enemy to distract the population from spotty shortages of things in Grocery Stores. High Inflation. COVID, and a host of other nonsensical things. RT and other Russian News Outlets ran with that ball like it was the best news they could have.

Then Putin invaded, as we were warned would happen. Now, Biden, who was belittled by the Right for saying that Putin would invade, when Putin was a great guy, is outraged that Biden didn’t stop Putin, or do something to end it.

The Russian People took to the streets to protest the war. Nobody mentions that. They believed the propaganda, that Biden was making this all up for some nefarious reason.

The only pundit who hasn’t changed their tune, is Trump.

There are a thousand questions we aren’t talking about. Because we keep dealing with more and more insane theories trying to blame this on Biden. Putin started a war, and is responsible for the deaths of thousands, probably tens of thousands by now, and what are we discussing today? How is Biden responsible for this?

That is a knee jerk response. A reflex action when your principles are based upon the letter after the name, instead of the actions.

Even if I had stayed in the Military, for the full career, I’d be out by now. I’m too old to be running around a desk much less the woods. But I can’t think of a time of my adult life, where I wouldn’t believe that us getting involved, was the wrong thing.

Biden didn’t trigger this. Biden didn’t encourage this. Biden isn’t responsible for the actions of Putin. When someone is determined on a course of action, you can dissuade him only through extreme actions of your own. How many police shootings have taken seconds to evolve. The entire time the officer saying something like. Don’t do this, don’t make me shoot you.

There was one a few weeks ago. A disgruntled employee shot up the place where he used to work. He was followed by police as he walked down the sidewalk. The police begged, threatened, and cajoled the man to put the weapon down. The police ended up shooting. I don’t have any issue with that shooting. The police had time, and tried to use a nonviolent means to resolve the situation. They ended up using force, because the other side was uninterested in resolving anything.

The police were not responsible for the actions of the madman. Just as Biden is not responsible for the actions of Putin. Biden is responsible for his own actions, and he has advisors, lawyers, and military experts giving him options and restrictions.

Military power has limits, and you exceed those limits at the peril of those you send.

 

[Synthaholic]

Daveman will be crushed.

 

[Lastamender]

Daveman will be crushed.

When someone has a better argument you don't want them heard. Should we be impressed?

 

[daveman]

Daveman will be crushed.

You project your weakness and pathetic need to have your opinions dictated to you on normal people. I don't watch teevee news.

But you prove once again that you're terrified of other ideas.

 

[Synthaholic]

Cry harder bitch!

 

[Synthaholic]

OMG!!!

 

[JimH52]

OMG!!!

Writing a check as I read this!

 

[Synthaholic]

May they be the first of many.

DirecTV to Drop One America News in Blow to Conservative Channel

DirecTV, one of the largest U.S. pay-TV providers, plans to drop One America News Network, dealing a major blow to the conservative channel that’s been criticized for spreading misinformation and had a loyal fan in former President Donald Trump.

www.bloomberg.com

DirecTV Drops Newsmax Channel in Dispute Over Fees​

 

[Synthaholic]

Fuck Newsmax and Chris Ruddy.