OT: Homeless Patriot

[Kiwikat]

He picked up a flag. How does that deserve any attention? Let us ignore the nationality of the flag and just look at the good deed itself...

OK.. Well. I am happy they are being taken care of. But let's face the facts. Dude folded a flag in the rain. lol. stupid. Is this the best news we can give when the BP oil spill is one of the worst disasters in America in modern times? Millions and millions of gallons of oil dumped in the ocean. We're spending money on some homeless guy for folding a flag. I say put that money towards recovery efforts. You know, stuff that affects everybody... stuff that matters...

I couldn't agree more.

However this is about the most conservative group of people you'll find. There also seems to still be a bias against young people, the reason I left the forum the first time. We can't have opinions! So in the end, no one is going to agree with either of us...

He picked up a flag. Nothing more. Do I get rewarded for picking up someones wallet, keys, or cell phone? No. I get a "thank you". If it were any other object, it wouldn't have even been considered to be news. Just because it is a flag, this guy is getting a ton of attention. He doesn't deserve any more attention than any other homeless person.

He did a good thing. He didn't do a heroic thing. If he ran in front of a truck to save a child, that would be heroic. That would even be newsworthy.

For crying out loud. You "Youngsters" have a lot to learn and one day(maybe) <--these words will will be comprehended and utilized in a common and befitting manner of sense before you speak.
Clearly not something demonstrated in some of the above remarks.

Just because you don't agree with us doesn't mean we don't have just as much right to add in our opinions. I think you've got some things to learn too.

 

[jmig]

Tracon, Kiwikat, and djscoo, you young gentlemen are missing the point in this story. It is not about the man as much it is about that flag on that day. I think I can assume with a great deal of certainty that none of you have served in the armed forces. If you had, you would understand.

I am not trying to talk down to any of you. However, what you lack is the experience in life that makes that flag so special to many of us. In calling the story stupid, you are calling our love of that flag foolish. You are making fun at a core belief of mine and many others here.

Gentlemen when I was your age I was flying over the jungles of Vietnam and Laos. There are men and women your age who are fighting, bleeding and dying around the world because of that flag and what it represents. I know you can't see in my heart the imagery that flag brings to me. The pride and emotions it stirs up in my soul when I see it in parades and when raised during the national anthem. It is so much more than just a flag.

What that man did touches the hearts of me and women like me who see much more than a piece of red, white and blue cloth with stars and stripes. The fact that he did what he did on the day our country's founding as a nation and, the history of the millions of men and women who have left wives, husbands and children, alone with giving up home and its comforts to risk their lives defending the ideals that flag represents is what made that story news on July 4th.

Tracon, you asked, "What if it was an Australian flag?" You could have well said, Canada, Germany, or England, etc. All and more are represented here at SOH. If that same event had happened in one of those countries with their flag, I hope the national news organizations would have run it on prime time too. I watched the pride on the faces of the Canadians during the last Olympics as their flag was raised and 'Oh Canada' was played. If that had happened in Montreal or Toronto, I am sure they would have been proud to see one of their own rescue their national image.

The act itself may not be that special. The fact it was done to protect the primary symbol of our country on the most important day in our country's history is what made it special and news worthy.

Thank you for listening to me. I hope I didn't offend you. You have a right to believe and express what you wish. Just understand the deep emotions that flag brings out in many of us here at SOH.

 

[deathfromafar]

Just because you don't agree with us doesn't mean we don't have just as much right to add in our opinions. I think you've got some things to learn too.

Your above comment clearly proves my point of how arrogant and immature one can act in the company of those who have been around long enough to know quite a lot of things you cannot.

I've served my Country and done so in Combat when I was a younger man, I've even buried those who have(friends). I've been in a National Cemetery Saluting the Flag during the National Anthem while some jackass 10 feet away was answering his cell phone while it took every ounce of my self control to suppress jumping on top of him and jamming that damn phone down his throat. This is the sad Nature of or Nation right now. This poorer than dirt homeless man has more integrity, class, and Patriotism than most in this Nation nowadays. Everyone has an opinion and mostly to over analyze or tear apart the good deeds all too many never lift a finger to do. As far as I am concerned, that makes this man my Hero. You can cash that check at the bank!

 

[Kiwikat]

Your above comment clearly proves my point of how arrogant and immature one can act in the company of those who have been around long enough to know quite a lot of things you cannot.

So just because you've served in the military your opinion is more valid than mine? Just because you're older? I've got plenty of reasons I'm not serving in the military. I never would. It isn't me.

It is pointless for this to go on any further. You won't listen to a word I say anyways.

 

[ColoKent]

Kiwikat...

....nobody has said your opinion doesn't matter. However, life experience is worth something.

I remember thinking I had the world figured out at 21-- if only all the dumb old $&%@ would "do it my way", life would be grand. See, I had a "unique and superhuman" view on reality (or so I thought!). I was full of crap.

I believe the main point here is: the world will look mighty different to you in 25-30 years-- that happens to all of us.

And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm another old military (27 years and counting) @#$%!.

Regards,

Kent

 

[gigabyte]

It is pointless for this to go on any further. You won't listen to a word I say anyways.

I really hate to get into these threads, but I will in this case make an exception!

Kiwikat (and everyone else to) it is not always what you say but HOW you say it! If you show RESPECT your comments will be appreciated and even when others (such as this OLD FART) do not agree with the comments we will ACCEPT them.

Comments and opinions are like arse holes everyone has one, we will never all agree, but it is not too much to ask for RESPECT and to give respect where it is due.

One final point, for everyone to remember, this is a text based medium, there is no visual expression of emotion in a typed message, what you mean to say may not always be what others think you are tyring to say. How you say something in a typed message may very well be taken the wrong way by someone and that is when the brown stuff hits the fan. It does not take long to reread over a post before you hit "Submit" (unless you are long winded like me) and it is well worth it if you are commenting on something that can be taken the wrong way - think twice.

getting off now!

 

[Lionheart]

God bless that soul that stood up for the American flag, what it means, what it stands for.


:salute:

 

[deathfromafar]

So just because you've served in the military your opinion is more valid than mine? Just because you're older? I've got plenty of reasons I'm not serving in the military. I never would. It isn't me.

It is pointless for this to go on any further. You won't listen to a word I say anyways.

No, you're dead wrong. Your opinion does matter "if" you craft & measure your responses to the best of your ability, knowledge, and experience. You should look back at a few things you said, the way you worded things and try for goodness sake to see it from the angle you would if you were standing in someone else's shoes. You made a valid point about the news services overblowing the man's deed to a point of it making you and for that matter me a little queasy. I got that part and do not disagree but beyond that, do you see what you and others said that were perhaps unneeded commentary? Trust me, there is a point when it is best to let a sleeping dog lay down and leave it at that. Trust me, I've been there and I do not want to give up the fountain of middle age for my youth again.

Like I said, the homeless guy did a good deed and one I wish more people would do. Maybe not a hero in the classic sense but there are folk heros who show us that being human, giving, patriotic, and humble are admirable qualities in a citizen. What he did means a lot to me because I love the fabric and stitching in that Flag more than the skin that covers my body. I will defend anyone who takes the time to care and treat our Flag with the Honor many paid a the ultimate price for protecting and bearing.

 

[Tracon]

I think I can assume with a great deal of certainty that none of you have served in the armed forces. If you had, you would understand.

Oh really?

This conversation is fun.

God bless the American Flag. God Bless American soil. God bless the man for folding it in the rain storm. God bless Fox Media for finding the story and writing the article. God bless the fine citizens helping feed, wash, and clothe him! God bless the heroes we have in this world. I have respect for the colors. I have NO respect for cheap news. It's not the man or his deed or the day it happened. Just another wishy washy article from a notoriously sketchy media company. I really want to care more. Thanks! But I'm stopping there. National Hero? lol...

Some of the comments you "olde farts" are throwing at us is aalling. You really haven't the slightest clue about me or Kiwikat, what we do in reality, or our experience in life. I won't explain my situation because then hell would break free, and well, I just enjoy conversations like this too much to be banned! But ya Fox News is a joke.

 

[Lionheart]

I just enjoy conversations like this too much to be banned!

Noted.

 

[wombat666]

This conversation is fun.
Some of the comments you "olde farts" are throwing at us is aalling. You really haven't the slightest clue about me or Kiwikat, what we do in reality, or our experience in life. I won't explain my situation because then hell would break free, and well, I just enjoy conversations like this too much to be banned! But ya Fox News is a joke.

One:Learn to spell....'aalling'???
Two:Keep this up and you WILL be out on the bones of your butt.
Three:This thread is teetering on the edge of being locked.

 

[Gramps]

Three:This thread is teetering on the edge of being locked.

And leanin real hard to the closed side

 

[Tracon]

One:Learn to spell....'aalling'???
Two:Keep this up and you WILL be out on the bones of your butt.
Three:This thread is teetering on the edge of being locked.

One: It was a typo. I meant to type "appalling."
Two: I am expressing a valid opinion. I am not slandering any person or race or country. I mean if I am breaking rules I'd love to know which ones... so I may avoid that.
Three: Why? I find it rather enlightening.

 

[redriver6]

One: It was a typo. I meant to type "appalling."
Two: I am expressing a valid opinion. I am not slandering any person or race or country. I mean if I am breaking rules I'd love to know which ones... so I may avoid that.
Three: Why? I find it rather enlightening.

Three different staff members have expressed concern that the thread was headed in the wrong direction. Whether your opinion is valid or not doesn't enter into it.

Thread closed.