Middle Buffalo

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howizzitor. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop r stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

There are errors in every auto-biography and biography that gets published. This is done either on purpose, or as an accidental error of ommision. I think that it's most likely done puposefully with the intent of making the subject look good. I don't really get the uproar here. I know the guy presented the story as non-fiction and he embellished and flat out lied about some things, but that happens all the time. There are historical myths that have been perpetuated by scholars and teachers for years and years. The history that we learned in school is, in many ways, propaganda. So this guy changed some "facts" and flat out lied at times. He was trying to make some money. Big deal. Judge the book for the story, not for the truth.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 27, 2006 -> 08:20 AM) "Whassup Mah' Neckaz!" There's a pretty good chance that I'll use this some day. You will, of course, receive no credit.

Good job, PK. There's no "I" in long term contract. Really, I looked it up.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 06:27 AM) Best way to pick up a guy is to act dumb and helpless. It really doesn't even take that much effort. Not that I try to pick up guys. I don't like when I meet someone and they assume I can hold my liquor just because I'm Irish. Like it comes natural or something. I'm like the Larry Bird of drinking. Minimal natural ability, but years of practice perfecting my craft.

QUOTE(sec159row2 @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:11 AM) ...and then the democrats ran a billionaire in 2004... my interpretation a filthy rich boob... vote GW again... I'll admit that I was almost sucked in by GW's "rags to riches" story in the most recent election, too.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:35 AM) First off I'd say...go with your beliefs and vote for who most represents those beliefs. Call yourself an independant. Then vote straight Democrat. (

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:36 AM) Whenever this country has needed its Armed Forces a bunch of guys with US Army, US Marines, US Air Force, US Navy and US Coast Guard showed up and did the job. You may not think we do a whole lot with our time in that small little world you live in but if you'd open up your eyes and look around you you'd realize that we do a whole hell of a lot to keep this nation safe. Why all this hanging out in Germany?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:26 AM) So do you get the LAT delivered in Arizona, or did you just use your computer? I just rubbed against the monitor.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:26 AM) He doesn't shut up about anything. That's why people hate him. I'm surprised Ron Artest isn't on this. And I don't watch golf, but why is Phil Mickelson hated? Schilling and Mickelson are essentially the same guy. The media loves them because they make themselves available and give good quotes. Teammates/guys on the tour see them as phonies. Self promoters.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 11:04 AM) This article makes good toliet paper and that is about it. It doesn't. I tried. Chaffed a little.

QUOTE(jasonxctf @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 10:46 AM) so who are they protecting my freedom from? who is attacking my freedom? (a question that may open more domestic issues now than foreign) I think we'll go around in circles if we argue this point because I'm not really sure we disagree with each other. I disagree with Stein's stance against our military. I think that our freedom is the result of all of our military past and present. That should be celebrated. As for who is attacking your freedom - how about GWB.

QUOTE(Wong & Owens @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 10:38 AM) Not agreeing with Stein's article, but my freedom was at no point at risk due to any Iraqi invasion. I agree, that's why I don't support the war in Iraq. The people who are serving in the military are following orders, though, and it's silly to think that they can just walk away from their posts.

QUOTE(jasonxctf @ Jan 26, 2006 -> 10:37 AM) to play devils advocate, how are these soldiers protecting my freedom again? By serving your country in the armed forces.

My wife and I decided not to go to Walmart anymore. We'll be getting a membership at Costco sometime this year. Can't wait to lug home a box of cereal that holds 300 servings.

I can't say that I'm a big fan of the war, but this guy is a total a**hole. People who put themselves in harms way for your freedom should ALWAYS be celebrated.

Finally, some national recognition for the Sox. GQ's list of the top ten most hated athletes in sports. Top 10: 1, Terrell Owens; 2, Barry Bonds; 3, auto racing's Kurt Busch; 4, Curt Schilling; 5, Kobe Bryant; 6, Fisherman Michael Iaconelli; 7, basketball's Bonzi Wells; 8, golf's Phil Mickelson; 9, baseball's A.J. Pierzynski; 10, tennis' Lleyton Hewitt. A pro fisherman, Michael Iaconelli, ranked sixth on GQ magazine's list of 10 most hated athletes — but it wasn't for lack of trying to be like the No. 1 guy, banished Eagles receiver Terrell Owens. "When he catches one, you've got the fist pumps, the running around the boat, the lying flat on the boat. He'll stare at the fish, yell at it, point at it. He'll shake his finger at it."

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 10:26 AM) I like Mike North though This should be moved to the "All Green Thread."

QUOTE(farmteam @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 07:27 PM) I really do want to try In N Out though. Something a little different than the Wendy's, Burger King, McDonald's, etc. Has anyone ever been there? Yes. Overrated.

Are Home Owner's Association fees tax deductible?

Music topics generally create some good chatter here. So which was the first album you ever bought? Mine was Michael Jackson's "Thriller" way back in fifth grade, 1983. Man, I loved that. Still do.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Jan 16, 2006 -> 10:54 AM) I also just saw BBM. One of the friends I went with disliked it the other loved it. I thought it was absolutely gorgeous in terms of the setting--but I can't say I really got emotionally involved (or really even cared about any of the main characters, I did like Ennis' oldest daughter, but that's about it). At its heart I think the movie is about infidelity, whether you want to think about it in terms of the men being unfaithful to their wives or to each other is up for grabs. But, like Jackie said, it's not a new story. Jack and Ennis' relationship didn't seem to make either of them happy (except for a few days/weeks a year) and it certainly didn't make their wives/girlfriends happy (if they knew about it or not). I didn't think the story was particularly romantic, but I did think it was sad on a few levels. 1.) sad that these two men that care about each other can't be with each other 2.) that the two guys don't make choices that make them happy 3.) sad for the guys' kids (and wives) My wife saw BBM this weekend. She had the same basic review (beautiful film, but not quite deserving of all of the attention because it lacked something in terms of story/character development). On a positive note, she said she was pretty sure I wouldn't have liked it. I feel so manly.

Howard's show won't be syndicated to the Fm dial because, as it currently stands, broadcasters are subject to be personally fined for indecency. So, even if he edited his Sirius shows, complaints from the watchdog groups that hounded him would leave him open to being fined again. I don't see him allowing that to happen. Also, it doesn't make much sense for Sirius to allow one of their only marketable shows to effectively compete against their product. I'd listen to Howard on one day delay. I already got the show 1-3 hours later living in Chicago and Arizona. It was never live for me.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 13, 2006 -> 10:11 AM) When Laura Petri wore pants on TV.... There's a timely reference.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 12, 2006 -> 10:03 AM) LOL, thank you. Are they winter Texans or settled here permently? Bigger question, are they Sox fans? Tell them to drop by Chicago Dogs on North 10th Street when they get homesick. They live there permanently (near the airport). I think they're Cub fans actually (old + day games), but they really lived for Fernando-mania. I've explained countless times that Cub is English for maricon.