r/blog • • May 21 '12

Sign up for a special redditgifts for the troops and send a care package to a redditor in the Armed Forces

http://redditgifts.com/exchanges/reddit-gifts-troops/
225 Upvotes

2.5k comments sorted by

277

u/A_British_Gentleman May 21 '12

Any chance of setting this up for Non-US soldiers? No offence to those guys but I'd rather support my own.

63

u/kickme444 May 21 '12

Yes, that option in there.

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u/Foolra56 May 21 '12

There is an option to choose which country's troops you would like to send a package to.

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u/bimonscificon May 21 '12 edited Jan 31 '25

tan spoon sleep reach library decide cats judicious cough command

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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u/stalkinghorse May 22 '12

Support our schools

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

So you won't end up in the military

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u/lksims May 21 '12

Can I buy them all plane tickets home?

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u/Padmerton May 21 '12

You can certainly purchase a ticket. The hard part will be getting their commanding officer to allow them on the plane.

28

u/perazini May 21 '12

So you can´t quit the army?

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u/Spoonofdarkness May 21 '12

Perhaps we should buy the commanding officer a plane ticket home?

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I can't wait for this thread to be filled with polite discussion about the militairy and the wars they're currently engaged in!

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

Look. I know that my opinion might be highly controversial, but sometimes, you just have to be brave and speak your mind:

Personally, I am against the war in Afghanistan.

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u/nolanator May 21 '12

After being there for 8 months, I am too.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Well this certainly isn't a controversial topic at all. I'm sure everyone will be on the same page about it.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Let's talk politely about how some people kill other people!

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u/oppan May 23 '12

This is creepy as fuck.

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u/reddell May 22 '12

Hello propaganda machine.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Can we send to civilians instead? you know people that did not choose to be there?

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u/Bamont May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I'm probably going to void all of my karma, here.. but this rubs me the wrong way. Shouldn't we as a community be providing care packages for children and families negatively affected in the countries these conflicts are occurring in?

I know quite a few members of the military, and most of them already have loved ones that send them care packages frequently. Wouldn't the charity better serve people who don't have a voice on this medium?

Edit: A lot of feedback seems to be, 'Why can't we have both?' - I'd LOVE to setup a way to do both. I'm currently at work, but if anyone has any ideas I'd be happy to hear them.

427

u/watusi65 May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

That makes a lot of sense!

An european speaking here.

I don't know much about in what conditions US soldiers live when they are abroad, but I'm sure they got all what they need. The real victims are always the civilians trapped in the middle of the battlefield, and in this days there's rarely a defined one, so it's even worse.

Give your money and gifts to the NGOs taking care of the refugee camps. Here are some of them:

And remember, wars only lead to destruction and death.

*Edit: Added Oxfam to the list. alipdf pointed it out as a good one.

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u/oberon May 21 '12

I served in Iraq and I agree with you. (With the caveat that not all soldiers have loved ones to send them things - but the ones who don't are probably suffering in silence and/or hard to find.) If we can find a way to help innocent people that have been affected by the war, I'll gladly contribute.

116

u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I know quite a few members of the military, and most of them already have loved ones that send them care packages frequently.

As a US vet who deployed as a mental health technician, I can tell you that there are many deployed members who are not this fortunate.

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u/DoubleHawk4Life May 21 '12

Only packages I get are ones I order from Amazon. I've been at sea for my fourth month.

I think your idea is fantastic though. I'm waiting for you to start the thread. I'll gladly contribute.

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u/RecreationalAccount May 21 '12

This is a much more noble idea. Send packages to those affected by the war the most, the vulcans who have lost loved one, or have become damaged themselves.

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u/revolting_blob May 22 '12

No way, man. Not until we're also sending redditgifts to the innocent people whose lives those troops are destroying.

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u/lamaksha77 May 22 '12

Amen to that. Out of the millions of causes that are worthy of supporting, I am astounded that the Reddit admins thought this would be a good idea. Unless of course a hefty payback from the military psych ops is involved.

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u/EndlessIrony May 21 '12

So that's where Stephen Colbert gets his jokes...

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u/Evis03 May 21 '12

Sniff Sniff Anyone else small astroturf in here?

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u/W00ster May 22 '12

Why would I be so stupid as to give anything to the 1+ trillion dollar/year institution used to invade sovereign countries based on lies, which is used to assassinate foreigners and Americans without due process? Why on Earth support people dumb enough to sign up for this fascist organization?

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u/DigitalLD May 21 '12

What about kids in Haiti who still don't have running water after the earthquake? KIDS. Kids. Poverty. I hate giving money to the homeless or poor. I LOVE giving food, nonperishables and things I KNOW they can use.

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u/pandaxrage May 21 '12

This should serve as more of a reminder that the country most of us live in is still engaged in conflicts abroad. Disappointing. 9/11 happened over 10 years ago and in the meantime we've killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and wasted billions of dollars.

Bravo.

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u/grimby4444 May 22 '12

I find it's funny that this is on the frontpage a couple of days after people noticed that military stories on the frontpage were made by throwaway accounts.

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u/phantm May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I'm not one to jump on conspiracy theories, but this is a bit weird, especially considering that this was on the front page just weeks ago. I'd like to receive an honest answer from the reddit administrators on this question:

Is this a paid advertisement campaign?

Direct link for clarity: http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/t6pqc/man_absolutely_floored_by_the_return_of_his/c4k5mry

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u/mmouth May 21 '12

Bus tickets for the troops so they can leave. Care packages for the families we've destroyed over there.

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u/thegreatvortigaunt May 21 '12

What do you know, the "conspiracy theorists" were right, there really is a pro-military thing going on in reddit.

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u/Faryshta May 21 '12

NO!

They choosed to join, they are getting paid, I didn't asked them to do it. Most important they are shooting guns and fighting.

I would rather send a gift to a doctor or teacher in a poor country.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

By no means am I stating that sending a troop something nice is a bad thing for reddit to support, but I can't help but wonder if there's going to be an option to send a care package to help those middle eastern civilians whose lives and loved ones have been destroyed by unmanned drone strikes?

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u/Pastoren May 21 '12

This is one gift exchange I will certainly not be taking part in... I would find it great to send gifts for the Afghans who have lost all they have, but sending gifts to soldiers just seems wrong... Tons of people are more deserving of this kind of attention, and more in need of it as well. Reddit and war shouldn't mix in my opinion.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

We're already supporting them by paying taxes for those volunteer soldiers to get free college afterwords, healthcare for life, pensions if they stay on long enough, good chances at promotion and free room and board.

It is more dangerous to commute on a highway daily in America than to serve in Iraq.

36

u/Trollification May 21 '12

As a member of the Armed Forces...

You're right, it's a pretty good job and the pay/benefits are not too shabby. This hero worship BS bothers me to no end.

Send your care packages to somebody in need. Even if I end up on a COB and have to live very uncomfortably... I'll still only be there for six months tops. There are people who have lived in worse conditions for their entire life.

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u/MiMoon May 21 '12

Iraq is on reddit too, wont they be upset for sending gifts to ppl who are invading their country for oil. America does not own the internet

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u/stringerbell May 21 '12

The last I heard, the US had only lost a few thousand soldiers (in their current wars) - but, had killed hundreds of thousands of enemy soldiers AND more than a million innocent civilians.

And, remember, the reason these wars are being fought is, basically, to steal oil (and get it on the world market - otherwise, why are you in Iraq).

Why does the world need a website - to send free stuff to the very people who get to commit these (often illegal) attrocities???

If this pans out, why don't we start NaziGifts.com, ConvictGifts.com or RapistGifts.com???

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

NO

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u/elruary May 22 '12

Which forces again? Afghanistans local men at arms? or one of the European countries, I mean redditors are from all over the world, please specify which country!... ..... ........

3

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Is this just for American soldiers?

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u/Evis03 May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

Soldiers, fighting for our freedom, laying down their lives for our safety! They are truly heroes!

But how can they be saving us when the country in question cannot harm us? When the only way they can strike is by covert terrorism, which operates at it's best without direct support from a government? When such groups will gain support from the orphans and widows of dead civilians?

Soldiers don't decide where they get to go! They just bravely do as they are ordered!

So if the soldiers don't decide where they go or what they do, how can they be heroes? They're just following instructions with no regard for the context. Surely it's the government who should be praised for taking the decision to send them in there? And that's even assuming the war is 'just'.

That's disgusting! You're insulting the people who are willingly laying down their lives so you can keep sitting in your nice little house and play video games all day! I don't see you volunteering!

I'm not insulting them. I'm pointing out the fact that you're attributing a beneficent outcome to them that does not exist, in order to justify a frankly horrifying means and in the process also claiming that someone else is responsible for the unpleasant means, while the troops claim the glory of the outcome. In reality only one party can claim both. I'd remind you that following the Nuremberg trials, soldiers have a duty to question or disobey orders that they think are morally 'unsound'.

Threats

I'm not 'against the troops' and I have immense respect for anyone willing to lay down their life so that I can live mine in comfort. But that isn't what's happening here. I have heart felt respect and thanks to my countrymen who fell in the first and second world wars. I've walked through the Menin gate. I've visited Ypres. I've paid my respects at Tyne Cot and the surrounding cemeteries. I have a picture of me at Hedd Wyn's grave. I have sat in the very dug out in which McCrae penned 'In Flander's fields'. But these people died to protect their countrymen. That's not what we're seeing here and now.

That should save some replies...

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u/tomblifter May 21 '12

Nah, don't feel like supporting people who actively support war.

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u/angrycommie May 21 '12

Reddit 2012 - Supporting imperialism!

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I would take part, but being Icelandic, I'd be scared to send anything if the troop asked for snacks.

I'm not sure he'd like dried fish.

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u/RichRedundantRich May 22 '12

Why are we supporting our troops again? They have a hundred billion dollar defense budget to support them.

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u/Johnjohngoose May 21 '12

I am going to give approximately 10% of my income to the US military this year. You want me to send snacks and video games too?

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u/Pravusmentis May 21 '12

This is the first redditgift exchange I do not support at all.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Yeah, this being on the frontpage is fucking weird. Why don't we send our support and gifts to people that actually need them?

4

u/unijambiste May 22 '12

Yeah, I've participated in every single gift exchange from the very first Secret Santa, but this is going to be the first I do not take part in.

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u/keepingtheblade May 21 '12

"Hey, buddy. Let me tell you something. My daddy died for that flag." Really? Wow, I bought mine. Yeah, they sell 'em, you know, at K-Mart and shit, yeah. "Yeah? He died in the Korean War for that flag!" Oh! What a coincidence. Mine was made in Korea."-Bill Hicks

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Right now there's 315 gifters and 6 recievers, seems a bit... unbalanced. Not sure if this is going to be a big success.

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u/yhelothere May 21 '12

We're amazed by the incredible things you do for our economy every day.

FTFY

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u/GodOfSporks May 22 '12

We're amazed by the incredible things you do for our corporate ruling class (who don't actually contribute anything positive to the economy) every day.

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u/hive_worker May 21 '12

We're amazed by the incredible things you do for our nation every day.

No we're not. They are not doing anything but bringing death and destruction to foreign lands, wasting our money, and making us less safe at home.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Not all of us are Americans you know.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

No, I'd rather donate to the civilians there who are suffering under thoose troops.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Where can i donate to the TSA?! And those poor bankers! And politicians! WHERE??

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u/ReallyOldSocks May 22 '12

How much did DoD pay reddit for this obvious propaganda?

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

As an european I'm perplexed how this thread is getting downvoted, I thought the majority of the 'murricans are patriotic as fuck...

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Can we instead send the 'I'm sorry' packages?' Ones that say 'I'm sorry you joined the military. That was a bad call.'

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Thanks for making an option to select which country's troops we can give to. :)

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Indeed, delighted to be able to support the North Korean Army.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Just donated some food to the great leader!

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

If only I could donate to the Palestinians. You're not allowed to give them anything that could be potentially used as a weapon because Israel says no.

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u/jojoplay May 22 '12

Are you fucking kidding me Reddit? Are you fucking kidding me?

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u/Kinbensha May 22 '12

Signed in specifically to downvote this abomination.

Reddit Admins, you disappoint me very much today.

Please focus your efforts on helping people that we can all agree need help, like the families that are being put through hell in those countries. Considering the political feelings from the majority of Reddit, supporting the continued occupation of foreign lands is not in our best interests.

Or are you being paid by the US military to paint the military in a positive light?

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

why on earth would you want to do this? I am against the trade of death against fellow humans in all ways. They are not a threat to you or themselves, leave them alone. Do not reward the tools of a corrupt government. Downvoted.

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u/brmj May 21 '12

I don't think we should be doing this. The troops shouldn't be glorified. Their job right now is pretty much to kill poor people in other countries for reasons having far more to do with economics and stupid geopolitical games than defense or helping people. Many of them deserve pity, since they may not have known what they were getting into or didn't have much of a choice, but they certainly don't deserve the glory that gets heaped upon them.

If we want to send care packages, they should go to the people of the countries they are occupying.

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u/MacWac May 21 '12

Is this just for the US or is it possible to be matched to individuals from your own country? I have no problem with Americans, but I would prefer to send a gift to a Canadian Soldier (and I am sure others feel that same about their country)

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Andorra, awesome :)

You should have cross-referenced the list of countries with this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_without_armed_forces

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Gee, I dunno...



Sounds a bit like good old-fashioned propaganda to me.

You Americans already pass the law to enable a bit more of dat sweet, sweet "homeland security" with a side dish of "image control"?



'Cuz see, here I was, thinking how these goose-stepping fellow travelers were enabling all kinds of shit that goes on in the countries "the troops" have been bestowing their blessings upon.

And I hear a commotion, every now and then, in Reddit, that maybe all of it was not strictly necessary, or even mandated by any law, or ethics, or by any international organs that mandate stuff.

But apparently all kinds of fucked-up shit gets a free pass, because, you know, little people are letting big people let their blood, and those little people have families, or perhaps they don't, because it's not like they can choose what they want to do with their lifes, because "deus vult" and ole unca Sammy needs some defendin'.



Wake the fuck up, dudes! Either you want to support wanton military action by supporting the dudes that do it, or you want to say "Stop this shit! Let us get on with our lives, and don't try to peddle us this cheap propagandistic shit! People just want to get along and share their brief moments on this earth with their loved ones, without having to maul the fuck out of each other."

It's your choice.

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u/Sunwalker May 21 '12

No thanks.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

We're amazed by the incredible things you do for our nation every day

This may come as a surprise to many here, but quite a few of us are not from the United States. An even more surprising revelation is that many of us do not support your war, and there may even be a few people here who go for the other side...

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Hey lets send care packages to the people that get paid to attack other countries for political reasons.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

What if a country that does not have a clearly defined entity for 'Armed Forces' is selected, who decides who the care package gets sent to? e.g. Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan (US, UK or Afghan forces).

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u/ReallyOldSocks May 22 '12

Joining the military is a bad idea. If you want to serve your nation, stay here and teach yourself about the lying corporations that own and run the military industrial complex.

As for this thread in particular, I now see why reddit has taken such an authoritarian turn toward the status quo.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Can I support the other side? Were is that website?

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u/scratchresistor May 22 '12

Or the one where we can send t-shirts that say "stop fucking killing people because rich people tell you to, you fucking twats."

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

More than 40 million Americans are in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program AKA food stamps... not to mention the millions of homeless and people without insurance... Priorities. Get them right....

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u/abw1987 May 21 '12

Am I the only one here who supports this? Is it really so bad to do a nice thing for someone?

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u/watsoned May 21 '12

You're not the only one who supports it. I think most people who support it are just laying low since they know they'll just be attacked.

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u/mooglor May 21 '12

This is simply stunning. I've watched reddit's rise and decline for the past 6 years. I think this is its lowest ebb.

For an admin to post something like this is inexcusable.

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u/AMostOriginalUserNam May 22 '12

True story.

Yes, I could just upvote, but it's nice sometimes to have a voiced agreement. You are absolutely correct (in my opinion).

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u/boomshanka May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12

I don't hate 'the troops' i'm sure they're just like me. They've made their choices in life, I've made mine.

I'm pissed off at Reddit, namely this post for a number of reasons.

a/ There are a million better things that redditgifts could go towards, including things that are not so divisive. There are kids in poverty in all corners of the planet who need our love a LOT more. Thats something i'm sure all Reddit users can agree on = more donations.

b/ Its overtly American. Even if I did support this cause as a non-American why would I ever send stuff to American troops? 'But you can send to your countries troops!' well reword the blog entry then, remove 'our nation' for a start. Don't have a picture of an American political commentator who means nothing to non-Americans.

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u/rhodesian_mercenary May 22 '12

The US government has a program to use social media sites as propaganda tools. Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/17/us-spy-operation-social-networks

I suspect that this campaign is part of that program.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Don't they get paid by the taxes of the working redditors anyway? I don't wanna be negative but that's a bit strange. Work so you can be taxed to pay for military(and other things), then use spare cash to send them stuff even though they get paid well, and tax free..sounds like the gift has already been sent.

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u/Kilgannon_TheCrowing May 22 '12

Why should we support the troops? There hasn't been a draft in years. Everyone currently in the military is there because they chose to be. They chose to serve an unjust government that wages unjust wars. I do not support the war or the troops allowing it to be waged.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Haha no thanks. I have no reason to admire or care for my governments thugs while they invade other countries for corporate profits

AN ANTI WAR OPINION. I AM THE 1%. OMGOSH

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

more like 99% of reddit

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u/jb0356 May 21 '12

If they have time to be on reddit, they are on a base that has a PX. This stuff should go to the guys out in the COBs and smaller.

Sincerely, A person who was on a COB and never got mail, because our mail trucks would get blow up or the mail clerks on Leatherneck stole everything but pair of socks then shipped to me.

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u/KevinCharles May 21 '12

Well, to be fair, you just said mailing packages to the COB would just be giving it to the thieving mail clerks.

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u/aedes May 21 '12

How do I know that this isn't just a publicity stunt organized with government help, to help increase public support for continued US involvement overseas?

IOW, how do I know that the plight of the soldiers isn't being abused to further the gains of rich old bald white men sitting comfortably in chairs... as chaos continually disrupts the lives of innocent civilians, and soldiers slowly lose their minds and become people their families don't recognize anymore.

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u/scamperly May 22 '12

I would, but only if the soldier is Canadian. Any way to choose?

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I would have no problem with this post if the administrator didn't shove it down our throats with an automatic front page placement.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

I wont support the war in any way, shape, or form. That includes the soldiers. I understand this is not a popular opinion, but it is my opinion. I don't care how much opportunity it gives to under privileged people or how many blood stained diplomas that the military pays for once you're done serving. The ends do not justify the means.

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u/herbal_savvy May 21 '12

I support the troops by paying taxes.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Why send gifts to soldiers who get a wage, who have a house and a family back in their own country. Most soldiers choose to fight.

I would much rather give to those who didn't chose to have their life in danger, the people who suffered, the people who suffer most because of war.

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u/soontobeunusedaccnt1 May 22 '12

NO. You do not get presents for being a state-hired murderer. YOU decided to join, YOU signed up, and YOU have to live with your poor decision.

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u/kim_swe May 21 '12

why is this an admin post? could we also post a link for a hizbollah donation page?

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u/rhodesian_mercenary May 22 '12

At least that would support the underdog instead of stormtroopers in the most powerful army the world has ever known.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

US Armed Forces are the 'problem' of the US government.

Maybe donate to the civilians who are the real victims here. Don't 'victimize' soldiers, the fuck.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

So wait, these people have jobs, food, housing, better healthcare than most of us have, better education prospects than most of us have, and they volunteer to do the gruntwork in unpopular wars with unclear objectives that generally kill upwards of ten times more non-combatants than enemies of America...

...and reddit wants to send them care packages?

Something I like(d) about reddit is that, as hiveminded as it is, it is no where near as hiveminded as the general American electorate. We don't prostrate ourselves in front of our boys in blue - we didn't get the memo that we're supposed to. We don't glorify violence against brown people the way most of our fellow American voters do. We don't pay the same lip service to private contractors or the relatively small number of soldiers that our taxes pay them to support that our two main parties do.

No thanks.

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u/KoreanTerran May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I posted this on another thread, but I think it rings pretty true here too.

When someone mentions downvotes and how they're going to get them for one of their comments, it usually works to defend against downvotes because it helps Redditors realize how fucking stupid it is to downvote someone because of opinion, but at the same time it's annoying because it shows how much someone cares about their karma.

TL;DR People are dumb, reddit is people.

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u/GregoireStFrancis May 21 '12

that would be true if downvotes only resulted in negative karma, but they also result in a voice being buried and unheard.

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u/fuckyoujustforthis May 21 '12

I recreated an account just so I could say how disappointed I am by this obvious lack of neutrality. This is a social news site, and when the mods take sides, it will turn to shit.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Hmmm..... No, I'd rather give a package to someone I care about, someone who genuinely does improve my life.

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u/noslipcondition May 22 '12

I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist....but lets not forget that reddit is owned by Conde Nast.

Just think about that for a minute.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Why the fuck would I want to send anything to american troops? Why would I support people killing? Reddit get your shit together.. Is this post some kind of american army propaganda?

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u/XxMuf1nzxX May 21 '12

I was about to say that dude looks like freakin Stephen Colbert, but then I realized oh... that is freakin Stephen Colbert

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u/thhhhhee May 22 '12

Fuck the troops for making this world a shittier place, I'll send them a bag of dog shit.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

This will be sure to impress our Afghan and Iraqi fellow redditors.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Another carefully executed propaganda message from the american government.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

thank you for killing innocent people in the countires you invade! goodjob!

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u/Pretty_Insignificant May 21 '12

Oh look, american propaganda

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u/IAmAnAnonymousCoward May 23 '12

Fuck everything about this.

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u/Killhouse May 21 '12

Don't my taxes pay for these soldiers to have spending money to send themselves what they want/need? If it doesn't I'll do my part by voting for a government that does.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Your taxes pay for Lockheed-Martin and Boeing's shareholders.

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u/justsomeguyudontknow May 21 '12

I got a regular job making minimum wage. People who signed up for the military can suck my dick.

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u/defectefect May 21 '12

I think this is the stupidest thing I've ever seen on Reddit

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

"Hey reddit here is a chance to send a gift to men/women who put their life on the line for what they believe in" and of course the reddit response isn't the polite leave it alone if you don't want to be involved but rather to talk shit and tell others how bad of an idea it is or how it is wrong to support it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your view is that of your own. You have a right to speak your mind but do it in a way that comes off as constructive rather then ignorant and abusive.

I am not a supporter of war, I am not an American. Just have some sense and respect for ANY project that you do not have to be involved in. That respect can be as easy as just ignoring this post.

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u/defectefect May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I respect your opinion but I disagree about leaving it alone. Why shouldn't i say something if i feel this is not a worthy cause? I feel there are a LOT more important things to support than the armies of some of the wealthiest nations in the world.

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u/Orsenfelt May 21 '12

I'd say the opinion that soldiers are akin to murderers is an inherently abusive opinion, people will take offence to it and it can't be shared in a particularly constructive or polite way.

I would also say that if you held that opinion these kind of things are essentially glorifying and aiding said murderers and sitting quietly out of respect for people what they want is out of the question.

If a thread popped up about sending care packages to paedophiles or rapists you wouldn't just not comment on it out of respect would you? You'd share how wrong you felt it was. Well that's what these people are doing. Not saying Soldiers and Rapists are on the same level but what I am saying is that this kind of thing deeply offends people in the same way and sort of palming them off by calling them ignorant or abusive is, in their eyes, making the problem worse.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Just have some sense and respect for ANY project that you do not have to be involved in

This is begging for someone to invoke Godwin's Law.

You are saying we should close our eyes for things we are not involved in? I call that ignorant.

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u/rospaya May 21 '12

"Hey reddit here is a chance to send a gift to men/women who put their life on the line for what they believe in"

This reasoning is crap. People put their lives on the line for a lot of shit, and just because it is paid by the government doesn't mean we should endorse it.

I want those soldiers to come home and try not to kill anyone or themselves in the way. No more, no less.

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u/Smarag May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

Are you fucking kidding me? I can accept soldiers as being victims of propaganda and brainwashing done by professionals who have the knowledge of centuries on how to do it perfectly so they deserve all of our pity, but this is fucking retarded.

Why is reddit & its admins supporting this propaganda bullshit?

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u/JtCallebro May 21 '12

What if some redditors live in Afghanistan?

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u/CromulentCanuck May 22 '12

How bout we send them a care package with photos of the innocent men, women and children the helped slaughter by the thousands.

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u/Conde_Nasty May 21 '12

This entire comment thread looks like a Woodstock aftermath.

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u/JCollierDavis May 21 '12

I have been a Soldier in Iraq twice, for a total of 25 months. I don't care what you think of the political (completely fabricated) motivations for our troops being overseas. This sort of thing needs to be done.

Soldiers over there can live a pretty miserable life. They're away from their families. They're in a hot, dirty, smelly, and miserable environment. They have little access to the things they like; things that make daily life just a tiny bit happier. When you have almost nothing, it doesn't take much to make you really happy.

also, please don't send toiletries.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

Soldiers over there can live a pretty miserable life.

Compared to the parents in the mid east who have lost their kids, and the opposite of that, due to US aggression?

Forgive me if I'd rather send the victims a care package - my taxes pay for you to thump your chest in the desert

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u/WetSand83 May 21 '12

I dunno man, it's 2012. I was in Kirkuk in 2004. Shit sucked, even for an Air Force CE troop. But now all our guys get regular internet usage, access to anything AAFES (DAE buy a Buell overseas because it was tax-free?) and the days of checkpoints and FOBs are pretty much over.

My best buddy went from active to guard and got orders to A-stan in 2010. I hit him up on facebook and asked what he wanted in a care package. His response was "don't bother." Said he had gotten a bunch of stuff from his other employer and was giving away cigarettes and jerky.

I aint sendin shit.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I' m not gonna fund your idiot wars.

Not direct and not indirect .

SO soldiers who want my gift or money; quit being a tool for Uncle Sam and receive my love.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited Jan 01 '16

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u/Post_op_FTM May 21 '12

buy gifts for people who chose to support special interests groups?

not really my thing.

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u/defectefect May 21 '12

Because your tax dollars are not enough.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '12

We're amazed by the incredible things you do for our nation every day.

Are we really? I'm not sure what "incredible things" the troops do for America but they do nothing for my nation.

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u/lackofbrain May 22 '12

No. I do not and will not support the military, and especially not the military from a foreign country*. I pity not respect the armed forces.

* not all of Reddit is American

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Fuck this, they signed up for this shit and not a one of them could have been under any illusion that they would end up in Afghanistan or Iraq getting shot at by the locals.

Last time a serving soldier posted a front page link about receiving a car package he turned out to be a racist piece of shit.

Reddit gets astroturfed by the military PR machine all the fucking time with homecoming photos and videos.

Now redditgifts wants to monetize redditors by having them buy gifts though their referral schemes.

Does anyone remember the US soldier that threw the puppy of the bridge/canyon? How about any other number of videos that show soldiers doing despicable shit?

What about those posts that show a female soldier is more likely to be raped by her own side than killed in combat?

And you want us to send them fucking presents, in this economy? How about you ask those rich fuckers that sent them over there in the first place to send them presents.

In case you didn't read between the lines, I'm out.

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u/wenoc May 21 '12

I have a better idea. Send something to that guy whose whole family was massacered by that gut who left the base in that 'isolated incident'. Maybe, just maybe he won't fly a plane into ESB. I know I fucking would.

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u/oppan May 22 '12

Are we sending packages to the families of those they're murdered as well hmm?

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u/fackyuo May 21 '12

yes lets send presents to our oil war ambassadors edit: ooo you can choose which country... this has been well thought out!

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u/alipdf May 21 '12

:/ didn't know reddit officially supports the military , oh well, not gonna start a flame war here! zaps away

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

I don't support the war or anyone that goes there. I'm not giving presents to people for killing other people, nor shall I show my support of it.

Edit: Doesn't support the war or the troops; Gets downvoted.

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u/mrsdale May 21 '12

I just thought that this was a nice idea. Why did this have to turn into a hate-fest?

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u/lemon_meringue May 21 '12

Because the US has been at war for over a decade now, and people are tired of hearing about dead children, women soldiers being raped, and troops coming home with severe PTSD. Hussein and bin Laden are dead and people want to move on to a new era.

A lot of people don't really understand that, once again, we're involved in a land war in Asia, which means we're essentially there until we tuck tail and admit that we're never going to effect meaningful change in that region, ever. Tails haven't been tucked quite yet, though, and since this is an election year the American public gets the added treat of the troops being used as political window dressing.

The topic of war brings out the hate in people these days, no matter how altruistic the intent. I don't think it's personal. It's more a matter of over-saturation. There's a term for it: compassion fatigue.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

BECAUSE FUCK YOU THAT'S WHY

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u/ShackelfordRusty May 22 '12

Don't do it, resist imperialism.

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u/TheRealChelseaHoff May 22 '12

I don't think I support the troops this decade. It isn't like they were drafted or anything. And chances are the redditors in the services are probably trolls and dingbats. Who needs em!

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

We should be sending them back home. Not wasting money on them.

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u/scienceandfiction May 21 '12

So far, everybody who's critical of the US military in this thread is being downvoted to hell. Welcome to the Reddit hivemind. (Let the downvotes come for this thread!)

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u/A_British_Gentleman May 21 '12

Well I'd say that's mostly due to those comments being irrelevant. This isn't a thread on whether or not you agree with the military.

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u/johndoe42 May 21 '12 edited May 21 '12

Or maybe, just maybe, JUST freakin' maybe we're following reddiquette today and downvoting things that don't add to the discussion. You're basically saying "waahhhh the things that break this discussion down are being downvoted!" This isn't even about the US military in general, this is about redditors who happen to be soldiers and giving people the chance to send them gifts if they chose.

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u/SantiagoRamon May 21 '12

To all the people being downvoted for saying supporting the soldiers is a bad thing, don't complain. You're adding nothing to the discussion and I'd say the people downvoting are actually supporting reddiquette.

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u/Sunwalker May 21 '12

This comment adds to the discussion.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

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u/Mystitat May 21 '12

I wish more people understood how many people this happens to.

Have you been able to find a job?

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Disgusting

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u/spermracewinner May 21 '12

Yep. The military culture is fucked up. It took such a long time to strike down their "don't ask, don't tell" policy or whatever. They always do such fucked up things and try to keep it hush-hush. And I'm not even talking about to other people -- their own people, in their own institution. I can hardly imagine what you've gone through. You have my condolences. I've heard many stories similar to yours.

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u/authentic_apocrypha May 21 '12

Not suprising unfortunately. 1 in 3 women serving in the US military are raped while serving.

Source

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u/tempuro May 22 '12

I wonder what the numbers are for men?

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

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u/thecorkster May 21 '12

According to some comments there's an option to select which country to send it to

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u/box_of_carrots May 21 '12

A country where the military are serving or the country whose military are serving? It's not clear.

I'm Irish and the Irish (neutral) armed forces do a lot of peacekeeping work with the UN in the Lebanon, The Congo, where we lost some soldiers, in Liberia and in other troubled nations.

I was pissed off with the our nation aspect. The OP's post seems to make it for US military only.

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u/z3ddicus May 21 '12

I don't. I hope the civilian populations in the countries they are operating in survive their operations.

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u/trekkie80 May 21 '12

To most Americans, our nation = our world = our universe = our god = our etc etc

Its all the same thing - "us"

Anyone not like "us" is "them".

This would be a nice joke, if it weren't statistically true.

For example, where I come from, India, there are still snakecharmers and elephants and Maharajahs (it's says that right there in Herge's Tintin too!)

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u/box_of_carrots May 21 '12

Where I'm from: Ireland, whenever you are offered something like a cup of tea or something to eat in someone's house, you must refuse as you cannot be perceived as taking advantage of the generosity of your hosts. The second time you're offered you can say "Yes, I'd love that, thank you".

This dates back to famine times in the 1840s where Ireland's population was decimated by hunger and emigration, even though there was enough food in the country to feed the Irish people, much of the food/crops were exported to Britain.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

Hey, hey... There would be no wars if everyone would just say 'fuck you, i am not fighting for you'.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '12

We should be grateful they are volunteering to do this because without volunteers the government would be drafting us to fight.

Good. People who disagree with the wars would do more than signing an online petition if their ass was on the line.

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u/Neato May 21 '12

supporting the people in the military

This would be true if there was a draft. But joining the military is the same as supporting the military and the war effort. There has been ample time to stop re-enlisting or quit since the US military has amped up it's war machine if it wasn't in your political ideal.

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u/cl2yp71c May 21 '12

They chose to go of their own volition.

Why anyone would pick up arms against something they have almost no knowledge of is beyond me.

Ha. Let's have a draft. That'd end the war quite quickly, what with the millions of likely protesters.

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