Any other Brits find this image offensive?

[Darrin]

Would you care to explain your opinion?  I'd be interested to hear it.  Also, feel free to explain why you didn't have the balls to at least PM me to join this debate.

[Darrin]

Let me see, I'm a British citizen, living in America and have served in the British Army.  I served for 3 years with The Queens Own Hussars which was a type 57 Challenger tank regiment.  The tank in the picture is a Challenger tank (a Challenger 2 to be exact).

If you have a problem with my avitar then too bad.  I have no idea what your dumb "eating tank bullets" remark is about.  Tanks fire shells, but are also equipped with machine guns.  Of course, you have no idea about the military, no idea about world politics and never been to the Middle East.

Please feel free to post again and make yourself look like a bigger idiot.

[Darrin]

LOL.  You're so stupid it's probably not worth even chatting with you.

Come on, explain why I like killing.  Do you know any soldiers?  Obviously not, because then you know that no soldier enjoys war.  It's the media that likes a good war so they can feed the brainless masses some good old propaganda.  What would you know about killing people?  Obviously, you know as much about that as you do about orgasms and from your post it is plain to see that you associate sex with rape.  That's probably how you get your jollies.  I guess in your part of the world you could always hire a girl for sex, but then prostitudes are probably picky about who they sleep with too.

Now, don't hold back little man.  Tell me what you really feel about my avitar.

[Darrin]

My avitar is to show my support for the troops in this world-wide war.  You can believe whatever you like because thankfully for you there are soldiers dieing to keep you free to keep thinking these things.

I just find it amazing that I've had this avitar for years and only now, when I enter a forum and make a post to thank I guy who was worried about us members living near New Orleans, do I get attacked for it.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:
Tell me what you really feel about my avitar.

Can't you read? (Well, obviously you can't write)

I can read, but you're only telling me what you've been brainwashed into typing.  I'm wondering if you actually have any thoughts of your own.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:Obviously, you know as much about that as you do about orgasms and from your post it is plain to see that you associate sex with rape.

No, that's a non-sequitor, because I clearly wrote that I associate war with rape. And that's quite factual, I can back up that statement with countless of facts.

YOU associate war with rape because some survey says that during war there are rapes.

Please show me your "quite factual" reports that show where I or any of the soldiers I have served with have raped someone?

Using your poor grasp of logic, rape also happens in peacetime by civilians.  So, using your argument, civilians must like to rape.

Nice try, but you're urinating into the wind with arguments like that.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:Obviously, you know as much about that as you do about orgasms and from your post it is plain to see that you associate sex with rape.

No, that's a non-sequitor, because I clearly wrote that I associate war with rape. And that's quite factual, I can back up that statement with countless of facts.

Wait a minute!  I think I've read a bit deeper into what you're saying.  You associate war with rape because you were in a war and were gang raped by soldiers!  That's why!  Oh, it';s clear now.  Sorry about my misunderstanding.  No wonder you can't have a normal sexual relationship after that trauma.  Still, in time, I'm sure your backside will recover and you'll be able to stop taking the medication.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
for instance

ROTFL!!!

Oh, if this is the sort of trash you read then you're beyond hope.  You still live with your mother don't you.

This whole site is a work of fiction with articles from dubious "reporters".  Hell, why don't you give me some links to some blogs too and call them facts.

You have a long article making a couple of references to "unseen" incidents which have been supposedly verified by people who haven't released the proof to the public.  Classic stuff.  Let's look at some other quotes:

> According to returning Mexican-American soldiers and
> staff members of Congressmen who have viewed the videos
> and photographs in private sessions, there are far more
> shocking photographs that have not been released to the
> public.

Really?  Just no names and no pictures?

> Senator Richard J. Durbin himself said "There were some
> awful scenes. It felt like you were descending into one
> of the rings of hell, and sadly it was our own creation".

Is he talking about teh so-called video or talking about something else and being misquoted to help convince people like you?

> Other members of Congress said, after viewing the images,

Who?

> that they included Iraqi women exposing their breasts and
> other private parts.

Really?  Where?

> Congressman Martin T. Meehan said, ''I was obviously
> shocked and horrified to discover that the new photos are
> even more gruesome than those we have seen in the media.

Is he really?  Who is he?  What was he horrified about?  He doesn't say.  What a surprise.

> Some of the pictures and videos show actual intercourse
> between male and female soldiers."

Oh no!  The US soldiers are hetrosexual!  Quick, court martial them before it spreads!

> In addition, the May 10-17 issue of Newsweek said that
> yet-unreleased Abu Ghraib abuse photos "include an
> American soldier having sex with a female Iraqi detainee

Does it?  Is that really what it is?

> and American soldiers watching Iraqis have sex with
> juveniles."

Which could mean soldiers finding Iraqi's having sex with people below OUR legal age of consent, but not theirs.  What are we supposed to do about it?  Did they watch it and then "rescue" the person?

>What also has not been revealed to the American public is
>that the sexual humiliation of Islamic prisoners and rape
>of women detainees is actually an Israeli Jewish practice
> used by the Zionists against the Palestinians.

Well, that last sentence says it all.  We can all see how "factual" your "reporter" is.  

What is sad is that you're obviously prepared to believe anything rather than admit you may be wrong.

Hey, why don't you read the article on that site that says the US government deliberately didn't aid New Orleans because they're racist and what the blacks to suffer.  Hey, you'll probably believe that too.

I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

[Darrin]

cecilia wrote:
to get back to the first question, no, i'm never "offended" by ANY picture. images, music, films, etc are all there to make people think and provote conversation.

hopefully.
ACTIONS, on the other hand, can often be offensive. I'm offended that this war was started for stupid reasons. namely, profit for the "have mores". I'm offended that people have been needlessly killed and worse for corportations. I'm offended by politians who's every word are lies.
I'm offended by politians using soldiers as pawns. and trying to aline themselves with the bravery that soldiers have without having any themselves. In effect they hide behind their troops. hoping the respect one has to have for the military will spill over on them.

I'm offended that these politians think i am so stupid that i would fall for such crap.

I'm offended by politians being so callous that they don't make plans dealing with a hurricane that they KNOW is on it's way - putting uncounted 1000's in fatal danger.

why waste time talking about a picture when there's so much more to be offended by.

Thanks you for actually explaining yourself.

Personally, I disagree with your viewpoint, but we live in a democracy and that's what democracy is all about - different viewpoints.

I guess a lot of people think that all of my friends think like I do.  I'm a right of center, atheist, oilfeld worker and ex-soldier.  My best mate is a left-wing socialist, biker, carpenter just like jesus!), christian.  I can tell you that when we have a few a beers and decide to discuss politics and religion that the volume gets VERY loud.

Of course, we're still friends at the end of the night.

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:

I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

No you did not :-)

Damn, a smilie.  I think you're either starting to chill out or realised that I'm deliberately winding you up a bit  ;-)

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

cecilia wrote:
why waste time talking about a picture when there's so much more to be offended by.

Because people "think" the way they act. A war does not simply begin with a gunshot, a war begins with propaganda.

But the point is, how do they end?  That's the important thing (assuming you can't stop them to start with).

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
There are very few things I do not take up lightly. War is one of them.

Trust me (and I'm serious now), as someone who has done three operational tours, I do not take war lightly.

[Darrin]

If propaganda is the cause, propaganda is the measure. Take out both fox and al jazeera. But also, don't lie about it, be clear about it. We've seen it by our friendly neighbours, the Germans (difference in amount of nazi's in former DDR and BRD)

Yes, taking out the extreme viewpoints on both the lefta nd right would help.  The trouble is that we would then have people screaming "censorship!" and "freedom of speech".

What we really need is for people to simply respect their own borders.  If they have a religion that teaches peace and respect then they should try practicing what they preach.  Athesist have an easy time - they know everyone else is wrong so they just try and ignore them  ;-)

Anyway, if there is one thing that travelling has taught me is that "joe average", no matter where he is living, just wants a quiet life and to be left in peace.  Unfortunately, there's always some greedy little git who thinks he knows what everyone else should be thinking and wants to stuff his ideas down their throats, or a tinpot dictator who can't organise his own country and wants to take someone elses.

I vote for making a Mars colony and leaving this whole mess behind.

[Darrin]

Doobrey wrote:
Resorting to insults because someone doesn't agree with your POV?
You could say it points to a lack of any thoughts/arguements of your own.

You're quite correct, but I was a little pi$$ed off at the time and was deliberately baiting him.  I pride myself on my ability to get under peoples' skin :-)

Getting back on topic, I don't find Darrin's avatar offensive, all it says to me is that he's proud of his military background, maybe other people are reading more into it or maybe I've missed the point of this thread completely.

Exactly.  It also shows my support for my friends who are still serving and are over there right now doing a very difficult job.  I just wish the media would show more footage of the people being helped and who welcome the UK soldiers.

And on the subject of avatars, isn't mdma's one illegal under the new UK tobacco laws?

You're right.  And as a non-smoker, I find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!  Does anyone else find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE?   ;-)

[Darrin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

Darrin wrote:
You're right.  And as a non-smoker, I find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!  Does anyone else find it HIGHLY OFFENSIVE?   ;-)

- he just stopped -

Oh damn!  He's REALLY going to be in a mood then.  My wife gave up 14 months ago and I still have to wear my old helmet and flak jacket just to say "good morning honey!"