Lover not a fighter

[Tom]

Don't know where else to post this-but since it's about my friend leaving the Army-I figure 'lovers' is the best section.

My friend Cooper-26. Not some young kid joining the Army-but did it to go into special forces-where he thought he could make a difference. Was tired of the 9-5 life..wanted something else in life.

Now-I prefice all of what I'm about to say with this- I don't hate the military. I think we need to defend ourselves, we need them-whether or not I agree with them all the time. I don't believe in this war, and I don't get along with military types-but still-fuck-I couldn't do it-and god bless the person that defends our nation. WWII was a horrible thing-but I think there was honor in our military action. There is honor in wanting to protect people.

So-back to the story. He decides to join a few months ago-and goes on this whole America kick. Gun shooting, talking shit about Iraqi's, etc. etc. blah blah blah. Only wearing fatigues...etc. We had a nasty fight-simply because I tried to explain the mentality towards America overseas....I'm the kind of person that always sees the other side...wants to explain it, want people to think about things....told him how the military is full of poor undereducated people who die for a shitty war while the rich overeducated sit back and tell the gov't to send more troops...That the military is homophobic (oh-I'm gay by the way....but that's another story....I only get along with straight guys....who the hell wants friends that might want to sleep with you??? At least with straight guys I know it's not gonna happen. The amount of times some gay friend has drunkenly told me he's in love with me...jesus..-I don't get the gay culture OR the military culture I guess.....

Anyway-again-I generalize here WAY overboard..but you get my feelings about this all. He didn't appreciate my attitude-told me I was 'what's wrong with this country-that I was defending terrorism (I don't-anyone who blows up innocent people is an ass-a lower than life scumbag).

SO-he goes. I wish him the best-and tell him that I'm proud of him for doing something different in life. Even if he hates it...just proud that he said 'fuck conventionality' and was giving something a shot.

Well--he calls me just now to say he left. Why? Because I was right. Call him a pussy for leaving-I don't. I call him honest enough to admit that he's not a machine who wants to be yelled at all day and told what a bitch he is. To hear that he sat in a class while being told to "buy lots of little knives-so that when you get to Iraq and mistakenly shoot a little kid-you can throw a knife in front of him and call it self-defense". To hear "let's get all their oil-kill the towel head sons of bitches and get the fuck out. Shit-we can't rape the women cause they're ugly as fuck!". Course this was not 'official teaching'. Just comments made in class by the instructor to the hoots and hollers of everyone. "FUCK YEAH MAN!!!!" (hand slapping and laughter then following).

To be told that he needs to be a good christian in order to live (by all the people in his platoon at night...to hear that every Arab person needs to be converted to love Jesus...to have to listen to D12 coming through every person's walkman at night ("these chicks don't even know the name of my band..."). To not be allowed to sleep for 4 days and then clean out toilets...To have to listen to talk like "Someday I want to go to California and see the Atlantic Ocean". Or "My momma shot my daddy with a sawed off shotgun by accident". Or "The niggers are ok these days cause they make good music...but the faggots are the new niggers. They need to be shot or hung or some'in like that."

hell-I understand the point behind it all. I know the psychology behind creating a soldier. And if that works for YOU..great. Live the life. Love it. Be the best that you can be. But I know my friend-and I know that he's too kind and caring and artistic and all that shit to be that way. And if you know of, or ARE a soldier who doesn't feel this way? RIGHT FUCKING ON....I'm glad they exist. And I'm sure there are lots of em. Just not at Cooper's boot camp.

Anyway-he ended up basically breaking his foot. Stuff that for 2 weeks when he asked to see the medic was told "FUCK YOU PANSY ASS WIMP...DEAL WITH THE PAIN". Anyway-finally allowed to go see someone on base. The doctor who examined him said-'Son-you have a valid reason to be medically discharged if you want to be'. He took 5 minutes to think about it and said yes.

So-he never wants to shoot another gun-see another war movie-hear about the good we're doing in Iraq... he's more interested in appreciating what he's got in life-and calling up this beautiful girl he met before going away. God damm right I say...

And that is my rambling on for the evening.

[martino]

best rambling i ever read

[Guest]

*leaves you a flower*

[Tom]

I put the flower in my back pocket.

[mccutcheon]

Tom if you are looking for a boyfriend the bartender I love (but don't love) might be right for you. But I don't set people up so that's up to you if you ever want to meet him.

And let's go to Coney Island together. We can skinny dip in the Pacific.

[Sloth]

In honor of the valiant marines, we should change the name of all the oceans lining our borders to "The American Ocean".

[Sloth]

Coney Island is Jim Knipfel's favorite place. What's it like? he doesn't really sound like someone you would want to hang out with. He is fun to read though.

[martino]

"American Ocean"? That sucks. Call 'em "Freedom Ocean"

[mccutcheon]

We have 2 freedom oceans!!!
lalalalalalalalalal fuck and suck and fuck and suck
but I suck. I just put my head under the water. cold.

and even though I suck, gooooooood comments on Kiss Off.

[Tom]

Kiss off is the reason I started posting here.


Fucking brilliant and twisted and ...ah fuck with the compliments...you know it's good.

Work sucks. I'm hungry..I'm tired. It's 11pm. I'm here until possibly 1am. I've been here since 6am. I can't even begin to describe the insanity here.

to misquote/paraphrase McC
'fuck a fucking duck and suck my fuck'

[mccutcheon]

what in the hell do you do?

[marky]

This is all really great. Medicine for the soul.

The flower in the back fucking pocket, man. The goddamn Moz, can't get away from him...

Can't there just be no countries and no religions like Lennon said? Can't there?

What's so funny bout peace love and understanding?

Cheers to you for your honesty Tom, your honesty.

[marky]

Just incase anyone out there doesn't understand, I have in my posession the strange and curious object of a videotape of The Smiths playing BBC and Morrissey has flowers in the back pocket of his jeans, it was his trademark for a time...

[Tommy Martyn]

Hello chaps,

I've been on holiday. There has been tons of stuff posted that I would love to comment on during my absence. I'm very interested in the jaunt to Vegas. Also, I'm wondering about a drive out to see Myke in the Carolinas. Or a quick flight up to NYC.

Martino, I'll try to think of some recommendations for the reading list. (Being and nothingness will NOT be amongst them)

I have closed on my new house (ie I now legally own it) I move in next week. Unfortunately Mrs Tommy flies out to London for three weeks on Sunday. Moving in and looking after two small children for three weeks will be no picnic and hooking up an internet sevice will not be a priority so I may disappear for a while.

I still own that lovely house in Seattle. Does anybody out there know how lovely it is to have two mortgages?

I spent the last week on a lake in Michigan near the Indiana border. I was in th eheart of Amish/Mennonite country. I cycled out into the middle of nowhere and met a fellow cyclist who was Amish. We explained pleasantries. I'm still thinking about it now.

Back to work.

[Tom]

I have that 'hulmerist' video...lots of flowers in the back pocket there...

Although-I was kind of disappointed to see what a queen he was..I mean-that video for 'november spawned a monster'???

...it totally ruined my image of him. I have never been to a moz/smith concert....My image was only the music.

Anyway-I still idolize the man.

"please keep me in mind..."

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