Comments on: Behold! The Imperial Trainwreck!

By: Bret

Bret — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 05:50:48 +0000

Chad and jjohnson,

I cannot speak for Fritz but for me, long posts are fine (I read the whole thing, too) but this is a bit of a stretch. The post may have to do with the gospel and/or the church, but the main drive of it does not at all and thus doesn’t really belong in a blog set apart for specifically gospel-related topics. I can easily get this post or one like it in a place where this type of topic is the focus without needing it here.

By the way, I actually DO agree with some (though not all) of Seth’s points and think he did a well thought out essay here. Also, just to be clear (though I don’t imply you implied this:) I DO make a point to keep up on all the news I can from as many varieties of sources as is feasible.

By: jjohnsen

jjohnsen — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 02:02:00 +0000

Great post. I don’t see why it doesn’t belong here, if we see a wrong should we not point it out unless it pertains directly to the Church? I read every word, and agreed with the majority of what was written. If Fritz needs it simplified, I think I can do that. Bush bit of more than he can chew, and there is no way anyone can see to fix it. I’m guessing attacking Iran is the best way to turn things around now, right?

By: Seth R.

Seth R. — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:10:09 +0000

Eric,

Realize that the looters example was merely one example of many of the sort of tough stance that I believe was necessary to truly succeed in Iraq.

Of course shooting 50 looters wasn’t going to magically solve all the problems we’ve had the past few years. That was never my point.

My point was that we needed to have the sort of “political toughness” going into this that was needed to truly win the respect of the Iraqi people and give the population confidence in their own future under U.S. supervision. That “toughness” could have manifested itself in any number of ways. The looters scenarion was merely one example. We never had a real desire to win in Iraq – thus our halfhearted efforts at occupation.

And I never said the military was incompetent. All my criticism was directed at the strategic gameplan.

By: Eric Russell

Eric Russell — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:33:09 +0000

Seth, I disagree with so much here I don’t even know where to start.

“50 looters shot vs. the thousands of civilians tortured and murdered since then? Your call.”

What does this mean? Seriously, what the heck? You think there would have been no insurgency if we had cracked down on the looting?

You speak endlessly about the incompetence of the military, but I don’t think I caught a single argument as to why the administration can not or should have known they cannot accomplish their goals in Iraq. You’ve got some hard core Monday morning quarterbacking going on here.

By: Clark

Clark — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 06:15:54 +0000

I liked it even though I clearly don’t agree with it all. I agree though that for discussion breaking things down a bit into parts might be wise. But I’m not convinced every post out be short and pithy.

By: Chad

Chad — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 04:51:26 +0000

That was an excellent article, Seth. Well thought out and well written. I laughed when I read the comments, though. One of the main themes of the post was whether or not we could follow through and do the job in Afghanistan and Iraq. One of the main components of that is having a populace that is aware of the issues. But how can Americans be up on foreign policy (or anything else) if we can’t be bothered to read and keep up on the policies? What happens when we get all of our information from Fox News sound bites? What happens when we can no longer read a post that is longer than two paragraphs, just listen to an opinion, or really seek to understand without firing off objections? We lose the ability to think, follow through and get the job done. I think we’ve lost much of our character that defined us in the 30′s, 40′s and 50′s. How does that relate to the Gospel? You tell me; between the disintigration of the family, pornography, and a instant gratification mindset, if I were Satan, I’d be laughing too.

By: Bret

Bret — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 01:36:04 +0000

Fritz is right about the length. Also, I’m fine with the topic if you relate it to the gospel somehow, but sorry to say, he’s right in that it doesn’t belong here. Anyway, I can hear about how dumb the Bush administration by listening to the Democrats. Everyone knows it somehow or another for some reason or another. I get it. I don’t care about that anymore. What I care about is NOW WHAT DO WE DO??? Let’s focus our energy on some problem solving rather than “Boy! We sure screwed up!” I’m willing to take solution ideas from anyone. Liberals, Green party members, Libertarians, whatever.

I DO enjoy all your other thoughts, posts and comments though. I look forward to your next one:)

By: Seth R.

Seth R. — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 01:29:39 +0000

I’ll take that under consideration Fritz.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 01:12:47 +0000

Seth,

One more thing. How long did it take you to prepare such a submission? Or did you just copy all those points from some other far-out post?

For next time, remember the value of brevity. Look it up. B-r-e-v-i-t-y. Brevity.

Fritz

By: Fritz

Fritz — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 01:07:45 +0000

Seth,

What’s w/ the length? Who in his/her right mind can respond to all these points you bring up? I could only read the first 3 paragraphs and realized I would spend an hour getting through this. What’s become of this blog?

Take this topic somewhere else. I imagine most of us disagree w/ much (likely most) of your statements, and virtually all of your conclusions.

You’ve got me flabbergasted. Turn off the war topic valve. How about discussions relating to the Gospel. Isn’t that the intent of this site in the first place? For heaven’s sake! We all wish the war were going better, but Seth’s running tongue is worse than worthless; it’s also annoying as he#*. I mean heck.

Fritz