this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2026
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[–] SayJess@lemmy.blahaj.zone 27 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Gotta say, I do respect the fact that he turned around and is now standing up for the people of this nation.

He was a part of the machine, and who knows what he did while occupying Afghanistan. How many lives were lost because of him and his imperialist brothers in arms? Even so, I have respect for anyone that is out there protesting and documenting ICE’s campaign of terror.

[–] BeardededSquidward@lemmy.blahaj.zone 23 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Interesting is the idea that a lot of conservative people sign up for the military and those that stay in longer typically become less conservative. While those who just do their 2 and done are still worthless CHUDs. I don't know if it's a widespread phenomena but I've heard of a lot of spec ops guys who go in and come out being progressives at least.

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 9 points 2 days ago

I mean, the stationing of US soldiers in NATO bases in Europe is pretty much an echange program, hopefully some of them learned something from it. I for sure think there are more reasonable people in the US military than in the government. But that's a terrifyingly low bar.

[–] dogbert@lemmy.zip -3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

those that stay in longer typically become less conservative

Any source on this? Feels like you’re just making shit up.

Those CHUDS that did 2 tours and stopped have less blood on their hands. Those that stayed are certainly not more virtuous like you’re trying to imply, even if they ended up becoming libs (doubt it).

[–] Zombie@feddit.uk -2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

the idea

The idea being that the longer they're part of the machine, the more they realise the atrocities it commits, and begin to oppose it.

For example:

You join the army, you're trained to kill, you're told the Afghani's are the enemy, you do a tour, fire a few rounds, come home, the idea of Afghani's being the enemy remains.

Versus, you do 8 tours, start to realise that they're people just like any other. Trying to live their lives, being outgunned at every turn and living in poverty while you storm over them with tanks and jets. While you yourself simultaneously are being treated like shit by COs and politicians.


I don't think that's a hard concept to grasp. It's not about virtue, it's about who opens their eyes to the reality of life and who doesn't. Being left wing doesn't automatically make you morally superior to a right wing person.

[–] dogbert@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

you do 8 tours, start to realise that they're people just like any other.

If it takes you 8 tours of murdering to realize they’re people, you shoulda got your face blasted a long time ago.

The person at home that thinks Afghanis are evil is still less demonic than the person that continued to murder.

Murder is not some journey to enlightenment. What a sick mindset…

[–] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

He was a part of the machine, and who knows what he did while occupying Afghanistan. How many lives were lost because of him and his imperialist brothers in arms?

Does he really, tho?

Even so, I have respect for anyone that is out there protesting and documenting ICE’s campaign of terror.

Right now this is the most important part. I have more respect for common people who've been vigilante in this movement, but more the better.

This sudden "veteran joins in" angle news are pushing seems more like propaganda to belittle grassroots movement.

[–] SayJess@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 day ago

Does he really, tho?

I’m not understanding the question.

I hadn’t looked at it from a propaganda point of view. Very interesting. Hopefully these videos can help influence more vets to stand up and take their oath seriously. We are in no position to pick and choose who our allies are right now.

They will kill another protestor in the streets, it is only a matter of time. And when they do, we’ll need everyone we can get.