And I Quote...
- Thread starter Jizm
- Start date
Only the dead have seen the end of the war
-Plato
-Plato
"Death solves all problems - no man, no problem." - Joseph Stalin
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." - George S. Patton
"We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction."
-General Douglas MacArthur
ps: I really like the 3rd one, it puts a good positive spin on something that is really negative :thumbsup:
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." - George S. Patton
"We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction."
-General Douglas MacArthur
ps: I really like the 3rd one, it puts a good positive spin on something that is really negative :thumbsup:
In my eyes, this is the single most inspirational and patriotic quotation I've ever heard. Most people have belittled the motives - as well as the President himself - behind this inaugural speech because he chose not to make a political statement and focused instead on foreign policy. I believe, though, that it captures the very essence of what is most missing from our country today.
In fact, this very speech that this quote is from led me to make up my mind about joining the Marine Corps back in 1988.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President Of The United States Of America
- 1917(b) - 1963(d)
- Commander, United States Navy
In fact, this very speech that this quote is from led me to make up my mind about joining the Marine Corps back in 1988.
... Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country ...
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President Of The United States Of America
- 1917(b) - 1963(d)
- Commander, United States Navy
QBall1970 said:
No offense Qball. I assume that your motives for joining are sincere. But that quote basically says to me; 'Don't ask questions and do whatever I tell you to do. Whether you like it or not, agree with it or not or even understand it or not.'
I think that is the basis of military service around the world. I think if every soldier around the world questioned their actions before they did them, the world would be a MUCH better place. Of course, if a soldier did that they would be punished or killed. So not an easy thing to do - to say the least. I think one should NEVER do what someone tells them to do unless that person is convinced of it's merits. Of course, that would spell the end of many militaries around the world ( I assume), but that's okay by me. Ridiculously unrealistic, but okay by me.
The bottom line is I respect the ideals that decent militray men and women have and serve for. It is by definition, a reasonably unselfish act. And on that basis, it should be commended. But as long as men and women kill others simply because they are told to do so; I believe this world will never be what I assume many of us hope it could be.
To kill for any reason other then direct self defence (as opposed to implied self defence) to me is wrong. Period. And I am not even sure that it is not wrong then. But there are limitations in this world.
A quote? Okay.
'Trust is earned. Not given away.'
Worf of Klingon (lousy source, but I like the thought)
VERY WELL SAID, mcrocket.
And no, you didn't offend me.
Believe it or not, I'm not very easily offended. IGNORANCE, STUPIDITY, and IMMATURITY offends me... not differences in opinion or beliefs.
While we may disagree as to the merits of JFK's inaugural speech quote I posted early this morning, I have to say you just nailed the very reason why I feel that the United States has become the world's police force... for lack of a better phrase... and why we need a more confident/intelligent leader to bring us back to our original focus. Would I want to see a military leader? Hard to say... especially since the days of innocence and 'Camelot' are long passed. The only military leader I could ever imagine serving as a U.S. President would have to be Norman Schwarzkopf, General (Ret.) U.S. Army... and even then I would have very severe doubts and hesitations regarding his ability to effectively govern these United States.
While I was fortunate enough to have superiors and commanding officers who believed in a certain code of conduct and ethics, I have witnessed the "lamb being led to the slaughter" syndrome you say eloquently described.
In my eyes, there is no room for such blind and unquestioning devotion in the military. Many of the world's great military leaders (i.e, General George S. Patton, General Douglas MacArthur, etc.) suffered from an almost "god-like" complex and ego... again, in my humble opinion...
Taken out of context, that quote does seem to behold a certain foreboding when it comes to military might and power. But... in its entirety, that speech is one of the most eloquent and realistic inaugural addresses I have ever read, listened to, or witnessed. While JFK certainly had his faults, I still count him among some of the bravest and most patriotic men in this country.
So... let's talk some more about quotes, shall we? Enough of politics!
And no, you didn't offend me.
Believe it or not, I'm not very easily offended. IGNORANCE, STUPIDITY, and IMMATURITY offends me... not differences in opinion or beliefs.
While we may disagree as to the merits of JFK's inaugural speech quote I posted early this morning, I have to say you just nailed the very reason why I feel that the United States has become the world's police force... for lack of a better phrase... and why we need a more confident/intelligent leader to bring us back to our original focus. Would I want to see a military leader? Hard to say... especially since the days of innocence and 'Camelot' are long passed. The only military leader I could ever imagine serving as a U.S. President would have to be Norman Schwarzkopf, General (Ret.) U.S. Army... and even then I would have very severe doubts and hesitations regarding his ability to effectively govern these United States.
While I was fortunate enough to have superiors and commanding officers who believed in a certain code of conduct and ethics, I have witnessed the "lamb being led to the slaughter" syndrome you say eloquently described.
In my eyes, there is no room for such blind and unquestioning devotion in the military. Many of the world's great military leaders (i.e, General George S. Patton, General Douglas MacArthur, etc.) suffered from an almost "god-like" complex and ego... again, in my humble opinion...
Taken out of context, that quote does seem to behold a certain foreboding when it comes to military might and power. But... in its entirety, that speech is one of the most eloquent and realistic inaugural addresses I have ever read, listened to, or witnessed. While JFK certainly had his faults, I still count him among some of the bravest and most patriotic men in this country.
So... let's talk some more about quotes, shall we? Enough of politics!
"a day without a smile is a lost day" - Charlie Chaplin
"confine yourself to observing and you always miss the point of your own life. the object can be stated this way: live the best life you can. life is a game whose rules you learn if you leap into it and play it to the hilt. otherwise, you are caught off balance, continually surprised by the shifting play. non-players often whine and complain that luck always passes them by. they refuse to see that they can create some of their own luck." - Frank Herbert
"confine yourself to observing and you always miss the point of your own life. the object can be stated this way: live the best life you can. life is a game whose rules you learn if you leap into it and play it to the hilt. otherwise, you are caught off balance, continually surprised by the shifting play. non-players often whine and complain that luck always passes them by. they refuse to see that they can create some of their own luck." - Frank Herbert
I can't belive this one didn't come up yet:
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein
Another one from him:
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is at all comprehensible."
[wow]
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein
Another one from him:
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is at all comprehensible."
[wow]
"The chain around the neck of humanity is our tendency to pass judgement on others."
Geoff Tate
Geoff Tate
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