We've lost our focus
 

In any major event such as a war or military action there will always be various factions or points of view. That's inevitable - it's what sets us apart from animals who, from all appearances don't have opinions.
When the US started this war, military action, rescue, invasion, attack - call it what you will - all our points of view started to surface. That's fine. Discussion is healthy as long as it remains a discussion. We're now getting into personal attacks & that my friends is NOT good. We may learn sometihng from hearing other opinions voiced - we learn nothing when attacking someone we'd previously called a friend. People I consider good, dear friends, even w/o meeting them are being attacked for backing me & I am getting VERY annoyed with the attackers for that. If you want to attack me fine - leave my friends alone! All you have to do is get ME here in the public forums or email ME - I'll give you my # & even my address & we can carry on privately & leave this site out of it. I'm telling my attackers to FOCUS on ME & ME ALONE - can you comprehend that? I doubt it.
I started a post with a sincere request for those opposed to this war - what PLANS did they have for stopping the barbarism in Iraq & for securing those weapons which he is now using so NO country in the world is in danger? I never received a single, honest answer. I can only assume it's because, while their moral characters find the US actions reprehensible, they do not have any solutions to offer in it's place.
I posted a plea for these same poeple to educate me - I listed numerous points which I feel validate what is going on in Iraq - I received no education other than to compare it to what the settlers did to Native Americans 200+ years ago. For the record, we have several reservations out this way - I have made friends with many Native Americans. I apologized to 1 very smart, well respected "elder" for what happened to his ancestors & was immediately chastised by him for my naivete. He pointed out that, while the settlers were usually not friendly to his people all those years ago, it was not a 1 sided problem. His people ALSO attacked the "white man" w/o reason too. In his very wise estimation it was a draw - BOTH groups were equally culpable for the way history played out. He pointed out the Pilgrims were treated well because they respected his people - where it went wrong he couldn't say. It rather surprised me to hear him assign some blame to his race but I found his honesty to be something I deeply admired.
As for the way the posts here are going I can only say it's a darn good thing that F150 Online members were not responsible for protecting or running this country & I include myself so back off before you attack me yet again. We've all gone off on tangents & have shown a total lack of cohesion. We'd be in a very sorry state if we were in charge of the US - heck, we couldn't even agree on how to run this website if we had to. Good thing we have a webmaster who is smart enough to stay out of this. I'm sure he has opinions but he isn't about to be dragged into the free for all here.
I'm sorry if my previous posts "stirred the pot" up. I'd really expected & wanted some open dialogue from anti war people & never got that. Who knows - maybe just 1 person with some valid points could have changed my mind. I doubt it but, stranger things have happened.
I will be back later as I am on my way to an "I love America" rally. I back my words with actions so before the people who have seen fit to pick a fight with me look for another - yes I mean you! I pray NOBODY tries to burn a flag as I will protect my flag - OUR flag with all I have. Gee - I wonder who among the anti war people can or would say that? None I bet - they are the ones BURNING our flag but hey, that's another tangent & another personal attack against me that's going to have to wait till later.
God Bless America & all of us too - we sure need it.

You made many valid points in your posts Cowlady. When I read your first post asking for an "anti-war" opinion to answer your questions, I thought to myself, "This is the wrong site for that."
Reason being is that #1 those who favor the war in the entire country greatly surpasses those who do not favor it. Secondly, this is a truck site. You know as well as I do, (for some strange reason, I dont know) more conservative types seem to drive trucks, or at least visit THIS site. So I was thinking that you werent going to get very many anti-war opinions. (Which you didnt) I think a better place to post your question would be a general forum at cnn.com or something, where there would be a greater majority of people who disagree with you, and might feel the need to debate with ya.

I agree in principle with you sdiesel. This IS a truck site. However, we have many who are in the military amongst us here. Currently there are 3 who are "over there" & have not been heard from in awhile. They asked not to have that publicized because they do not want to worry about their families back here. How SAD anyone would have to be fighting for their country & be worried about the backlash to their families in their OWN country!
The MAIN reason I started my posts was because I can only imagine how much it must hurt ALL active military people - here or over there & also our vets to hear/see anti war comments. They deserve SO much more from all of us, even those who disagree. See, if NOT for our military they couldn't be expressing their opinions so freely.
I just came home from an "I Love America" Rally. They expected about 500 - over 3,000 showed up! The Marriott had to let them set up extra screens & cameras in a parking lot to be able to accommodate everyone. You could HEAR the cheers from the group outside - especially when images of our flag was shown. I have never been PROUDER to be an American nor have i ever been prouder of our troops! It was a moving experience to say the least.
I still would like answers to my questions but you're right - I won't find them here. The doves don't HAVE answers to give. Or, they lack the nerve to post them which makes me VERY thankful they ARE doves - I'd hate to have people like that who are afraid as the same people defending me & the country I love so much.
I do thank you for at least answering this. Hope all is well with you.
God Bless America - God Bless & protect our troops.