General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOcelot II
(115,576 posts)And we know that opinions are like assholes: Everybody's got one.
AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)many suggestions discussed on DU have been implemented. We are ahead of the world in collective thinking. Thats why I still have hope embargo on russias energy sector imposed by EU is feasible. There may be support among EU citizens.
Sneederbunk
(14,275 posts)underpants
(182,585 posts)and DU is always a great source. Nothing is that hard to figure out with the right sources.
MarineCombatEngineer
(12,249 posts)These so called war experts, the majority of whom have never seen a day of combat or the horrors that go with it are clueless.
PortTack
(32,691 posts)Wingus Dingus
(8,052 posts)Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)Scrivener7
(50,901 posts)lapfog_1
(29,189 posts)My father served in WWII, was at Anzio, the North Atlantic, and flew a PBY in the pacific.
My brother served and dies in the Navy during Vietnam.
I would have gone to Annapolis except for my brother's death ( I thought the notification officers that rolled up to my house were there to tell me about being accepted into the Academy).
And we all have a right to our opinions. That is what my father and brother fought for.
RainCaster
(10,815 posts)I'm amazed at how many have time free to tell us their expert opinions during the pandemic. I'm sure the same motivation exists for the martial experts.
bigtree
(85,971 posts)...I'd argue that less knowledge and understanding is a bad thing.
Many posters have actual war experience - for others, this isn't the first military crisis they've experienced, some up close and personal. I value those perspectives and viewpoints.
I'd guess that's why we have a civilian Sec of Defense, because aside from technical issues and decisions, what our military does in our nation's name and presumed defense should be everyone's expertise.
Carry on, yerself.
Scrivener7
(50,901 posts)and needs to make fun of those who engage in the discussions.
They seem to feel that most conversation is best left to the professionals.
I can't help but remember that they are free to pass on the conversations that annoy them so much. But they don't seem to. They seem to need to talk about their annoyance.
Not sure where that's coming from, but I much prefer your viewpoint.
NutmegYankee
(16,199 posts)qazplm135
(7,447 posts)Basically a shut up follow the leaders thing where we only discuss whether things are going great or extra great or whether Republicans suck or really suck (admittedly I go with really suck).
Exchanging ideas even wrong ones has value.
radius777
(3,635 posts)It is the duty of everyday citizens to voice their concerns and opinions regarding national and international affairs, and of the policies and workings of our government and military. Being an expert on any particular topic is not a prerequisite for democratic participation.
The founders were very clear on such principles, to prevent the democratic experiment from devolving into a military state.
A government of the people, by the people for the people - not a government of experts and generals.
It should be noted that most regular people couldn't care less about world politics or military objectives - until they are forced to because the so called experts and leaders who were supposed to prevent situations like this have failed to do their jobs - and now innocent people are being slaughtered and the security of the world is at grave risk. Putin was appeased for 20+ years and this is the end result.
EYESORE 9001
(25,907 posts)It reminds me of anti-intellectuals who hold high-falutin education in disdain. If you want your opinion on something as important as war to count for anything, you need to bring something to the table that shows you know WTF youre talking about.
JohnSJ
(92,060 posts)Doodley
(9,033 posts)Wingus Dingus
(8,052 posts)many DUer's ask for US policies aimed at stopping Putin and helping Ukraine, however dangerous or misguided those might be. There's nothing wrong with that. Joe Biden and Gen. Milley aren't reading DU for guidance, so we can talk as much as we want.
AntiFascist
(12,792 posts)and, at the moment, the majority of Americans don't seem to want us to get directly involved.
Wingus Dingus
(8,052 posts)against Russia.
AntiFascist
(12,792 posts)Celerity
(43,068 posts)the 'send US/NATO ground troops into Ukraine to directly fight the Russians' and/or 'the US and NATO must do a complete no-fly zone and shoot down Russian planes if need be' crowd.
Any one or two or all three would very likely be WWIII-inducing actions, especially the first.
I understand that DU is just a chat board, and people are free to suggest most anything, but given that, valid criticism of those proposals is definitely something that is going to occur as well.
Wingus Dingus
(8,052 posts)proposal torn to shreds, argument-wise, on a forum...vs. "Unless you're an expert/served in combat/are in the State Dept. you should STFU!" DU is an outlet for regular people to not have to STFU.
Celerity
(43,068 posts)way out over their skis, and I condemn that level of vitriol.
drray23
(7,615 posts)People are there to discuss, give their opinions and debate it. As it happens sone of us are also veterans but regardless, we live in a democracy and are entitled to have an opinion on the conduct of a war where we might get involved. Carry on.
EYESORE 9001
(25,907 posts)but I dont believe it endows me with expertise in geopolitical machinations- up to and including warfare. Its galling when people second-guess the decisions of those in President Bidens chain of command. I leave that to the fools who find fault with everything the man does.
drray23
(7,615 posts)We are absolutely entitled to have an opinion positive or negative on anything our government does in our name . We don't live in Russia, we live in a democracy.
Are some of these opinions misguided or plain wrong ? Sure but that is what happen in a democracy. It's up to elected officials to convince us of their course of action.
Millions watch the super bowl and definitely have an opinion on how the play should have been conducted even thought most people aren't former NFL players. Sane thing.
EYESORE 9001
(25,907 posts)Totally the same.
NutmegYankee
(16,199 posts)This is America, and this is also a discussion board. People will sometimes express opinions you find stupid or ill informed. Rather than be annoyed or desire to shut them up, debate or discuss with them and persuade them.
Scrivener7
(50,901 posts)are capable of understanding that that is what they are. Conversations. You seem to think they are some kind of order being issued.
Which, of course, is just silly.
highplainsdem
(48,890 posts)with military equipment and issues. Some have experience with public debates on defense issues.
All have access to a lot of information, and they have every reason to want to talk about this.
I noticed that in the "Where does DU stand?" poll in GD now, you were in the small minority voting to "stay out of it."
Which I'm guessing explains your OP ridiculing discussions of the conflict here.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)What does We got to do more mean?
Response to USALiberal (Reply #19)
highplainsdem This message was self-deleted by its author.
highplainsdem
(48,890 posts)It doesn't have to be exactly defined.
It was at least as clear as "stay out of it," which was the option you voted for, as if the invasion is happening in a bubble with no effects outside the borders of Russian and Ukraine.
If you're unhappy with the perfectly understandable concern of people here, and their wish to talk about it, then just skip those threads.
EYESORE 9001
(25,907 posts)A reason why I dont vote in half-baked polls.
LakeArenal
(28,798 posts)Seriously, threads that serve to rile us all up over opinions and unsubstantiated facts serve their own purpose.
If you think a thread or comment is stupid, pass on it.
demmiblue
(36,816 posts)doc03
(35,293 posts)marie999
(3,334 posts)I knew a lot about the Soviet Union. There isn't the Soviet Union anymore. I don't have a clue about what is going to happen now.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)marie999
(3,334 posts)Funny thing though sometimes you learn something that isn't important at the time and 20 years later you read something and it all comes back. Don't know what is classified but basically, we were discussing a certain Russian bomber and 20 years later I was reading an article on Grenada in a magazine about how it was doing some construction on its airport and it immediately hit me that we were probably going to do something about it. I was not surprised when we invaded Grenada.
dalton99a
(81,386 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,228 posts)to remember the old Soviet Union doing in other countries exactly what Russia is doing to Ukraine while we did not militarily intervene.
mcar
(42,278 posts)You name it, we got 'em.
fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Whiskeytide
(4,459 posts)IBEWVET
(217 posts)But I have no knowledge of what is going on except from news. I do know war is far worse than what is shown on the news and my heart goes out to the people of Ukraine.
48656c6c6f20
(7,638 posts)In Russia we let an ex KGB agent run our military and he kills us if we argue about it. Russia is fun! America not so much fun.