Bright Move by "Joe Brave"

Clark Kent wrote: Ken Majors wrote: The whole incident with Joe Brave...it happens because for people like OS...it is hard to turn off the switch from training NCO to "turn the other cheek" guy. Rangers tend to not turn the other cheek so much. Is this intended to excuse otherwise inappropriate behavior?  As if people should get a pass on common courtesy because they are trained killers? This has got to be the single funniest line in this entire thread.  It is literally drenched with irony.  I don't think someone's background gives them a pass on common courtesy; but doesn't this apply to "Joe Brave"  (JB) as well?  IMO OS's actions are more acceptable than JB's because OS was merely responding, as is his right, to an unprovoked verbal attack.  It may be generational, but I personally don't see why anyone should be forced to put up with random disrespect from complete strangers. Clearly, our chosen training and profession impacts our behavior - that is unavoidable.  Yet we all have to function in the same society, and that requires each of us to suppress certain impulses when dealing with the rest of the world. Like the impulse not to yell insults out our car window at people we don't know just so our gf will think we're tough? Military folk are not unique in this respect - the principle applies to all. While the principal may apply to all, not everyone adheres to the same standards of behavior.  What one choses to, or not to, tolerate from the jerks in the world is a personal choice.

I believe there is a generational difference in interpretation, to some extent, being displayed by the responders to this post.  I also think that this difference does not bode well for future society.

The argument was postulated in this thread that OS was merely engaging in society behavioral modification and was answered with a resounding "who cares/why bother."

This is why we should all care:  Society changes.  It is shaped and reformed on a daily basis by the morality and experiences of its members.  This is not to say that it changes quickly, because it doesn't.  The change is more of a generational shift type of change where major social changes can take decades or more to come about.  Mid 1800's society was very intolerant of crime and social aberration.  Rape and child molestation were capitol offenses, and even harmless differences such as homosexuality could result in death or serious social stigma (consider Oscar Wilde).

The changes that society experiences are not necessarily bad.  In many parts of the world today there is much more acceptance for those that differ from social norms.  (i.e. the acceptance of civil unions and greater compassion for the mentally ill.)  However, there is also more tolerance for behavior that should not be tolerated.  (The fact that a child molester who took advantage of an 11 year old girl can get only 5 years with time off for good behavior or that organizations like NAMBLA* are allowed to exist and further their cause.)

With this in mind, if members of society don't step forward and express their displeasure with those actions that they consider unacceptable, I worry about what will become acceptable behavior in the future.

Gatyr wrote: Da Hui wrote: Gatyr wrote: Da Hui wrote: Ironic you guys all give OS a hardtime for posting his Republican opinions, yet its so wrong when we disagree with you. It's called disagreeing...and it happens quite a bit. Deal with it? Seems to Me like nobody listens to OS simply because he is a a Republican. And the republicans are willing to listen to people like the Smitty's and Ryan, right?

Edit: Especially Ryan, I enjoy reading his posts. They are extremely interesting.