Calling All Surfers!

+1 Dude, being the standard 18 to 22 year old college student does not count as real world or real life experience, sorry just doesn't. The fact that you think it does just shows how little you know about the real world.

 

It's narrow-minded and short-sighted in general to discount someone's viewpoint or contributions to a conversation based on any reason, be it age, religious/political affiliation, anything! Real-world experience certainly increases the chance that someone will have insight into a situation/problem, but it's not a prerequisite.

The world would be a lot better off if we were all better listeners.

 

Too General

aka pumpmaster, I agree that sometimes a 20 year old plumber is gonna have a lot more common sense and street smarts than a college statement, but that's simply too general of a statement to make. The college kid could have spent a summer working in a third world country and the plumber just decided to drop out of high school because he was lazy, or, the college student could have gotten in because of legacy and be a ****ty kid and the plumber could have been a good kid but couldn't go to college because of money or family issues, you just don't know. It's a tough situation, but I think it's a step in the right direction of a long term goal

 

Who wants to travel to Nicaragua and make a difference while ya surf in warm water? or you may donate $ or just go on the next trip to Chile, Japan, Nica, etc...
Mike
East Coast Liaison & Operations
International Surf Lifesaving Association
islasurf.org/

-Trust me, I've been on three trips (Ecuador, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic) with ISLA and have also served on other just causes abroad in my lifetime to include Afghanistan and Iraq as a paratrooper; I can whole heartedly say this is a WORTHY CAUSE.

 

Not bashing just agreeing with what the pumpmaster stated. I was once a college student... I once wanted to change the world. Then I graduated and found out no one gives a crap because they are dealing with the issues of modern life I was soon to experience.... like struggling to find a job & income to pay my newly acquired thousands and thousands of dollars worth of debt. Not saying its a good thing just the way it is. Not trying to offend...Do your thing.

Again my beef is with what this organization wants the US to do. They have no plan. A peaceful resolution? Yeah I'm sure you can reason with someone who cuts up kids faces turns and them into sex slaves or child soldiers. Step down so we can put you on trial. Not gonna happen. It sucks but I'm not willing to risk American lives though armed intervention. "Support and defend the constitution" not create a unnecessary power vacuum (or I guess one that is not beneficial for us) in third world places. This strategy has not worked well for us.... eastern Europe, South Vietnam, Iraq etc. If the African Union doesn't care enough to stop it then why should we intervene. If they want help get it for China they have all the money anyway...

 

Spoken like a true adult.

 

As someone who's been in Africa to educate and offer healthcare and medical improvements, US presence is almost always looked down upon by citizens. I spent a month in Morocco, a supposedly safe country. Safe by African standards is a percentage chance of not being shot at or abducted, rather than a guarantee of the sort. While stationed in the remote village I spent the majority of my time I felt fine and out of any harms way, but travelling through cities and various countries would send 90% of everyone who "wants to make a difference" home in a heartbeat. My time in Marrakech witnessed 2 bombing incidents themselves. Wanna know why most of the citizens don't want us there? WE are the ones who stir things up. By placing our soldiers on their soil, retaliation becomes an all-time high. Being told by Moroccans I should have been bombed instead of their friends and family, because my presence was unwelcome was a big eye opener...They know why the american soldier is placed in Africa-- not to stop some warmonger child-soldier chief, but for the United States' own benefit.

My point is, this stuff ravages everywhere in Africa, should be handled (if at all) by education (Both us AND them) and improvements to the countries' economies.

 

Way off....

To answer your questions. I am a dude. I was in the US Coast Guard for 6 years. Machinery Technician, MK2, small boat engineer and boarding team member. Combat? No. Maritime law enforcement? Yes. I like my oceans and air clean and my beaches accessible to everyone so I guess that makes me a tree hugger. Given this forum, I wouldn't think that was a bad thing.

If you were, in fact, taking care of your own country, then I apologize. But in my experience, people who are crapping on others ideas and good intentions, aren't usually the ones being a force for positive change in their communities. Mostly because people who actually work at helping others appreciate and respect others who are trying to change things for the better as well.

It is also possible to walk and chew gum. One can volunteer in the community AND sign a petition and attend rallies, no? Change begins at home, but it doesn't end there.

And if we are guessing here, I would say you are a douche. I don't have anything against douches per se, I just don't think they belong in combat because all they will do is complain and cry about what is wrong with the situation but never fix it.

But do enlighten us on your efforts to better your community. Don't be shy. Shame me with your awesomeness. Run your own soup kitchen? Foster parent? Rescue dog owner?
Do tell.

 

I don't have the time or energy to waste on worrying about whats going on on another continent of earth.

 

THIS^^^

While it is a great cause, I have researched it and concur. Donate with discretion.

 

when did you do "4 years in Iraq" if you were deployed in '91 at most you were in Saudi or Kuwait for 6-9 months and actually "in combat" in Iraq for under 2 weeks. If you're going to put it out there, may as well give the details

 

KONY 2012. Putting the "infant" back in infantry........

 

Damn dude, that's just wrong. Inappropriate stuff is funny to me though. You're going to hell man. hahahaha

 

You are correct, I wasn't actually "in combat" for 4 years. I didn't mean for it to sound like that. What I mean't was I did my 4 years and "was" in Iraq. I was stationed in Basrah before the cease-fire. And then to Rumaila after. It was 2 years and some change. Not two weeks. What you are reffering to was the apex of the entire war which was just over a month.

Ignore the douche bags. Your were and are a important part of america.

 

i do that because people take things like this serious for a week or however long it's "popular" for and then they forget about it and go back to their daily lives. if you truly want to help, stop *****in' and start a revolution or actually devote your time an effort to that cause. But yea, inappropriate things make me laugh too.

 

No kidding 757, our country is a good candidate for a revolution, a peaceful one I hope. Thomas Jefferson was said to believe that the Constitution should be rewritten every generation so that the dead would not govern the living. That might be a good start for our fine nation.

But like you said, who has the attention span and the patience to see that through? Our system needs a tune up before we involve ourselves in the affairs of others. I feel sympathy for Kony's victims, but I just don't know that anything we do will truly make a difference. I think some regions, especially Africa are just prone to corruption.

For example, look at Egypt and Libya. They overthrew their rulers and so far it looks like they jumped out the frying pan in in to the fire. If we helped take down Kony, there is another monster on deck.

 

thanks for clarifying! I was a TOW gunner in the Marine Corps, 8th Tank Bn, TOW co/Scout Platoon- similar job, although i was never deployed in combat. You sucked in a **** load of toxins at those times/places. Make sure you keep on top pf that ****. see you in the water

 

I hope you weren't referring to me by calling him out, if you'll notice his tone in replying, actual veterans never get defensive when probed about service details