Unless YOUR narrative is wrong Hermex. It could happen.

Of course I could be wrong. Maybe that artist was just waiting for some metal to be sent so that he could make this sculpture. Maybe little Iraqi girls feel really bad about loss of American lives. But seeing as this is a discussion, and I am not a reporter, I am just writing what I feel when I look at the pictures and read the story.

Did I read that this was modeled from a picture? It would mean more to me if it were a bronze representation of an actual moment. Otherwise rather contrived.

The Flight 232 Memorial that was put up in the city where I live was created from an actual photo and seems to mean quite a lot to those involved.

That said, if the soldiers who ponied up the $18,000 are happy with it, who am I to criticize?

I admit its no "crucifix in a glass of piss" but it isn't bad.

It's a commissioned work. Armchair criticism seems disingenuous.

Or strap explosives on her.

these 2 statements seem sort of.... contradictory... ? ... don't they ?

I don't see the contradiction?

The soldier was based on a photograph of a real soldier.

According to the 4th ID website story -

Really and here i thought it was to give you your freedom of speech.

I think you are thinking of another army !!!

I guess freedom is for only a few ??

Not in your wildest dreams. The soldiers job is to follow orders. Do the given job and try to survive as a secondary objective. It's not the soldiers job to know WHY he is there. All that shit about Mom, apple pie and the flag? Forgitaboutit. He's doing the job because he promised and he doesn't like Leavenworth. His personal beliefs don't enter into it.

On that thread bruce:

Every few years the Aussie armed forces does a little quiz: In the even of a coup/major government destabilistation would your loyalty lie with your commanding officer or the Prime Minister. Each time it's overwhelmingly for CO. Interpret how you will.

Sure Jag, love the one you're with.;)
That's always been the danger of a professional army, but it can happen with a citizen army also, though less likely.

Unless it's John Kerry. If you're liberal, you're doing it for The Children(tm).
Feh. This thread alone is a powerful argument for draft-dodging. Why put your butt on the line when no one is going to appreciate it anyway? If Saddam rode through the fucking Reflecting Pool with an AK in one hand and the head of a 5-year-old from Topeka in the other, he would still have American apologists trembling behind their olive branches asking the UN to give him just ooonnnnne more chance.
Shit.
Not directed at you, Bruce, your quote was just a handy springboard for my rant.