Philippine marines gonna get some.

[Dracon II]

Columbia should be spelt Colombia of course... although I'm sure that there are pockets of drugged up socialists at Columbia as well, if my experiences at University are generalisable.

[Lancer]

Rufus, I know how I'd feel if some of my army buds got killed and then dismembered, so I hope the marines get some, and I blame the moslems that did the dismembering for the displacing of their fellow moslems.

Agree?

[dannubis]

Lancer, are you serious ?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Lancer
Rufus, I know how I'd feel if some of my army buds got killed and then dismembered, so I hope the marines get some, and I blame the moslems that did the dismembering for the displacing of their fellow moslems.

Agree?

If displacing 8000 people gets them any closer to their goal, more power to them -- but the history of fighting guerillas isn't exactly on their side on that count, and neither is the history of keeping the Philippine military restrained and focused on task.

The Marines deserve to kick all sorts of Abu Sayyaf ass. But if this devolves into either the indiscriminate attacking of Muslims or -- what I actually expect -- the bloody setttling of old, unrelated political scores between Manila and the ARMM, then no, it's not okay. And Marine feelings be damned; if they're so overcome with blood lust that they can't tell right from wrong, then they're not worthy of being called soldiers, let alone Marines.

[Dracon II]

Marines getting bloodlust or not... if something like this happens, it warrants a response. Not losing one's cool is fine... doing nothing when your soldiers are brutally murdered... especially in a guerilla war, is dangerous. Manila needs to demonstrate its power in some way.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Dracon II
Marines getting bloodlust or not... if something like this happens, it warrants a response. Not losing one's cool is fine... doing nothing when your soldiers are brutally murdered... especially in a guerilla war, is dangerous. Manila needs to demonstrate its power in some way.

Manila needs to demonstrate its power in the right way. I'm deeply troubled by the attempt to pull the MNLF into this, as I said, especially in light of what seems to be the military's ongoing, politically motivated killing spree targeting labor activists in northern Luzon. I hoping that the General is just speaking out of turn, and Manila will spank him and get back on track.

[Lancer]

The moslems in those parts do stand and fight though, at least they have in the past. I don't expect that they'll melt into the jungle. Nor do I expect indescriminate killings on the part of the marines, though the moslems will certainly never stop such. I do believe the Philippine marines have disipline and I have confidence in their ability to take it to the enemy in a manner that befits the crime commited.

So Rufus, we have a difference of opinion.

Hey! are you ok? Not related to this thread but you seem to be under some stress, your posts are getting an edge to them. Life treating Rufus good?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Lancer
The moslems in those parts do stand and fight though, at least they have in the past. I don't expect that they'll melt into the jungle. Nor do I expect indescriminate killings on the part of the marines, though the moslems will certainly never stop such. I do believe the Philippine marines have disipline and I have confidence in their ability to take it to the enemy in a manner that befits the crime commited.

So Rufus, we have a difference of opinion.

I don't even think it's a difference of opinion. It's hope and fear; I hope you'll be right, but fear that I'll be. Believe me, I'm pulling for you on this one.

Hey! are you ok? Not related to this thread but you seem to be under some stress, your posts are getting an edge to them. Life treating Rufus good?

Life treating rufus very good, thanks; you're a mensch for asking. Work's a bit stressful right now, though, so maybe I've been venting here a little more than usual. Thanks for asking, and thanks for calling it to my attention.

[Lancer]

This place is for making life more enjoyable. If that means venting, well I've done my share of that too.

If you need to get away...well I'll PM you my Phil phone #, call anytime and come over. We'll be there Sept 25 or so, Fiesta is the 27, 28, & 29th.

[Lancer]

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/13/yehey/top_stories/20070813top1.html

Seems the government expects the terrorists have split into small groups, so I was wrong about that. I thought they would stand and fight.

The gov is at least giving lip service to humanitarian concerns, but we'll see, hope so.

Anyway, the 'go ahead' is given...

[Lancer]

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/15/yehey/top_stories/20070815top2.html

US special forces are in the field with the Philippine marines according to the French.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

No surprise. Basilan, where the decapitations took place, was a showplace US military project for winning hearts and minds; Basilan having been deemed successful, Jolo was next up.

[Unspeakable Horror]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
My God! Those poor souls!

The cruelty, I've never imagined!

[Lancer]

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/19/yehey/metro/20070819met1.html

"Bunker to bunker fighting"

[Lancer]

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/20/yehey/top_stories/20070820top1.html

Took the place, heavy cost, killed two of the moslems that beheaded the bodies of the ambushed marines.