Sportsfan02, I have no doubt that some of the comments on The Mat are legitimate. However, for many of those pushing the issue on The Mat like 1/4 pound and a few others all you have to do is a search of posts by the individual and you will quickly see that I am speaking the truth on this issue. The web site is http://www.themat.com the link to search individuals there is http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/?search_forums=true

I would challenge to do a search on 1/4 pound, thrinmo, icyhotstunta, KCCM, and others who are doing most of the negative talk. I will quote one of those individuals in part to help prove my point,

Quote by 1/4 pound, you can stick that purple heart up your ***. they are handed out a dime a dozen and everyone knows that, it's right up there with the national defense medal. yeah that whole abu grhaib ****, was an isolated incident. get real... now don't get me wrong, i'm not saying everyone is like that. but **** yeah that crap is rampant especially among the younger troops. i am informed... not full of ****, and speak the truth.

coach r, you and mr. john kerry are my hero.


Other comments are trollish in their behavior.

Am I sure that Swayz can take it? You bet, but to imply that the message was not well received needs clarification. Clarification from the fact that the overwhelming majority of those making those "not well received" comments are in reality trolls who fit the discription of what I stated. I will also quote another individual on the forums who summend I think up the perspective that Swayz was trying to bring out quite nicely.

quote by Coach R: After I came home from Viet Nam I had a couple of beers and a conversation with my father and a couple of uncles about this topic. Dad had retired after 26 years as an Air Force NCO, serving in WWII and Korea. One uncle was on the Saratoga. Another was with the 1st Inf - he always said he took a cruise to Normandy and then walked to Germany. A third was finished with his service after Gualalcanal.

The consensus of the discussion was that it cheapened what vets had done to have sporting events, political campaigns, used car sales, etc. compared to war. They didn't complain about it - they just felt it.

I think language shapes thought. When you allow something to become common, it effects how it is perceived and thought of.

Thrinmo - sorry if that sounds too bleeding heart liberal for your sensibilities, it's just the way I see things. As for 1/4 pounder - I challenge you to produce those people who are in the service to "get their jollies killing sand -iggers". I suspect that either 1. You got your leg pulled by some people in their cups who wanted to do a little macho bragging. or 2. You're so full of **** your eyes are brown.

As for sissies - I'll match my purple hearts against your bronze medal in the Middle School wrestling tournament any day.

Again, go to the mat do a search and find out what kinds of comments these individuals make who are being critical of the post. Frankly, I am glad that I differ with those trolls on this particular issue.

As for how service men or those that have lost loved ones in war feel about these types of comparison, I know all too well from personal experiences. Am I saying I�m not guilty of the same example? Certainly not, I am guilty, but I will for one try to be more careful and respectful in the future.

I realize in closing that some of the comments by some, may be an attempt at humor, but on Vet's day, I wouldn't think that joking about the purple hearts that men have won, and given their lives for is very funny. I guess I am from the old school, that there are just some things you don't joke about. Men dying in war is one of them.