Dear Terrorists....

[caddmannq]

(This was sent to me by a friend this morning. I don't know who wrote it. I hope it's all true....
Cadd.)

Dear Terrorists:

I am a U.S. military aviator. I was born and raised in a small town in New England. I come from a family of 5. I was raised in a middle class home and taught my values by my mother and father. My dad worked a series of jobs in finance and my mom took care of us kids. We were not an overly religious family but attended church most Sundays. It was a nice small Episcopal Church. I had a brother and sister and I was the youngest in my family. I was the first in many generations to attend college.

I have flown Naval aircraft for 16 years. For me the flying was never a life long dream or a "calling," it just happened. I needed a job and I liked the challenge. I continue to do it today because I feel it is important to give back to a nation which has given so much to me. I do it because, although I will never be rich, my family will be safe and comfortable. I do it because many of my friends have left for the airlines and someone has to do it.

My government has spent millions to train me to fly these multi-million dollar aircraft. I make about 70,000 dollars a year and after 20 years will be offered a pension. I like baseball but think the players make too much money. I am in awe of firemen and policemen and what they do each day for my community. I respect my elders and always use sir or ma'am when addressing a stranger. I'm not sure about kids these days but I think that's normal for every generation.

I voted for George Bush not for his IQ but because I like him. I think I made a pretty good choice. I tell you all this because when I come for you I want you to know me. I won't be hiding behind a woman or a child. I won't be disguised or pretending to be something I am not. I will be in a US issue flight suit. I will be wearing standard US issue flight gear, and I will be flying an aircraft clearly marked as a US warplane. I wish we could meet up close in a small room where I could wrap my hands around your throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you, but unfortunately you're hiding in a hole in the ground so we will have to do this a different way.

I want you to know also that I am very good at what I do. I can put a 2,000 lb weapon through a window from 10,000 feet up. I generally only fight at night so you may want to start sleeping during the day. I am not eager to die for my country but I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect it from animals like you. I will do everything in my power to ensure no civilians are hurt as I take aim at you. My countrymen are a forgiving bunch. Many are already forgetting what you did on Sept 11th. But I will not forget and my President will not forget.

I am coming. I hope you know me a little bit better now, see you soon...sleep tight.

My opinion:

1) Sounds fake. Like written by a writer. Too pat.

2) I think the US Military startegy nowadays is to do a remote warfare - like in Afghanistan- not much hand-to-hand combat. Just blast them from 10,000 feet up where you're safe (from their sticks and whatever)

Bit grandoise but otherwise I agree with the substance. Wonder what percentage of the armed forces are so motivated?

[RADAR1797]

I went, and I am still motivated to help end the terrorists' existances.

-RADAR

[super gerbil]

Its pretty good, but not great

[Knothead]

I love it. I don't care who wrote it. If I were in the military, I would xerox this and put it into every inbox and nail it on every bulletin board.

As a matter of fact, I think I'll cut-and-paste it and send it around on my e-mail list, because I just like the attitude!

Yeah, damn right. When America comes, we are clearly identified, and we have a sense of purpose that can, and often does, redefine borderlines, ideology, and history itself. We do not, and never will, sit in some hole and perpetrate sneak attacks!

[M_Six]

Considering the events of recent days with the drone aircraft and all, it rings kind of hollow.

I have no compassion for terrorists. Quite the opposite. But warfare against these terrorist is now a game of stand-off range weapons. In the area in which they operate, Americans stand out like sore thumbs. The presence of an American aircraft is like turning on the kitchen light; the cockroaches all scatter. The only way to get them is to sneak up on them and blast 'em until they roll over and die. Not quite the heroic scene that letter describes.

[Avicus]

Wait for Irag to foul up. Oh how I loved watching those tanks roll when I was 9.

Avicus

[jman01pa]

I love it too.

Pilots are Officers, educated in colleges and / or military academies. They are more than capable of writing the above letter like a professional writer.

Terrorists fight dirty. You cant wait until you see the whites of their eyes to begin fighting them. We cant battle terorists the way the world has battled each other over the past few thousand years. They are scattered all over the world and use any means they can to hit their target. They set bombs in night clubs, poisonous gas in subways and drive planes into buildings. Their targets are generally regular everyday people who have done nothing to harm their way of life. If we dont fight back they will only grow bigger and stronger destroying the way of life for us and the future of our children. I believe we should take them and their allies out any way possible. If people of the world dont like us killing the dirty bastages then wait until their brother, spouse or child is killed by the terrorists horrible deeds. I am sure the mindset would change.

How many parents of murdered children stand outside of prisons pretesting againsts the death penalty trying to save the life of a murderer. I would bet none. Why would this be any different?

I served 4 years in the Air Force and would serve again if called up.

[Martoch]

Originally posted by jman01pa
I love it too.

Pilots are Officers, educated in colleges and / or military academies. They are more than capable of writing the above letter like a professional writer.

Hey I must admit that's one cool letter...but what are you trying to say about us enlisted guys? Hmmm? I'm not edumacated?


I laugh when I hear that "officers are smart". Most officers I know have the common sense of a brick and the memory of a goldfish.

Back to the letter, I'm with you Knot...I'll see what I can do about making your suggestion a reality!

[jman01pa]

Matoch. I am only defending pilots against

1) Sounds fake. Like written by a writer. Too pat.

Your statement proves my point that you dont have to be a writer to do a well written letter. That letter could have easily been written by many different people, including enlisted people.