I will Reply, no Matter how Long it Takes!

"Even if I don't get back with you immediately, the next week, the next month, the next season, the next year, the next decade, etc, I will get back with you!" -- What I say to the opposition

I went through my old files the other day and deleted those that I didn't need. It's a good thing that I checked the documents before deleting them. I came across the draft for these series of replies.

Boy was I relieved!

I remembered this exchange from the Black Hawk Down 93 Forums (BHD93). I wasn't able to find these until recently.

I was one of their posting members. I saw a post comparing the US and Chinese militaries, then jumped in and generated my response. It was my first post ever on the board. Nobody complained, or demanded that I post an introduction, or add more stuff to my profile.

Since not that much went on with that board, I lurked it from time to time. Seeing that "brain" type posts were missing, I figured that I'd throw a poll in. It asked a question, and then listed options.

The responses?

A bunch of idiots, including one of the administrators, attacked me. Back then, I was in the Navy. Many of my fellow Sailors weren't hostile to "brain" type topics. I thought that I'd meet the same kind of reception with an Army veteran audience.

The reactions proved otherwise. Was this because of them being Army veterans?

I had since joined the Army, as an infantryman. I deployed to Iraq as an infantryman; being boots on the ground on the 4 year anniversary of this exchange. That experience removed the "Army factor" from a possible explanation of the stupidity, ignorance, and resistance... in response to being required to exercise one's brain.

The Soldiers that I served with back then were more like the Sailors that I served with before them. They were pretty much open to "brain" type topics.

So, it was just the brain dead idiots that attacked me that demonstrated hostility to being required to use their brains.

I submitted these next series of posts. These posts weren't visible, as the administrators put me in "needs moderation" mode.

Black Hawk Down 93 (BHD93) Forum's 10thFO Reacts Negatively to Having his Brain Hurt

[Quote]Originally posted by 10thFO on Jan 22 2006, 10:40 PM

I really don't give a flying feck to be honest with you.  I think your an idiot to be honest with you.  What the hell is this board to you?  Some school project?  Since this was your first post, i'm almost willing to forgive you but not really who the hell are you. [/quote]

Your math is a little off; the above was my second post, not my first post. Perhaps you should've thought before you posted. Are you sure that you have the right person identified as the idiot? It's one thing to call someone an idiot, without knowing him. It's another to be an idiot and claim that someone's second post was their first one.

Pardon me if I generated a post that required some thinking at the end. What was that board to me? It was a place where I hoped to engage in intelligent discussions. I've managed to do that on other boards. Your post shows that you're not one for discussions requiring thinking and putting thought to "paper."

I thought that I would post a thought provoking post in the "Miscellaneous Discussion" section of your message board. I've done this on another forum, with a much younger audience. So far, I've received far more mature responses from them... than what I gotten at the Black Hawk Down 93 forums. 

Black Hawk Down 93 (BHD3) Forum's Diamond Back 11 asks a Rhetorical Question in Response to Hypocrisy on the Board

[quote]Originally posted by Diamondback11 on Jan 22 2006, 11:49 PM

Good question Rob...what the hell is this board to anyone anymore?
[/quote]

Traffic went down on that site. Then, I post a miscellaneous topic in the miscellaneous forum, and all hell broke loose. I thought that section was for miscellaneous discussions.

Black Hawk Down (BHD93) Forum's Jasonglh Didn't Complain About my Profile After my First Post, Dismisses Thought Provoking Second Post

[quote]Originally posted by jasonglh on Jan 23 2006, 12:52 AM

Outspoken you have been here since July 05 and made 2 posts.  The 2nd of which is nonsensical at best, your profile is a gaping hole and still no introduction post.  How about filling in some blanks or hitting the road.  [/quote]

The first post consisted of me spoon feeding the readers deep information and analysis. You guys didn't have a problem with that post, or question my profile. But, heaven forbid that I force you guys to think, then it's another story.

I served onboard the [   ] off the coast of Somalia during the last two months of US involvement. One of the administrators had seen my name on another Somalia related website. He sent me an E-mail inviting me to join this website. I'm still in and have participated in the beginning phases of OIF.

I'll look at the other introductions and put something together to post as a personal introduction to this board.

I'm surprised that I wasn't required to provide this information... after I had placed a post detailing the advantage that our current military has over the Chinese military.

For those that want to get a better idea about my typical posts, other than what I do in this thread, my first post on this message board is typical of the posts that I normally make. I'll come in when there is something valuable that I really have to contribute.

However, I've lurked here on and off for the past few months and noticed that this board is not as busy as the other message boards that I frequent. The above post was an attempt to jump start a thought provoking thread and get things moving in the "miscellaneous" section.

Black Hawk Down 93 (BHD93) Forum's Infidel Reminds Other Posters About the Message Board's Intent

[quote]Originally posted by Infidel on Jan 23 2006, 09:06 AM

The forums aren't as active as they once were, but some good stuff is still happening via this site. It seems several folks who were involved in Somalia have contributed during recent months, there are contacts for people who want to send packages to deployed soldiers, etc...
It's also been a good place for discussion of further operations in the Middle East -- I know I've learned a fair amount, especially from people who have BTDT and know what the heck they're talking about.[/quote]

Apparently, the people that knew what they were talking about didn't frequent the thread I started.

If everybody talked about Somalia, posted similar threads, similar topics that fit one category, what would be the point of making posts here if people are board with that topic? If everybody agreed on everything?

Now, I'm not saying that we should not talk about Somalia. I do believe that those that have served there should come together. They should be able to make sure that Somalia doesn't become a forgotten conflict.

And this is how I see the miscellaneous discussions of any forum. The miscellaneous discussions forum is a place for posts like the one that started this thread. It's something different for people that want a change of pace from the other forums.

Black Hawk Down 93 (BHD93) Forum's Grunt Lives up to the "Knuckle Dragger" Description that Other Services Label the Ground Services

[quote]Originally posted by Grunt on Jan 23 2006, 07:27 PM'

Yeah, I was looking for that Poll Choice too.

[   ]broken, you bring new meaning to "Miscellaneous Discussion."
Grunt[/quote]

One isn't needed. I figured that people that didn't care about this poll, or what it was discussing, would've been smart enough to take a course of action consistent with their wishes. Meaning, those that don't care about the post or the poll could've simply chosen not to address it.

One shouldn't have to wait for an option when the options were presented.

If a message board's miscellaneous section isn't for miscellaneous discussions, then what would it be for, Gruntingonaknob?

Black Hawk Down 93 (BHD93) Forum's 10thFO Proves his Drunken Stupidity

[quote]Originally posted by 10thFO Jan 23 2006, 08:58 PM 

I'm glad you guys found this out in left field.  Wife is out of town and I was drunk when I read it, but I still can't comprehend wtf it was about anyways.  Drive on people.  And yes miscellaneous and stupid would be a good place for it. [/quote]

First, that post was mainstream, based on the other message boards that I've posted on. The majority of the posters that responded to my thread were among the dumbest that I've addressed.

Second, it helps to be sober when reading something that involves induction and reasoning. Using the term "drive on" in the same statement as "being drunk" misplaces that term and fits in the "stupid" category as well... especially given the number of Soldiers... and service members in general... that drink and drive.