Islamic opening prayer to Allah in the House of Reps, how much more of this can we stomach?

TSgt Jaime Jones -

SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" - Thank you

SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" Thank you

SFC Matthew Parker - SFC thank you for noticing, but he's trolling me, and has been for a couple of posts now. I personally didn't respond to him because we had an agreement where after a previous talk (women in the infantry) we wouldn't speak to each other again. I refuse to let ignorance get to me, or even cause me to loose a wink of sleep. Behind the solace of a keyboard anyone can be tough, or come up with reasons why they are doing what they're doing but when you have to see them regularly, it's a much different situation. Do not let this E8 get under your skin, or think he's setting any kind of example as a "leader" to anyone but himself. I hope RP doesn't delete this post, but keeps it to serve an a pure example of how ignorant one of our own really can be, and maybe use it to deter others in doing the same.

PV2 Lisa Wilcox right here

SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
Hey brother, I'm out. RP I thought was going to be a forum of professionals sharing thoughts and experiences. Debating topics of interest to the military.
I didn't expect to see racist hate mongers like Howell. Thanks for the kind words, As a 1SG of a detachment I had a soldier like him, sent him home. I could never see how these people made it into the Army.
I hope to see you down the road and wish you continued success.

SSG Swan,
As a private my platoon sergeant told me ignoring a problem didn't fix the problem. So I will take on Howell and bring his comments to the Army's attention and to his employer. Feeling the way he does is understandable after losing six soldiers in Iraq, but expressing his feelings on social media like this is wrong. His comments could get a soldier killed by someone with access to RP that may be playing for the other team. His comments motivate hate towards us no different than the Pastor burning the Quran.

Your a better man than me for being able to hold back, but I can't walk away from this.

SFC Matthew Parker - I was told the same thing when I was a PVT. And I've addressed this with the admins here on RP. I would ask you NOT to leave RP because we are always going to have those who are questionable in their deeds and their actions. You'll have that even in active service. What we'll never have are enough folks to take them to task for it, or to call them out on their BS. RP has been a blessing and I've met way too many good Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors to leave. I've also been blessed to be able to talk to people senior to me in a professional manner where we might disagree, but we got to talk about it. Talking is important and something that in some cases these folks wouldn't be able to do due to mission requirements, or other obligations, but know they can come here and spread their sphere of influence beyond the unit or cubicle. 1SG Steve Howell does not represent the caliber of NCO's that are on RP by any means. He doesn't even represent RP in any way other than he's a member. What he say's is directed to me in a less than professional manner and he's holding a grudge for whatever reason. I do not care one bit. He's everything I never wanted to be, and with him on here, other NCO's or troops who are still in, get a firsthand glimpse into what they should not want to be in their careers. He's the perfect learning example if we could have a NCOPD on leadership, leadership attributes, and social media do's and don'ts. Also I'd much rather have a "man" who openly hates me for whatever reason, than that "friend" who smiles to my face, and then goes and runs his gums behind my back. I have that with 1SG Steve Howell. Racism is never excused. I've lost people, and while I hold a grudge against those who did the act; I hold it to those who DID the act. Not to an entire religious base, an entire country, or a specific skin color. I'd love nothing more to go and avenge them, but I get to do it here, and in the vet groups I follow. Telling them, helping them, and being there for them is a more dignified manner of getting "even" and has more strength than any weapon I've ever held or seen fire. We get to help troops live....we cannot bring those who are gone back. I cannot tell you what to do, but I can advise senior from subordinate and my advice is to look past 1SG Steve Howell, and see the good that this site has. It has it's fair share of clowns and comedians (myself included), but there are those golden nuggets that transcend everything and make it all worthwhile. Stick around SFC. You have knowledge and experience that others don't and could use. SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" Don't let anyone delete this thread. It's going to be one of those learning tools that wasn't used when I had my first go round with 1SG Howell, and it needs to be brought up by RP staff beyond the regulations made by RP, but with the standards of conduct expected of each and every member on here through their branches of service. The branches aren't that different in most things.

PV2 Scott Goodpasture - Private; I agree as well.

PS - I don't agree simply because of "editorial bias" but on the grounds of REALLY sloppy, inaccurate, incomplete, incompetent, and unimaginative "reporting".

SGT William Howell - Sergeant; You don't strengthen your position by playing fast and loose with the facts.

FYI, the TOTAL defence spending at this time is around 6.2% of GNP. During WWII the total defence spending was around 41%. The "War on Terror" has (statistically) almost no effect on the United States of America - although the individual effects of the people who are ACTUALLY involved can be catastrophic.

If you "lost friends and killed people" in Iraq it was NOT "because of that day" it was because someone had an "agenda" and used "that day" to advance it. Considering that there were plans being made to invade SEVEN countries, you can consider yourself lucky that they were called off after the first two.

COL Ted Mc You are talking money. Nobody is talking about money. We are talking about human beings. Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers all have died. Sept 11 changed history.

Man, are you that insensitive to those around you?

Agendas? You can kick rocks too!

@sgt; - Sergeant; It isn't "insensitive" it's "paying attention".

During WWII the US military fatalities per day were around 298.3 and the amount of the US population which was in the US military was around 5.9%. If you knew 12 people (or more) there was a better than 50% chance that one of them had been in the US military.

During the "War on Terror" the US military fatalities per day were around 1.3 and the amount of the US population that had actually been deployed to combat zones was around 0.42%. If you knew 165 people (or more) there was a better than 50% chance that one of them had been deployed in the "War on Terror".

In contrast to the "bloodbath" of the "War on Terror", during 2011 the US MVA fatalities per day were around 92.6.

Quite frankly, the only ones who are ACTUALLY "engaged" with the "War on Terror" are those who are actually fighting it (and their families), those who are making a lot of money out of it, and those who are using it to seek (or retain) public office.