What constitutes an enemy?

2019-12-08T08:21:25-05:00

Serving my country in various capacities, I have seen a lot and care a lot about a lot. I’ve seen extremists in all systems of belief, both religious and political. I’m quite torn about this as the people in our own country have been polarized and intolerant of each other. We took an oath to defend this country against enemies both foreign and domestic. So what am I supposed to teach our kids? To me, it appears as if there are enemies within our HOR in DC. I know that our country has been on a platform of freedom. I know freedom isn’t free. There is always a price. I just see freedoms being taken away. We cannot even have valid voting anymore. I’m just getting very concerned that our kids will have a civil war to contend with in our future.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Dec 8 at 2019 8:27 AM

2019-12-08T08:27:25-05:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 8 at 2019 8:31 AM

2019-12-08T08:31:58-05:00

I hear you loud and clear. It's tough knowing what to teach our kids.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 8:37 AM

2019-12-08T08:37:05-05:00

We have people in the HOR, who believe they are better & know more than the average person on the street... They have taken very liberal steps to sway the public... Let me be clear here, not every Rep. falls into that category, but the left wing seems to be the issue... Some have been in office too long, like they own their seat & can do whatever they want... I could go on, but to me it is important to recognize & teach our children & grandchildren, about our forefathers, about our Country's history, good & bad...and the differences between them... Discipline is very important, church based on one's religion is also important...Teach children to take the high road, not the opposite...They will then grow up knowing right from wrong, understanding compassion & love, from no compassion & Hate or dislike...,Patience instead of immediate gratification in any scenario... It is really important for parents to be parents, not like a child's peer friend. 'nuff said... Great Post @pfc James (LURCH) Janota !!!

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Dec 8 at 2019 10:09 AM

2019-12-08T10:09:44-05:00

The biggest issue with a discussion like this is we view it from our own perspective.
Personally, I firmly believe it is wrong, and extremely dangerous, to consider those with opposing ideology as enemies. We are not. I consider most conservatives as loyal, patriotic Americans. The same is true of those of us that are liberal.
Neither side should be considered "enemies."
Are there enemies living here in our country? Highly likely. But they are not identifiable by political party or ideology.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 11:07 AM

2019-12-08T11:07:23-05:00

People we disagree with are not enemies unless they take up arms against someone.
Let's not get hyperbolic here.
We can disagree - in fact, many have in heated terms since before the founding of the republic - and go have a drink afterwards.
Pick up a gun to further your aims, and it is a whole other story.

I disagree with plenty of folks on RP, but I would much rather engage them then declare them persona non grata and not talk to them anymore.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 11:51 AM

2019-12-08T11:51:38-05:00

If the terrorists hate us for our freedoms, shouldn't it just be a mild annoyance by now?

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 8 at 2019 12:03 PM

2019-12-08T12:03:51-05:00

My enemies are the theocratic fascists trying to inject their beliefs into our secular government, schools, and impressionable childrens minds who are far too young to reasonably think about what they're being told.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 12:18 PM

2019-12-08T12:18:48-05:00

To me of what constitutes an enemy is someone who attacks our country, threatens the very well being of me and my family... and funny... I have people in my own organization who I constitute as the enemy by statements made that jeopardize my career and my families well being.. and try to personally attack everything I've worked hard to both provide to the unit and my family.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 8 at 2019 4:46 PM

2019-12-08T16:46:07-05:00

Be very careful what you say ... I have verbalize my feelings.

Had the FBI.. Postal Inspectors... police... visit my house... when.
I get arrested.. it's AR-15 time.. I am on the TSA and Customs list of trouble makers. They are scared of Vets, especially those with Mental disabilities and combative MOS'. I have to really watch my tongue.

Response by SSG Terry Cummings made Dec 8 at 2019 6:00 PM

2019-12-08T18:00:44-05:00

stick to n.v your military bearing remember what you were taught about chain of Command. on outside its similar use your chain of command when you local city or your state officials or your government officials do something you think is wrong for OUR COUNTRY use your RIGHT to use chain of command in civilian way.some of our younger children think there RIGHT is if they think something is wrong in thier city or state or government they should riot or illegally protest or get on line and ridicule officials. No you have the Right to vote and send letters to your Congressmen.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Dec 9 at 2019 8:23 AM

2019-12-09T08:23:48-05:00

"Enemy" has many meanings. In the context of combat, an enemy is anyone acting on behalf of the opposition forces or their government. They may be enemy combatants, civilians, officials, spies, financiers, etc. In self-defense, an enemy is anyone posing an imminent threat; the response specific to whether or not the threat is lethal or non-lethal. In a more general sense, we have "enemies" in our personal and professional lives... and generally, they hardly warrant the same response as when met on the battlefield, or armed on the street.

The oath we took binds us to defend the nation from all "enemies"... even if they are "domestic". However, our laws permit people to express their views and exercise their rights in the public sector... so long as their aims are not unconstitutional. In my personal opinion, how we "defend" our nation, depends greatly on the threat. We can defend our freedoms in the voting booth, in the classroom, in the town hall, and in the board room. Though I normally disagree with their point of view, and would even go so far as to view many of the media as "enemies"... they too share a role in "defending" against threats to our Constitutional rights and liberties. This is why I believe debate in open forum is also a highly effective means of "defending" the Constitution.

When debate turns to actions, much depends on how well the established system responds. You don't kill a fly with a shotgun, and you don't greet a home invasion with discussion. To my mind, there's many levels between freedom and tyranny...and equally myriad ways of combating it. For the moment, I choose to "fight" by offering objective debate to those enamored with extremist ideologies which I believe threaten freedom. So too do I participate in my local sphere as much as I am able, towards adding weight to those words. However, I also keep an eye to another oath I took long ago...to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Towards that end, I train to maintain and expand my skills, think critically so as to avoid being misled, and pray always that the same God who gave us a nation will grant us the wisdom to keep it.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Dec 9 at 2019 9:25 AM

2019-12-09T09:25:09-05:00

You need to be careful here. A political opponent is not an enemy. You might wholeheartedly disagree with them, think they are bad for the country, unpatriotic, etc., but NOT an enemy. We have a Constitutionally prescribed system of checks and balances in Government for just this purpose. Ask yourself --Is the HOR doing anything that is not within their constitutional authority to do? The answer is 100% NO. Impeachment is vaguely defined in the Constitution and the reason for that is clear --because the Founders wanted to give the power to the people to decide such things. It's political for a reason and it is working exactly like it was meant to. You mention 'Valid' voting? What do you mean? We have one of the absolute best and fairest voting systems in the world. Every HOR member was duly and fairly elected, and when there is a discrepancy we have very fair courts.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Dec 9 at 2019 9:28 AM

2019-12-09T09:28:28-05:00

I think that you need to take a step back and stop listening to pundits, whether you agree with them or not. This nation was founded on open and free dissent. People have NEVER agreed with one another, and often it had erupted. But no one --not Trump, not Pelosi --no one is an enemy here. Different views yes, but not enemies. I can guarantee you that if armed militias, Freemen, etc. start rising up, they will be those domestic enemies your oath refers to.

Response by SGT Thomas Heinold made Dec 10 at 2019 12:57 AM

2019-12-10T00:57:29-05:00

PFC James , you’re probably right

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 12:53 PM

2019-12-10T12:53:48-05:00

What freedoms have been taken away? Please tell me what freedoms the government has restricted from anyone in America. I keep hearing about how we are "losing" freedoms but I don't see anyone with less freedom than they did before.

What do you mean we can't have "valid" voting anymore?

This is quite obvious what the slant is to this post. So when Clinton was impeached - was the House the enemy then? Or no because it was Republicans doing it?

There is not going to be a civil war in the near future. Someday - the US will fall yes. Someday the US as we know it will not exist. All great empires will fall - and the US is no different than other empires. The Founders never expected the US to last more than 50 years. They didn't have faith the people could govern themselves. So they'd be surprised to see it last this long.

People should teach their kids fact, logic and reason but they don't seem to do that.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Dec 26 at 2019 5:08 PM

2019-12-26T17:08:22-05:00

We swore to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.
It appears that POTUS is a domestic enemy of the Constitution and should therefore be handled as an enemy. He has tried to usurp the duties and responsibilities of both Congress and the Judiciary,and refused to follow their rules.

Response by SGT Jeff Herdebu made Jan 8 at 2022 9:55 AM

2022-01-08T09:55:31-05:00

In the traditional sense the Enemy is made up of those that are trying to kill you and refuse to surrender. Those that are trying to gain control of your Nations Secrets, weapons or Intelligence. And lastly all those on your side actually Caught, Charged, and Convicted in a Court of Law as being actors of against your nation. The last two are way above pretty much above the Pay Grade of identification by anyone at a minimum rank of SFC to be able to even do much about deciding it.

Response by PV2 Tommy Smith made Apr 20 at 2022 12:41 AM

2022-04-20T00:41:56-04:00

(1) Anyone pointing a Weapon at you. Anyone firing live Ammo at you.