Whether you agree or not with one's decision to serve, we are still somebody to someone out there...a face to a number.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
F > N: FACES ARE MORE THAN NUMBERS
The War(s)go on. The economy sucks and the recession is "officially" in effect. For those in the know and on the street, the recession's been with us since 2007. A steady paycheck, health benefits and a roof over your head is one of the upsides of being in the military during a time like this but there's a price. Freedom ain't free...LOL. Since being in this military world for little over a year-I've run across a spectrum of people each with their own reasons for joining. They are as my friend Dylan Black says, the "soul of the machine." F >N is a reflection and commentary on some of those people I have gone through training with and a reality check of what we face while we serve for various reasons.
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What the fuck do you expect??? The armed forces were created to be a UNIT, not a group of individuals. Being a team in extreme situations requires that you give up your individuality so the team is not compromised. Without this organization, the US would not exist, warts and all.
ReplyDeleteDid you think you could waltz in after writing your book and everyone would think you were great; you would get special treatment? Suck it up and learn to act like a man. This whining is pathetic.
You may also want to consider a different project so you don't continue to embarrass yourself by this naive and self serving commentary.
I for one appreciate your insight, intelligence,unique perspective and courage. Thank You G
ReplyDeleteA note to Anyonymous..."Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream"
All fish swim "with the stream" at some point. How do you think Obama came into office? Do you have ANY idea how large organizations or governments works? Making waves is one way to get attention, but not always the way to make change. Look at the Illinois senate seat scandal. How do you know that Obama isn't involved, even indirectly with this? You never will. Politics, looking the other way and choosing not to take a stand is common in EVERY demographic and profession. Artists are especially known for their superficiality and the greasing of palms where projects are concerned.
ReplyDeleteThe draft is not in effect, so Gabe chose to join the Army. Did you think it would be easy? Did it occur to you what the lifestyle would entail? Other people chose professions that require self sacrifice and I am personally grateful for all of the firemen, police and healthcare workers in NYC. I'm also glad that you are not in any of these professions, being so concerned with yourself and not with the job at hand.
ONLY dead fish swim with the stream??? Very idealistic and self serving Paul. Where did you get this quote - convenient theories for you?
What the matter anonymous? AFRAID? AFRAID to post your opinion openly so as not to be scrutinized for having an opinion that may not go with the "stream". Gabe is entitled to his thoughts, feelings and opinions that don't meet with your "man up" ideal. His writings are from his heart, his viewpoint and not the "mac & cheese bullshit" you are so used to shovelin' into your "whatever America does is right" brain. What does his having written a book have to do with anything? Jealous? Sounds like you need to stop reading his blog if you feel so hostile to free speech.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that whatever America does is correct. Think Judy, think. Military organizations are global, not exclusive to the US. Are you eating up the grits Gabe is dishing out? Gabe thinks that he deserves kudos for his half baked thoughts and racist stream of consciousness. My point is not that he doesn't go with the stream, but does so without complete research and thought. Who hasn't written a book? If Gabe is so brilliant, why hasn't he been successful in his career and joined the Army?? Clearly, he isn't Army material.
ReplyDeleteStaying anonymous keeps the bohemian bubble people and the military grubs that generally read this from typecasting. Think about the generalizations, lack of original thought and lack of education that are posted by the author.
Don't worry, I stumbled on this site, thinking it could be interesting, but it's not worth my time to continue. Enjoy your fantasy ride.
hmm. I was tempted to respond to the content of anonymous but on second read it seems more of a personal issue. Reading through the hostility and in between the lines, it seems like there is some residual resentment about your book, Obama in office and perhaps other personal issues as well? Not sure, it was difficult to pierce through the anger. If this wasn't a personal attack, your ideas might have been the sole focus of the diatribe.
ReplyDeleteAnd to this I say congratulations Gabe, you did it. In spite of (and in light of) personal reactions like anonymous you were successful in engaging others to think and dialogue--whether they agree with you or not. That is the purpose of intelligence. To engage others. It doesn't mean your ideas or perspective are 'right', but they are authentic and to the degree that you push buttons (hence anonymous) you are doing your work.
go one with yo bad self..
One last question Paul - how do dead fish swim??? Moron
ReplyDeleteI voted for Obama but it seems as though you have missed the point. There is no purity in politics and flying the "there is a black president flag" is not doing anyone any favors.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Obama was raised by his WHITE relatives while his black family neglected him until he became successful.
Hmmm. Anonymous, I wonder if you miss the point of projects like these in their intent. I don't see this as a criticism of the army; I see it more as a personal 'pause to think'...a bearing witness, which is what creative producers do.
ReplyDeleteIt occurs to me that in the midst of several years of difficult times in this country and the world, it becomes very easy to forget the men and women serving. We think, "thank God they're doing it"...but we stop there. The "they" becomes an anonymous amalgam of "not me-s"...and that's convenient for us, as we carry on with our days.
I think Gabe's piece simply reminds me -- and perhaps, people like me...that the "they" are people who will be missed as individuals. If you're not one of those people like me, who appreciate being reminded...good for you! I think, though, many of Gabe's fellow men and women in student company will appreciate this piece...and that may be all that counts, in the end.
Anonymous,should I expose you to those who don't know you? your totally acting like a hatin'ass bitch.you sound as if you have a personal grudge against "G" now. what do you even know about being part of a team? you had told me that your mom didn't even breast-feed you, you do know that that's were team work, being part of a group or a unit starts!
ReplyDeleteGabe and I had told you that not everybody can be blessed wth family members like your uncle-brother or your sister-mama. you also had told me that you didn't know what side to pick because of your bi-sexual ways.I think you owe "G", he was the one who paid your rent last month when you had to stop trickin' on the corner because you were sore and it hurt when you had to pee. he's also the one who help encourage you to go to rehab for your crystal-meth use.
Do you remember when "G" wanted to get your teeth fixed? I had told him that he didn't need to.the word on the street was that you suck dick better without your front teeth. I am totally in shock and disbelief that you would do this to this man. Anonymous I'll call you later. we need to talk, you are totatally foul for this!
Gabe,
keep your head high,only God can judge you,haters are going to hate,and anonymous ain't shit and never will be shit.you and I truly know that Anonymous has issues with the trailer park incident.
peace-out......................
keep it movin'G-money and much love always!
Jake,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the intelligent and well written response. I do appreciate what members of the military and others in public service do and make an effort to give back when the opportunity presents itself. I have several relatives who have and are serving in the military,so I personally know their experiences and the importance of the effects war and even boot camp can have on someone. All of these men have taken from this experience the skill sets taught, mainly discipline and respect. The tight structure proves difficult for everyone, but some of the teammates had never experienced that in their lives and truly benefit from it.
76hustia, I am not the person you claim me to be and I think if you slow down and read what I've written, it does not characterize the person you were describing and I will say that I'm making a generalization here. Maybe this person does write well.
That being said, I noticed that G wears a wedding ring with his dog tags. I hope that if he is the generous person you claim him to be, that his wife and children are equally privy to this generosity.
I haven't threatened anyone in these discussions and yet G's friends get ghetto at the slightest question. Why would you threaten someone for making an observation?
ReplyDeleteF>N Powerful!
ReplyDeleteNames can be like statistics and forgotten. Our faces show the stories of our lives and that is both powerful and unforgettable.
Many blessings, Gabriel. I love you and miss you and pray for your continued safety and good work.
kate
Excellent film. Good personal statement. I'd like to see more of these little documentaries.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous wrote (more than once) -
"BTW, Obama was raised by his WHITE relatives while his black family neglected him until he became successful."-
What is the point? This tripe says more about Anonymous' actual racism than your supposed racism. Such a bitter reactionary fool. It's laughable
More importantly, Anonymous' cyber arguing is a sign of ultimate loserhood.
File Anonymous under: To Be Ignored