so, I post on a sports message board that is dedicated to my favorite team, and my favorite sport.  There are also places on the board to post other things, and yesterday, this guy got all upset because he posted a thread about Memorial Day and didn't get the response he wanted.  See below:

"his:  Hello, does no one realize why we are given a 3 day weekend?

mine:  yes, we know

his:  wow, direct and to the point.

I guess noone have loved ones in the line of fire or lost anyone that was or even appreciate your freedoms to even comment. You know it is not that hard. Some troops may even read this.

another poster:  Don't be offended. Lot's of folks don't ever check the free for all section. Most go straight to the Baum Stadium section this time of year.

I suspect we've got several folks who either post here or lurk here that served their country. I'm sure all of us have someone who has served or someone we've lost in the wars we've been involved in.

But don't be offended. I've never been more moved than my last visit to Washington DC when I had a chance to tour some of the War Memorials in the early morning hours, to walk the grounds of the Arlington Cemetery, to tour the White House and to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Korean War Memorial being the most ghostly of them all in the early morning hours just before daybreak on 9/11/01.

Don't take my silence though as not caring. Some things are pushed back in the memory out of necessity. Know for sure that I appreciate the sacrifices made for all of us. As the Memorial says, "Freedom isn't Free." My morning walk on 9/11/01 thru the Korean Memorial and my early morning tour of the White House that same day and the events of that morning, have never made it more clear.

Silence sometimes doesn't mean one doesn't care.

I'm sure the same is true for most if not all on this board. Some are too young to understand the meaning of this day. However, the folks I know that post on this board, know and understand the sacrifices made for us all and I've witnessed them as they sing the National Anthem at Baum Stadium and they understand the freedoms we have, even to watch a baseball game, that has been earned by the men and women of our military.

his:  Well, I am sorry if some can go out of their way to protect MY freedoms and I expect some to at least comment on the day of.

What was I thinking?

mine:  your thoughts may have been in the right place, but I do not like posting my thoughts on such an emotional subject on a message board. And our freedom allows us to speak up, or not. That's the point of freedom.

I respect your right to post about this holiday. I respect your right to voice your opinion. But, please, respect the rest of us.

and like PH2 said, seldom do people find their way to this board, especially when there are hot topics on the main board. This is not a dis of the holiday at all.

his:  Ladies and gentlemen I grant you the 'me first' generation.

Thanks to all the troops that have served and fallen to give us all the right to do what we want, oh I mean freedoms. "

now, does anyone out there understand his anger? or his outrage?  I'm sorry that I am not going to go on a message board and speak about the troops.  When I see a soldier, I thank them.  But, I am anti-war, any war, and I don't feel I should have to explain myself to a complete stranger. I just chose not to respond anymore.  He has bigger issues.  Surprisingly, he's 35.  Or, maybe that's not surprising.  He would not have sat in front of his TV every night and watched the body count go up during the Viet Nam war. 

Anyway, if anyone can explain his position, please do so.  because I just don't get it.

so, as gas prices continue to rise, how are you dealing with it?  Has it affected your life yet?  Do you think it will affect your life?  What do you see for the future? 

An idiot on a message board I frequent, blames the 'new' Democrat congress for the high gas prices.  He must not remember who was allowed to set our energy policy?  And don't you think, that those same people are trying to get as much profit as they can before changes occur in DC?  Thoughts? 

so, how far does the Gas industry have to go before the economy buckles?

I noticed just yesterday that products I buy on a regular basis in the grocery store, cost more.  And to put gas in my little economy car?  half a tank cost me over $20.  half a tank?! 

While the gas industry is screwing us on a daily basis without foreplay, we find that the Attorney General has turned the office into a joke.  The one place under any administration that should be free from politics, and yet, it isn't.  Are we surprised?  no. Disappointed?  yes.  Because much like the fairy tales that Disney presented to us on Sunday nights, I still want to believe.  I want to believe that our government is not corrupt.  I want to believe that our government knows boundaries, and will not obliterate those boundaries.  I want to believe that our government still represents the little guy.

Alas, just like with those fairy tales, I am finding every day, that things aren't always headed to happy endings and charming princes.  Of course, even if there were happy endings would any of us be able to afford the gas to get to them?