[Noisebridge-discuss] Hacker in Afghanistan

Mon Oct 31 20:03:53 UTC 2011

My brother's been a marine for a while, and served in Afghanistan
twice, the third time coming up. He diffuses bombs, which prevents
people from dying, the opposite of killing them...

I'm very opposed to war of any kind, but soldiers typically seem to
join with the intention of helping people, not killing them. It's my
opinion that as civilians, we have just as much blood on our hands
as any soldier would. After all, congress (supposedly) makes the
decision to go to war, not the military.

My dad started up a nonprofit at http://www.food4troops.org that
sends out care packages to troops, I sent him Mr. Pacer's info.

  mike

On Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 11:42 AM, Just Duncan <justduncan at gmail.com> wrote:

> Regardless of one's position on the military actions of our country, I
> have the highest respect for our country's men and women in uniform who are
> putting their lives and limbs on the line so that you can write whatever
> you think without fear of being taken away in the night, tortured, killed
> and also putting your family and friends at risk of the same.
>
> Personally, I think it is very disrespectful, rude, and inappropriate to
> pile on your political views in such a sanctimonious way on this very
> personal request for support of a fellow hacker about to embark on an FOB
> mission.  No one in their right mind enjoys killing people and I'd bet LCol
> Pacer is no exception.  He's not going forward to kill innocent people, but
> he has my full blessing to kill those who are trying to kill him, who are
> building and placing IEDs with him in mind, those who killed 6 friends in
> WTC and Mark Bingham on 9/11.  It's called a war zone for a reason and, in
> case you haven't heard the news lately, we are withdrawing from the country
> by the end of the year.
>
> The Taliban aren't very nice people, even to their own.  This is what they
> did to a beautiful 18-year old girl who fled her abusive in-laws-- and not
> just her nose, both of her ears too:
>
> [image: time-magazine-afghan-girl-nosejpg-353a12e38f89803a_large.jpg]
>
> Evil does exist in the world and it generally isn't very generous about
> not getting it's own way without the use of force.  Evil is a cancer, an
> insidious side of humanity that, when organized, can lead to genocide.  Had
> we not fought and won WWII against the Nazis, God only knows what would
> have happened.  I think it's pretty safe to say that Nazis weren't exactly
> big on free thought and speech, much less gays, Jews, or people with Jewish
> sounding last names.
>
> Thankfully, millions of Americans have had the bravery to go and fight
> where we as a nation sent them with far more courage than it takes to
> thoughtlessly whip out such a personally un-excellent email as yours.  This
> isn't about killing people or the politics/morality of war.  This is about
> a person, a fellow hacker, someone probably scared shitless (I'm
> projecting, yes), and someone who is focused 110% NOT on killing people,
> but simply getting himself and his buddies back to their families in one
> piece.  This is what I am wishing him-- a nation's thanks and a safe
> return.
>
> If you don't want to be supportive and wish this young man the best with a
> speedy and safe return, then don't.  At the least, remember how blessed you
> are to be able say what you feel, consider your forum and audience, and
> don't assume that "most people agree."
>
>
>
>
> *I don't agree with what you say, but I'll fight to the death for your
> right to say it.
>
> **I have a moral imperative to speak up and risk stirring the pot when I
> feel those near the bottom are at risk of getting burned.*
> *
> *
> On Oct 30, 2011, at 1:11 AM, Jake <jake at spaz.org> wrote:
>
> Will he be helping kill people out there?  I understand that the US
> military has killed a lot of people in Afghanistan so far, and they have
> shown no signs of ceasing to kill people.
>
> I think killing people is very un-excellent.  I would never send sunflower
> seeds to someone who was killing people, or helping to kill people.  I
> would certainly want to send sunflower seeds to someone who refused to
> help kill people, like Bradley Manning did.  If your friend ends up like
> Bradley Manning I will certainly apologize for having prejudged him.
>
> The US government is spending $118,600,000,000.00 on the Afghanistan war
> this year, I would think there would be enough money in that to buy
> sunflower seeds and gatorade packets.  If it were up to me, i would end
> the war in Afghanistan and spend the money on hiring teachers and bailing
> out mortgages.  I think most people agree with me, but unfortunately
> politicians continue to do what they want, and (most) soldiers continue to
> do what they're told.
>
> -jake
>
> Carl Sue theabcasian at gmail.com wrote:
> Sat Oct 29 18:27:17 PDT 2011
>
> Hey Guys, we have a fellow hacker in Afghanistan who's about to go to a
> foreword operating base in two weeks. I'm guessing its pretty bad for him
> out there and I hear the FOB has no showers or hot food. I thought it
> would be nice to send him a care package (or a few) to let him know he has
> community waiting for him to come back. If you want to participate I think
> wesley is sending something or you can use his address:
>
> LCpl Pacer, Matthew J
>
> RCT-5 DET A UNIT 40306
>
> FPO AP 96427-0306
>
>
> his current needs include foot powder, slim jims, sunflower seeds... any
> food that will last 2+ months, DRINK MIXES like those crystal light or
> gatorade packets he also likes arduino and will have a soldering iron at
> the FOB.
>
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