| Author | Message | ||
     Slowride |
I came across this story on Drudge and it really hit home. Take a minute or two and read a little bit about A Great American Hero..... G.I. Joe was just a toy, wasn't he? VIN SUPRYNOWICZ Hollywood now proposes that in a new live-action movie based on the G.I. Joe toy line, Joe's -- well, "G.I." -- identity needs to be replaced by membership in an "international force based in Brussels." The IGN Entertainment news site reports Paramount is considering replacing our "real American hero" with "Action Man," member of an "international operations team." Paramount will simply turn Joe's name into an acronym. The show biz newspaper Variety reports: "G.I. Joe is now a Brussels-based outfit that stands for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity, an international co-ed force of operatives who use hi-tech equipment to battle Cobra, an evil organization headed by a double-crossing Scottish arms dealer." Well, thank goodness the villain -- no need to offend anyone by making our villains Arabs, Muslims, or foreign dictators of any stripe these days, though apparently Presbyterians who talk like Scottie on "Star Trek" are still OK -- is a double-crossing arms dealer. Otherwise one might be tempted to conclude the geniuses at Paramount believe arms dealing itself is evil. (Just for the record, what did the quintessential American hero, Humphrey Bogart's Rick Blaine in "Casablanca," do before he opened his eponymous cafe? Yep: gun-runner.) According to reports in Variety and the aforementioned IGN, the producers explain international marketing would simply prove too difficult for a summer, 2009 film about a heroic U.S. soldier. Thus the need to "eliminate Joe's connection to the U.S. military." Well, who cares. G.I. Joe is just a toy, right? He was never real. Right? On Nov. 15, 2003, an 85-year-old retired Marine Corps colonel died of congestive heart failure at his home in La Quinta, Calif., southeast of Palm Springs. He was a combat veteran of World War II. His name was Mitchell Paige. It's hard today to envision -- or, for the dwindling few, to remember -- what the world looked like on Oct. 25, 1942 -- 65 years ago. The U.S. Navy was not the most powerful fighting force in the Pacific. Not by a long shot. So the Navy basically dumped a few thousand lonely American Marines on the beach at Guadalcanal and high-tailed it out of there. (You old swabbies can hold the letters. I've written elsewhere about the way Bull Halsey rolled the dice on the night of Nov. 13, 1942, violating the stern War College edict against committing capital ships in restricted waters and instead dispatching into the Slot his last two remaining fast battleships, the South Dakota and the Washington, escorted by the only four destroyers with enough fuel in their bunkers to get them there and back. By 11 p.m., with the fire control systems on the South Dakota malfunctioning, with the crews of those American destroyers cheering her on as they treaded water in an inky sea full of flaming wreckage, "At that moment Washington was the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet," writes naval historian David Lippman. "If this one ship did not stop 14 Japanese ships right then and there, America might lose the war. ..." At midnight precisely, facing those impossible odds, the battleship Washington opened up with her 16-inch guns. If you're reading this in English, you should be able to figure out how she did.) But the Washington's one-sided battle with the Kirishima was still weeks in the future. On Oct. 25, Mitchell Paige was back on the God-forsaken malarial jungle island of Guadalcanal. On Guadalcanal, the Marines struggled to complete an airfield that could threaten the Japanese route to Australia. Admiral Yamamoto knew how dangerous that was. Before long, relentless Japanese counterattacks had driven the supporting U.S. Navy from inshore waters. The Marines were on their own. As Platoon Sgt. Mitchell Paige and his 33 riflemen set about carefully emplacing their four water-cooled .30-caliber Brownings on that hillside, 65 years ago this week -- manning their section of the thin khaki line that was expected to defend Henderson Field against the assault of the night of Oct. 25, 1942 -- it's unlikely anyone thought they were about to provide the definitive answer to that most desperate of questions: How many able-bodied U.S. Marines does it take to hold a hill against 2,000 armed and motivated attackers? But by the time the night was over, "The 29th (Japanese) Infantry Regiment has lost 553 killed or missing and 479 wounded among its 2,554 men," historian Lippman reports. "The 16th (Japanese) Regiment's losses are uncounted, but the 164th's burial parties handled 975 Japanese bodies. ... The American estimate of 2,200 Japanese dead is probably too low." You've already figured out where the Japanese focused their attack, haven't you? Among the 90 American dead and seriously wounded that night were all the men in Mitchell Paige's platoon. Every one. As the night of endless attacks wore on, Paige moved up and down his line, pulling his dead and wounded comrades back into their foxholes and firing a few bursts from each of the four Brownings in turn, convincing the Japanese forces down the hill that the positions were still manned. The citation for Paige's Medal of Honor picks up the tale: "When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, P/Sgt. Paige, commanding a machine gun section with fearless determination, continued to direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he fought with his gun and when it was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his withering fire." In the end, Sgt. Paige picked up the last of the 40-pound, belt-fed Brownings and did something for which the weapon was never designed. Sgt. Paige walked down the hill toward the place where he could hear the last Japanese survivors rallying to move around his flank, the belt-fed gun cradled under his arm, firing as he went. Coming up at dawn, battalion executive officer Major Odell M. Conoley was the first to discover how many able-bodied United States Marines it takes to hold a hill against two regiments of motivated, combat-hardened infantrymen who have never known defeat. On a hill where the bodies were piled like cordwood, Mitchell Paige alone sat upright behind his 30-caliber Browning, waiting to see what the dawn would bring. The hill had held, because on the hill remained the minimum number of able-bodied United States Marines necessary to hold the position. And that's where the unstoppable wave of Japanese conquest finally crested, broke, and began to recede. On an unnamed jungle ridge on an insignificant island no one ever heard of, called Guadalcanal. When the Hasbro Toy Co. called some years back, asking permission to put the retired colonel's face on some kid's doll, Mitchell Paige thought they must be joking. But they weren't. That's his mug, on the little Marine they call "G.I. Joe." At least, it has been up till now. Mitchell Paige's only condition? That G.I. Joe must always remain a United States Marine. But don't worry. Far more important for our new movies not to offend anyone in Cairo or Karachi or Paris or Palembang. After all, it's only a toy. It doesn't mean anything. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Side note, I tried to pick up a toy gun for halloween costume (they were every where when I was a kid) Now you cant find them the same scale as a real gun and if you do, they are bright orange, green or pink! And dont even think about an old timey cap gun. I am tired of politically correct people, they can stand in line and I will let my normal everyday actions offend them one at a time in turn. | ||
| Oldog |
the colored guns have been made because a number of poorly raised kiddies have stardled LEO's hunting ARMED PERPs the kiddie walks up on LEO and Goes BANG with a real looking 9mm pistol ( plastic ) LEO who is all ready cocked and unlocked reacts to the "threat" reflexively and shoots the Kiddie, It's happened, so thats why. | ||
| Court |
New York City outlawed the kits that enable one to cover a Glock, S&W or Colt with fluorescent covering. | ||
| Smokescreen |
I don't know what to say...... That makes me mad as ****!  Semper Fidelis Smokescreen | ||
| Cataract2 |
I would love to look that story up in the Medal of Honor archives. | ||
| Slowride |
You know, when I read the story Mr. Paige humbled me. I being a Marine never had to endure such an attack. I became disgusted when I found out that due to "Problems with Marketing Outside of the USA" was the cause for the perversion of the Original GI Joe. In my opinion (which isn't worth the paper I could write it on), if you are going to do a story about GI Joe "The Great American Hero" then you don't worry about GLOBAL MARKETING; you only focus on the specific demographic to which the title states "AMERICA". I love this country and I am so ready to take it back!!! Food for thought... God, Country and Corp..... GOD "One Nation under GOD" or at least that is what my "Pledge of Allegiance" says. Country 1 O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave? 2 On the shore, dimly seen thro the mist of the deep, Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: ’Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 3 And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner, in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 4 O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. [4] Corp "United States Marine Corps" As such, I am a member of the most unique group of professional military practitioners in the world. I am bound by duty to God, Country, and my fellow Marines to execute the demands of my position to and beyond what I believe to be the limits of my capabilities. I realize I am the mainstay of Marine Corps discipline, and I carry myself with military grace, unbowed by the weight of command, unflinching in the execution lawful orders, and unswerving in my dedication to the most complete success of my assigned mission. Both my professional and personal demeanor shall be such that I may take pride if my juniors emulate me, and knowing perfection to lie beyond the grasp of any mortal hand, I shall yet strive to attain perfection that I may ever be aware of my needs and capabilities to improve myself. I shall be fair in my personal relations, just in the enforcement of discipline, true to myself and my fellow Marines, and equitable in my dealing with every man. Less we forget...... | ||
| Oldog |
New York City outlawed the kits that enable one to cover a Glock, S&W or Colt with fluorescent covering. I can only think of one reason to make such things. <supressing-a-shudder> I wonder WHY there is not a national ban? We ask a lot of our LEO's | ||
| Bartimus |
Semper Fi ! | ||
| Josh_ |
That's funny, my dad put florescent tape around the barrel of his Glock so that the bad guys would think it was a taser. Seems they know you won't shoot them with bullets, but a taser is a certainty... | ||
| Court |
My philosophy changed after being shot 3 times and getting hooked up with Massad Ayoob and the Lethal Force Institute. Flourescent for me is a "non-issue". I come from the old school that says "let no one know you are armed and if I had to draw a weapon, I want to be on the 3rd round before anyone even knows it's been drawn". Each of us is the product of our experience and philosophy about life. | ||
| Slowride |
Court, You and I share the same philosophy..... 2 things I will never forget, that the Marines taught me. 1) Blood makes the grass grow 2) When you least expect me "PooF" there I am. Oh yeah and the Air Force taught me that Stealth really is the secret to winning battles. All my weapons are Stealth Black, including barrels, chambers and hammers. The only thing I want you seeing is the flash of the muzzle if you see that at all. | ||
| Oldog |
and getting hooked up with Massad Ayoob and the Lethal Force Institute. I have some rather intense recolections related to that name and another gentleman that gave me firearms instruction.. | ||
| Court |
Slowride: The United States Marine Corps, on the PMI Range at San Onefre, played into my thinking. The day I qualified Expert (300/300) the dude next to me say . . . . "how youse doo dat?". I told him easy. I see that black dot rising out of the pits as the nose of a guy who's only goal in life is to kill me . . . I'm from Kansas, a shooting victim, spent to years romping around with the USSS, a USMC vet and jumpy . . . Each of us is the product of our experience and philosophy about life. | ||
| Slowride |
Very niiiiicccceeee Court, very nice! Ahem, said in the lowest, muzzled voice I could muster "(289/300)"and I was a PMI on that same range. | ||
| Smokescreen |
The day I qualified Expert (300/300) the dude next to me say . . . . "how youse doo dat?". The guys in the pits must have liked you!  If you had done that on MY range, the first thing you would do is shoot it again to confirm YOU were that good. I taught marksmanship for 4 years. I saw one person in 4 years do that. And you can guess the rest of the story. He couldn't do it again. Kudos to you if you have a 300 score. MOS: 8531 PMI 2000/2004 Smokescreen | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Those who wish to do evil respect only that which challenges the certainty of their continued life and health. "Civilized" philosophy merely emboldens evil men. God bless men like Colonel Paige. Thank you Colonel Paige, and all our service men and women, for being willing to, for a time, set aside all that makes you good and honorable, for being willing to sacrifice your own family or even your own lives to match evil in its violence and hatred to keep me free. | ||
| Slowride |
Ft_bstrd I am speechless, I didn't know you had the ability in ya! Extremely well said... Between Badweb and Advrider, you have kept us all in the dark my brother.... Carry On~ | ||
| Smokescreen |
Thank you Colonel Paige, and all our service men and women, for being willing to, for a time, set aside all that makes you good and honorable, for being willing to sacrifice your own family or even your own lives to match evil in its violence and hatred to keep me free. I believe I speak for all Marines when I say "Your welcome". Smokescreen | ||
| Court |
You guys all kept your range books right? . . . the one that JUST barely fit in the rear pocket of your utilities? Watch all the Navy guys pop in and ask "what are utilities?"  | ||
| Bill0351 |
Who cares one way or the other what unit a plastic toy soldier is assigned to? Even the article that sparked this discussion is nuts. I looked up Mitchell Paige and the guy has a huge nose and a double chin. I started thinking... Hmmm... My GI Joe didn't have a huge nose and a double chin. I looked and found out that Mitchell Paige isn't the face of GI Joe anyway. They just made a limited run of Medal of Honor winners back in the 1990s. I spent almost 10 years in the USMC. I also just got back from a year of convoy escort duty in Iraq (With the Army) where I received my Combat Action Badge. Seriously! The last thing on my mind when tracers started arcing into my convoy, or a badly placed IED showered my M1114 with dirt, was whether a fake plastic doll was serving with some make believe international force or whether he was serving with his make believe Marine or Army unit. When I stood at attention during funeral services for the men in my unit who were killed, I doubt that there was anybody in the formation who cared either. I just read the text of the award warrant, and Mitchell Paige is a real honest to God American hero. GI Joe is a piece of plastic and is no more representative of the reality of military life, or the heroism of American service men and women than a plastic toilet brush. When wounded Marines booed and threw stuff at John Wayne in WWII they were protesting just the sort of fake patriotism that GI Joe represents. Sorry if I offended anyone with this. It just got under my skin for some reason. Stand in the 130 degree desert saluting a pair of empty boots, and you might feel the same. Oh... I have seen countless rifle qualifications and the only perfect score I have ever seen was on a reduced distance range. I was on the Wisconsin State Rifle Team before I joined the Corps and I dropped 5 points in qualification and was the Battalion high shooter. If the 300/300 is true, I'm impressed. Bill | ||
| Slowride |
Bill, No hard feelings, I love America for exactly this type of response to a the topic I posted. I personally am tired of the destruction of our moral consciousness and the core values that make America what every other nation in the world strives to be. It all starts somewhere and this a good example of how we take America out of the Greatest American Hero all for the sake of better market ability. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Hey Bill, I appreciate your skepticism. This article may be completely bogus. I don't think it is, though. Here's the source: http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/10849526.html I don't know anything about this author. There have been a lot of bogus, urban legends pro and con Iraq war articles as of late. So like I said, I understand and appreciate your skepticism. I doubt that Colonel Paige was thinking about anything but trying not to let his buddies down. Eventually, I believe he was thinking about making those who killed his buddy pay. Eventually there was no one left. Heroes never seem themselves as such. Heroes do what needs to be done whether they want to or not. Heroes never stop to consider how their actions will be viewed in the eye of history. Heroes only know that action needs to be taken and that they are the only ones at that singular point in time who can. Thank you Bill for your service. I owe you,smoke, slowride and many others here a beer! (Message edited by ft_bstrd on October 29, 2007) | ||
| Diablobrian |
Now to raise a little hell with the Marines on the board: Glad we have so many sailors around here. Yes, you Marines are in fact Sailors. Specialized Sailors no doubt, but Sailors none the less. Want proof I'm right (or wrong)? Who does the Commandant of the Marine Corp answer to? The Secretary of the Navy. What Department in the DOD are the Marines in? Department of the Navy. (I wonder why they didn't think the Marines were important enough for their own Department but the Air Force got to split off the Army in similar fashion and they got their own Department?) Every Active duty Marine's ID card is imprinted with Department of the Navy. Finally, Marines are paid through Cleveland, specifically: Navy Finance. I have the greatest respect for the Navy's canon fodder..I mean the Marine Corps! Seriously though I spent 2 years on an LPD (amphibious transport dock, aka gator freighter) and helped deploy troops into Panama in the late eighties and I really appreciate what you guys do and have done. There was a lot of good natured rivalry between the crew and the embarked Marines and even the SEAL teams that came aboard, so don't get too worked up over this post. I figure you guys are tough enough to handle a little ribbing. Semper Fi.......Sailors. | ||
| Hammer71 |
What Department in the DOD are the Marines in? The Men's Department. Semper Fi. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Didn't the Village People have someone from the NAVY? Just askin'. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Well, Army here living on an Air Force base. I'm not complaining. heh. Brother is in the Navy though. Submariner. No way would I want to live on one of those for 6 months. | ||
| Jayvee |
join the Navy and see the world, join the Air Force learn a trade, join the Army and earn money for college, join the Marines to fight | ||
| Bill0351 |
Hey Diablobrian, You may be right on most of your points. The entire post made me smile. Then I thought of you sitting in the foul smelling troop hold of the USS Tarawa and making the same argument to the "combat cargo." That vision made me smile even more. I remember getting chow on that ship and finding out that the crew line had donuts and the combat cargo line didn't have any. I was the Assault Section Leader at the time so I just went over and took enough for my guys. You should have seen the spit hit the fan! It was like we had stolen a .50 cal off the deck! AKKKK! AKKKK! THE MARINES ARE EATING OUR DONUTS! AKKK! STOP THEM! | ||
| Djkaplan |
I have nothing but respect for the Armed Forces of the United States. My father is a Viet Nam War veteran (101st Airborne 1968-9) and my mother is from a country that was liberated by the United States military twice(!) while she was growing up there. I am neither a democrat nor a republican, I am a nationalist. I want what's best for this country and it's citizens. That being said, this is as much of a non-issue with me as the price of tea in China. Of all the real issues that need to dealt with and ruminated about... this one is about as low on the list as it could be for me. |
