Child of Park Slope dies in Afghanistan

pitu

Very moving interview on WNYC this morning with the parents of a marine killed in Afghanistan last week.
Condolences to our neighbors, parents Thya Merz and Bill Brennan.



http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/01/29/brooklyn/brooklynbrooklynma01292009.txt

carnivore

Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

easilyfound

I heard a part of the NYC report this morning, but did not know that the soldier was from this neighbrhood. Condolences to his family.

pitu

Yeah, it's come up more than once that people assume noone from Park Slope is in the military, and it's just not true. Sad to point it out this way, with the death of a 25 year old.

Carnivore wrote: Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

good to know you can opt your kids out of recruitment at school
some kids in sunset park were doing a campaign against recruitment at their high schools. I keep hearing about inappropriate sexual advances/romancing of high school girls by male military recruiters. That sh*t is a hot mess.

Carnivore wrote: Bush's "No Child Left Behind" Act included a sneaky provision that allows the government to collect information about children in public schools and use it for military recruitment.

You can opt out of this:

http://searchwarp.com/swa425429.htm

raw

Carnivore wrote: Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

Thanks for pointing out how small some people's minds are.

obamanut

pitu wrote: Yeah, it's come up more than once that people assume noone from Park Slope is in the military, and it's just not true. Sad to point it out this way, with the death of a 25 year old.

Very sad.

Nobody assumes that "noone from Park Slope is in the military;" rather, we assume that no nuevo-Park Slope types who are not from here and their kids are not and will never be in the military, and in that assumption we are probably damn near 99% correct. Same goes for Manhattan, Cobble Hill, etc.

Please, of course there are original Park Slope natives who are/have been in the military. That is a no brainer, seeing as this used to be an actual working class neighborhood.

Seriously, can you imagine what would happen if little Duncan or Emily from President Street came home one day from Berkeley Carroll Democratic Peoples' Gifted Childrens' High School and announced to his parents that instead of going off to some useless private liberal arts college on their dole, he was going to join the Marines instead? He or she would either be disowned on the spot or sent for a psychological exam by his parents. It would make headlines. One need only take a look at the thread about military recruiting that Carnivore keeps linking to to see that I am right.

LCpl. Brennan is apparently an anomaly, and he has my utmost respect. If even half of the current youth in Park Slope had his courage, this neighborhood would be a great place to live again.

booklaw

Obamanut, are you old enough to have watched "All in the Family"?

Do you recognize your resemblance to Archie Bunker?

What you write is largely true... but you're screaming into the night after the train has left the station.

The neighborhood has changed. If you are so anxious to live in a working class neighborhood, go live in Canarsie. If you prefer to stay here, admit that it's because gentrification has brought some changes that you actually like.

witch-king

Obamanut wrote: [quote=pitu]Yeah, it's come up more than once that people assume noone from Park Slope is in the military, and it's just not true. Sad to point it out this way, with the death of a 25 year old.

Very sad.

Nobody assumes that "noone from Park Slope is in the military;" rather, we assume that no nuevo-Park Slope types who are not from here and their kids are not and will never be in the military, and in that assumption we are probably damn near 99% correct. Same goes for Manhattan, Cobble Hill, etc.

Please, of course there are original Park Slope natives who are/have been in the military. That is a no brainer, seeing as this used to be an actual working class neighborhood.

Seriously, can you imagine what would happen if little Duncan or Emily from President Street came home one day from Berkeley Carroll Democratic Peoples' Gifted Childrens' High School and announced to his parents that instead of going off to some useless private liberal arts college on their dole, he was going to join the Marines instead? He or she would either be disowned on the spot or sent for a psychological exam by his parents. It would make headlines. One need only take a look at the thread about military recruiting that Carnivore keeps linking to to see that I am right.

LCpl. Brennan is apparently an anomaly, and he has my utmost respect. If even half of the current youth in Park Slope had his courage, this neighborhood would be a great place to live again.

Some of us work at useless private liberal arts colleges. Parents make them strong. We make them liberal arts strong. Hooah!

flo

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/01/28/2009-01-28_brooklyn_native_became_marine_because_of.html

The Daily News has had some coverage as well.

Condolences to the family.

eggcream

Carnivore wrote: Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

Way to go turning this into a political post. :shock:

carnivore

eggcream wrote: [quote=Carnivore]Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

Way to go turning this into a political post. :shock:
It's not political, and it's completely relevant. I would be willing to bet you that Thya Merz and Bill Brennan would support my posting this information, so that other parents can prevent recruiters from using the schools to get to their children.

obamanut

Carnivore wrote: [quote=eggcream][quote=Carnivore]Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

Way to go turning this into a political post. :shock:
It's not political, and it's completely relevant. I would be willing to bet you that Thya Merz and Bill Brennan would support my posting this information, so that other parents can prevent recruiters from using the schools to get to their children.

It's ok eggcream, this is obviously just another classic case of a privileged segment of society, incidentally known as Park Slope, turning up their collective nose at the prospect of their own children doing something as low and repugnant as defending their own country in a war that's actually completely justified (Afghanistan), even despite the fact that we now have a President with common sense in the White House.

Meanwhile, these wonderful citizens think nothing of kicking back in their brownstone and enjoying the luxury of being able to relax in remarkable safety thanks to the foolish courage and sacrifice of those other, simpler, families in other, simpler, parts of the city and country.

hamilton

Just end this thread and respect the family who lost a son, doing what he thought was his duty.

save the rhetorical bullshit for the next time your in some bar.

carnivore

Hamilton wrote: Just end this thread and respect the family who lost a son, doing what he thought was his duty.

save the rhetorical bullshit for the next time your in some bar.

Thank you, Hamilton. And for the record, I have nothing but respect for Julian Brennan's service, and I think everyone here agrees that this was a tragic loss of a remarkable young man.

brooklynboy3

booklaw wrote: Obamanut, are you old enough to have watched "All in the Family"?

Do you recognize your resemblance to Archie Bunker?

What you write is largely true... but you're screaming into the night after the train has left the station.

The neighborhood has changed. If you are so anxious to live in a working class neighborhood, go live in Canarsie. If you prefer to stay here, admit that it's because gentrification has brought some changes that you actually like.

Brilliant!

H

witch-king

Obamanut wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=eggcream][quote=Carnivore]Very sad.

On this note, I want to bring this post from the Brooklyn Kids board to the attention of all Brooklyn parents:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=532654#532654

Way to go turning this into a political post. :shock:
It's not political, and it's completely relevant. I would be willing to bet you that Thya Merz and Bill Brennan would support my posting this information, so that other parents can prevent recruiters from using the schools to get to their children.

It's ok eggcream, this is obviously just another classic case of a privileged segment of society, incidentally known as Park Slope, turning up their collective nose at the prospect of their own children doing something as low and repugnant as defending their own country in a war that's actually completely justified (Afghanistan), even despite the fact that we now have a President with common sense in the White House.

Meanwhile, these wonderful citizens think nothing of kicking back in their brownstone and enjoying the luxury of being able to relax in remarkable safety thanks to the foolish courage and sacrifice of those other, simpler, families in other, simpler, parts of the city and country.

Since everyone has thrown their shoes at this person's head, I'll chuck my Chuck Taylors in his/her general direction.

There's nothing admirable about being in the military, certainly nothing more admirable than doing any other job. Insofar as they are paid by my taxes, they work for me, and I don't bow to them. Save your hysteria for something serious, like the wrongheaded use of the military.

apple pants

I am not sure why a political discussion is going on here, but since it is, I will respond.

Witch wrote. “There's nothing admirable about being in the military, certainly nothing more admirable than doing any other job.”

I disagree. I am a teacher working in Bay Ridge with children with special needs. I think it is cool that I get paid to help children learn. But being in the military is basically signing a contract saying that you will give your life for your country – if that isn’t admirable I don’t know what is. If it weren’t for the American military we would all be speaking German and the half of my family that the Nazis didn’t kill would now be dead. Saying that the military works for you may be technically correct, but the level of disrespect you are showing just makes me sad for America.

At different times, the United States has faced some fierce and dedicated enemies and we are lucky to have so many brave soldiers who are willing to fight for our country so that I can send my future kids to good schools and get a soy latte for my wife on the weekends. Park Slope is a paradise and exists because so many have fallen defending the United States.

witch-king

apple pants wrote: I am not sure why a political discussion is going on here, but since it is, I will respond.

Witch wrote. “There's nothing admirable about being in the military, certainly nothing more admirable than doing any other job.”

I disagree. I am a teacher working in Bay Ridge with children with special needs. I think it is cool that I get paid to help children learn. But being in the military is basically signing a contract saying that you will give your life for your country – if that isn’t admirable I don’t know what is. If it weren’t for the American military we would all be speaking German and the half of my family that the Nazis didn’t kill would now be dead. Saying that the military works for you may be technically correct, but the level of disrespect you are showing just makes me sad for America.

At different times, the United States has faced some fierce and dedicated enemies and we are lucky to have so many brave soldiers who are willing to fight for our country so that I can send my future kids to good schools and get a soy latte for my wife on the weekends. Park Slope is a paradise and exists because so many have fallen defending the United States.

I guess the moral of the story is this: don't make enemies. That would be sound advice to give kids.

apple pants

Witch,

I disagree with you. The moral is, don’t be so dismissive and rude towards people who have and do defend our country. You don’t have to agree or disagree with any leader, but respecting those who give their lives to protect our safety and freedom is the sound advice I will teach my future children.

witch-king

It is not just 'technically correct' that the military is subordinate to civilian leaders (and, therefore, the 'people'), it is a constitutional fact. Sometimes, the order of authority is reverse in popular perception and an undue amount of submissiveness is shown to the armed forces.

apple pants

And Witch,

Sometimes people show an undue amount of disrespect towards the people in the armed forces who protect our freedoms.

Your friend,

Apple

hamilton

Witch is right, we should disband our armed forces and when we are attacked, witch and his/her limp wrist friends of academia can author our Declaration of Surrender.

apple pants

I don't dig the limp wristed comment, that is uncalled for, but the "Declaration of Surrender" is very funny.

Apple

eggcream

Carnivore wrote: [quote=Hamilton]Just end this thread and respect the family who lost a son, doing what he thought was his duty.

save the rhetorical bullshit for the next time your in some bar.

Thank you, Hamilton. And for the record, I have nothing but respect for Julian Brennan's service, and I think everyone here agrees that this was a tragic loss of a remarkable young man.

I would say you started it with your comment. You couldn't just leave your respects. As if one thread wasn't enough you had to post it here as well.

eggcream

witch-king wrote:

I guess the moral of the story is this: don't make enemies. That would be sound advice to give kids.

I hope you work at a college and not teach at one.

eggcream

Forget about disbanding our armed forces, when we are attacked again, not if, the military should let libs like Witch, Carnivore ( San Francisco ) fend for themselves.

apple pants

This is similar to the young man (or woman) who hates his father for years on end but goes to him during emergencies for money and help. Hating on the military is easy for Witch, but of course, in times of war, liberals and conservatives will all face the same threats and all will want to be protected. That is one of many great things about our armed services, they protect everyone, liberal and conservative alike.

pitu

I don't think this is *like* any of that.

It's perfectly reasonable to have a discussion of war, and the tragedy of casualties of war, when it happens to someone in our community. From what I've read about this young man and his family, his parents are absolutely the stereotype of 70s/80s Park Slope -- liberal, artists, etc. I'd say his story should break up some of the stereotypes clung to here.

carnivore

eggcream wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=Hamilton]Just end this thread and respect the family who lost a son, doing what he thought was his duty.

save the rhetorical bullshit for the next time your in some bar.

Thank you, Hamilton. And for the record, I have nothing but respect for Julian Brennan's service, and I think everyone here agrees that this was a tragic loss of a remarkable young man.

I would say you started it with your comment. You couldn't just leave your respects. As if one thread wasn't enough you had to post it here as well.

I would say you didn't actually listen to interview posted by the OP.

obamanut

witch-king wrote:

Since everyone has thrown their shoes at this person's head, I'll chuck my Chuck Taylors in his/her general direction.

There's nothing admirable about being in the military, certainly nothing more admirable than doing any other job. Insofar as they are paid by my taxes, they work for me, and I don't bow to them. Save your hysteria for something serious, like the wrongheaded use of the military.

I find it so delicious that you made this asinine comment, and that your avatar says "Not Ashamed of PS Children or Hipsters." It's so perfect; it fuels all of my stereotypes like napalm.

And to top it off.. TO TOP IT OFF.. you wear CHUCK TAYLORS!!


I love to hate people like you.. I live to hate people like you.
Thank you.. thank you..

obamanut

apple pants wrote: Saying that the military works for you may be technically correct, but the level of disrespect you are showing just makes me sad for America.

At different times, the United States has faced some fierce and dedicated enemies and we are lucky to have so many brave soldiers who are willing to fight for our country so that I can send my future kids to good schools and get a soy latte for my wife on the weekends. Park Slope is a paradise and exists because so many have fallen defending the United States.

Listen, it's pointless to argue with these types of people, they are space cadets. They don't live in reality--they've never wanted for anything, never been in actual danger, never worked a real job, never had someone call them out on their bullshit, etc., a day in their pampered lives.

If you're wondering how people can spout such arrogant, privileged, entitled, nonsense as "witch-king," well all you have to do is look at who they are and that answers your question.