So another college student in this case Gaines, gets their 15 minutes of fame. I also agree that it is going to be hard for the state to recall National Guard troops once they have been federalized. Maybe Gains needs to read about the “Little Rock Nine” and what happened to the Arkansas National Guard when they tried to keep 9 Black students from attending school.

“With our National Guard overseas, we're vulnerable if we have natural disasters," said University of Wisconsin senior Todd Dennis, who helped organize the protest as state coordinator for Iraq Veterans Against the War.

"If we wouldn't have been in Iraq … we probably wouldn't have seen all those people lying in the streets dead (during Hurricane Katrina)," Gaines said

Wow Dennis and Gaines here’s a clue maybe if some more College students would get off their self serving asses and also agree to assist the public at large instead of protesting every damned time they get the chance the public wouldn’t be in danger if a natural disaster struck either. And maybe if more of them would STAND UP and join the National Guard more of them would be around if a natural disaster did occur instead of less than 1% of America defending our country both in wars and disasters here and abroad.

But like most college age students with more “mouth” than “brain” one can see the big arguement here. It is who is going to protect “ME” now that the Guard is not here, not we will help, not we will take up the slack while the Guard is deployed etc. But once again showing the true nature of todays self centered college student “screw the rest of the world, who will be around to HELP ME when the sh*t hits the fan.

Thanks again Gaines you do your generation “proud”

you would think gaines, being the seasoned vet that he is, would have let the protestors know that the governor can’t overrule federal orders…nothing is more annoying than misplaced hollering.

Misplaced hollering? How about it was a cooperative effort out of the madison community to show that this war is not worth fighting for. At least there is someone in our generation who truly cares about this nation and its people. Misplaced hollering is complaining about those who truly take action in this country!

Joshua A. Gaines

“If we wouldn't have been in Iraq … we probably wouldn't have seen all those people lying in the streets dead (during Hurricane Katrina),"

What a load of BS. The corrupt and stupid Dem politicians are to blame for the fiasco during Katrina. They were also responsible for the sad state of the levies since they were lining their pockets with the levy money.

“Gaines said he was given an "other than honorable" discharge after failing a drug test. He said he started smoking marijuana after he returned from Iraq to help him eat and sleep after he had trouble doing either for months.

Ryan Hill, 29, who served with Gaines in Iraq, said Gaines was always challenging Army superiors and "he kept us cracking up."”

I like how this side of the story has been underreported. Josh Gaines was awarded the National Defense Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Medal - there is not a Sailor or Soldier in the United States military who doesn’t have both medals - congrats Mr. Gaines on your grandeous display of giving back medals that everyone has. You are a disgrace to everyone who has worn a uniform, and are fortunate to have never served under me.

“Gaines said he was given an "other than honorable" discharge after failing a drug test. He said he started smoking marijuana after he returned from Iraq to help him eat and sleep after he had trouble doing either for months…Ryan Hill, 29, who served with Gaines in Iraq, said Gaines was always challenging Army superiors and "he kept us cracking up."”

Well good for you Mr. Gaines. Here is the most underreported aspect of your incredible story. I find it impressive that you were able to part yourself from your two medals, the National Defense and Global War on Terrorism - the same two medals that every Sailor and Soldier in uniform have. The interesting question is: why didn’t you receive anything else, or what what was your rank (PFC I suspect)? The reason being what is quoted above and what has been left out of just about every story covering your “great” act of true patriotism. You’re neither a patriot, or great in any respect. The only thing you are is extremely fortunate to have never served under me.

I like how this side of the story has been underreported. Josh Gaines was awarded the National Defense Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Medal - there is not a Sailor or Soldier in the United States military who doesn’t have both medals - congrats Mr. Gaines on your grandeous display of giving back medals that everyone has. You are a disgrace to everyone who has worn a uniform, and are fortunate to have never served under me.

Bingo funny that it was only two medals and the very two medals that every Soldier/Sailor has. After a year in a combat zone one would think if Gaines was the outstanding Soldier he would have little more to show for his combat tour than two “across the board” awards that everyone gets. In short Gaines seems to be a very lackluster person who more than likely joined for the very money given to him by his government for college, to turn around and protest the very government that is in effect paying his way through college.

Symbolic gesture?? Bullshit a true symbolic gesture would be for Gaines to RETURN HIS G.I. BILL if he truly believes the war has accomplished nothing (funny it seems to have accomplished him achieving his goal a cheap education on behalf of the same military and government he is now protesting against). Mailing back two medals that are awarded to everyone in Theatre does not a symbolic gesture make, just a bit of political grandstanding if anything. If Mr. Gaines really wants to make a symbolic gesture about how this war hasn’t accomplished anything then return his damned college money he received from the military whilst fighting the war.

But alas that means Mr. Gaines would have to truly give up something that is valuable in his possession and as stated WON’T SEE THAT HAPPEN WITH TODAY’S SELF SERVING GENERATION OF LACKLUSTER HUMAN STAINS WE CALL COLLEGE STUDENTS.

Support the troops? Wait, I thought all troops were Republican GI Joe heros? Wait, what am I talking about, Republicans don’t serve in the military, they just pretend to support the military with yellow magnets on their bumpers.

“a cooperative effort out of the madison community to show that this war is not worth fighting for”

Damn straight, those Arab lives aren’t worth a thing! We should have stayed out of their business. If they want to kill each other then I say fine.

Congrads on doing the honorable and necessary thing, GIs organizing to end this war is an important part of what it will take to let the people of the Middle East control thier own lives and bring our soldiers home.

“Damn straight, those Arab lives aren’t worth a thing! We should have stayed out of their business. If they want to kill each other then I say fine.”

What a racist ignorant piece of shit. You have no clue about whats going on thier. It not an inherent trait of arabs to fight one another, its what happens when the US invades a country and builds ethnic death squads to fight on thier behalf after destroying thier country in every way.

Stop promoting this racism you bigot!!!

Excellent, shout down the free speech of someone who has actually been to war. Back to your Limbaughs and O’Reillys, the true American-Hero-Patriot-9/11-Support-the-Troopers.

Excellent, shout down the free speech of someone who has actually been to war. Back to your Limbaughs and O’Reillys, the true American-Hero-Patriot-9/11-Support-the-Troopers.

Pretty clear that there are some “outside agitators” here on the Badger Herald website trying to malign students, vets, and the anti-war movement in general. Go back to your desk jobs, gentlemen. COINTELPRO is against the law.

I wonder if half the military guys posting on here have a degree or are in the process of getting one.

“But alas that means Mr. Gaines would have to truly give up something that is valuable in his possession and as stated WON’T SEE THAT HAPPEN WITH TODAY’S SELF SERVING GENERATION OF LACKLUSTER HUMAN STAINS WE CALL COLLEGE STUDENTS.”

… lackluster? We’re getting an education. You certainly aren’t, in the military.

Do you forget the fact that a substantial portion of young people join the military purely to pay for college?

Let’s see what happens when you get discharged. Oh, right, your boss is going to have a college degree, and probably a graduate degree as well.

Before you start calling us lackluster, keep in mind that though there is a substantial portion of us who oppose the war, there are some among us college students who support it. What are you calling people who have similar opinions to you? I’d like to hear the College Republicans’ answer to your comment, as much of a liberal as I am.

And frankly, I wouldn’t be proud to practice your brand of pseudo-patriotism. Patriotism does not entail serving without question - patriotism entails what is best for the country and every single person in it, whether that varies from person to person, whether the government agrees with it, and whether humanity in itself is ultimately served, even, potentially, to the detriment of the country.

Army Times reports; http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/09/apvetmedals070925/

Keith O'Donnell, a spokesman for the Army's Human Resources Command in St. Louis, confirmed Gaines' service in Iraq and said he was discharged last year.

Gaines said he was given an "other than honorable" discharge after failing a drug test.

I love how supporting the troops requires a person to support the “war.”

I support the troops. I support every individual in uniform. I’m proud that they did step up for the country. However, I do not support the war in any way, shape, or form. I do not support its cause. I do not support its contiunation. I do not support the lives it is ruining. I do not support the people it is killing. I do not support the towns it is hollowing out down to nothing. I support my brothers and sisters.

I don’t care if Gaines medals were across the board, I don’t care if he got discharged, that doesn’t change the fact that he was there.
Speaking of medals, did anyone ever take the time to think that maybe, just maybe he wasn’t awarded any other medals due to his distaste for the war and what it stands for? I mean, if I don’t agree with something, I’m not exactly going to go out of my way to make sure that I’m an A+ kinda gal on that subject.

As for the comments on the lack luster, don’t do nothing, college kid, shame of a generation, I have to ask … are you kidding me? What is lackluster about standing up for something you care about. What is lackluster about marching down to the governor’s office, saying, hey man, I really don’t agree with this at all. Oh wait, its lackluster because I’m caring about who’s going to be here to get me out of trouble. Its because I lack the motivation to do anything. Its because I am lazy and self-serving. Thanks for stereotyping me. If you met me, you’d know you’re wrong.

You all did your research to find out what Josh did wrong in order to undermine him. Why don’t you do your research (like we are) so that you can actually see what is wrong about the war. Did you know that we deploy Shiite militas in Sunni territory to promote civil war? Didn’t see any of you research that. Probably because its not at your finger tips and you have to dig for it. Probably because contemporary army media is “in-bed” with the military and can only promote the stories they want us to hear. But the other side is there. You just have to look for it. But you’d rather just be persuaded by biased television screens, news articles, and second hand internet sites about your “cold, hard facts.”

You are lackluster. You are selfserving. The only reason you are commenting here is because its easy. Its easier to sit on a computer and type your mid-life crisis away, directed at a group of beautiful individuals (your future) who stand for something you disagree with. You are cowards. How about you stand up for something of mass importance once in your life. You get out in the streets and try to make a difference in your world. Don’t sit and complain about our actions. Do something yourself. Your words will be forgotten but our cause will live on.

“I wonder if half the military guys posting on here have a degree or are in the process of getting one.

“But alas that means Mr. Gaines would have to truly give up something that is valuable in his possession and as stated WON’T SEE THAT HAPPEN WITH TODAY’S SELF SERVING GENERATION OF LACKLUSTER HUMAN STAINS WE CALL COLLEGE STUDENTS.”

… lackluster? We’re getting an education. You certainly aren’t, in the military.

Do you forget the fact that a substantial portion of young people join the military purely to pay for college?

For your information I have over 160 college hours with a degree in nursing. EVERY military Officer has AT LEAST a 4 year degree and every NCO (that is the “enlisted” Sergeants above the rank of Sergeant First Class) have an associate degree or higher some with Masters, so much for the uneducated duped Private that most anti war types seem to foster and stereotype.

Furthermore the military offers 100% college tuition reimbursment for those who attend college courses while serving in the military. So as you can see your idea of the “uneducated” Soldier is as misinformed and outdated as your liberal brand of anti war rhetoric.

Once again the statements I made hold true, lackluster postering and grand standing. If Mr. Gaines was truly against the war why did he join in the first place oh that’s right to get money for college. Again if the war is so reprehensible to him and he is against all it entails why not RETURN HIS GI BILL??? Why because that would affect him directly. Mailing back medals that cost little is a very minimal form of protest. Funny Mr. Gaines is more than willing to accept the monies he made in this war to protest the very GOVERNMENT THAT GAVE HIM THE MONEY TO BEGIN WITH. The same as winning a free car driving it like a bat out of hell then bitching to GM when it breaks down on you.

So I hold to my original belief that Mr. Gaines was looking for the easiest way to make a name for himself and get his 15 minutes of fame that would cost him the LEAST BIT of Sacrifice. Therefore there is one word to describe him that I can use on this site and that is a damned HYPOCRITE at best.

“How about you stand up for something of mass importance once in your life. You get out in the streets and try to make a difference in your world. Don’t sit and complain about our actions. Do something yourself. Your words will be forgotten but our cause will live on”

Stand up for something, you wouldn’t know the first part of “standing up for something” What does it entail going out into the streets and shouting at the top of your damned lungs”

Let me give you an idea of standing up for something.

Going and providing free medical care to the Indigent population of Honduras, the tsunami victims, victims of Katrina, risking your own life to deliver medical supplies to an Iraq hospital, getting shot at for aiding Muslim Bosnians, feeding starving children in Africa while warlords shoot it out all around you.

This my friend is standing up for something, not standing out in the street bitching about it to all who listen.

There is a group of Soldiers known as the “Silent Professionals” think about it. They are called that because they are able to make a difference and UNLIKE THE AVERAGE COLLEGE STUDENT are actually able to do so instead of paying LIP SERVICE to a cause and doing nothing more than spouting hot air.

I think Mr. Gaines for his Service, however that still doesn’t preclude him from being a f*cking hypocrite, and if he can’t stand the public discourse then he shouldn’t be in the public eye.

I have to ask you my fine friend, because you seem to stand against the “average college student”, would you rather have us all flipping burgers? Would you rather have us sitting around and being fist fed “facts” rather than conceptualizing the world around us? Would you rather have us be passive in the face of conflict and say yeah, that’s okay.

Our “lip service” has caused others to think. Our “lip service” has made other “average college students” who are unaware of where their beliefs stand come to look at the world from different conceptual angles.
If you want proof, here I am.

I put $10 dollars down (because unfortunately that is all I have to spare for I am your “average college student”) that the fact that the military pays for your schooling is the way that they get more than half of their recruitments. that is what they promote on many of their commercials and that is what they promoted when they came to my high school. “Join up with us, we’ll pay for your school.” That’s a good deal.
That’s a really good deal.

Maybe Gaines wasn’t against the war when he was deployed. I don’t know. I didn’t chit-chat with him personally on the subject. I’m just offering a counter to your argument.

So, you say Gaines is a hypocrite. What have you done? Did you take part in those heroic feats you described in your rant? If not, you’re just as much a hypocrite. You’re paying “lip service” and “spouting hot air.”

I am a college student. I am limited to a place due to who I am and who I want to be. So I do what you can. You label it “lip service.” I call it standing up for my beliefs.

There are many, many admirable things that people can do here and there. But in the process of being concerned and dabbling around the world we forget about our problems here. This protest isn’t our last and its not even the tip of all the issues that some of us “average college students” are trying to deal with and change.

If you want to bad mouth Gaines from high to low, go ahead. I cannot change your beliefs on this topic. My energy is better spent in other places. The only thing that I ask is that you have some faith in the future of this country (and world). We will do (and have done) great things. Quit trying to knock the legs out from under us. Its not working very well.

Even though I have not been to Africa, even though I have not rehabilitated sick individuals, even though I have not driven through enemy lines to deliever items of mass importance, even though I have not done these things, I am still proud of what I have done whether it be attending class and holding an above average GPA or going out on the streets and declaring my beliefs or providing to the needy. I will go on to do more things. I will help that impoverished man, I will help that family build their home, I will be a positive influence on this great society of ours as will many of my peers. If you want to call someone lackluster, find those college students who actually do nothing, save partying. Don’t include me in your stereotype. Do not include my comrades in your stereotype, because no matter how little impact you believe we have the minute we make a single individual question what they stand for we have made an impact. When we make an individual such as yourself feel the need to account for their beliefs we have made an impact.

Why Mr. Gaines is a hero to me:

Any soldier who served in this war and lived to tell the essential truth about it deserves a thousand welcomes. In fact, America’s very future depends on Mr.Gaines and men and women like him who have the enourmous courage to come forward and not hide in a whole, makes themselves homeless as self-punishment, or engage in other forms of self destructive actions so many of our veterans commit due to internal shame. Shame as a direct result of their service. Shame that will distroy the rest of their lives, sadly.

If not for honorable vets like Gaines, who will hold up the mirror for ‘we the people’ to see what we have allowed, continue to allow, in our names - a war that is distroying everything this country has ever stood for and every soldier has ever fought for.

Mr. Gaines, I salute you and all you have done to attempt to restore honor to America.