See the story here, then tell us what you think.

Methinks those of us that suffered this kind of treatment, and worse, after coming back from Vietnam would hope this story isn't true. I'd hope we wouldn't have to go through this again.

I saw this in the local paper yesterday and the first thoughts I had was the welcoming committees who used to hang out in the airports to harangue military personel back when Vietnam was going.

Hard to believe this happened in Fort Worth Texas, a susposed bastion of the pro Bush rednecks. So much for protest the war, not the warrior.

What is the difference between this article and phamacist refusing to
fill prescriptions?

Either way it goes to freedom of choice?

I do not agree with either and think they all are wrong but it is there freedom
not to serve anyone whether a clerk or pharmacist.

BTW this should be in civil liberties

From the sister's e-mail:


Why did only one employee get fired? Who was the other guy? Perhaps before too much outrage is all fired up and the store is burned or something even more horrific is done, the other side of the story should be investigated.

This would be called 'responsible journalism'.

I would be PO'ed if someone pulled this kind of stuff with me. That clerk sleeps under the blanket of protection that that Marine and every other member of the Armed forces provides. To all of the Vietnam Vets that may have had something similar happen, I dont know how you didnt end up busting someones nose or jaw.

As my signature line says, "Pacifism is a priviledge of the protected". If it was not for our great military that clerk would not have the rights he and most of us take for granted every day

Not knowing the whole story I will say that from what I've read this is an isolated incident, and the nationality of those involved should be taken into consideration.
No excusses for them they should be fired but to say this is a trend, I don't think so. I feel outraged because of it, and I think the store did the right thing in firing the man. I would let it drop and go on. We Americans support our troops if not our CiC, their the ones that deserve it

Was this convenience store employee of Middle Eastern descent?

Thats what the article said.

Here in town we have several gas stations and convenience stores. Several of the gas stations are run by people of Middle Eastern or Pakistani/Indian descent. I have been told that these foreign individuals have gotten grants or loans to open businesses, and that these grants or loans are targeted for recently naturalized immigrants or permanent resident immigrants only. I tried looking for information on this but couldn't find it.

If this is true, I believe it is wrong. I don't want my tax dollars going to someone, who, purely by the fact that they now live in the US, can get a loan or grant because they've just come here, especially if that opportunity is denied to me as a US citizen by birth.

Does anyone know the truth of this????

I think that he was of middle eastern descent, But I think this is irrelivant as far as the actions taken by the store. Any employee that did this type of thing should be fired, regardless of his or her ethnic background. As far as the reason the clerk did this, yes it may have to do with his ethnic heritage.
Im sure the ACLU will jump on this bandwagon and try to say that this fmr employee was racially targeted or that he was fired for protesting the war in Iraq.

Well if they do not like american citizens or soldiers, I suggest they go to the middle east and sell their wares.

I agree.

I don't think it's true they get preferential treatment.

I think it's true a lot of new immigrants are willing to buy gas stations and convienence stores and work 16 hours a day which is something most Americans are unwilling to do.

I know a couple of brothers from Sri Lanka who own an excavating business. They are on the job from dawn to dusk everyday except Sunday. They bought equipment other companies wore out and patch them up and keep them running. Their culture expects long hours with less than good equipment to work with as normal.

Everyone in this country is an immigrant except the indians, new immigrants just haven't forgot their cultures.

There are grants and loans out there for everyone: women, Native Americans, African Americans, *insert name here* Americans, people with disabilities, the newly Americanized, seniors, young people.

A lot of the grants, though, come from the Small Business Association, which isn't funded by the government. It's funded by it's members.

I do not agree with the employee's actions, but I do support his constitutional right to peaceful protest...

...That said, I would have cut his friggin' neck had he done that to me, when I got back after my first Viet Nam tour (1966).

With age comes wisdom, and a much thicker skin!

joe e

here here

parhelia - I would say, you are a person of much wisdom, and I have learned much from you. From this, I am grateful.

That mountain woman

I say let us hope that OUR TROOPS NEVER come home to our corporations run by folks who NEVER WENT TO VIETNAM

(PRETTY MUCH LIKE SOME NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVISTS ARE FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY VS-A-VS BUSH'S WAR IN IRAQ)

and have some conservative looking Personnel Puke working for the company tell you, "that and a dime will get you a cup of coffee." when they show their DD-214.

Because that's what happened to ARMYDAD at the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) in Baltimore, MD when those clowns hired me to unload Railroad Boxcars.

PROUDLY showed the Personnel Clerk my discharge papers like I was told to do thinking I was suppose to get some special consideration (I think they called it Veterans Preference). You know like the GI Bill gave the ole WWII Vets coming back. Dumb kid was I.

The personnel clerk shoves the thing back at me and says, "that and a dime will get you a cup of coffee."

THANK GOD THAT COMPANY WENT BANKRUPT. , AND ALL THE FLAG WAVERS WHO MISSED OUT ON THE NAM LOST THEIR JOBS.

Ironically was recruited by Max Cleland's VA Hospital system which made a proactive effort to recruit Vietnam Veterans to work in VA Hospitals to make them more Vietnam Vet friendly.

You know get away from the YOU LOST YOUR WAR MENTALITY of the established Veterans Service Organizations of the day. The American Legion, VFW, etc...who wanted to ignore the Vietnam Veteran in lieu of the needs of "older" Veterans who populated the VA system during the 1960s and 70s.

AS FOR THE CLERK TREATING THE MARINE THAT WAY. GLAD HE WAS FIRED. ARMYDAD SAYS = STRING UM UP!

I agree with what you said. America needs a new work ethic and business culture. US exports are wayyyy down. We need to improve all our services and products. Too much energy is spent on needless work politics, and not enough on making a good product.

We can never let this happen again.

Bring our troops home... RIGHT NOW

There are thousands of "Support Our Troops" fish ribbons here. I have been very worried who this unpatriotic heathen might be. I am thrilled that they finally found him. Is anyone else in favor of sending him to Guantanamo?

I agree that our younger generation needs to know the true meaning of work. They need to know that hard work pays off., but if what you mean is that we need to bring our country down to theirs, thats where it stops.
I'm wondering what your refering to by work politics, if it's unions you are talking about, I'll remind you that America had a strong manufacturing base, with strong Unions, and we made good products, before Reagan.
We do need a new business culture were companies reward hard work with pay and benefits that make the American dream come true for those that want it.
Yes they come here and buy convienent stores that are played out, motels that have seen their better days, gas stations that no longer pay for themselves. Is that the American Dream. Now we have unscrupulous manufacturers using immigrant labor, sometimes illigal, at lower than minimum wage, to make inferior products. Thats not progress.
As for the two Cstore workers, it's not a trend,we won't let it happen. Will we?