That car looks like it could donate patina to other cars.

Yes, according to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2…, Mercedes is going to buy it for around 450,000 Euros, which roughly what he's spent on the car over the years.

Leaving aside the issue of whether the ranger should have demanded special treatment (he shouldn't have), the issue we should consider is the position he's put the flight attendant into. She either follows company protocol and gets publicly vilified (as has happened) or she violates company protocol, has to turn down…

Exactly. Had I been that flight attendant I'd probably hung the jacket as long as there was room. As a courtesy. It shouldn't be expected and it most certainly shouldn't be a news item.

Exactly. People, this isn't a big deal. I think military folks deserve respect for what they do but it shouldn't be expected. As former military I actually feel pretty awkward whenever special treatment or comments or directed towards me.

That takes recognition of the actual cost of war, though. Much easier to stick to symbolism and jingoism.

This poor flight attendant is supposed to risk their paycheck and ability to live just to hangup a soldiers uniform? Not a chance. stop acting so entitled, people.

If you're looking for a noble cause to rally behind, this ain't it.

US soldiers haven't fought a war to "preserve our freedom" since arguably the War of 1812. The people who have "preserved our freedom" since then are politicians, lawyers and activists.

I hate stories like this. He didn't get special treatment? Oh no, guess that flight attendant is a complete asshole and U.S. Air is a horrible company.

I agree, and mostly I don't hold soldiers responsible for what they do in wartime, provided that they follow international laws. But just as "following orders" means that I don't blame them for doing things I'd consider immoral, it also means that I don't think it's worthy of any particular respect beyond that which…

I am shocked and amazed at the reasonableness and logical pragmatism being shown by people like you in this comment section. I read duurtlang's comment and assumed he would be chided to oblivion, but instead he finds support for his very reasonable argument. You people are lovely.

The objective of terrorism is not to destroy, but to ensue fear. In terms of death toll, the 911 attacks were relatively low, at about 2400 I think. The objective was not to kill as many people as possible, it was to scare people into thinking they're not safe. The death toll of any terrorist attack is always tiny…

Your headline sucks and you should feel bad for writing this whole article.

None of those things can be done the way you suggest. Just so you know. Either you support higher taxes or you don't want to do those things.

I wore a uniform for years. In my time I learned there are people who expect gratitude for their service and then there are those who of us who just do the job before them.

And why are we supposed to "hang" the dude's uniform? Because he's "served our country"? What does that even mean?

How very Red State of you. That must be part of your unending patriotism - wishing death on anyone who doesn't hold the military to God-like standards and has a different opinion than you.

The deification of the military in this country disgusts me. Unless you were drafted (and had no choice in the matter to join), you chose to be in the military as your profession. It's a JOB. It's the line of work you CHOSE to be in.