Flashback dialogue

[Halochief Chris]

I had to laugh when Team Bondi added this dialogue into one of Phelps' flashbacks to WWII. When asking why the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he responded by saying we cut off their oil, and then asked his troops what they'd think the U.S. would do if someone denied us our oil. I could only think of Iraq and thought this was, at least, a good way of wording the question because most people might think of Iraq as well.

[MassEffectinMyPants]

As an Iraq vet my answer would be no, no I didn't. All i thought was look at this weeny butter bar tellin the grunts why we fight a war. Cole lost some serious points with me with the flashback sequences. I've dealt with many officers like him in my time in the army. "our's is not to reason why, our's is but to do and die."- Tennyson

[fresh fish 101]

simply put, and not to offend, but phelps is right... a major factor in recent wars is fossil fuels.

[MassEffectinMyPants]

it doesn't matter if phelps is "right" or not. Any officer in command of troops isn't there to tell troops why they're fighting. A war zone isn't a place for politcal discussions. You are there, you have a mission and ultimately no matter what the reasons you are there to win. An officer's job is not to educate his troops with his political views it is to get the mission done and try to get as many of his soldiers or marines back in one piece that he can. The custer syndrome is real, i've experienced it first hand. Phelps as a detective, I like. But him in a command position in a war, i do not.

[EliteShadowMan]

Originally Posted by MassEffectinMyPants

it doesn't matter if phelps is "right" or not. Any officer in command of troops isn't there to tell troops why they're fighting. A war zone isn't a place for politcal discussions. You are there, you have a mission and ultimately no matter what the reasons you are there to win. An officer's job is not to educate his troops with his political views it is to get the mission done and try to get as many of his soldiers or marines back in one piece that he can. The custer syndrome is real, i've experienced it first hand. Phelps as a detective, I like. But him in a command position in a war, i do not.

and you don't think your taking something from a videogame a little too seriously???

[fresh fish 101]

Originally Posted by MassEffectinMyPants

it doesn't matter if phelps is "right" or not. Any officer in command of troops isn't there to tell troops why they're fighting. A war zone isn't a place for politcal discussions. You are there, you have a mission and ultimately no matter what the reasons you are there to win. An officer's job is not to educate his troops with his political views it is to get the mission done and try to get as many of his soldiers or marines back in one piece that he can. The custer syndrome is real, i've experienced it first hand. Phelps as a detective, I like. But him in a command position in a war, i do not.

you are also 100% right... i didnt say Phelps was right TO say that, i just said he was right in what he said.
also, if i recall correctly, it wasnt initially brought up by phelps, he was just responding to someone else's views... with an analogy that hit closer to home.

[SallyNasty]

Originally Posted by EliteShadowMan

and you don't think your taking something from a videogame a little too seriously???

Yes.

I thought it was a really great little quip, and gave insight into his character.

Remember, Cole is still fighting the war and interrogating the prisoners - I don't think he was sitting it out or being a coward. He is an educated man who sees the big picture, but still volunteered for service.

[upindat]

I didnt know what to think of that little flashback. Hoping it all ties back into the story somewhere.

[KFZ Scrubs]

Originally Posted by MassEffectinMyPants

it doesn't matter if phelps is "right" or not. Any officer in command of troops isn't there to tell troops why they're fighting. A war zone isn't a place for politcal discussions. You are there, you have a mission and ultimately no matter what the reasons you are there to win. An officer's job is not to educate his troops with his political views it is to get the mission done and try to get as many of his soldiers or marines back in one piece that he can. The custer syndrome is real, i've experienced it first hand. Phelps as a detective, I like. But him in a command position in a war, i do not.

That's true... it's not his place to tell them why the're there.. but he did explain to them on why the Japanese attacked. Before that all they thought was because the Japanese hated their way of life and thought bombing Pearl Harbor was a good idea.

[Halochief Chris]

I think already with the tie-ins between the flashbacks and the newspapers is really cool of Team Bondi. Also, MassEffectin, Phelps shouldn't have said that because it lost him points with his unit and also, while he was right, it created unnecessary animosity within the group. He was right about why we were fighting the Japanese, but it would've been better to leave the topic alone.

Also, one of the later clips involving the "crazy medic" (omitting his name for sake of not spoiling anything although minor) I disagree with Phelps view of what the medic did on the hill. What the medic did was the right thing since nothing else could be done. I agree his views suit him much better as a detective, not a commander, as you said MassEffectin.

However, point is, when Phelps conjectured "What do you think the U.S. would do if someone denied us our oil?" I could only think of Iraq since many people say that's only reason why we were there (not gonna try and start an argument about purpose of going into Iraq, I respect all the people over there now, all those who are no longer with us, and the Armed Forces as a whole) and thought it was obviously done on purpose by Bondi and thought it was a slightly clever quip to add.

Also, MassEffectin, I think that's the purpose of the flashbacks, to show Phelps as a man who always had to be right, who would eventually lead his troops to the slaughter (I haven't beaten game fyi, I have no knowing of how he gets awarded the medal but based on his actions and not wishing to talk I can only assume) and show how he can't accept things like troops not understanding why a war's being fought and feeling like he has to enlighten people.

[bigbear2face]

Originally Posted by fresh fish 101

simply put, and not to offend, but phelps is right... a major factor in recent wars is fossil fuels.

People forget our little excursions into the Far East during the middle to late 19th century. The unfair trade agreements the west forced on them damaging their economies...The military shows of force the west did...They had a lot of reason not to be happy with us.

People also forget that we sided with the Chinese against the Japanese in their war pre-WWII. Members of our military had not only been training but flying with Chinese air forces in combat against the Japanese. US soldiers shot down a ton of Japanese aircraft long before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. We attacked them long before they attacked us.