Readin' Rightin' and Recruitin'

[blur]

Originally posted by Toad
So, Blur, at the present time you see no need for a US Military establishment?

They can all just disband and go home?

Questions about disbanding military institutions are too abstract for me. When I get on one of my peace and love kicks I’m not addressing the multitudes. I’m addressing YOU.

Conservatives are big on personal responsibility. So with this in mind do YOU pick up a gun if you feel it’s morally wrong? What your neighbor does is his own business.

From my observations most folks the world over are pretty much the same regardless of race or religion. They want some sort of gainful occupation, a spouse, companionship, kids, etc. Murdering fellow human beings is probably pretty far down on the To-Do list. Governments hide this fact from their citizens. I mention the word Iraqi and half the people on this BBS conjure up an image of Saddam Hussein and start salivating. Where does this image come from? Does anyone on the BBS have an inkling of what the daily life of an Iraqi citizen is?

[Toad]

Bravo, another nice dodge in the Blur tradition.

Pretty simple question. Either you think we need a military or you don't.

If you do, then the people have to come from somewhere.

If you don't, I'd love to see your explanation of why we don't.

Looking forward to your next "drive by" posting.

[Maverick]

Originally posted by blur
I can’t say I’ve attained great wisdom over the years

This is one of the truest statements you have ever posted. Too bad it was burried in the trash you dumped on the keyboard.

Those who enjoy the freedoms of this country should be willing to defend them as well or do something to make the country a better place through public service. Those who condem this practice and refuse to support the country are little better than leaches.

[Eagler]

few years back my son thought he was being slick and skipped outa class to hear the recruiter pitch - think it was two classes long. Never meaning to join, just wanted to get outa class. He even bragged about it when he got home....

can't tell you how many recruiters called him after that. It was fun to listen to him explain that he had changed his mind & wiggle his way off the phone ... must be a heck of a database. Phone calls, emails, mailings ....

I think 2/4 years would have done him good. I'd have no problem if they instated an Israeli type mandatory military service

[ccvi]

Originally posted by hawk220
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A little-noticed provision in a new federal education law is requiring high schools to hand over to military recruiters some key information about its juniors and seniors: name, address and phone number.

One of the things where the US are sub standard compared to the rest of the world: privacy laws...

[weazel]

I'm not a conservative, you can't pigeon hole me that easily.

[Kieran]

So, do colleges and businesses get access to military bases and records?

I dunno, but colleges and businesses do get access to your sons' and daughters' grades and transcripts, too. Still waiting to hear what the big deal is.

[LoneStarBuckeye]

The big deal is that some enjoy the freedom provided by our armed services but don't want to acknowledge or endure the "unpleasantness" that is necessarily concomitant with providing that freedom.  (Some of those folks even think that they know better how to provide that freedom than those that have done it so well for the past two hundred years or so.)  Their fragile sensibilities are offended by the very thought that their children might be exposed in any way to the sexist, homophobic, non-PC, and generally unenlightened cretins that run amok in our military establishment.

- JNOV

[Raubvogel]

Originally posted by blur
Giving the Pentagon unfettered access to schoolchildren in order to turn them into emotionless non-thinking kill-bots sounds great.

I’m in!

This "emotionless non-thinking kill-bot" thinks you're an idiot. Without the Army I couldn't have accomplished most of the things I've done in my life. I've traveled the globe, learned several in-demand trades, and earned a college degree. Coming from my background growing up, none of this would have been possible if a recruiter hadn't been allowed to come speak to us at school. Everyone in that auditortium was given a chance to leave if they weren't interested. No one forces anyone to join the military.

[blur]

Thanks for the constructive feedback guys. I’ve always wondered how the American government could be so immoral, intolerant and violent. Now I understand, it truly is a reflection of its citizens.

Lesson learned.

Oops, I’m sorry Toad. One more post and I promise you’ll have the last word.

Merry Christmas.

[Kieran]

I’ve always wondered how the American government could be so immoral, intolerant and violent.

Ever hear of the National Guard? Ever watch news footage of weekend warriors handling sandbags at a flood, or helping out at the scene of any natural disaster?

Are you suggesting if we dissolve our armies that threats would just stop?

Are you suggesting that if we dissolve our police departments, violence would just stop? (Ok, some of the anit-drug war protests sound this way, but I digress. )

In a perfect world, or at least in the bubble you live in, that is an ideology you can afford. In the world I live in, there'd better be armed forces. Tell me, Blur, how should we have responded to the 9/11 attacks? Should we apologize to the terrorists and do what they tell us?

Dare you to answer that question...

Anyway, there are many kids in our area that would have had no opportunity for employment/advancement without the military. How will Utopia take care of these people? Tax the rich, give to the poor? That's about all you're going to have left after you remove a legitimate job/training source.

Face it, the military is a win/win situation. The young people serve, gain education and training, and learn a little about the world and our government. I wouldn't worry too much about the "kill-bot" theory, BTW... we seem to have many ex-military here that are anything but automatons for the government. Easymo seems about as independent a thinker as anyone I read, as does Raub. Sandman is navy (right?), Toad air force, and Weazel served if I read him right. They land all over the political spectrum, so your brainwashing theory just doesn't hold water.

[Tumor]

Originally posted by Eagler

I think 2/4 years would have done him good. I'd have no problem if they instated an Israeli type mandatory military service

For all the good it would do the people concerned... anything other than an all volunteer force would really and truly suck.  The LAST thing I would want to ever have to do is push troops who don't want to be here.  As it is.. there's always a few who are constantly on the "I'm getting the hell out of this roadkill service" and they are real pains to deal with.  However... the majority of them suddenly re-up at the last second (these are moments I relish... I mean I truly live for it heheh).

[Tumor]

Originally posted by LoneStarBuckeye
Their fragile sensibilities are offended by the very thought that their children might be exposed in any way to the sexist, homophobic, non-PC, and generally unenlightened cretins that run amok in our military establishment.

- JNOV

HUH?  Don't tell me YOU believe this.

It's amazing what some people think about the military (especially those who've never been around it).  Just the other day we had a visitor over who's never been associated with anything military.  Her daughter is interested in the USAF so I was trying to explain things.  At one point.. as I was talking about how "most" jobs are available to women in the DoD... Mom blurts some stupid crap out that went something like this.... "Most women who are in the military are masculine looking lesbian butch dykes aren't they?".  The look of mixed confusion and utter disbelief on my face was apparently intense enough that she shut-up.

[LoneStarBuckeye]

Tumor:

Of course not.  Sorry, I thought my sarcasm was apparent.

- JNOV

[blur]

Originally posted by Kieran

In a perfect world, or at least in the bubble you live in, that is an ideology you can afford. In the world I live in, there'd better be armed forces. Tell me, Blur, how should we have responded to the 9/11 attacks? Should we apologize to the terrorists and do what they tell us?

Dare you to answer that question...

The people who planned and brought about the actions on 9/11 were amazinhunks to put it succinctly. Any person or group who causes death and destruction for ideological, political or economic reasons is immoral and should be brought to justice. Understand though that I also judge “our” actions with the same criteria.

An intelligent person will revaluate any negative experience as to its probable cause in order to learn, adjust and move on. In the case of the American people, we should admit the possibility that there are a whole lot of folks who don’t like us and at least review our foreign policy.

As an example, maybe after a reevaluation we decide to lessen our dependence on oil. Then the money we currently spend on weaponry could be used to subsidize alternate energy solutions.

If we put as much effort into helping our fellow human beings as we do in killing them. We’d have plenty of energy.

Israel is a perfect microcosm of our current world situation. They routinely use military weapons against civilians to solve their “problems” and yet with all their military buildup are they any safer?

Incidentally, I’m also a veteran.

Peace.