Awesome Speech

Ya , there were a few people i served with and under i feel the same way about. But now im a civilian maybe ill go without the can this time lol

 

Ok, let's break out the MREs. Nice speech. <3

 

It's a very good speech, and he's a good speaker. I especially like the part fairly early on where he was talking about the courage of the soldiers signing up for the Army infantry years into a war, and knowing what they're getting into. I'm not sure if I'm that brave, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who are.

It was a little scary at the same time, though -- he only had negative things to say about non-military Americans, and he got extra applause each time he did so. Is that normal for this kind of thing?

 

I agree. I feel it is a bit odd that soldiers are being filled with "separatist" ideas. We need to stop fabricating enemies within our own society and realize that we all have to work together to achieve a productive and successful community.

In short, "can't we all just get along?"

 

I don't think one should ever hate a soldier for following orders (unless he/she follows orders to commit some kind of atrocity or something, I guess). Hate the policymaker who sent the soldier someplace they shouldn't have been sent, maybe -- but if you're going to do that, do it constructively and use the ballot box.

I think I may understand. Being asked to put your life on the line for a group who may not always fully appreciate the magnitude of what it involves has to engender something of a complex psychological relationship with that group.

 

So that 19-year-old is overpaid because he was able to buy an expensive car? That's kind of a weak argument -- banks will allow someone in the bottom 25% income bracket to finance one of those.

Military salaries aren't bad by any means, especially considering housing allowances, tax breaks, combat pay, and that sort of thing. They're probably in the upper 25% income bracket in the country. That said, if the Congress decided tomorrow that they were going to triple every soldier's pay, I would applaud their decision to do so. As you pointed out, they're getting shot at and blown up -- you really can't pay someone too much for that job.

When you look at it that way, a $40K car that will probably be rusted and worthless in five years really isn't that much to show for two years in Iraq.

 

The military can offer you a family closeness as well.

*** Warning --> PM is going to expose his heart here...

It has been a sore spot with me...that my family has a military history, yet my dad talked me out of joining the Army at the last minute (while I was in High School & living at home)
Then, 10 years later - I decided I wanted to enlist anyway, but that's when I got in my accident.

No way the military would take me after that.

So now I do what I can to help our society. Our nation.
Last year I busted (possible) terriorists on an airplane.
I work for a PI trying to catch bad guys.
I still salute the flag, I buy poppies, attend American Legion rallys, donate blood etc.
I work in the neighborhood for National Night out, I'm an officer in the ECFE council.
etc...
I'm only a civilian. I'm in my 40's, I'm trying to do the best that I can.

I guess the biggest price a soldier has to pay is the loss in karma when he kills. The Native Americans were a spiritually advanced society and had a good cleansing ritual. Once they wore their paint, (death mask) they were committted~! They steeled thmeselves to what had to be done. Generally peaceful otherwise, yet once they commited a kill/murder, there were often 'ousted' from their tribe, and had to 'sort-of' pay a pennance. Then accepted back because EVERYONE KNEW THAT TAKING ANOTHER HUMAN LIFE WAS WRONG - but it HAD to be done to SAVE THE TRIBE.

I guess that can be summed up by saying.

The needs of the many, out weigh the needs of the few...or the one.

Okay. Time to zip the shield back around my heart and soul.

~PM~

Peace out

 

If people like you, and the guys in the military are the hands of our country, then I guess that makes me an intestine...or stomach or something. <3

 

Move that up a bit higher dear. Where the Heart is...

~PM~

 

I play Video Games Dressed up like a Solider.

 

@PM - there are those of us who haven't served, due to whatever reason, that serve in our own way. We may not stand up as a beacon in Iraq, but we can stand up and be the voice of reason with the folks here.

Many do not understand, they can be helped to. Those that chose to refuse to understand, they can be escorted out.