They Support the War, They Just Don't Want to Fight It.- Page 2

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:08pm

"And we had other nations supporting us, as well."

Poland?

[DG]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:10pm

"All different types of people enlist in the military, rich or poor."

All levels might be represented, but with WILDLY differing percentages.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:10pm

I don't really have the resources to look up a full list right now, but I know Britain and Israel for sure. And I believe that Spain did after they were bombed.

DG: Do you have exact sources on that? Everyone thought that Vietnam was fought by poor, black people, but the actual percentages for rich vs. poor and the races were roughly equal.

Updated On: 7/19/07 at 03:10 PM

[DG]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:23pm

Spork - No access to data at this point. My attitude comes from my days in the Air Force, during which I spent much of my time working with all the different branches - and the breakdown was pretty evident, at least amongst those I encountered.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:27pm

Fair enough. Still, I don't think that people can complain about enlisting as long as there isn't a draft. In exchange for the benefits given by the military, you agree to serve your country. It's that simple.

Updated On: 7/19/07 at 03:27 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:30pm

'You don't sign up for the military for the benefits, you do it to serve your country.'

Well, that's certainly not true for all.

I was once in a hottub in Central Florida with three gay guys (stop it...it was innocent). All three had served in the Army. I was fascinated by them and asked why they joined an organization that basically didn't want them. All three told me it was the only way they could further their education. I thought, 'SH*T...I'd rather be dumb.' But there ya go.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:32pm

Yes, I phrased that badly; I restated it after you must have seen my post. My point that I was trying to make is that you make an agreement when you sign up: the military gives you benefits, you give them your service.

[DG]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:32pm

"You don't sign up for the military for the benefits, you do it to serve your country."

That's a noble ideal, but I might have to question whether it's actually real. Most - bordering on all that I ever knew - enlist for the consistant pay, great benefits and educational opportunities. Of course, that changes during times of conflict - which is why they're having to resort to changing the terms of enlistment mid-stream (extending tours of duty, reassigning multiple tours, extending age cut-offs, etc.)

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:34pm

Whether it's realistic or not, the government expects it. I'd hope that most people who signed up considered the possibility that it might mean going to war someday.

[DG]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:37pm

Honestly Spork, I became convinced that most only had a vague notion of what their enlistment REALLY meant. And anyway, knowing something in theory, and then actually having to deal with the reality are two VERY different things.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:41pm

But in return for their agreement to service, I believe all options before a declaration of war must be exhausted. I truly believe these men and women have had their dedication to service taken advantage of for this war.

There is a great burden put on our men and women when they sign up to serve and defend this country. But there MUST be a greater burden on the citizens of this country and their chosen representatives to not deploy these brave soldiers unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:41pm

Indeed, but, again, they took that on when they signed up. Maybe it's a good thing that people are finally getting a wake-up call as to what enlisting really means.

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:43pm

Sister Toldjah is 100% right.

Thanks for sharing her thoughts, Goddess.

This board needed a coloratura Goddess, and now WE have one.

No one has made even one valid point against the arguments of the good Sister. They attacked Goddess and the idea of "cutting and pasting."

Cutting and pasting only seems to be a problem on this board when a stunning conservative argument is made and no one can refute even a smidgen of the debating point(s).

Updated On: 7/19/07 at 03:43 PM

[DG]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:46pm

"they took that on when they signed up."

That's kind of a slippery little slope at the moment, since many have had the terms of their enlistment changed while they are serving.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:50pm

True, and I don't agree with that. I don't agree with everything that's happening during this war.

[mominator]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:54pm

What about the Reservists? They are suppose to stay state side, in case of natural disasters and the like.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 4:39pm

Wait wait wait...so nations opposed invading Iraq because they were benefitting from trade and deals with them?
What about Saudi Arabia? I'd cut and paste but I'd hate to be accused of "Engaging in bad practice" but a recent report shows quite a majority of the terrorists flowing into the country are from our Bush's bestest little buddies ever, Saudi Arabia, not Iran. I assume you guys will be a-ok when these nebulous other countries want to effect regime change there?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 4:41pm

I don't like Saudi Arabia. I would be thrilled if we weren't dependent on oil from there.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 4:46pm

That's why you should be a liberal.

Bush and Cheney love the Saudis.

A little too much.

[mominator]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:03pm

Don't you remember the photo op of Bush and the Saudi Prince holding hands in the Rose Garden? Such a sweet scene! A real match made in heaven.

[romantico]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:11pm

(Get a Room!)

Updated On: 7/19/07 at 05:11 PM

[mominator]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:15pm

Thanks for those pictures romantico! (I really have to learn how to post picts!) I almost forgot that kiss!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:37pm

PalJoey: I can't be a liberal because I hate socialist programs. Bush isn't a true conservative, anyway.

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:51pm

Tax cuts are conservative.

Sing on beautiful Goddess!

[mominator]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:55pm

SG, like free public education, libraries?