It's Time We Did Something

College Confidential Community
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<p>It isn't the military that hurts people. It's what happens. Go to Iraq. Some people aren't affected at all; some are affected psychologically. But nothing can prevent that.</p>

<p>Yes, war adversely affects soldiers, but so does military life in general. Senior officers are often megalomaniac and eagomaniacs, who enjoy asserting their power over others, ultimately destroying one's self-confidence. The military also provides military members, with the requisite skills to affectively kill another person. This is necessary in war (though war is not necessary), but not in their everyday lives and in the civilian world. They are also constantly exposed to violence, even when not fighting in a war, and are programmed not to value the importance of human life. How can they possibly lead happy lives?</p>

<p>Where did you get the statistics of abuse?
Here is just one of many websites:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/2005/06/debbie_tucker.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/2005/06/debbie_tucker.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Do you think America would be safer with a smaller military?</p>

<p>The military has caused the global abhorrence towards America. If it wasn't for America's imperialistic past and its recent actsof international interference, America would not be so detested.</p>

<p>qwilde, I'm sorry that you seem to base your assumptions of the military on a fraction of the pop. You yourself said it was a small base. </p>

<p>I don't form generalizations if that is what you are insinuating. I have formed conclusions based on my extended experience with military life. I was also not basing my statements on a single base (MP's in Fort Dix were corrupt drug dealers and a man unleashed fire on innocent people shortly after september 11th).</p>

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<p>I just found these videos:</p>

<p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ECdVSXwod0I%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://youtube.com/watch?v=ECdVSXwod0I&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=KMAJg37wioc%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://youtube.com/watch?v=KMAJg37wioc&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=5PgiaI_FmvM%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://youtube.com/watch?v=5PgiaI_FmvM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>
[quote]
Senior officers are often megalomaniac and eagomaniacs, who enjoy asserting their power over others, ultimately destroying one's self-confidence. The military also provides military members, with the requisite skills to affectively kill another person. This is necessary in war (though war is not necessary), but not in their everyday lives and in the civilian world. They are also constantly exposed to violence, even when not fighting in a war, and are programmed not to value the importance of human life. How can they possibly lead happy lives?

[/quote]

Are you in the military? Not asking if you know people in the army, I'm asking if you are in the military.

[quote]
The military has caused the global abhorrence towards America. If it wasn't for America's imperialistic past and its recent actsof international interference, America would not be so detested.

[/quote]
Global abhorrence? Imperialistic past? Okie dokie.

[quote]
MP's in Fort Dix were corrupt drug dealers and a man unleashed fire on innocent people shortly after september 11th

[/quote]
Mhmm. Did the military force those MPs to become drug dealers? Did the military force those other MPs to be pedophiles?</p>

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<p>Mhmm. Did the military force those MPs to become drug dealers? Did the military force those other MPs to be pedophiles?</p>

<p>Exactly, if the military can't change people for the worse than they cannot change them for the better. You just countered your own argument (I was orignally arguing that the military doesn't necessarily make people better as you stated).</p>

<p>Are you in the military? Not asking if you know people in the army, I'm asking if you are in the military. </p>

<p>My step dad is. I have lived on military bases, since I was six. I just recently graduated from a DOD high school in Italy.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
<sighs> The military does change people. But for the better. Do you know your friend's entire circumstances? From what it seems, only the fact he went to basic and came back changed. True, basic changes you.They break you down and put you back together piece by piece. But that's the entire point. They can't just teach you and hope you remember. They have to make it your nature. Surfette, maybe your friend just wasn't prepared. I know many, many young men and women who know what they are getting into and are better for it.

[/quote]
</sighs></p>

<p>It's a good thing I just slit my throat, or else I would have called you a "beepity beep". </p>

<p>This is how the military works (understand that I am blatantly grouping the entire United States military together, so forgive me for that...just think majority)</p>

<p>You are poor, perhaps even uneducated, and looking for a way to earn a respectable living. You have a friend who is in the military, who tells you about how the military is going to pay for college and give you a car and retirement benefits...the works! This friend convinces you to join the army. </p>

<p>Little do you know that this "friend" receives and award for recruiting you. This "friend" doesn't have to go back to actually fighting the war and being in Iraq, but gets to become a well-paid recruitment officer. But if this "friend" doesn't get enough recruits....well his ass is sent overseas. </p>

<p>So now you are in the military. You want to gain some responsibility. Does this occur? NO. Every part of your life is controlled. There are strict rules that you must follow. Everyday is planned and you lose a lot of your independence. </p>

<p><em>PAUSE</em> This does not happen to everyone. If you are upper white class. Male. It is much easier for you to become someone of higher rank. More freedom, better benefits...you get the picture <em>/PAUSE</em></p>

<p>If you are a woman or a minority you will be severly discriminized against. The rape cases are off the charts. A higher ranked male officer can ask for sexual favors...if a woman says no? Well lets just say that she WILL be punished. </p>

<p>So you go and fight and if you're lucky, you won't see anything too gruesome or experience anything too harmful. If you're lucky you won't suffer one of the MANY emotional affects of war. Oh, and hopefully you'll survive. </p>

<p>Now you are home. You have all the freedom in the world. Suddenly it seems unbearable. Can I go to the bathroom? Or should I wait until half past 10, when the bathroom break is. How do I feed myself? I've never cooked before. I am 24 years old, but I haven't been in the "real world" since I was 17. </p>

<p>And finally...those "benefits". Ever check how long the wait list is for college? It takes YEARS for the government to finally cough up the money to pay for schooling. Did you know that there is a limited amount of time to use this money? I believe it is 8 years. (Don't hold me to this). So I get out, and am now waiting for my money. Six years later it finally rolls around. Now I have 2 years to go to college. But what if I have a family to support now? What if college just isn't feasible at the moment? Well tough luck my friend. The other benefits hinder similar results. </p>

<p>The military is hard. Especially for women and minorities. I applaud anyone who willingly enters, especially those who return "for the better". I whole-heartedly support our troops but I do NOT support war and I do NOT support the military. It is far too corrupt. But then again, what isn't these days?</p>

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<p>Very astute observations surfette.</p>

<p>Imperialistic past?
Guam, Philippines, Pacific Islands, Hawaii, American Samoa, Iraq, and Vietnam-attempted.</p>

<p>Not to mention America itself is founded upon expansionism and genocide-Native Americans.</p>

<p>International interference: too many countries to list.</p>

<p>Global Abhorrence?</p>

<p>America is hated by a few countries and disliked by most because of its actions.</p>

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<p>I am a woman and a minority and I have no issues. Either are the others. Stop having pity for no reason.</p>

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<p>Surfette, a lot of what you've said doesn't line up with my friends' (or family's) experiences in the military at all.</p>

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<p>Perhaps her small town experience is not representative of the whole and she should stop making sweeping statements.</p>

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<p>I didn't learn that from anyone from my small town.
I talked to a young man who served in the military for 8 years and now works on a military hot-line that helps people who have recently completed their service in the military. </p>

<p>I warned everyone before I posted that I was making extreme generalizations.</p>

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<p>"I am a woman and a minority and I have no issues. Either are the others. Stop having pity for no reason."</p>

<p>What branch?</p>

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<p>Visit any country in the world (with the exception of Israel), the majority of people will say that they hate America. Unfortunately, Americans themselves find it difficult to distinguish between hating America the entity and America the place/people.</p>

<p>Btw, the last time the government sent thousands of young people to their deaths for no reason (Vietnam), students were the ones who protested. I really doubt that will happen now, due to a) the apathy of the general American population, b) the need to conform among students, and c) the incredible strength of the right wing propaganda machine.</p>

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<p>America and her European "allies" have always had major differences and disagreeances. America's unique way of life -- a devotion to Judeo-Christian religion and morality, a rugged individualism, a deep suspicion of socialism, etc. -- has ruffled the feathers of European nations since its founding. America sees the world through a different lens than their European counterparts. During WWI, WWII, and the Cold War, however, we were able to put these differences aside and work together against common enemies. Now that Europe no longer feels that it needs protection, it has turned on America.</p>

<p>I think it's time for America to start biting back. "You don't like us? Well, fuc you, we don't like you either. How's that?" If I were the president I would start pulling all of our troops out of the European countries that advocate anti-American sentiment (Germany, France) and put a halt to our foreign aid. See how much better life is for them without the US's helping hand.</p>

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<p>"You don't like us? Well, fuc you, we don't like you either. How's that?" </p>

<p>I'm sure Jesus would approve of such an attitude.</p>

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<p>I had no idea so many people disliked the military. You know, that group of people that defends and protects our citizens. What a day, what a day.</p>

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<p>The military requires blind faith from its soldiers. I don't see how that is something to respect. Saying you joined to protect the country is no excuse if a rational analysis shows that you will be doing no such thing. That doesn't mean I hate soldiers or want them to get hurt. I support their right to get back home to their families. I just see no reason to respect them for fighting a failed war that "ended" 3 years ago. There are tons more people deserving of admiration who go completely unrecognized. </p>

<p>That being said, we can't just pull a Vietnam now. The region's been completely destabilized, and will probably make us even more unsafe, if we leave now. The key to fixing the Mid-east starts with replacing oil, and that is something the military is absolutely useless for. Oil is what props up the Saudi royals and Iranian theocracy, as well as a handful of other OPEC countries. If they can no longer make money off that, the dictatorships will no longer be able to stay in power. Take those out of the picture, remove the US presence , and things will sort themselves out. A few more details in there, but that's the gist of things.</p>

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<p>Speaking for only myself, I don't dislike the military per se. I would never go so far as to say that there should not be a military at all. I have plenty of friends in the military and we get along just fine. I do dislike war, and I dislike hypocrisy, and I especially dislike starting wars on a pre-emptive basis under false pretenses. I also dislike the 'kill 'em all' attitude and the 'us against them' attitude so prevalent among many of the conservatives I've met. If people truly followed the teachings of the 'savior' they profess to follow, then they would not be able to reconcile war with their beliefs. They would demand a better solution than being so quick to go and kill people who were created by the same God they claim to worship. It's the hate, the elitism, and the hypocrisy I have a problem with.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I'm sure Jesus would approve of such an attitude.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Lol. Oh, lealdragon, don't you realize that if Jesus was living among us today, he'd say the same thing!</p>

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<p>I was being facetious.</p>

<p>What do you mean by 'the same thing' - are you saying he would be in favor of war??? You're kidding, right?</p>

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<p>"I'm sure Jesus would approve of such an attitude."</p>

<p>Maybe, maybe not. Maybe Jesus wouldn't approve of nations treating their so-called friend like garbage. Maybe Jesus would approve of America giving Europe a constructive wake-up call.</p>

<p>The point is, European nations that stir up anti-American sentiment at government levels should no longer be considered "friends" by the United States. I'm not talking about fighting them (geez...) -- I'm just saying that the US should give them the cold shoulder until they smarten up. European nations have often counted on America to come to their rescue and solve their problems in the past, but now that they feel safe from enemies, they think they can spit on America and bite the hand that has fed them. Well, this kind of behavior should have consequences.</p>