<p>
[quote]
Oh yeah Z, to get onto West Point you'll need to speak the secret password at the gate. It's, "Go Army, Beat Navy!"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'll charge the gate in my SUV screaming "ALLAH U ACKBAR!" before I utter the words you suggested! </p>
<p>I DO have standards, you know! ;)</p>
<p>As for this thread, the question was answered in the first reply. I backed it up, and that's all I'm going to say. I'd burn the board down if I launched on some of the stuff that's been said here.</p>
<p>Youthul idealism and modern political climate aside, anyone who raises their right hand on I-Day and swears the following:</p>
<p>
[Quote]
do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
[/Quote]
</p>
<p>Either:
A. Is not a socialist
or
B. Isn't paying proper respect to the Oath of Office. Emphasis on "support" and "true faith". </p>
<p>A socialist in our armed forces would be nothing more than a mercenary. And the above Oath of Office pretty much infers our country's policy on mercenaries. There are probably better routes for a socialist to take other than a service academy to obtain a great education.</p>
<p>The last time I checked, the Constitution pretty much defines a democracy. </p>
<p>How could anyone confuse socialism with liberalism?</p>
<p>so?cial?ism /ˈsoʊʃəˌlɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[soh-shuh-liz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.</p>
<p>Of course there are other and additional definitions, but I'm willing to bet this young fellow is talking about this socialism, not this socialism:</p>
<p>"The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved."</p>
<p>But I'm even more willing to bet that same young fellow hasn't a clue what he is (no offense) or what it all means. He's simply too young and inexperienced.</p>
<p>Ask him if he'd be willing to donate the car his folks have given him to the neighborhood on the stipulation that he can have it once every two weeks on Tuesday morning between 0530 and 0630 so he can collect his chickens from the neighborhood collective farm.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The last time I checked, the Constitution pretty much defines a democracy.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Suggest you review your history as the Constitution defines a Republic.</p>
<p>
[quote]
the Academies are outstanding facilities of education--but so is Notre Dame, Harvard, Duke, Stanford, etc...My point being--apply to the other schools for a fantastic education--apply to the Academies if you want to serve your country…
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Didn’t know that you could not do both…want a fantastic education AND serve your country. I bet Admissions would be thrilled to know that the best and the brightest who want to serve their country and get a great education need not apply…they need to do NROTC instead at the great institutions you mentioned.</p>
<p>Guess I’ll have to tell my son that he missed the boat so to speak…should have gone to Stanford since he wanted a Great Education And to Serve his Country!</p>
<p>
[quote]
same young fellow hasn't a clue what he is (no offense) or what it all means. He's simply too young and inexperienced.
[/quote]
My point exactly when I said my son would say he is very liberal. It has a lot to do with perspective and the situations that you have been exposed to.</p>
<p>Back to the first persons question. There is room for all political views at our Service Academies and mine has never felt out of place due to his views. Personally, when you are taking 18 hours, have SMT, Regs, Duty and all of the rest the who political thing really doesn't matter, you just don't have time to worry about it.</p>
<p>If I'm not mistaken, the constitution refers to the old meaning of "republic", which has now evolved into the word we use today, democracy.</p>
<p>de?moc?ra?cy /dɪˈmɒkrəsi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-mok-ruh-see] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -cies. 1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.<br>
2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.<br>
3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.<br>
4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.<br>
5. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power. </p>
<p>I could be wrong though.</p>
<p>Okay, yes,Technically our government is a Republic, a.k.a. a Representative Democracy. This isn't Democrats vs. Republicans, it's capitalism vs. socialism. WPSON2010, you're probably right and he has no idea what a real socialism is and what it's like to live under one. I still wouldn't trust someone who even thinks that they are socialist with the lives of other Americans.</p>
<p>sooooooo, underwear....boxers or briefs? Cotton or underarmour? I'm a cotton fan myself. Do plebes have to wear what's issued?</p>
<p>And what about chocolate? Milk chocolate or dark? Not picky so long as there's plenty of it! Probably too hot to send in plebe summer boxes, huh?</p>
<p>Wine.....red or white? Red for me please, dark as possible, a nice brunelo or cabernet (not a bordeaux though....can't stand the freaking French ..ooops! That's politics again) :)</p>
<p>[spidermom bows to shogun]</p>
<p>A democracy means that the mob rules (i.e., let's take a vote to find out if we should ________). In our great nation, we the people vote for our representatives, not particular issues. A republic means that we have a representative form of government. For example, in 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote but George W. Bush won the electoral vote. If we had a democracy, Al Gore would be president today. However, George Bush is Commander-in-Chief and Al Gore is collecting global warming awards. There is a difference between a democracy and a republic.</p>
<p>
[quote]
old meaning of "republic", which has now evolved into the word we use today, democracy.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Sorry Krypter, no old or new meaning about it. We are a Republic, too many young and some who went to school long ago make the mistake of calling the United States a Democracy. Our forefathers never intended America to be a Democracy, they losely based our constitution off the writing of Montesquieu, De l'Esprit des Lois The Spirit of the Laws. James Madison specifically in his Federalist Papers (No.10) advocated a constitutional republic over a democracy in order to protect the individual from majority rule..</p>
<p>GA states it well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Okay, yes,Technically our government is a Republic, a.k.a. a Representative Democracy.
[/quote]
Nope it would be a Consitutional Republic.</p>
<p>"the United States relies on representative democracy, but its system of government is much more complex than that. It is not a simple representative democracy, but a constitutional republic in which majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law." (Scheb, John M. An Introduction to the American Legal System. Thomson Delmar Learning 2001. p. 60</p>
<p>Sorry I'm surrounded by too many Historians and Political Scientists. I won't bore everybody any more with the history lessons. Just pet peeve of mine when the United States is referred to as a Democracy. :)</p>
<p>I'LL take Red my new favorite is Amarone but way too expensive for everyday so will need to stick to the Russian River Valley Pinot Nior.</p>
<p>"Russian River Valley Pinot Nior." Hmmmm, that sounds suspiciously like a wine made in a former soviet block country.</p>
<p>As for kids who think they're socialist, I think they think:</p>
<p>"Hey, there's too much corruption, power, and greed, and far too much control in the hands of the wealthy elite. I think it would be better if we all shared in the wealth of our bountiful country more equitably. Ergo, I think we should have a more socialist society so everyone can live a better life."</p>
<p>By the way, from the BBC news today: China has unveiled a landmark law that will boost the protection of private property rights.
This is the first piece of legislation in the Communist country to cover an individual's right to own assets.
Analysts say the move is an important step away from Chinese egalitarianism and towards a market economy.
The bill will also reportedly boost protection against land seizures, which have become a major source of unrest among farmers in rural areas</p>
<p>But enought about politics?</p>
<p>First of all, i am astounded by the response. I am very happy that all of your are so passonate.</p>
<p>2nd: to rightofcentremom, i have no agenda.</p>
<p>3rd: to everyone: i have no problem following orders of any kind, and would certainly leave all political beliefs at the door. I actually take the first part of the statement back, I currently do not believe that the war in Iraq is just or America's place which is why I would only apply to the Naval Academy if the war was over. Also, i completely understand what socialism is... infact i am from THE most liberal schools in the state (93% of students identify themselves as left wing). I do not want to spark a political debate about W or the War in Iraq because my beliefs will not change and neither will yours.</p>
<p>infact i am from THE most liberal schools in the state (93% of students identify themselves as left wing). Curious of which school as the school we are associated with, also in your state, fits that description...hummmmm... PM me</p>
<p>"I actually take the first part of the statement back, I currently do not believe that the war in Iraq is just or America's place which is why I would only apply to the Naval Academy if the war was over."</p>
<p>Two points: </p>
<p>If you are going to try and time your entrance to a service academy based on the presence or lack of war...stop...do not pass go and apply to a "regular college" </p>
<p>The armed services are not looking for robots, in either the enlisted or officer ranks. They want men and women that can think and reason. You should also understand in your capacity as a Naval officer your job is not to make value judgements or to try and determine what is just or not about your nations decisions to go to war. Short of an order that would put you in jeopardy of a war crimes conviction, your job will be to follow orders, whether or not you feel you are participating in a "just action". If you don't understand that then a service academy and the military service that follows is not for you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i have no problem following orders of any kind
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If I may interject for a moment....</p>
<p>We don't want that. We want those who will follow LAWFUL orders. Think about it.</p>
<p>That is all.</p>
<p>Oh, except for the fact that we are a representative Republic, not a democracy. Good thing too. Mob rule doesn't work very well.</p>
<p>As a military member, you DO NOT get to choose your wars. Your responsibility would be to fight that war to the best of your powers. You have a legal and moral obligation to follow any and all Legal orders.</p>
<p>Thank you Zaphod for the "Republic not a Democracy" statement, I get laughed at for it in my gvt. class, yet it is very true.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I get laughed at for it in my gvt. class
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Which means your teacher is either incompetent, a coward, or both.</p>
<p>Which is it? :mad:</p>
<p>Oh, and ditto to what Ramius said.</p>
<p>I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.</p>
<p>Funny story: My son is still researching schools, as he has not received an appointment to date. He has been looking into schools that have contacted him about swimming. The other night he and his dad went to an informational meeting for a small lib. arts school located in S. Mich. Where he has been accepted and offered a substantial scholarship My son plans on being Naval Officer no matter what happens with NA. so as you can imagine, his political views lean towards the right. Apparently this school is quite the opposite, and that was obvious by the others in attendance. When my son stated that he was planning on making a career out of the military you could have heard a pin drop in the room, We have decided that school is not a good fit for him.</p>