This video sets the general tone, but I want to focus on the LATEST MURDER OF AN AMERICAN SOLDIER. This one hits particularly close to home because she was not a combat soldier; she was in a finance battalion. It's basically the Army equivalent to my job in the Air Force. During my time, there was definitely a difference between the two. Besides the traditional haggling that goes on between different services and jobs, there seemed to be a decreased level of respect towards those in support jobs. It was similar to watching a football game with your girlfriend. "Yeh, you're watching the game, but you don't know what you're watching."
The dues paid by ANY person that chooses to serve ANY amount of time in ANY branch of the military are countless. The sacrifices made are equivalent to living in another culture or civilization. Although an oath to uphold the Constitution is required to serve, the rights provided by it diminish after the oath. Your thoughts and words are suppressed in support of the greater mission. This is no easy transition. Before I enlisted in 1996, I fed right into the perception of the brainwashed soldier. Once inside, I realized it wasn't so much brainwashing, but the power of belief in a common cause. Details are less important when the ENDS justify the MEANS. It's an amazing example of the power of unity. So many different demographics brought together, all playing their part, and showing the best of America. Unfortunately, strategic decisions are based on politics. It's "highly recommended" that service men and women do not participate in politics. Apparently, SPC CIARA DURKIN got a little too close to the politics side of things.
A conclusion I came to before my honorable discharge in 2004, was that it should be a requirement that young men and women spend 1 year in the "real world" before enlisting in the military. Surprisingly, it was not the new recruits that validates my opinion. It was actually the retiring members that I had to process out. I saw about 20-30 people either separating or retiring per month for a year. The reasons people were getting out were as numerous as the reasoning behind it. But the soon-to-be retiree that entered right out of high school, now 40 yrs old, was SCARED.
The White House currently seems A BIT CONFUSED about our country's stance and definition on torture. It seems like the NEW status quo allows for the answers to our questions to be laughed off or ignored. Meanwhile we're neglected and left to find truth in the next soundbite, slogan, or costume. Britney, how are we gonna repay off this record spending with nothing in return? Paris, what are we gonna do about the melting polar ice caps? Mike Vick, I know you can help me out with the outsourcing of all sub-college level jobs! OJ, you know a little about Habeas Corpus!
I'm COMPLETELY disgusted in the fact of ab(using) soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines is the driving political edge right now. It's ONE thing to politicize dying heroes, but to neglect them at the same time is inhumane. The overall policy of the last six years leads me to believe that the ONE THING that any politician can relate to is MONEY. Even within criminal circles, there are ETHICS. It would seem that someone always on the take, would dish it out every once in a while. The rate of return awarded to these politicians, should AT LEAST warrant MORE THAN 50 BUCKS A MONTH!
I've written about the HUMANITY OF THE TROOPS several times. It's very close to me. Not necessarily for obvious reasons either. Being a part of something on any level is always very fulfilling, but lower levels tend to be less organized. To experience being a part of the Military-Industrial Complex and all the psychology that goes along with it gives me hope. It showed me it is possible for people, no matter their circumstances, to unite and be the BEST in the world.
If only we had a motivation of peace...
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