Heartbreaking: I just passed US Marines in Orlando holding a carwash and begging

[mfcorey1]

for donations for the Marines Ball with handmade signs yelling at motorist. Something does not seem right about this. There has to be some kind of funding that would take our soldiers off the corner. Two large military trucks displayed other signs.

[DonRedwood]

1. My class holds plant sales and cookie sales to pay for our SUPPLIES

and to pay for our outings and dances.

In four years only one person has made a donation.

I guess I don't feel sorry for the military guys in this instance....

[mfcorey1]

2. Some have compassion and apparently some people don't. nt

[msongs]

5. they are fundraising for a party for themselves. hardly substantial nt

[DonRedwood]

12. Very compassionate....

and I would feel the same as you except I donate/help a homeless teen shelter and am a teacher dealing with huge budget cuts (15% of my district staff just got cut). I support the military and come from a military family...but I don't feel bad that the government is throwing them a dance when there are hungry children in my school and city.

But I do hope some generous people come through their carwash and throw them some extra bucks for a party.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Ok, you choose. Classroom supplies or a party for Marines?

I'm going with supplies for kids.

[Journeyman]

3. Better than half our taxes go to the military machine while citizens die of starvation & want . . .

Now I'm to pony up for their cotillion as well?

[earthside]

11. I refuse any 'donations' to the military.

A trillion dollars a year goes to the military-national security complex ... it is not my responsibility to make up the difference for veterans and wounded GIs after I pay taxes.

Maybe closing a few bases overseas and canceling a few weapons acquisition programs would free up enough money to take care of the families of the killed and the health cares of the wounded.

The last thing I would do is make a contribution for a Marines' Ball .... ridiculous and insulting that they would even ask.

[Vincardog]

4. It is heartbreaking that ANYONE is begging in Murika. The meme that the military is special

while true furthers the fascist tendencies in what used to be our country.

[datasuspect]

6. what if the MIC had to hold a bake sale?

[WinkyDink]

7. "Soliciting donations for a ball" is not the equivalent of "begging."

[Scuba]

8. Marine Ball? Not quite like body armor. Check the budget for military bands - $500 million

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/06/AR2010090603018.html?sid=ST2010090603042

Defense Department spends $500 million to strike up the bands

The Marine Corps provided the only solid number. It spent $50 million last year on its military bands, including $10 million to support the 130 elite musicians in the Washington-based Marine Band, known as "The President's Own," whose prime mission is to provide music for the White House.

The Marines have another 600 musicians in 12 bands around the country, costing $35 million, according to a Corps spokesman.

There are no comparative figures available for the overall costs of military bands in the Navy and Air Force, because they are carried as expenses for subsidiary organizations spread around the country and overseas.

The Army, according to a spokesman, estimates that it spends about $195 million a year on its bands, but that does not include those of the National Guard. Altogether, the Army says on its Web site that it has 5,000 musicians, describing itself as "the largest and oldest employer of musicians in the country."

Based on the Marine figures, total Defense Department spending could reach $500 million or more a year.

[datasuspect]

9. Heartbreaking: I was in central Illinois at a gas station and there were at least 7 canisters

adorned with pictures of various people with life-threatening illnesses from the local rural community looking for donations for healthcare expenses.

marines are tough, they will manage.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. We called it the "Brown Noser's Ball" when I was in.

[nichomachus]

13. It's a scam

Marines don't have balls

[LiberalAndProud]

14. Oh FFS. They're doing a fundraiser to pay for a dance.

I'm as compassionate as the next guy, but I find there are limits to my compassion. Good grief.

[WooWooWoo]

16. that seems kind of odd

I haven't been in the army that long (2.5 years) but every ball or dinner I've heard about (and succeeded in getting out of because they're ridiculously stupid) has been paid for by donations from the soldiers themselves. Usually officers pay more since they make more in salary, but enlisted were asked (forced) to pony up $10.