Does this photo disrespect the military??

[yuiyoshida]

[niyad]

1. is there a particular reason for respecting the military these days?

[yeoman6987]

2. Yes!

Next question?

[niyad]

3. and that reason would be?

[yeoman6987]

4. Because they are young kids who volunteer to go places that most won't

And don't say we don't need a military at all cuz that's absurd. The marines who stopped the terror attack in Paris recently are part of the military and deserve our respect. That could have been any military person.

[cwydro]

18. They weren't Marines.

But I still respect them.

Air Force.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. So that you can post questions like the ones you have been posting. NT

[niyad]

6. right on schedule.

[Scootaloo]

26. And how is this accomplished? Explain the details to me, please

[mahatmakanejeeves]

28. A picture is worth 1,000 words.

[Scootaloo]

30. I'm not British.

[quickesst]

7. As a veteran...

...and father of a 22 year recently retired Air Force Major, I respect him. If the men and women that I have met who served with him are any indication, then that respect goes far beyond what I have for my son. Unfortunate that the broad brush rears its ugly head once more.

[niyad]

8. let's see--a culture of sexual assault in the military that isn't being seriously addressed;

the fact that we are engaged in illegal wars, abu ghraib, drone warfare, etc., etc.,

[quickesst]

13. And you believe....

...my son and the thousands of enlisted men and women are responsible, and derive some sort of glee, and satisfaction because of what their superiors and a small percentage decided to do? Assuming, and I hope I'm not wrong, that you know full well the great majority of people in the military are not cold blooded, merciless murderers, and rapists, just what the hell would you expect them to do? Revolt? Disobey direct orders and go to prison convicted of betraying the country, leaving their wives, husbands, and children at the mercy of an already cruel, and vindictive world? I suppose that's easy for you to say.

[niyad]

16. am I supposed to respect this:

http://theantimedia.org/marine-forced-into-retirement-after-beating-up-us-protected-pedophile/

[quickesst]

17. Of course not...

... but you're still condemning an entire group of people for the actions of a few. It happened to the Jews, people of color, LGBT people, just to name a few. Throwing the broad blanket guarantees that you are right about some people, but it condemns far more good, decent people who are neither guilty nor responsible for the actions of those who did commit the atrocities you have cited. So when you come across someone's son, daughter, husband, or wife who happens to be wearing a uniform, go ahead and spit on the ground in front of them to show them how you feel. Also reminds me of a certain party who is condemning the entire Latino immigrant community for crimes committed buy a few. If your entire argument depends upon cherry picking, don't bother. It's too transparent and obvious.

[cwydro]

19. You do know that President Obama is engaged in drone warfare right?

And that he still kept Guantanamo open despite his promises?

That is somehow the fault of enlisted folk?

Whoa.

[niyad]

25. I have absolutely no respect for the institution, having spent far too long dealing with it.

individual people are another matter, which some people seem to have difficulty understanding.

[U of M Dem]

12. I respect the people in the military and veterans as I respect all people;

Often they have no other choice but join up due to economic concerns.

They are often conditioned to believe that the military is something bigger than themselves allowing them to give back to their country, however the military currently does not serve the needs or desires of US Citizens.

Once they are in the service they are systematically deceived and must follow orders in the name of maintaining empire and not in defense of US citizens. The military has become the most expensive protection racket in our human history.

The military receives a sacrosanct status in U. S. culture borrowed from the efforts of those who served in WWI and WWII. Nothing is sacrosanct in my book, the military as an establishment has more than tarnished any previously earned public respect with the establishment of the MIC.

I do not respect the MIC, war hawks, or tribalism.

Blind hatred against unnamed others, be it 'terrorists' or 'the enemy' is foolish and feeds into the positive feedback loop of repression and subjugation that is central to the human experience.

[blackspade]

9. No.

Why would it?

[sarge43]

10. No, it's about time the military started respecting servicewomen

Not that long ago, we were summarily discharged for pregnancy. Men weren't summarily discharged for a temporary medical deferment which is all pregnancy is. Men weren't summarily discharged for being sole support of a minor child. Servicewomen had to make the choice between a career and a family; servicemen didn't.

These women are giving their babies a good start in life.

For those who find it "disgraceful" - grow the frack up. The only disgrace to the uniform is not honorably doing one's duty. Everything else is mickey mouse and chicken shit.

[yeoman6987]

20. Well you had to go back to the 70's.

Knew you could do it.

[sarge43]

21. '62 to '83

Lived through the crap and saw "the times they are achangin'". Exciting. Still do a double take when I see a pregnancy uni and as for everything else such as an Africian-American woman Vice CNO.

[yeoman6987]

22. Yep. Change is here and has been for awhile.

Interesting what the military will look like in 30 years.

[sarge43]

23. Very interesting

Wish I could be here to see it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. OMG!!! They's gotz LADY PARTS!!!

[Scuba]

14. Nope, it honors our service women.

[youceyec]

15. if your a backward

thinking person that believes the human body is sinful, of course.

[Skittles]

24. no

and I am a female veteran

[Siwsan]

27. Absolutely not

I am also a female veteran - Navy

[abelenkpe]

29. I love women putting other women down

Seriously? Don't have a job AND be a mother at the same time? With the family leave and maternity leave policies this country has? Not an option for most families.