Great letter re McCain in the Sacramento Bee

[Jed Dilligan]

http://www.sacbee.com/326/story/687197-p2.html

McCain and military overrated

In 35 years, Americans have gone through an astonishing metamorphosis in their thinking about their military. In those earlier times, soldiers were drafted, paid a pittance and greatly disrespected by their countrymen. Today, the pendulum has swung. No longer drafted, soldiers today are paid hefty salaries and nearly worshipped for their service.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain, an honorable veteran of the past, is now viewed by many as an "oracle" of good sense when it comes to his assessment of the Iraq war and the war on terror. No one feels comfortable disputing his ideas for fear of being accused of insufficient reverence for a "true American hero."

As a veteran, I don't get it. There are many veteran heroes, including Col. "Bo" Grits, who are meatheads. Are we now to regard them as fountains of wisdom? Maybe McCain took too many hits in the head in the "Hanoi Hilton."

My association with military officers, and in particular generals, did not lead me to have confidence in their ability to form American foreign policy. There is a big difference between combat and peace and diplomacy.

[TwilightGardener]

1. My association with military officers ALSO makes me question their

ability to understand foreign policy. My husband knows quite a few colleagues who are just fucking STUPID and IGNORANT. Knowing military tactics doesn't mean you understand the Big Picture, that's for sure.

[Jed Dilligan]

2. Just look at Ulysses S. Grant

Great soldier, TERRIBLE President!

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Soldiers are paid hefty salaries?

Maybe compared to the draft era, but this is sure news to me.

[Jed Dilligan]

4. I think that's what he means

Pay has increased quite a lot. He might also be thinking of the contractors' pay. After all, they are all soldiers paid by the US government in the long run. But that was one part of the letter that gave me pause.