If you're in the military now, you cannot get out. Simple.

[babylonsister]

The fact that dimson, rummy, rice and cheney have the US as a captive audience surprises and angers me, especially that foursome. We are their hostages.
They are making American policy that the majority of Americans do not believe in.
And a draft might be possible? Why are we allowing this?

[Nostradammit]

1. We are allowing this because we all feel powerless to stop it

It would seem that they have usurped all the necessary channels required to coordinate and mobilize an effective opposition.

Most people in this country despise these fuckers and are just waiting for leadership.

We must all mobilize and do all that we CAN and not worry about what we believe we cannot do.

In my life, in my immediate circle, the gloves are off and I am no longer patient with the cud-chewers.

They must be roused.

"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else" Winston Churchill

[ruiner4u]

3. IMO the democratic experiment is over.

two hundred and thirty years ago brilliant minds begun an experiment and a few days ago it ended..

[aquart]

4. Welcome to DU.

Democracy is NOT what you abandon when the going gets tough. Democracy is that thing you have to fight for every day.

Shrugging our shoulders and walking away isn't an option.

[alittlelark]

2. My nephew got out - he had 3 weeks of basic training (Navy)

when an ear infection took him out. They gave him antibiotics - but what he needed in conjunction was REST. He was rolled out when the ear infection became so severe that he could not hear orders and almost passed out a few times. He was kept in a locked facility for 52 days w/ others that had been 'rolled out'. They were given lectures on 'being a loser' and had a strict schedule until their paperwork came through.


It was a relief to all of us (he had been preyed upon by a recruiter who somehow knew he was not doing well in college). He now has 50% hearing loss in the ear that was infected.... a small price to pay in the big scheme of things.

PS - The Navy claims that the hearing loss was a pre-existing condition (Uh, I thought they tested him prior to his nefarious enlistment)

[Auggy]

5. If my 1 am memory serves...

Pretty much everything in the contract you sign going into the military is "subject to the needs of the government". So if you sign up to be a clerk, they'll train you to be a clerk...if they need clerks. If they need something else badly enough, they'll train you to be what they need, and then maybe later on train you to be what you originally wanted to be. Anecdotal thing: I talked to a Naval recruiter at one point when I was younger, and was told (jokingly, mind you) that due to my size I was almost guaranteed to be going onto a submarine unless I was severely claustrophobic.

So tour extensions, moving back the exit date...par for the course.

[babylonsister]

6. Welcome to DU, Auggy!

Yes, soldiers are captive audiences, just like the rest of the country.:(

[newyawker99]

7. Hi Auggy!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: