Ouch

[unhappycamper]

There's a pretty interesting discussion thread at DoD Buzz today worth reading: Who Will Serve, Gates Asks

As I said, 'Ouch'.

[mediaman007]

1. There would be fewer wars if our soldiers were drafted!

Especially, if children of the wealthy and privileged were not allowed to opt out. Right now, we get non citizens to do our fighting! Not much of a price to pay for that.

[RandomThoughts]

2. There is an assumption in that comment.

One of the most sensitive military topics in America remains the growing divide between ordinary Americans and those who serve and fight for their country.

Within the matrix delusion, war game subset, there are those that think the world is meant to be a war video game.

In that idea some think that everything should be geared for wars.


Here is the thing to think about.


What if a war is not in the interest, nor agreed to be in the interest of a nation, then people not in the service, not fighting the war, would be fighting for their nation.



Most respect of military soldiers has two elements, the first is the earned respect for what they believe they do, in that military people on any side are respected for courage and defending what they believe is correct. Assuming they are fighting for what they believe is a better reason, mercenary armies do not always fit into that concept.

But much of the 'support' and glorification of war culture is also to get people to sign up for the military, and fight longer before questioning the reason for a war. The John Wayne idea of war helped create wars, and even the constant bombardment on media of ww2 films made it easier for some groups to create wars.


You can see it in the Vietnam wars, and even in some modern conflicts.


Soldiers have many things they should be thought good for, but so do many people that do not fight, or that fight the real wars. And I am not talking about intelligence, but about people that try to make things better finding another way. If society was more balanced, there would be less war, since consolidations would not exist to create war without popular support, and people would not have that much more of something that someone else needed.

Even the consolidations of wealth are part of war culture.


A few people fighting the battle.

If Everyone Cared.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IUSZyjiYuY

[FrenchieCat]

3. I've been watching C-Span.....in reference to Military Procurement....

It appears that the House Armed Services Committe don't want any procurement cuts in the DOD budget. These old coot Congresscritters are giving William Lynn, Dep. Defense Secretary a bad time. He's telling them (paraphrase), these ain't the 1970s anymore!

Rep. Ike Skelton (D), the chairman and his counterpart appear "worried" that the Defense Dept wants to cut about a Billion dollars from some procuremen programs. They don't like it, and want more information.

I'm amazed to watch Gen. Cartwright (Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), a militarist having to basically explain why cutting some programs in DOD is Ok.

Congress really does stink. And Skelton ain't looking too good in doing what apparently the President and Sec. Gates want.

[unhappycamper]

4. Skelton has become the chief warmonger since Murtha died. n/t