Compulsory Military Service

[Franzl]

the irrational love affair with veterans

I totally understand what he means there.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

the irrational love affair with veterans

I totally understand what he means there.

I don't.  Link?

[Franzl]

the irrational love affair with veterans

I totally understand what he means there.

I don't.  Link?

What kind of link? I think he was refering to the way veterans are constantly praised and honored everywhere all the time. I've noticed this as well.

Not that I have anything against military members or vererans, but I don't have any more (or less) respect for them than any other person.

I realize saying this means I will never be elected to public office in the States

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

the irrational love affair with veterans

I totally understand what he means there.

I don't.  Link?

What kind of link? I think he was referring to the way veterans are constantly praised and honored everywhere all the time. I've noticed this as well.

Not that I have anything against military members or veterans, but I don't have any more (or less) respect for them than any other person.

I realize saying this means I will never be elected to public office in the States

By "Link?" I mean I hoped Link the poster would explain.  Well, any guy/gal who volunteers to put themselves in harm's way so I can bust your balls here freely on the internets deserves my thanks, and I am happy to give it.  I'm lucky enough that in some things I do I can offer free service to vets on occasion.

[Franzl]

That's what I mean, the notion that everyone in the military is fighting for "our freedom". It was true at some points in history, but I don't see how someone serving in Iraq is protecting your freedom to do the above.

This isn't the soldiers' fault, of course, but why thank someone for something that doesn't benefit you? I could see admiration for bravery and personal sacrifice, but lots of other people do the same in other capacities.

Only saying there's a tendency to glorify the military in many ways that I don't understand.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

That's what I mean, the notion that everyone in the military is fighting for "our freedom". It was true at some points in history, but I don't see how someone serving in Iraq is protecting your freedom to do the above.

This isn't the soldiers' fault, of course, but why thank someone for something that doesn't benefit you? I could see admiration for bravery and personal sacrifice, but lots of other people do the same in other capacities.

Only saying there's a tendency to glorify the military in many ways that I don't understand.

I don't blame them for political f[inks] ups, and I know you don't either.  But to go when called, and wherever they're called, even at the discretion of a flawed Commander-In-Chief, deserves a high level of respect, from me.

[The Dowager Mod]

the irrational love affair with veterans

I totally understand what he means there.

I don't.  Link?

I got his point, like when someone finds out i'm ex military and all of a sudden i'm interesting when i wasn't before, i get the "thank you for your service" bit a lot, they have no idea what i did or what my MOS was.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

the irrational love affair with veterans

I totally understand what he means there.

I don't.  Link?

I got his point, like when someone finds out i'm ex military and all of a sudden i'm interesting when i wasn't before, i get the "thank you for your service" bit a lot, they have no idea what i did or what my MOS was.

Ah, I see.  Well, I talk to everyone who comes in my office, given my job, and show interest regardless.....but yes, I see the point.

[Tender Branson]

I voted to end it.

Didn't happen.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I would have no problem with people being required to undergo periodical military trainings, as opposed to classical conscription, which I oppose except of a serious national emergency.

[dead0man]

What kind of link? I think he was refering to the way veterans are constantly praised and honored everywhere all the time. I've noticed this as well.

I'm a vet and I'm certainly not praised and honored everywhere all the time.  Every so often (like much less than once a year) I'll get a "thanks for your service".  I'm sure that's normal.

But I don't wear my vet status on my sleave* like some vets do.



And compulsory military service is a bad idea.  The military certainly doesn't want it.




*it bothers me, and I'm not sure it should, when vets plaster their vehicles with stickers and crap praising themselves for their service.

[Randy Bobandy]

I am a coward and I would flee my country if it brought back the draft.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Only in extreme circumstances, such as another World War.

[Indy Texas]

*it bothers me, and I'm not sure it should, when vets plaster their vehicles with stickers and crap praising themselves for their service.

I don't really see it as that different from having a license plate or decal for the university you attended on your car, or one of those white oval stickers of the beach town you like to vacation in. Just a way to communicate/express the things you like or do that say something about you.

[nclib]

Absolutely not. Even in extreme circumstances, there would likely be enough volunteers and would be more efficient anyways.

If the issue is that adults should serve their country, that could be done other ways besides joining the military.

[PiMp DaDdy FitzGerald]

Some form of national service should be good in order to bring many Americans who have left the mainstream, such as extreme conservatives and some liberal hoodlums, back into mainstream society and to ingrain some societal responsibility into them.

[Repub242]

In an extreme situation, such as World War II I would support it. But currently, no.