Comments on: On flag burning.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:11:56 +0000

Crunk, the current Administration won’t even let us live free from fear. Though that might be a cultural thing more than just the boneheads in DC.

By: Cham

Cham — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:42:02 +0000

I would like to know this email definition of “freedom”? And how exactly “free” are we? If we want to own property in the US you bet your booty you will be free enough to pay property taxes to the state every year or you won’t be owning your house for very long. If you want to get on an airplane you have the baggage search, the identification search, and a body scan at the metal/smell detector. Want to drive a car?, welcome to the machinations of the MVA. If you want to buy something that isn’t a carrot you better be ponying up your 6% stat. Walk any city street and smile, you are on candid camera. Need a job? Credit and criminal background check plus urinalysis. In the US you are “free” all right, free to cower in a corner and breathe the free air, that’s about it. Somebody should clue those soldiers in.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:59:28 +0000

I don’t think those “I’m fighting for your freedom” emails are written by actual servicefolks. Probably, they are composed by ignorant rednecks who don’t actually know anything about American history or the Constitution. LOL

I suppose that what you say is true of some people in the military. I have known a few people like that, who got sucked in with ads and promises. I would not call them duff balls necessarily. It was more an issue of sketchy recruiters taking advantage of young people who did not have a lot of options.

For some others, though, I think it’s more of a career move than anything else. My brother enlisted to be in the band in 2003, as a way to advance a career in music. He’s done well and only (!) had one “you’re going to Iraq” scare so far.

Not really related, but while I do have a healthy respect for most military folks (having been raised an Army brat of sorts), I think it’s unfair to grant to a single calling/vocation/profession blanket amnesty from criticism. Serving a tour overseas is not permission to be loudly and stubbornly wrong. :)

By: UAB

UAB — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:55:25 +0000

A lot of soldiers need to be reminded that they aren’t trustfund babies or recently minted PhDs that decided to forgo a life of luxury to defend freedom, but mediocrities, morons, or duff balls who momentary let themselves get sucked in by military ads.

I know from personal experience and was fortunate enough to escape.