A veteran's sign upsets the recruiters next door

New York Times ^ | Monica Davey

[Adiemus]

"Remember the Fallen Heroes," the sign reads, and then it ticks off numbers: the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq, the number wounded, the number of days gone by since the war began.

Perhaps he should also put up a sign that ticks off the numbers of people killed and injured in traffic accidents here at home. I have no problem with the guy doing this, but put it in perspective.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Mr. Scott Cameron was of course requested to provide his bonofides i.e., a copy of his DD Form 214 recording that one he was actually in the service, two that he was in country and three he received a purple heart for his wounds.

Just call me cynical.

[YOUGOTIT]

I think the mention of Vietnam was the left-wing fascist Nazi reporter. However, I was in Vietnam also, if you could read you would know that, and I will not tolerate any idiot who is trying to get our troops killed by supporting the antiwar movement who where then and are now anti-American Nazi who where traitors then and helped kill Americans and are the same today.

No one has the right to help the enemy.

[montag813]

Although Cameron, 55, acknowledged that he opposes the war in Iraq...

FINALLY we get to the ubiquitous "ALTHOUGH"!!!

[markman46]

yes I know that, I just could not remember who's campaign office the sign was on. here is an extract I got for the duluth news-tribune:

Duluth News-Tribune (MN) - December 8, 2005 - 01A FRONT SIGN STIRS UP CONTROVERSY DOWNTOWN, WAR DEAD: A SIGN THAT DETAILS THE NUMBERS OF DEAD AND WOUNDED U.S. SOLDIERS IN THE IRAQ WAR WON'T BE REMOVED FROM A SUPERIOR STREET CAMPAIGN OFFICE. Potential U.S. Army recruits face an unofficial and grim reminder of what joining the service could lead to at Duluth's downtown recruiting station. In the window of the office next to the recruiting station, a sign lists the numbers of U.S. servicemen and women killed or wounded in the Iraq war. ``Iraq,'' the sign reads. ``Remember the Fallen Heroes.'' Next to it are two green-and-white, ``Steve Kelley for...

[Protagoras]

What have I done to warrant spying?

What has he done to warrant spying?

He has exercised his right to express his opinion, as have you.

[clawrence3]

Here is a poll:

http://forums.duluthsuperior.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=kr-duluthgenera&tid=634&vote=2&submit=Vote

Do you think Steve Kelley's campaign office should take down the tally of Iraq dead next to the Army recruiting center?

No
875 votes (42%)
Yes
1225 votes (58%)

2100 people have voted so far

[Protagoras]

No one has the right to help the enemy.

That is only your opinion of what he did.

left-wing fascist Nazi.

Interesting. I'll leave that lay. It's as disjointed as the rest of your posts.

[Eagle Eye]

No, they have an agenda, but it takes a lot of left wing blather to balance the lying BS put out by most recruiters. Do you really think a recruiter gives a damn about anything but meeting his quota, no matter what he has to say to do it?

Now that's a pretty ignorant thing to say.

Got any specifics, other than a whine about how YOUR recruiter lied to YOU?

My experience in recruiting was that
A) 19 year olds are not always honest;
B) 19 year olds don't always listen;
C) 19 year olds often only hear what they want to hear.

With the manadtory use of audio/video technology in the recruiting system for at least 20 years, anyone that doesn't know what they are getting into is probably too dense to actually be in uniform.

Real liars are a rare exception and get dealt with via UCMJ.

[markman46]

geez, that sign mush have ticked off quite a few people in Duluth.

[clawrence3]

Exactly. 58% in liberal Duluth = 99% normal American sentiment.

[Servant of the 9]

No, they have an agenda, but it takes a lot of left wing blather to balance the lying BS put out by most recruiters. Do you really think a recruiter gives a damn about anything but meeting his quota, no matter what he has to say to do it?

Now that's a pretty ignorant thing to say.
Got any specifics, other than a whine about how YOUR recruiter lied to YOU?

My experience in recruiting was that
A) 19 year olds are not always honest;
B) 19 year olds don't always listen;
C) 19 year olds often only hear what they want to hear.

With the manadtory use of audio/video technology in the recruiting system for at least 20 years, anyone that doesn't know what they are getting into is probably too dense to actually be in uniform.
Real liars are a rare exception and get dealt with via UCMJ.

I haven't dealt with a recruiter directly in over 40 years, and I have nothing in particular against recruiters as distinct from any other type of salesman, but that is what they are, salesmen.

When my son bought his first truck, I made sure to sit down with him and separate the facts from the sales hype.
I did the same after he had talked to the recruiter before I signed off for him (he was 17).

This world is Caveat Emptor and only a fool expects the truth from any salesman.

So9

[Eagle Eye]

I haven't dealt with a recruiter directly in over 40 years,

I thought as much. Times have changed and you aren't aware.

Yes, they are salesmen with quotas and huge pressures. However, the checks and balances are such that it is very difficult to cheat the system.

At one point they even stressed that it was '30 days of vacation with pay' versus '30 days paid vacation'. Recruiters show videos of cold shivering troops in the rain eating cold filed rations and other 'realistic preview' videos.

With today's professional military is doesn't do anyone any good to fill the ranks by lying to the prospective recruits. But I'd agree that it is still best for a young person to have some help in the process.

My caveat? Former recruiter and recruiter trainer. Yes, I get riled when someon calls my guys liars.

[clawrence3]

Thanks, Eagle Eye - as I said above, if any recruiter is lying, he / she should be fired (or worse).

[dakine]

"vets who's ignorance of all things military is astounding."

Livin' proof...

[dakine]

Do recruiters still have quotas?

I went to a military school a few years back with a Gunny/E-7 who was a district chief/lead guy. He said he was having hard time getting the numbers....

[clawrence3]

Of course there are quotas, and each branch of the service has target enlistment numbers too - police officers have quotas for traffic tickets - does that mean they lie about speeders?

[dakine]

police officers have quotas for traffic tickets - does that mean they lie about speeders?

hahaha...not sure if you want to use that analogy!

[clawrence3]

Please! If you think traffic cops lie too when there are more than enough speeders on the road, then you are not worth my time. Are there some dirty cops who frame people for worse violations, sure. That's not what we are talking about here though. My analogy stands.

[dakine]

Sorry I took too much of your valuable time. Next time I will be sure to agree with everyone of your brilliant points.