Posted on 02/25/2007 8:33:03 AM PST by ContraryMary
Interesting discussion here. I have trouble with what seems to be Ms. Abby's intent.
On the other hand, anyone preparing to sign up for military duty should fully realize they are volunteering for WAR. Some nowadays see it as simply a way to pay for education, get some discipline, play with weapons, etc. Then war hits and they or their parents claim it's not fair.
So no problem with seeing all sides of an important decision. I'm sure most wounded vets will tell those younguns that they are proud of their service and sacrifice.
I never knew until today that Dear Abby's REAL twin was Cindy Sheehan!
I read this in my local paper this morning and it go my blood boiling.
I hope both these kids enlist as soon as they turn 18 and stay in until they retire!
As the wife of a Navy veteran and a mother, I see both sides. However, Dear Abby certainly didn't present both sides in her response.
Maybe she was just thinking of Jon Carey.
You don't understand. Those vets won't be allowed to speak to the kids. They'll just be visual aids (props, you know), there to have their wounds gawked at.
LOL!
I disagree with Abby.
My son went into military service from college knowing full well the risks associated with combat. He is not one of those uneducated idiots who John Kerry so described as destined to be in our military.
In this day and age, how can anyone NOT KNOW what potential consequences military service can bring?
It is naive of anyone to think the recruiters are misleading potential enlistees. Patriotism and service to America is still appealing to many, dispite what the left tries to portray.
Dear Father in heaven, please watch over O_zarkman44's
beloved son. Cover him and all the military who serve
with Your banner of supernatural protection. In Jesus
Mighty name!
(Thank you for raising a selfless patriot. May God
bless you and pour His favor upon you)
My response to Dear Abby:
In reference to your response to the letter from Cleveland Mom regarding her children's desire to enter the military. Your answer may very well backfire for her. My husband was one of those veterans in the the Veteran's Hospital. He was wounded in Iraq in 2003, and like many other wounded Marines and Soldiers, has a very strong sense of honor and duty to their job, the military, and their country. These men and women exude a commitment to what they have sworn to do and the men and women they sworn to protect, and they believe in what they are doing. There is so much optimism in the midst of human pain, and a desire to go forward, and move on to the next challenge. This is what these young adults will see and may very well inspire them to go on and commit to the military. It is an honorable profession just as being a fireman, police officer, or teacher. And thanks to my Marine, we are able to live in a country where we have a choice to choose our profession, not be told. These men and women deserve the utmost respect. They are the best and the brightest. Your response offended me as I'm sure it did many people.
(speaking here as a 21-year retiree from the AF)
Anybody who doesn't understand that life in today's military is dangerous probably doesn't have the mental aptitude to be in the military. Sure, the kids should go be candy-stripers at a VA hospital. A better choice would be to volunteer to be a candy-striper at a military hospital...
Pauline Esther Friedman (aka Abigail Van Buren) is long known as a left-wing harpy who spews APA-approved psychobabble. This is very consistent with her social-liberal agenda that she's preached for decades.
But I disasgree with you, ContraryMary, military people have long been props to the left-wingers in this country. Just ask anybody who was on active duty during the KKKlinton era...those socialists had to pass down orders to military people to show up for their media events..."rent-a-crowds" showing how much the military just LOOVVVEEEDDD them(/sarc).
"However, our veterans should not be gawked at in an attempt by a mother to dissuade her kids from signing up."
I understand your issues with Abby and what you believe was her intent. Still, the advice was sound. Her advice again...
"Contact your nearest veterans hospital and inquire about you and your children paying some visits and volunteering to help wounded vets."
Sounds good to me.
I did not say they were misleading anyone. However, their job is to encourage, not discourage, recruiting.
Even leaving the risk of injury or death our, there are disadvantages to the military life, and it is not appropriate for everyone. Those thinking of enlisting should review many sources of information about what they're getting into, not depend solely on information provided by recruiters.
Thank you very much!
You, your husband, and your family have my heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices you have made.
Our many thanks to the true Patriots of America here on FR!
I wanted to join the Navy when a recruiter came to our high school, way back when. My mom stepped in and stopped that.
That is true. Maybe I should have said that our military SHOULDN'T be props.
Dear Abby:
VA hospital work to warn the kids off military service. Splendid idea. Because as we all know, the Bush-lapdog neocon mainstream press isn't really going out of its way to show the nasty side of war. (No, really. It isn't. Stop laughing.)
(Seriously, it's amazing how many idiots there are in the world.)
Yep, absolutely true. Except for ending slavery, oppression, fear, communism, nazism and fascism, war is not the asnwer to the world's problems. Right on, mom!
(Here's your dunce cap, now go sit in the corner!)
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