Code pink is bringing out their witches. Yep, witches. I thought this was a joke at first. For their Mother's day rally, they are having a "Witches, Crones, and Sirens day. The idea is that they are going to cast spells to impart wisdom to end the war. I don't know who at the recruiting centers (their favorite place to stake out) has the power to end the war. I thought the guys with that power were in caves in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on a ranch in Crawford TX. Seriously, individual troops can't end it, only the leaders of the participants can. This is really just Code Pink's latest little cry for attention, since nobody cares about their rallies in the media. Berekley's College Republican Chapter has been counter-protesting Code Pink, and the Berkley CR Activism Chair said
"We try not to do anything embarrassing." She added, "We're just going to stick with our regular thing because we have lives and they don't." The best part of this is the quote from the Marine Recruiter: "Ironically, it's actually helped us by putting our name out. We're now well known. And people know who we are, and where we are, and they come in to talk to us about enlisting. They've gotten us the publicity that we could've never afforded to pay for ourselves," Wheatcroft told FOXNews.com.
"Just in the last three weeks, 10 people came in looking to apply, looking to become Marine officers, and that's much higher than normal," he said.
God Bless America, and the Troops
Link
13 comments:
Goose, do you remember in high school how when the Marine recruiters were set up at lunch, I went up and asked one of them why I should join?
I wrote a blog on myspace about the top 5 reasons this recruiter gave me for joining the Marines. Here they are, in order:
1. I could go to college basically for free
2. You move up in the ranks really quickly
3. You get paid a lot and can get really nice cars and stuff
4. "Plus, we have way better weapons than the other guys" (by this I believe he meant better than the Army)
And last, but not least....
5. "And, uh, to serve your country" (this is a direct quote)
That is why I have an issue with recruitment for the United States armed services. They focus on the monetary aspect more than anything because they need more bodies to fill the ranks. The idea of serving one's country has been more or less lost (I'm not saying, but any stretch, that all people join up for the money. It just seems like that must be a pretty big motivating factor otherwise recruiters wouldn't focus on it).
So if there are a lot of people (again, not all) who are joining the armed forces for the money, that bothers me. They could be staying here if they had better jobs, opportunity, etc. instead of being put in life-threatening situations.
It makes me sad.
Although I wouldn't protest like that.
Amelia-
I don't know where you're getting your information, but a vast majority of those who join the military, join because they want to make a difference, the money really has nothing to do with it. It is a job. They don't make that much money, especially if they go into the military straight out of high school.
I have family members who wish to make a career out of the military. Not for the money, but because they have dreamed of being in the military since they were young just as others dream to be a doctor or a teacher.
Every occupation has its dangers, although being in the military is more dangerous than some. If someone wants to join the military, and it is my experience that very few people join strictly for the money, let them join the military!
I met Code Pink when I was in DC. They... are not really comprised of the brightest bulbs on the Christmas tree. It's fine that they're protesting. That's their right. But they are protesting men and women who are in the armed forces, primarily because they want to... that is what makes me sad.
I stated where I got my information, Jezabel: from Marine recruiters who were trying to get kids in my high school to join the armed forces. How were they pushing it? Money. The "serving your country" bit was the last thing they mentioned.
And a lot of people I know are joining the military because of the benefits it will offer them (schooling, etc.). A few are joining the forces because of the sense of pride they get from serving their country, and that's great for them. I just think that the marketing ploys that the armed forces use, especially in high schools in rural areas, is the money/benefit aspect. And that's sad.
I guess I should have made it clearer that I have no problem with people who choose to join the military. My problems lies with the military and how they attempt to get people to join.
My problems lies with the military and how they attempt to get people to join.
Your source is one person. One recruiter. They don't all recruit that way.
And a lot of people I know are joining the military because of the benefits it will offer them (schooling, etc.). A few are joining the forces because of the sense of pride they get from serving their country, and that's great for them. I just think that the marketing ploys that the armed forces use, especially in high schools in rural areas, is the money/benefit aspect. And that's sad.
I know people from relatively around your area, Amelia, and they are not joining the military for the money! The military pays shit if you enlist:
A Private (E1) in the army will make $16,164 in a year (if they are active duty). Granted they get some monetary allowances for certain circumstances (housing, clothing, family, etc) but does this sound like a sum that people would risk their lives for?
((http://www.goarmy.com/benefits/money_basic_pay.jsp))
It's true that some join the military to pay for college, and end up in the army reserves or whatever. But those are not the people who Code Pink is protesting. They are protesting the war itself, and in turn, the soldiers who make a whopping $16,164 a year... yeah. Those who volunteered definately did so for the money. My mistake. These soldiers live only slightly above the poverty threshold (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/threshld/thresh06.html). If an E1 Private has three members in their family, they are about at the poverty level - any more family members than that and they're considered impoverished.
Every person I know who has served in the military about 20-30 people were either drafted involuntarily, or joined for the benefits
package. This includes my father, grandfather, cousin, and many friends, and some classmates. Patriotism may have been present within them when they signed up, but it was not the motivating factor.
"a vast majority of those who join the military, join because they want to make a difference" this is sourceless and ambiguous. Aimee's 1 source is stronger than your none.
As for your poo pooing of "spell casting", I agree. Impirecal evidence of all current research programs available show that spell casting is equally effective at altering the physical nature of the universe as a method known as prayer.
Also the military promotes careers within it like any corporation. Research of what is trendy or desirable to the target audience is done and based upon what is found, the military recruiters advertise the opportunities that reflect it.
I think that the trends in recruitment are frightening. America is the new Rome, a land of decadence, wealth, technology, and refined culture. And Rome collapsed when it's citizen soldier class collapsed. Fewer and fewer Americans want to be American warriors. This may be bad for America, or good for peace, but what would you do if it was both?
also military service is generally safe if you are smart enough to know what to apply for (IE Navy, or Air Force). And in the case of the Army and Marines, significantly more come home unharmed than not, and I don't need a source for that, it's general knowledge that American troop casualties have not been severe since the 1860s. The point is that people looking for a meal ticket are not necessarily good patriots; and good patriots make for good soldiers.
Funny that the some 40,000 non Americans serve in our armed forces [1], most to obtain citizenship. Would you argue that they want in on it because they are patriots? Some may, but I think that most are in it for the benefits, and the Pentagon is comfortable enough with the idea to consider actively recruiting foreign soldiers. [2]
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.
com/wp-dyn/content/
article/2007/05/21/
AR2007052101739.html
[2]http://www.boston.com/
news/nation/washington/
articles/2006/12/26/
military_considers_
recruiting_foreigners/
ok so my dad, gradfather, great-grandfather, two first cousins, three second, and about 15 close friends. and the reason they chose the military was because they wanted to help protect the country that they live in and the country that they love.
some of them did this solely for that reason, and the rest for others. but that in no way diminishes the desire to protect and possibly die for there country.
any person who joins any branch of the military has to take into account that they may die, because it is a possibility. they weigh that against the military paying for college and things.
the family and friends that i have talked to have all said that while the benefits helped secure their decision they first and foremost considered the military because they are patriotic individuals.
the military is almost by definition patriotic. it consists of people willing to die for their country. whatever the other reasons they join, that is always in their minds and that is patriotic.
I also dont see the problem with the benefits. if a person is willing to go through that training then go over seas and not see their family, get shot at, i really do think they deserve a little extra.
Those who are over in the Middle East right now, serving our country were not drafted; they were not forced; they were not bribed. They joined because they made a choice.
They should not be boycotted. They should not be forgotten. Their funerals should not be protested. They are all heroes, regardless of if the benefit package provided motivation or not.
Support them. Because they support you enough to sacrifice themselves, if need be, so that you can sit here in America... safely... and complain about what they are doing and why they are there and why they joined.
I am quite aware that they were not forced to join. They did make a conscious decision to defend this country and sacrificed personal freedoms to defend ours. That is why it is despicable that the republican party abuses their sacrifice by deploying them irresponsibly, and underfunding their rehab centers, and shoring up their numbers with contractors of questionable ethics (who republicans have stock in). You know how I show my appreciation for the soldiers?
I don't have a stupid yellow magnet.
I don't have a flag on my door saying support the troops.
I don't protest the protesters.
I vote for people I believe will apply our fine military in a responsible manner that will inspire patriotism and a will to enlist in the common people.
I am a Socialist and I support the troops more than any Republican has the right to say.
Who was complaining, AAG? Not I.
Because I fully support our troops, but like Andrew, I deplore the manner in which they are being abused by the Republican party (see comment above).
Yep.
Andrew, It is ironic that you accuse the republicans of underfunding military hospitals when last thing I checked congress controlled all the money and the democrats composed a mojority in both houses of congress.
Tyler, the united states has a 600billion dollar budget for all military expenses. We don't need to send more funds to the military, What we need is for the Republicans who support big business; you know General Dynamics (F-16), Boeing (Tactical Airborne Laser project), Blackwater USA (mercenaries), etc from sending the money INTENDED TO PROVIDE GOOD SUPPLIES, MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE AND PENSIONS TO OUR SERVICE PEOPLE RATHER THAN SPENDING IT ON PET PROJECTS.
Israel offered to sell the US its TROPHY system, an anti-RPG (ручной противотанковый гранатомёт; "jet/hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, it does NOT stand for rocket propelled grenade) system for armored vehicles. It works and has saved Israeli lives, but the US declined to purchase it because Raytheon is already working on a similar system. It will be deployable in 2012. It was not a matter of money either, after this deal passed, the US sent $30billion in military aid to Israel, thus proving that the money was no issue.
Your good ol' boy party supports and protects big businesses. Maybe we should develop a walking wal-mart fort. Then your party would protect it when it came under fire, and make sure it had decent armor that didn't have to be bolted on in the goddamn field.
Also, when the democrats refuse to send funds to the military their intent is to make a military action (often unnecessary ones like the whole invasion into Iraq to begin with) unwise.
Its like a disgruntled teen saying he's going to run away. The rents cancel his credit cards and take his keys to make it harder for him to make it on his own. If he still goes and gets fucked up, its HIS fault, not theirs. Would he have been better off with a card and wheels, yes. Is it his fault he still went when these weren't provided to him? YES.
Also, you like democracy right? From the rhetoric of the right I seem to gather that people who don't like democracy are aiding the terrorists. Well there are more democrats in congress, and they represent more people. Thus the philosophical right thing for you to do is accept that your views are unpopular and concede to the preferred rule of the many. That is democracy. Also more people would allow abortions than deny them; also democracy.
Democracy does not determine what is right, it determines what is popular. And don't get on my ass about the US being a Federal Republic. I didn't capitalize democracy, I am not talking about the government system of "Democracy" I am referring to the philosophy of the rule of the many, as expressed through our Republic. Some days your banter really gets to me, this is one of them.
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