~Lowered requirements are targetting kids who didn't do as well on the ASVAB or in school. That's not a question. But when we're not getting the number of people we need in the military, what else do you expect? And it's not just that we're not getting the numbers we need, it's the fact that a lot of people are getting out. Reenlistment bonuses have SKYROCKETED. But really, what's the problem with it?
~
who can blame them for getting out,thats one war that we never should have got into.
Originally posted by Kinneary
And it's not just that we're not getting the numbers we need, it's the fact that a lot of people are getting out. Reenlistment bonuses have SKYROCKETED.
And why would they be leaving in the huge numbers they are, despite the money issue? Is it the hardcore career servicemen, or is it the newer members that only joined to pay for college, or both? If it's both, it might be because they're participating in something with which they don't agree.
Originally posted by Kinneary
Okay then, I'll change my quote to: They can't tell us that they want us to have adequate body armor and weapons and then turn around and complain because the war budget keeps increasing.The point is still there.
And what was that point? That you can't have it both ways? Sure, you can't dump tons of money into the military industrial complex and honestly expect it to trickle down into better equipment for the men on the ground. So, my point remains as well. Upping the military budget doesn't mean that they're upping the quality of supplies used by the men on the ground. Both sides of the aisle are guilty of this. There's only one side that's been in control since this war started, and you're telling me that the supplies haven't gotten any better despite the budget going up? Hummmm...makes you wonder what special interest they're really serving. Because being as it is, it doesn't seem to be your best interest they're serving. On top of that, they're telling you guys in the military, and us back home, that this war has a visible finish line. You think maybe that budget increase has something to do with all the long-term military facilities being built in Iraq? An embassy complex the size of 80 football fields, complete with a Starbucks and BurgerKing? Yeah, it sounds like they're trying really hard to get you guys home and out of harms way.
Originally posted by Kinneary
Actually no. I know when I'm supposed to leave Japan. But as a corpsman, we're getting pulled left and right to go to Iraq, Afghan and Kuwait. In my clinic alone we have 2 people stationed here who are now in Iraq because they needed more corpsmen over there. I've got four more who just got back from tours over there even though they're stationed here. Being stationed in one particular place doesn't mean anything, because at any moment we can be pulled to go fight in the war. There are those who KNOW they're going for sure, and then there's the rest of us who are just walking around and then get tapped on the shoulder with the message "Pack your seabag, you're flying to Kuwait on Saturday."
A moments notice is your job. The possiblity of going to Iraq isn't what I'm talking about. It's going home that is my point. Knowing you signed up for x amount of time and actually being made to serve more. And beyond that, I've heard many public figures, democrat and republican, politician and celebrity, talk about how so many guys are re-enlisting out of loyalty to the guys that are still in Iraq.
Originally posted by Kinneary
The problems I have with what's going on in Iraq and Afghan aren't really pertinent to a discussion about me being told that I'm only in the military because I couldn't get into college.
Where did I say you were in the military because you couldn't get into college? In fact I mentioned many examples of my own friends who joined despite having already been to college or their families abililty to pay for them to go. John Kerry may have screwed up and said if you weren't smart you'd end up in Iraq, but I've been talking about the kids who can't pay for college. Not kids who couldn't get in to college. A lot of poor youth have busted their asses in school, buying into teh idea of the American dream. They sign up for service because they can't pay for college.
Re: John Kerry implies soldiers are all idiots.
Originally posted by KidRock
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vLuMWiQ6r2oWay to go Kerry! Apparently he tried to make a crack at Bush then made himself look stupid..again..
Re: Re: John Kerry implies soldiers are all idiots.
Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
Damn! If only Bush said stupid things...
So are you excusing one bad behavior by pointing to another bad behavior?
Originally posted by ShakyamunisonIt's not about excusing John Kerry's behavior, it's pointing out that Pres. Bush has said many more offensive, insensitive, callous remarks. And they were probably on purpose, unlike this instance.
So are you excusing one bad behavior by pointing to another bad behavior?
Originally posted by Strangelove
It's not about excusing John Kerry's behavior, it's pointing out that Pres. Bush has said many more offensive, insensitive, callous remarks. And they were probably on purpose, unlike this instance.
That would fit under what I was saying. Excusing one bad behavior by pointing to another bad behavior is just wrong.
Originally posted by Strangelove
I'm not excusing what he said by accusing someone else of the same thing, I'm excusing him because he didn't do it on purpose, nor would he.
So, Kerry is ok because Bush did things wrong on purpose? 🙄
I know it was an accident, but his apology was week and that is what I have a problem with.
Originally posted by ShakyamunisonWould you drop Bush for a second? I am not excusing Kerry because of Bush. I'm excusing him because he didn't do it on purpose.
So, Kerry is ok because Bush did things wrong on purpose? 🙄I know it was an accident, but his apology was week and that is what I have a problem with.
The fact that Bush says things like this all the time isn't part of the equation in me excusing him.
Originally posted by PVSagreed noneyes
kerry just needs to apologise to our troops regardless of this apparent misunderstanding, and at the same time tell the sandy-vaginal neocons to shove it and quit pretending to be offended when in actuality they are jacking off over the opportunity to reclaim the moral high ground for a day or two.
no, i think its right for him to apologise to our troops and only our troops. as opposed to people who pretend to be offended by a comment they in fact welcome.
this has nothing to do with an election...which btw it wont effect at all and at least one branch of government will be rid of the neocon scum rubber stamper majority, i promise you.
it just has to do with whats right.
BAH!
Numbers that don't mean crap.
Numbers that by and large don't even ask people like me who we will vote for.
I'm not saying that the GOP win and Dems loose, but I am saying that all of the "polls" are done amongst 2,000 or 3,000 people, and at varying times and places that make it so they aren't an accurate reflection of what people in the country as a whole are thinking.
You may win this round (though I can tell you that the conservative Christians aren't losing without a fight), but that just makes it a more fertile landscape for conservative unrest to........
You know what, we're having this discussion in the "November Elections" thread, let's finish in there.
(I've said my piece about Kerry anyways.)
Vote Republican.