Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

[txswinner]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

You make a good point DJ and maybe if we all stepped by a generation or so we would be well served, including yours truly.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

DJ<br /> its not any discredit not to sign up.<br /> the discredit is not to keep informed and know when to call a toad a toad,<br /> our current admin is a toad.<br />they outright lied to the american public and our allies abroad. of that there is no doubt.<br /> but even now there is no futher plan other than getting reelected and hoping maybe some how the problem will go away all by itself.<br />I have many friends that signed up and many that did not.<br /> all of us are patriotic americans and all had our reasons to do what we did.

 

[ztim]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

rolmops...sorry, but I am starting to dislike you. <br /><br />Ben's letter is a thankyou note to military personel from a greatful American. It does not matter if he served or not. How dare you make such rude remarks. Even one with poor upbringing knows better than to be just plain ol' mean. It was a good letter no matter who wrote it.<br /><br />Those who are serving now and those of us who have served did that to pay the price for freedom. It does not matter what the reasons were at the times. That was for the bosses. He wrote words for a President. Big deal. His actions did not dictate at all what transpired.<br /><br />Everyone who ever put a uniform on did it so you can practice freedom of speach. And I laud that even if it makes you look like a turd.

 

[solidwaste]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

JB,I served as well(IDF). IDF is a great military thats for sure. But lets not forget that if not for the USA the IDF would be a dream.

 

[heycods]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

I guess my mind aint working tonight, maby I better read this again tomorrow?

 

[Pony]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

Maybe this isnt the place to say this, but there is nothing I hate more than having someone say that an opinion doesn't matter, or their gratitudes mean nothing simply because they didnt serve. We can't all serve. We all take different paths in life, some take the military path, others cant sacrifice what they have to do so. Would you want a 22yr old with a wive and a kid to join?? Maybe not. Sometimes the family is more important, and the sacrifices you make for them just as difficult.<br /><br />I had thought of serving, yet at the same time if I did then well who wouldve been here taking care of stuff while my dad was battling his cancer? I have family who is there, and have grandparents that served, but the fact that I didnt doesnt mean that I cant feel graditude towards them and respect what they do. I have the utmost respect for the men that serve. I feel they are are sacrificing a great deal, and don;t think that I would have the balls to do the same.

 

[ztim]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

You are so right P.O.N.Y.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

P.O.N.Y<br /> I joined as E-1 dumbarse.<br /> the day I signed I had payments on a mobile home, 2 cars 3 lawnmowers a wife of 8 years and my daughter had just turned 3.<br /> yes it was a sacrifice, yes times were hard. I think in 87-88 an E-1 made a blistering 605 per month.<br /> its a myth that your gear is issued, my seabag set me back 719 dollars and was paid for by payroll deduction before boot camp was over.<br /> yes family ment a lot to me, however I could see I had to do something, the education I got made the sacrifice worth it.<br /> the pay is lousy,the hours are long and occasionally ya get to take orders from someone who could not pour pee out of a boot with instructions on the sole.<br />the rewards are high.<br /> however it does not make my general opinion worth anymore or less than anyone elses.<br /> everybody makes choices based on the information they have at hand.<br /> however I am better qualified to voice opinions on military matters and VA matters than one that never served as I have and still have to deal with it.<br />its amazing how much mis-information the average american has about the military,military disability and general military dependant issues.

 

[Pony]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

rodbolt- FWIW, thanks for making the sacrifice that most men arent willing to make. I agree that you guys who have served are better qualified to voice opinions on military matters and VA matters, I just dont think its fair to say that someone praising you is "for cheap thrills", simply because they werent willing to make the same sacrifice. <br /><br /><br />My uncle served in the NAVY for quite awhile back in the 60's/70's, and it pretty much destroyed his family. He and his son/daughter dont talk to each other and have been having issues for a long time, the main reason being that my cousin blames my uncle for not being there and being a dad to him while he was growing up. I can see both sides of the story......<br /><br />My cousin that is there now is a Seargent, and has been in the military for 12 years or so, but he has nothing tieing him down so its fine.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

Some read letter thanking the men and women in military, I see it as a self centered letter to attack one he is jealous (Oprah) thru his use of words. He did the same to avoid service to his country.<br /><br />Adding Oprah did nothing positive to the thank you just a little cheap shot by a little cheap person.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

I just read it and let it ride at face value. at least stien and cheney will openly admit they had better things to do than military service. not unlike someone that congressman daddy big bucks milked into the national guard then decided he had other things to do so he bailed out halfway through and let daddy big bucks bail him out yet again.<br /> I tend to discount most chickehawks that beat war drums.<br />just as I tend to laugh at war plans that rely on lightning fast and shock and awe.<br /> none of which has ever nor will ever work.<br /> history has proved it for several thousand years.<br />the art of warfare was perfected centuries ago, only the technology changes.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

rolmops read "A case for democracy"<br /><br />Gandi only existed because the british were basically humane.<br /><br />Gandi would have lasted 30 minutes in communist russia - 15 minutes in North Korea.<br /><br />I am for Ben.<br /><br />Tomatolord

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Ben Stein Speaks About the Military

Nice letter. It's about time someone thanks our military without some caviate about the CIC or their mission, or calling them Nazi's.