WebKittyn Warbles

Oy.

This is one of those guilty things I mull over in my head. I feel bad for thinking it but I can't help but think it and with all the campaign hooey going on it's a huge issue. I feel like a cad (would that be a cad-ette?) for getting bothered by this but I can't help the bother.

There was a woman on television yesterday. It was sad, her son had been killed in Iraq and she was far from alright. She was in NY city with the protestors and she kept yelling about how our boys are dying, our boys are dying. George Bush sent them to die, he sent them to war and they're dying.

My mind flashed for whatever reason to the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan and it set me off thinking. I'm not a war fiend, I'd be content if there were no wars in my lifetime and I don't like the idea of war. However I accept it as a necessary evil and sometimes a last resort.

I have a deep respect for those who commit to the military. My father was in the Air Force and my grandfather was a medaled hero who died in World War II leaving a widow and a young son. I think veterans are the backbone on which the country leans and they should be treated with respect and dignity during AND after service.

In America today there is no draft. As much as Americans cry out in rage at the mere mention of a draft, there are many countries that require service and the youth are no worse off for it. Most of the Finnish MUDders were lost to the military, as were the Singaporians. One of the Finns went on to be a cop, I find that amusing.

But I digress. The point is, the military is completely a voluntary choice. They do their best to try and lure people in with fair and good college incentives and it does look good on a resume.

Unfortunately this becomes a causal issue as we see the military fill with people who might otherwise not have the chance for the college education or job training. Joining the military becomes less an act of patriotism to the homeland and more of a means of improving a lifestyle.

I don't think this is bad, I think it's the least we can do for those who choose to serve (along with giving them money they can actually support their families on) and I support it.

But this is, after all, the military and the military is there to protect the country and if need be, to go to war. There is always the chance that war will break out and the next name called will be 'that' one. It may be unspoken but it is still something that everyone who enters the military voluntarily has to consider. There is no guarantee of safety in the military and people accept this and join willingly.

I asked my dad if he felt anger at the President when he heard his father had died, if he felt that President had sent him to die. He said no, he was angry of course but it was at the ones they were fighting.

It doesn't seem right to blame the President for a soldier getting killed who willingly went into the military. I know the buck stops here, I know it is the President who is the man responsible for troop deployment but I don't like to see it when I see people raging at the President. Not just GW, I speak again in generalities.

I'm sorry your son was killed in duty, I truly am. But he knew it was a possibility and he made the righteous decision to go regardless. Place the anger and the blame where they belong and support even stronger the rest of the sons and daughters still serving.

I feel like an evil person now.