Serving Your Country

Off Topic Politics & World Issues
61

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

We aren’t it is just Americans generally can’t take a joke before they foam at the mouth and start rambling on about Europe.
[/quote]

This is what I meant about patriotism and religion. Most religious people can’t stand to have their faith mocked, even a little tiny bit.

Most people’s nationalities are just a commentary on where they were born. But being an American is more tied into an ideology and belief than just a fact of nativity. Making a joke about a European’s nationality (especially one that related to national stereotypes) is generally met with a shrug, or sometimes even a chuckling agreement, joking about America in any way is equivalent to blasphemy for a lot of Americans.

62

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

We aren’t it is just Americans generally can’t take a joke before they foam at the mouth and start rambling on about Europe.
[/quote]

This is what I meant about patriotism and religion. Most religious people can’t stand to have their faith mocked, even a little tiny bit.

Most people’s nationalities are just a commentary on where they were born. But being an American is more tied into an ideology and belief than just a fact of nativity. Making a joke about a European’s nationality (especially one that related to national stereotypes) is generally met with a shrug, or sometimes even a chuckling agreement, joking about America in any way is equivalent to blasphemy for a lot of Americans.[/quote]

My mate is a specialised nurse and has plans to move to America next year. He is a stereotypical Mancunian gobshite. I now feel the need to make him read this ha ha. I can just imagine his style of humour which involves bringing up the foulest most awful stereotypes of everyone he is talking to might not end up going down as well as they do in the nags head on a friday night.

Although his 50 grands a year as a band 7 nurse will bag him double that in dollars. Seems you guys are longing for NHS staff who are decently trained, he is culturally no where near as compatible with the U.S as I am.

By the way Varq when you served did you serve along side any immigrants? How often do immigrants enlist?

63

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

I remember you.

Good to see you again, brother.

Funny. I read your post after I posted mine. My story might have been more like your story (the other one, the one you didn’t tell just now) had I done things a little differently.[/quote]

Thanks. Great to see you again also. I hope your doing well!

66

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]NorCal916 wrote:
I feel that every adult male once 18, should engage in at least 2 years of service. That should be military primarily, or national guard, peace corps, Teach for America, etc.

Maybe you should not have the right to vote until you have served your country or community in some capacity. [/quote]

It would be a good start to make service a requirement for positions like president and congress.[/quote]

Agree with President 100%. Not sure how I feel about Congress. [/quote]

Congress is comprised of the people who decide to declare war or not.[/quote]

Yes, but they do not command it. I am also not sure a degree of separation is a bad thing. [/quote]

Sure, it’s a civilian position. Active duty would be a conflict of interest. But a guy voting for war should know what it means.[/quote]

On one hand I think it would be good if members of Congress served for the reason you mention, but on the other hand I think it’s good if members of Congress have varying perspectives on all topics including the declaration of war.

Congress writes law, but I don’t want all members of Congress to be lawyers. Does that make sense? [/quote]

But they should all have had to live under the laws they write.

I think people who served, then go onto other things and eventually politics are plenty diverse.

67

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

We aren’t it is just Americans generally can’t take a joke before they foam at the mouth and start rambling on about Europe.
[/quote]

This is what I meant about patriotism and religion. Most religious people can’t stand to have their faith mocked, even a little tiny bit.

Most people’s nationalities are just a commentary on where they were born. But being an American is more tied into an ideology and belief than just a fact of nativity. Making a joke about a European’s nationality (especially one that related to national stereotypes) is generally met with a shrug, or sometimes even a chuckling agreement, joking about America in any way is equivalent to blasphemy for a lot of Americans.[/quote]

Depends on the location and subject. I think everywhere has hot buttons. Like making a Nazi joke in Germany or insulting French food or calling soccer a sissy sport in some parts of the UK. The US is just bigger and more diverse and so there is generally some area that takes issue with most things.

68

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]NorCal916 wrote:
I feel that every adult male once 18, should engage in at least 2 years of service. That should be military primarily, or national guard, peace corps, Teach for America, etc.

Maybe you should not have the right to vote until you have served your country or community in some capacity. [/quote]

It would be a good start to make service a requirement for positions like president and congress.[/quote]

Agree with President 100%. Not sure how I feel about Congress. [/quote]

Congress is comprised of the people who decide to declare war or not.[/quote]

Yes, but they do not command it. I am also not sure a degree of separation is a bad thing. [/quote]

Sure, it’s a civilian position. Active duty would be a conflict of interest. But a guy voting for war should know what it means.[/quote]

On one hand I think it would be good if members of Congress served for the reason you mention, but on the other hand I think it’s good if members of Congress have varying perspectives on all topics including the declaration of war.

Congress writes law, but I don’t want all members of Congress to be lawyers. Does that make sense? [/quote]

But they should all have had to live under the laws they write.
[/quote]

That’s an interesting point, but I’m not sure how you could apply it to the declaration of war.

[quote]
I think people who served, then go onto other things and eventually politics are plenty diverse.[/quote]

Ya, like I said, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I’m just not sure I would make service a requirement. You’re limiting your pool of candidates substantially and I think that’s potentially a mistake.

I’m a fan of diverse perspectives in Congress.

69

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:

[quote]NorCal916 wrote:
I feel that every adult male once 18, should engage in at least 2 years of service. That should be military primarily, or national guard, peace corps, Teach for America, etc.

Maybe you should not have the right to vote until you have served your country or community in some capacity. [/quote]

It would be a good start to make service a requirement for positions like president and congress.[/quote]

Agree with President 100%. Not sure how I feel about Congress. [/quote]

Congress is comprised of the people who decide to declare war or not.[/quote]

Yes, but they do not command it. I am also not sure a degree of separation is a bad thing. [/quote]

Sure, it’s a civilian position. Active duty would be a conflict of interest. But a guy voting for war should know what it means.[/quote]

On one hand I think it would be good if members of Congress served for the reason you mention, but on the other hand I think it’s good if members of Congress have varying perspectives on all topics including the declaration of war.

Congress writes law, but I don’t want all members of Congress to be lawyers. Does that make sense? [/quote]

But they should all have had to live under the laws they write.
[/quote]

That’s an interesting point, but I’m not sure how you could apply it to the declaration of war.

[quote]
I think people who served, then go onto other things and eventually politics are plenty diverse.[/quote]

Ya, like I said, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I’m just not sure I would make service a requirement. You’re limiting your pool of candidates substantially and I think that’s potentially a mistake.

I’m a fan of diverse perspectives in Congress. [/quote]

Actually, thinking about it, you might be right. I’m a fan of diversity too, but largely because that gridlocks congress. If they were more uniform in experience and opinion, they’d probably pass more laws. And there is nothing worse than that.

70

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

Also if you are white American you are likely fucking British.

[/quote]

Maybe a couple centuries ago.

Now you’re just as likely to be German, Scandinavian, Irish, Italian, or Polish.[/quote]

I said white varq. Do we count the Irish, slavs and guinea’s to be white nowadays ?

And the British are essentially Germanic so whatever. That must be where we get our awful culinary traditions from :slight_smile:
[/quote]

As far as I am aware, the Irish, Italians and Slavs have always been considered white people.

British people are people from the island of Britain, regardless of race. The Welsh and Scots are Celtic, not Germanic, but they are still British.

71

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]sjoconn wrote:
I have been off the board and lurking for so long that I doubt anyone will remember me. I retired last year after roughly 9 years as a reservist and 19 years on active duty. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, but when it was time to go�¢?�¦�¢?�¦it was time to go.

Why you did, why you didn’t?

I joined the reserves for college and then never really committed to going towards a specific degree. I went active duty because I was working 2 part-time jobs and not really happy at either one of them. I felt I needed a change and a new challenge.

What did it do for you?

It challenged me every day. It allowed me the freedom to push myself to my limit and go further than I thought I could. It also provided me with a decent living, money to put into investments, a skill-set that is still highly marketable, the ability to help my fellow man, and the direction I needed to finish one degree and continue in my current studies.

What did you do for it?

I did my best. I hope that I made a difference at some point.

Would you go back and do it again knowing what you know now?

Absolutely.

Does it make you more patriotic?

Nope.

Do you like it or hate it when people say “thank you”?

It makes me feel extremely uncomfortable

Regrets? Things you wish you did differently?

Of course there are some regrets. If you constantly push yourself you will always have a tinge of doubt or regret. You just settle with knowing you did the absolute best you could with the information at hand.

I hope this answers some of your questions. If I were you I wouldn�¢??t spend a lot of time worrying over it. I would bet that I could find plenty of soldiers who wished that they had done things differently and had become accountants.
All the best

(I stay out of PWI even as a lurker. Reminds me of bad day-time TV. I just stumbled upon this)
[/quote]

I remember you, you had a different avi didn’t you?[/quote]

As I recall, in that avatar he was carrying an M249 SAW with a modified charging handle, and a big old Special Forces beard. I seem to remember either sunglasses, or a big black rectangle over the eyes, although the background is a bit fuzzy. Afghanistan, was it? Or the Philippines? :slight_smile:

72

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

On one hand I think it would be good if members of Congress served for the reason you mention, but on the other hand I think it’s good if members of Congress have varying perspectives on all topics including the declaration of war.

Congress writes law, but I don’t want all members of Congress to be lawyers. Does that make sense? [/quote]

I agree. While the President is actually, technically in the Armed Forces by means of being head Commander, Congress is not a military position so it’s less important that they have served. Though, I think a certain percentage of Congress should have military experience, I wouldn’t make it mandatory.

73

[quote]Varqanir wrote:
As far as I am aware, the Irish, Italians and Slavs have always been considered white people.

British people are people from the island of Britain, regardless of race. The Welsh and Scots are Celtic, not Germanic, but they are still British.[/quote]

Although all whites are Caucasians; all Caucasians are not whites.

74

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]angry chicken wrote:

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]NorCal916 wrote:
I feel that every adult male once 18, should engage in at least 2 years of service. That should be military primarily, or national guard, peace corps, Teach for America, etc.

Maybe you should not have the right to vote until you have served your country or community in some capacity. [/quote]

Robert Heinlein would agree.[/quote]

That’s EXACTLY what I was thinking! I am currently re-reading Starship Troopers. LOL[/quote]

I’ve often thought that we give away the vote far too cheaply in the United States. That which is common and cheaply given is cheaply valued, and indeed, the vote of the individual is pretty worthless in our so-called representative democratic republic.

So yes, I would like to see the vote become a privilege that is earned, rather than a trophy that everyone gets as a prize for surviving eighteen years of life as an American citizen, and somehow attaining sufficient literacy to fill out a Selective Service card (if one happens to be male), a voter registration card, and a ballot.

In the republic that I imagine, one’s vote actually counts. All laws and measures are written in language that the voters can understand, and they are ALL put to popular vote. One earns one’s franchise by serving the country in some capacity, preferably military, but if that avenue is not open due to some physical or mental disability, then some other national service.

As some have mentioned, I would like to see military service a non-negotiable prerequisite for service in any elected government position. One’s military records would be made public, and the candidates with the most conspicuous leadership abilities would be the ones elected.

But I would go beyond that.

If you are a member of the Legislature, and you vote to send troops into combat, then you are legally obligated to lead those troops into combat. Junior congressmen would command a platoon, senior congressmen a company, senators a battalion.

And if you want to be President of the United States, you have to have first risen to the rank of at least Lieutenant Colonel, through the enlisted ranks, in a combat MOS, and have proven combat experience.

[/quote]

I would not mind a literacy test for voting rights. If you cannot read, or write, or speak English, or do basic math you should not vote. You are too stupid to vote.
I don’t give away my vote lightly. I know it’s a drop in the pool, but the pool is made of drops and everyone counts.

75

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

Lighten up pussy.
[/quote]

You said this to Cushin? Like, one of the nicest people on these forums? Man, you’re an asshole.

76

[quote]BlueCollarTr8n wrote:

[quote]Varqanir wrote:
As far as I am aware, the Irish, Italians and Slavs have always been considered white people.

British people are people from the island of Britain, regardless of race. The Welsh and Scots are Celtic, not Germanic, but they are still British.[/quote]

Although all whites are Caucasians; all Caucasians are not whites.
[/quote]

Yeah, okay. “All blacks are African, all Africans are not black” would be the equivalent of that statement.

Define “whites”.

EDIT: before any rugby fan says it, “nah, mate, All Blacks are from New Zealand!”

77

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]angry chicken wrote:

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]NorCal916 wrote:
I feel that every adult male once 18, should engage in at least 2 years of service. That should be military primarily, or national guard, peace corps, Teach for America, etc.

Maybe you should not have the right to vote until you have served your country or community in some capacity. [/quote]

Robert Heinlein would agree.[/quote]

That’s EXACTLY what I was thinking! I am currently re-reading Starship Troopers. LOL[/quote]

I’ve often thought that we give away the vote far too cheaply in the United States. That which is common and cheaply given is cheaply valued, and indeed, the vote of the individual is pretty worthless in our so-called representative democratic republic.

So yes, I would like to see the vote become a privilege that is earned, rather than a trophy that everyone gets as a prize for surviving eighteen years of life as an American citizen, and somehow attaining sufficient literacy to fill out a Selective Service card (if one happens to be male), a voter registration card, and a ballot.

In the republic that I imagine, one’s vote actually counts. All laws and measures are written in language that the voters can understand, and they are ALL put to popular vote. One earns one’s franchise by serving the country in some capacity, preferably military, but if that avenue is not open due to some physical or mental disability, then some other national service.

As some have mentioned, I would like to see military service a non-negotiable prerequisite for service in any elected government position. One’s military records would be made public, and the candidates with the most conspicuous leadership abilities would be the ones elected.

But I would go beyond that.

If you are a member of the Legislature, and you vote to send troops into combat, then you are legally obligated to lead those troops into combat. Junior congressmen would command a platoon, senior congressmen a company, senators a battalion.

And if you want to be President of the United States, you have to have first risen to the rank of at least Lieutenant Colonel, through the enlisted ranks, in a combat MOS, and have proven combat experience.

[/quote]

Very well put. I think that at THE MINIMUM, a high school diploma should be required. BUT, if that is the case, no social promotions, and you cannot “graduate” from a reform school.

IF you do not have a HS diploma, then you MUST meet the service requirement to obtain your privilage (not right) to vote.

There is a quality called citizenship that is no longer stressed. Citizenship is undervalued to a depressing degree. It’s because nowdays “it’s every man for himself” and rely on the government to save you, not your neighbor.

sad really.

78

[quote]pat wrote:

[quote]YamatoDamashii92 wrote:

Lighten up pussy.
[/quote]

You said this to Cushin? Like, one of the nicest people on these forums? Man, you’re an asshole.[/quote]

Ironic as well, considering YD’s username.

Chushin, whom I have met and who is my good friend, is not only about the least pussy-ish person one is likely to meet, he is also an expert practitioner of kobudo, ancient Japanese martial arts. He could effortlessly kill you with a stick, a sword, a sai or a folding steel-ribbed war fan, but he wouldn’t, needlessly.

He also speaks fluent Japanese, and has had dinner with the Emperor.

That is some legitimate yamatodamashii (soul of Japan) right there.

79

[quote]Varqanir wrote:

[quote]Testy1 wrote:

[quote]sjoconn wrote:
I have been off the board and lurking for so long that I doubt anyone will remember me. I retired last year after roughly 9 years as a reservist and 19 years on active duty. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, but when it was time to go�?�¢?�?�¦�?�¢?�?�¦it was time to go.

Why you did, why you didn’t?

I joined the reserves for college and then never really committed to going towards a specific degree. I went active duty because I was working 2 part-time jobs and not really happy at either one of them. I felt I needed a change and a new challenge.

What did it do for you?

It challenged me every day. It allowed me the freedom to push myself to my limit and go further than I thought I could. It also provided me with a decent living, money to put into investments, a skill-set that is still highly marketable, the ability to help my fellow man, and the direction I needed to finish one degree and continue in my current studies.

What did you do for it?

I did my best. I hope that I made a difference at some point.

Would you go back and do it again knowing what you know now?

Absolutely.

Does it make you more patriotic?

Nope.

Do you like it or hate it when people say “thank you”?

It makes me feel extremely uncomfortable

Regrets? Things you wish you did differently?

Of course there are some regrets. If you constantly push yourself you will always have a tinge of doubt or regret. You just settle with knowing you did the absolute best you could with the information at hand.

I hope this answers some of your questions. If I were you I wouldn�?�¢??t spend a lot of time worrying over it. I would bet that I could find plenty of soldiers who wished that they had done things differently and had become accountants.
All the best

(I stay out of PWI even as a lurker. Reminds me of bad day-time TV. I just stumbled upon this)
[/quote]

I remember you, you had a different avi didn’t you?[/quote]

As I recall, in that avatar he was carrying an M249 SAW with a modified charging handle, and a big old Special Forces beard. I seem to remember either sunglasses, or a big black rectangle over the eyes, although the background is a bit fuzzy. Afghanistan, was it? Or the Philippines? :slight_smile:
[/quote]

Yup thats me. I had sunglasses. That picture was from Afghanistan…but I have a LOT of time in the Philippines. In fact I am living there now, but in a much safer area than I used to work.

80

[quote]Varqanir wrote:
when I was at Fort Knox waiting for my re-training as a Scout
[/quote]

You and I have marched over the same hills at Ft. Knox.

What Regiment did you go through with training?