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.[/quote]
You make me sound pretty cool!
Thank you, my friend.[/quote]
You are cool. Whether or not we agree or disagree on topics, leveling personal attacks like YD without any history and attempt to first be courteous in disagreement shows a character flaw.
This method isn’t winning the day with facts or well founded opinion, it’s simply shouting down your opponent, which is a sign you know you have lost already and are a cry baby.
Do you like it or hate it when people say “thank you”? I laugh and say “For what” it’s more embarrassing than annoying really, people assume that you have made some monumental sacrifice for their greater good when really guys like me were lucky enough to never get shot at.
[/quote]
I do not say ‘Thank you’ to military personal assuming they made a great sacrifice, though they may have. I say ‘thank you’ because people choosing freely to serve enable the rest of us to live the life we live with out fear of attack from foreign enemies. This is no small matter. It’s certainly a privilege much of the world does not enjoy and too few people here appreciate. It’s the service of people sworn to protect us that I appreciate. You don’t have to carry a rifle and sit on the front line; it takes a lot of people to make the military run and whether your a computer tech, or a Marine, it takes all of it to make it work.
I appreciate the shield of protection by the military that allows me to speak freely on these forums without the fear of repercussions for what I say. I can say what I want, and know that I am not going to walk out my door and get hacked to death by a machete or put in prison for what I said. The military protects us and it’s the protection I appreciate, to live as I choose, practice the religion I want to practice, to get a job and work for my own personal gain, to buy the goods and services I want to buy, to get the medical care I need, to have my family live in peace. That’s why I am grateful, it doesn’t take a major sacrifice for me to be grateful, just a willingness to serve.
I think that those who framed the requirement for President got it right, in NOT making high Military Service a requirement…but also not a disqualification.
For every Ike or Petreus (just speculating that he would have made a great President)…you could have a Patton or McArthur. Great generals…but I would not want them to have control of our Nuclear Arsenal or making decisions on War. Why? Too narrow of a focus.
Anyway…most of our Military men and women are too smart to want the job…and most likely don’t have the temperament for a long campaign full of bullshit and compromise.
Thank goodness.
Mufasa
[/quote]
In fairness the U.S. had no standing army at the writing of the Constitution. They could not have written it in if they wanted to, it didn’t exist. I don’t think a major service is required, just a cursory knowledge of the inner workings of the military you lead would be enough. I just think if you are the leader of the military, it would be better if you knew something about it, rather than nothing.
When you are making decisions about the troops, you should have some knowledge on how they will be affected by your decision. That’s all, I don’t think you need to be career military to get it.
[quote]Chushin wrote:
I would wonder if requiring our presidents to have military service might not erode the concept of “civilian control of the military,” even if they were retired military.
Would coups be more likely?[/quote]
On the flip side, I don’t think career military people would make great presidents, either. Of course it depends on the person, but in general I don’t think they would make good presidents. It is and should remain a civilian office.
[quote]Bismark wrote:
Anther former practitioner that would have my vote in 2016.[/quote]
Attached to 43 = no hope in any iteration of contemporary national election.
Too many people too fucking stupid to get out of their own way. [/quote]
Time heals all wounds, even the political. That HRC is running given her association with President Obama gives hope that she could run in the future if she chooses to.
