Windspike- Of course, the generalizations regarding those who enter service and why are just that, and there are always exceptions, like your brother.

And yes…things are starting to get interesting in the political scene regarding this war and the false run-up claims.

Always good to hear from you.

Jolly- I seldom delete posts, but anon was just too much. Complete rant with no real point or purpose.
Our current crop of leaders did do all the could to avoid war in Vietnam, precisely for the reasons we are against this war today, at least the war in Iraq. But I think that we can turn things around, if only the people would exercise their power and vote the bums out.
Thanks for the comments.

Eko- i suppose that’s true…and then some. Good to hear from you again.

Graham- These problems weigh more on the public and our perception, but are still a problem for the folks in uniform. By the nature of their oaths and code of justice, they can’t complain and rely on us to be there for them, to protect them from assinine politicians and the like.
Some wars are indeed just, like WWII and even Afghanistan. But our government in too inconsistent in the application of military use, and this administration is completely inept!
Thanks for leaving some thoughts.

Great post Ken.

This, you see, is part of the problem. We have a generation of “leadership” that did everything that they could to avoid military service, yet think themselves geniuses in military matters. Perhaps if they’d have answered the call when it was their time, instead of going AWOL and/or hiding behind deferment after deferment, they’d have a better understanding of how serious a matter it is to send kids off into combat. As it is, however, they’ll not only keep right on doing it, they are quite likely to expand yet again the theater of war, punishing further an already overstretched, tired force.

Those who like history might want to look at what finally brought down the USSR. We’re well on our way to a Soviet end, and I’m not sure there is anything we can do now to stop it.

This is another juicy post. Lots of meat on the bone to suck and ruminate on.

I liked this sentence:”The result is a military body that doesn’t trust the civilian or the military leaders to get them home safe, a military body that can’t recommend service to others if he does get back home.”

When the troops loose faith, I think it is a largely a reflection of how their friends, family and the general citizenry are feeling. I have, in the past, pointed out the difference between morale of troops signing up to fight Hitler in WWII and the lack of people signing up to fight this “war” on terror (if there could be such a thing). There is a palpable difference, no?

Your last sentence is even more powerful given that we are creeping up to near 2000 GIs dead/KIA in Iraq.

With Condy saying that there was a decision point where the W, Rove and Co decided to go boldly into Iraq (despite the lack of WMD evidence), I think most are fed up with this administration’s antics.

No telling what will happen when Fitzgerald announces his findings. Report or not, I think we are in for a n interesting set of fireworks.

On another note, I don’t know if I agree completely with your rationale as to why people sign up for the military. My brother is a case in point. He signed up even while no one in our family has served. He wanted to blow things up. Can’t do that as a civilian very often. He’s been in the enlisted ranks for over 20 years.

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