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Rethinking Veterans Day
Author: BobR
Date: 11/11/2015 11:58:24
As we celebrate the service our military veterans, we should think for a moment just how they gained that title. They were either drafted into service (Viet Nam war and earlier), or they signed up of their own volition. They become "GI" (Government Issue), which means the government in general (and the military in particular) "owns" them and their bodies for use in protecting our country.
That doesn't mean they stop being people. They do not stop being someone's sons or daughters, someone's spouse, nor someone's mother or father. We as a country owe them a sacred oath to not take their service lightly, nor to toss them into harm's way when it isn't really necessary.
Yet, we somehow do that, and have done that for decades. We are now acting as the world's police, the protectors and enforcers for other countries, to whom our soldiers owe no allegiance. The premeditated invasion of Iraq by the Bush Administration is the grossest of these, but with bases all over the world, we are poised to get involved in areas that don't involve a credible threat to our country.
Congress and the President are the one's who ultimately make the decisions, both large and small. With a presidential election less than a year away, it is incumbent upon us to consider the temperament of the candidates with regard to how they feel our military should be used abroad.
The Republican candidates in general (Rand Paul excepted) have a very pro-military-action attitude, seemingly eager to put "boots on the ground". To them, the soldiers who will one day be veterans are pawns in a power play, There's an "invade first - ask questions later" mentality that seems counter to the notion of military force as a last resort.
Of all the candidates running (Democrat and Republican) only one - Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has served in the military. Perhaps that's why it's do disappointing that he is one of the most hawkish of the lot. None of the other candidates know what it's like to serve, much less be in combat.
The Democrats - who also have not served in the military - are much less likely to create new veterans of foreign wars. You never hear them saying things like "bomb, bomb, Iran".
So perhaps today while we honor our vets, we should think about what it truly means to honor them, and understand that the best way to honor anyone's military service is to not make a veteran (or casualty) out of them.
That doesn't mean they stop being people. They do not stop being someone's sons or daughters, someone's spouse, nor someone's mother or father. We as a country owe them a sacred oath to not take their service lightly, nor to toss them into harm's way when it isn't really necessary.
Yet, we somehow do that, and have done that for decades. We are now acting as the world's police, the protectors and enforcers for other countries, to whom our soldiers owe no allegiance. The premeditated invasion of Iraq by the Bush Administration is the grossest of these, but with bases all over the world, we are poised to get involved in areas that don't involve a credible threat to our country.
Congress and the President are the one's who ultimately make the decisions, both large and small. With a presidential election less than a year away, it is incumbent upon us to consider the temperament of the candidates with regard to how they feel our military should be used abroad.
The Republican candidates in general (Rand Paul excepted) have a very pro-military-action attitude, seemingly eager to put "boots on the ground". To them, the soldiers who will one day be veterans are pawns in a power play, There's an "invade first - ask questions later" mentality that seems counter to the notion of military force as a last resort.
Of all the candidates running (Democrat and Republican) only one - Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has served in the military. Perhaps that's why it's do disappointing that he is one of the most hawkish of the lot. None of the other candidates know what it's like to serve, much less be in combat.
The Democrats - who also have not served in the military - are much less likely to create new veterans of foreign wars. You never hear them saying things like "bomb, bomb, Iran".
So perhaps today while we honor our vets, we should think about what it truly means to honor them, and understand that the best way to honor anyone's military service is to not make a veteran (or casualty) out of them.
Comments:
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Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 13:12:08
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 13:12:08
hasa digwa ebowai to you!
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 13:32:55
Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 13:32:55
Good morning!! Happy Veteran's Day!!!
There is some good news from the Commonwealth of Virginia today: Obama to unveil first state to end veteran homelessness.
No subbing today. It has been slow of late, probably due to state testing. I have had two interviews in the last week and found a few jobs to apply to in Massachusetts and Virginia.
There is some good news from the Commonwealth of Virginia today: Obama to unveil first state to end veteran homelessness.
No subbing today. It has been slow of late, probably due to state testing. I have had two interviews in the last week and found a few jobs to apply to in Massachusetts and Virginia.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/11/2015 13:59:33
wickedpam on 11/11/2015 13:59:33
Morning 
Comment by 
TriSec on 11/11/2015 14:42:18
TriSec on 11/11/2015 14:42:18
Hi all. Back from burnin' flags to honour our Veterans!
Speaking of which, did you all see the Google Doodle?
Two ladies, a black dude, and clearly a Latino front and center, with the white guy in the second row, hand raised, as if saying "Hey, remember me, the white guy"???
Cue Right-Wing outrage in 3...2...
Speaking of which, did you all see the Google Doodle?
Two ladies, a black dude, and clearly a Latino front and center, with the white guy in the second row, hand raised, as if saying "Hey, remember me, the white guy"???
Cue Right-Wing outrage in 3...2...
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 11/11/2015 14:50:05
trojanrabbit on 11/11/2015 14:50:05
Morning
Had no intentions of watching the squabbling children again, since there was absolutely no chance of any "debating" going on.
Had no intentions of watching the squabbling children again, since there was absolutely no chance of any "debating" going on.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 15:03:44
Why yes I did. I was wondering the same thing.
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 15:03:44
Quote by TriSec:
Hi all. Back from burnin' flags to honour our Veterans!
Speaking of which, did you all see the Google Doodle?
Two ladies, a black dude, and clearly a Latino front and center, with the white guy in the second row, hand raised, as if saying "Hey, remember me, the white guy"???
Cue Right-Wing outrage in 3...2...
Why yes I did. I was wondering the same thing.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/11/2015 15:06:49
wickedpam on 11/11/2015 15:06:49
Is this real?
I AM IN TEARS pic.twitter.com/gyRVALllCi
— Lazer Gun Carrier (@branfire) November 10, 2015
Comment by 
Raine on 11/11/2015 15:15:45
Oh god I hope so!
Raine on 11/11/2015 15:15:45
Quote by wickedpam:
Is this real?I AM IN TEARS pic.twitter.com/gyRVALllCi
— Lazer Gun Carrier (@branfire) November 10, 2015
Comment by Raine on 11/11/2015 15:23:46
Raine on 11/11/2015 15:23:46
Quote by Mondobubba:
hasa digwa ebowai to you!
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 15:41:38
You're welcome.
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 15:41:38
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
hasa digwa ebowai to you!
You're welcome.
Comment by 
BobR on 11/11/2015 16:10:45
BobR on 11/11/2015 16:10:45
BLOG IS POSTED
Comment by BobR on 11/11/2015 16:49:58
The one thing that slightly miffed me about the show is that it says that Joseph Smith lived and created the LDS church in Rochester, NY. It was actually Palmyra, NY (where I used to live), I suppose Rochester is more familiar, but that seems like a silly reason to change something like that.
BobR on 11/11/2015 16:49:58
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
hasa digwa ebowai to you!
You're welcome.
The one thing that slightly miffed me about the show is that it says that Joseph Smith lived and created the LDS church in Rochester, NY. It was actually Palmyra, NY (where I used to live), I suppose Rochester is more familiar, but that seems like a silly reason to change something like that.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 16:59:11
Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 16:59:11
BobR, thanks for a great blog.
I think that we need to find candidates for President who are reluctant to use military force. I don't think that we will see that from the GOP.
In some good news, a friend is working on a place to stay if I end up with a job in Massachusetts. I am thinking of adding a few teaching licenses to increase the area of my job search. Hopefully, I won't have to.
I think that we need to find candidates for President who are reluctant to use military force. I don't think that we will see that from the GOP.
In some good news, a friend is working on a place to stay if I end up with a job in Massachusetts. I am thinking of adding a few teaching licenses to increase the area of my job search. Hopefully, I won't have to.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 17:04:13
Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 17:04:13
In honor of Veteran's Day, here is a great song from Elton John:
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 17:24:29
Hmm I don't remember them saying Rochester.
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 17:24:29
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
hasa digwa ebowai to you!
You're welcome.
The one thing that slightly miffed me about the show is that it says that Joseph Smith lived and created the LDS church in Rochester, NY. It was actually Palmyra, NY (where I used to live), I suppose Rochester is more familiar, but that seems like a silly reason to change something like that.
Hmm I don't remember them saying Rochester.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 17:26:21
Will in Chicago on 11/11/2015 17:26:21
Here is another good song for today. Billy Joel's We Will All Go Down Together, also called Goodnight Saigon.
Comment by Raine on 11/11/2015 17:51:40
Amen, Bobber.
Raine on 11/11/2015 17:51:40
Quote by BobR:
BLOG IS POSTED
Amen, Bobber.
Comment by Raine on 11/11/2015 18:39:43
Raine on 11/11/2015 18:39:43
Just want to get a little technical about something Rafael said at the debate last night…
In particular this:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
In particular this:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Comment by TriSec on 11/11/2015 19:12:30
TriSec on 11/11/2015 19:12:30
Say gang, did I mention that Javi is having one of those "Rites of Passage" this weekend?
He's off with the senior leadership of the troop right now, putting together menus and a shopping list for our annual Marquee trip. T248 is out to Camp Resolute this weekend to spend all day Saturday cooking up a feast for the parents and siblings Saturday night.
With Mrs. TriSec's broken wing, I won't be going on this trip, although I'll be doing a lot of back-and-forth...they need the seats in my car.
I seem to recall I didn't go on my first Scout trip without Papa TriSec until I was 22. (Circa 1988).
And I'll never tell him, but Javi is a new Patrol Leader this season...and he's already changed a wee bit. Troop events I couldn't get him to go to last year, he wants to go on, because he's in charge. And I saw he wore his uniform to the meeting last week, instead of taking it balled up in his daypack and putting it on when we got there.
He's off with the senior leadership of the troop right now, putting together menus and a shopping list for our annual Marquee trip. T248 is out to Camp Resolute this weekend to spend all day Saturday cooking up a feast for the parents and siblings Saturday night.
With Mrs. TriSec's broken wing, I won't be going on this trip, although I'll be doing a lot of back-and-forth...they need the seats in my car.
I seem to recall I didn't go on my first Scout trip without Papa TriSec until I was 22. (Circa 1988).
And I'll never tell him, but Javi is a new Patrol Leader this season...and he's already changed a wee bit. Troop events I couldn't get him to go to last year, he wants to go on, because he's in charge. And I saw he wore his uniform to the meeting last week, instead of taking it balled up in his daypack and putting it on when we got there.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/11/2015 19:41:18
I find that rather odd that he wouldn't know. After all, many Canadians know more about our government than many Americans do.
trojanrabbit on 11/11/2015 19:41:18
Quote by Raine:
Just want to get a little technical about something Rafael said at the debate last night…
In particular this:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
I find that rather odd that he wouldn't know. After all, many Canadians know more about our government than many Americans do.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 11/11/2015 20:15:16
Two? That looks like one to me. All the others are cabinet-level.
Scoopster on 11/11/2015 20:15:16
Quote by Raine:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Two? That looks like one to me. All the others are cabinet-level.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 20:17:06
Apparently the honorable gentleman from Texas doesn't seem to be aware that the DOE's single largest function is developing and maintaining our nuclear arsenal. After that they do stuff with the promotion and production of energy.
I'm thinking the question that was asked wasn't making any differentiation between cabinet-level department and independent regulatory agencies. And neither was Sen. Fckstick.
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 20:17:06
Quote by Raine:
Just want to get a little technical about something Rafael said at the debate last night…
In particular this:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Apparently the honorable gentleman from Texas doesn't seem to be aware that the DOE's single largest function is developing and maintaining our nuclear arsenal. After that they do stuff with the promotion and production of energy.
I'm thinking the question that was asked wasn't making any differentiation between cabinet-level department and independent regulatory agencies. And neither was Sen. Fckstick.
Comment by BobR on 11/11/2015 20:21:49
BobR on 11/11/2015 20:21:49
Quote by TriSec:
Say gang, did I mention that Javi is having one of those "Rites of Passage" this weekend?
He's off with the senior leadership of the troop right now, putting together menus and a shopping list for our annual Marquee trip. T248 is out to Camp Resolute this weekend to spend all day Saturday cooking up a feast for the parents and siblings Saturday night.
With Mrs. TriSec's broken wing, I won't be going on this trip, although I'll be doing a lot of back-and-forth...they need the seats in my car.
I seem to recall I didn't go on my first Scout trip without Papa TriSec until I was 22. (Circa 1988).
And I'll never tell him, but Javi is a new Patrol Leader this season...and he's already changed a wee bit. Troop events I couldn't get him to go to last year, he wants to go on, because he's in charge. And I saw he wore his uniform to the meeting last week, instead of taking it balled up in his daypack and putting it on when we got there.
Comment by Raine on 11/11/2015 20:26:31
DOC and DOE are agencies.
IRS is not cabinet level — it is a dept. within the Treasury. HUD is the only cabinet department.
Raine on 11/11/2015 20:26:31
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Two? That looks like one to me. All the others are cabinet-level.
IRS is not cabinet level — it is a dept. within the Treasury. HUD is the only cabinet department.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 20:36:16
Raine, I got this on whitehouse.gov
The linky bit.
Mondobubba on 11/11/2015 20:36:16
Quote by Raine:DOC and DOE are agencies.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Two? That looks like one to me. All the others are cabinet-level.
IRS is not cabinet level — it is a dept. within the Treasury. HUD is the only cabinet department.
Raine, I got this on whitehouse.gov
The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.
The linky bit.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/11/2015 20:36:47
Scoopster on 11/11/2015 20:36:47
Quote by Raine:DOC and DOE are agencies.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Two? That looks like one to me. All the others are cabinet-level.
IRS is not cabinet level — it is a dept. within the Treasury. HUD is the only cabinet department.
Comment by Raine on 11/11/2015 21:14:11
Hmm…
Scoop I apologize.
You are correct.
That makes it even worse.
Raine on 11/11/2015 21:14:11
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:DOC and DOE are agencies.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
I am really surprised no one else has pointed this one out…
I did some research:
The IRS is part of the Treasury department (that the actual agency, the IRS is part of it) and HUD is a presidential cabinet department. It is not an agency.
So technically, he only mentioned 2 agencies that he would like to eliminate.
Two? That looks like one to me. All the others are cabinet-level.
IRS is not cabinet level — it is a dept. within the Treasury. HUD is the only cabinet department.
Raine, I got this on whitehouse.govThe Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.
The linky bit.
Scoop I apologize.
You are correct.
That makes it even worse.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/12/2015 00:59:00
Scoopster on 11/12/2015 00:59:00