As it happens, Senator Obama and Senator McCain differ very widely in their positions on almost every issue, and that carries much more weight in my decision-making process than whether or not they served. But again, the fact that McCain is a veteran, and Obama is not was one factor in my decision.

And that is understandable. For the same reasons, it would be a point of consideration for me to vote for someone with no war record over someone who had fort for their country (depending on the reasons of course).

More to the point, the division will be made more obvious when the common voter comes to place that X, especially from the South.

Jonny

The fact that John McCain is a veteran is not sufficient reason to vote for him. John Murtha is also a veteran.

The fact that Barack Obama is not a veteran is not sufficient reason to vote against him. My original choice for the Republican nominee in this election is not a veteran.

However, a candidate’s status as a veteran or a non-veteran is a point to consider in making one’s decision.

As it happens, Senator Obama and Senator McCain differ very widely in their positions on almost every issue, and that carries much more weight in my decision-making process than whether or not they served. But again, the fact that McCain is a veteran, and Obama is not, was one factor in my decision.

But here’s the thing: everyone who joins the military knows, and willingly accepts, the fact that at any time he or she may be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. They’re not doing it solely out of a sense of altruism; they expect (rightfully, in my opinion) a reasonable quid pro quo. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are willingly accepting the responsibility.

I promised that, should I ever be so ordered, I would place myself in harm’s way. In return, I got a steady paycheck (very small, at first, but still steady), training in both occupational skills and life skills, and I got to see parts of the world that very few Americans ever will. To my way of thinking, it was an equitable arrangement for all concerned.

Promises promises. How many times have you said that before? hahaha. Anyway, I’ll respond to any post I choose and you can piss off.

All you’re doing with this vendetta against me is taking up space that other people must be bored to death with by now.

As unusual, your ego is overblown. You have pissed all over this blog, Americans, the US for months now. So, stop whining.

These kids aren’t joining up to take a bullet for me. These kids have nothing else in life. They probably want to get away from there crappy home lives or their families have probably booted them down to sign up.
These people are cannon fodder and it annoys me that a government will utilise these people where their lives are at risk for nothing more than political gain.

I’d be interested to know if the US have these types joining up.

Jonny

All you’re doing with this vendetta against me is taking up space that other people must be bored to death with by now.

You’re embarrassing yourself now so please, just leave it.

Jonny

Piss off. You are the one who feels the need to lecture everyone on who you would vote for, neglecting the fact that you do not have the right to vote and your opinion is meaningless.

she works 60 hour weeks

Thread hijack. This isn’t about you. It’s about Obama, the election, and the military — not a woman who works overtime to get away from you. And, yes, she was the one you were talking about as if she were a piece of meat.

Oh great, he’s hijacking the thread again

Keep your nose out. The grown-ups are talking now.

The decision to use military force is made by our governments, not by the military. If you believe that your government is engaged in an unjust war, blame your politicians, not your servicemen or servicewomen

I totally agree, however you have to admit that the reason an individual joins the army/military would be to fight for their country/international coalition? I understand your point that it would be unfair to describe any serviceman as nothing more than cannon fodder and I take your point that they’re well versed in international affairs.
I will have no disrespect for anyone serving in the military.

So it’s not that I think less of people who don’t serve in the military; it’s just that I have more respect for those who do. The schoolteacher, the volunteer at the homeless shelter, even the clerk at the DMV, all these and many more are serving, and I respect and am thankful for their service. But I have more respect and admiration for those who have promised to take a bullet for me.

Put like that, I don’t think you’d get even the hardest liberal disagreeing with you.
For instance my fiance is a nurse – she works 60 hour weeks saving lives or making people as comfortable as possible in their final moments.
I respect her a lot more than I would a defense lawyer or oil tycoon.

You’ve made me think Colin. I’ll give you that.

Jonny

I could not agree more with this statement.

But this one: “I just don’t like the idea of killing people for reasons that could have been talked through.” And this one: “if someone morally believes in solving problems of an international nature by words rather than guns, then then shouldn’t be thought of any less than one who prefers to grab the gun first” make me wince.

The decision to use military force is made by our governments, not by the military. If you believe that your government is engaged in an unjust war, blame your politicians, not your servicemen or servicewomen. The overwhelming majority of servicepeople that I know (and I know a lot of them) are are as well- or better-versed in international affairs as the average civilian, and while they agree that sometimes military action is necessary, they also agree that it is much better to solve problems peacefully; none of them want to “grab a gun first”. I have yet to meet a bona fide “war monger” in the military, at any pay grade.

I readily acknowledge that there are many ways of serving one’s country, other than the military. But the person who volunteers to serve in uniform has made a promise to place the country’s future above his or her own safety, to serve even in the face of danger to life and limb. The overwhelming majority of servicepeople are never called on to face that danger, but every one of them promised to do so, if ever asked.

So it’s not that I think less of people who don’t serve in the military; it’s just that I have more respect for those who do. The schoolteacher, the volunteer at the homeless shelter, even the clerk at the DMV, all these and many more are serving, and I respect and am thankful for their service. But I have more respect and admiration for those who have promised to take a bullet for me.