Why dont John Kerry shut his mouth?

IronSharpensIron

How can a Vietnam veteran/officer accuse our soldiers of being uneducated. I worked with many, myself included, that have college and serve or served. I know officers and enlisted with masters and PHD's. We have a volunteer force that serves well and represents us well overall, and he does this? He may have cost the Dems their lead in the elections..... Shocked

FFT · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:03 am Post subject:

In the Spring semester I had an English Composition class. At some point, the army came up, as well as how Christianity would seem to preclude people from enlisting. The argument basically became me going "just because you don't have many options when you're uneducated/poor doesn't mean you have to go into the Army, there are other options — especially considering the whole 'do not murder' deal." Pretty much the rest of the class (and this is college, mind you) was arguing that some people have no options but the Army. To this I basically guffawed.

Anyway, the vast majority of Army enlistees wouldn't be the sharpest crayons in the drawer when they enlist. The Army is pretty good about education once you're in.

Pondering · Lion King Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 1281

FFT, you're both right and wrong...

You're right that the military has great training/education programs...where I feel you're wrong is that the range of individuals' intellect and education is much broader than most people who don't regularly interact with the military understand.

In short, lots of smart, college eligible, young people (from middle and lower classes) enlist...some of the "elite" class do too, but that's usually an act of rebellion (in my experience)....

Anecdotally, I'm one of those folks that comes from a middle-class, midwestern family with a history of military service (at least one enlistment)...My grades (and SAT) were good enough to get me into any state college I wanted and 2 of the 4 private schools I applied too...they were not good enough however to get me a scholarship nor was I an exceptional athlete....so, I enlisted in part to spare my parents the expense of educating me...once I was "inside" the military, I found alot of folks serving were just like me....

Yet, among the liberal left, alot of people portray everyone in the military as either psychopathic killers or poor ignorant victims.... Rolling Eyes

P1234567890 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:53 am Post subject:

If you think about it, there aren't that many mechanisms for upward mobility in America. Forget about rock stars and lottery winners, because their numbers are insignificant. What can the average person born into a poor family do to make it in America?

The military is certainly one mechanism for upward mobility. Getting a scholarship is another... If you're outrageously good-looking, you can marry upwards... Are there many other ways?

I think the bottom line is that since America has so few social programs, upward mobility is difficult.

theseldomscene · Banned Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 7817

kerry should not have made the comment...... Laughing

...

P1234567890 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:53 am Post subject:

theseldomscene · Banned Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 7817

amen...

Pondering · Lion King Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 1281

This is from a right wing group...but worth a look at...the methodology looks pretty sound to me.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda06-09.cfm

Trinity1 · Emperor of the World Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 3111

In other words... Kerry is wrong... the percentage of High Diploma Grads in the Military is higher than the national average. The average aptitude test score is higher than the national average, the average income is higher, minorities are not being exploited... etc...

Then where, pray tell does Kerry gets his information? His old tired worn out stereo-typed Vietnam era mindset where are soldiers were/are murdering bloodthirsty thugs terrorizing the Iraqi people.

Kerry, among many others, need to take a real hard look who is serving today and what type of folks they are.

Trinity1 · Emperor of the World Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 3111

If you go to Drudgereport.com there is a picture of some soldiers in Iraq holding up a sign for John Kerry:

P1234567890 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject:

Guys, I think everyone here agrees with you that Kerry's an idiot; you're preaching to the choir!

Still, I'd like to re-emphasize the point that if you support the troops, it would make a lot more sense for you to focus your anger on Bush rather than Kerry...

IronSharpensIron · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:32 pm Post subject:

....HERE IS THE BANNER...

IronSharpensIron · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:38 pm Post subject:

From P#'s

P1234567890 · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:43 pm Post subject:

IronSharpensIron · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject:

Some/all of it is kidding P3's-believe it or not im a full time clown! #Afro

So that in mind-I am extremely good looking and married up-i mean i married someone smarter and more important than me-thats what i mean by up. My wealth is measured in loving my kids and knowing who God is...money is not in play at all..
Hope that helps-and if you find my vanity on being gorgeous... #Rofl

a sin then disregard cuz i am just kidding..unless you ask my wife... Cool