That says it all right there. There is no disputing this fact. What is being done in the media is that they try to turn the 20% into the 80%.
I would like your thoughts on something. All of the anti war activists act like they know what is going on in the minds of the soldiers. What puzzles me is how many people in the military they could possibly know. Do people who are against war actually associate with people whose very job is war? To me it's like the KKK trying to tell us what black people think.
Quote from H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956): "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorius day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
My son was in Iraq with the 101st until about a year ago. Although I'm sure some do exist he wasn't aware of any soldiers that had a problem with the war itself. Most of the complaints were a result of repeatedly being scheduled to come home then having the departure date delayed. There was one group already on board a ship destined home that were told to disembark.
Dr. Markan, As a former Marine I can answer your question directly. You are bascially correct. Everyone has a different reason for joining, but I never met anyone who joined for financial reasons. Marines join because they want to be a part of the finest fighting force on the Earth. They want to do something important and meaningful. They do not want to sit in a classroom for another four years and get a job in a cubicle. Pat Tillman, who quit the NFL to join the Army Rangers, represents the norm in terms of attitude much more so than the couple of guys Mr. Moore dug up for his film. Reservists and National Guardsmen are also great patriots, because they most of the time have families and good jobs and yet they still volunteer. In my case, I already had an M.S. and a good job when I signed up for 4 years active duty. (And just a reminder-- the entire officer corps already has a college degree when they join. ) As usual, the only explanation the left can come up with to explain things is that people are stupid. Stupid idiots voted for Bush because they are stupid, and stupid disadvantaged kids join the armed forces because they have no choice, and are forced to fight against their will. They also focus on the accidental civilian casualties in operations like Fallujah, but never compare those to the civilians deliberately attacked and killed with every kidnapping, every car bomb that goes on in Iraq and elsewhere. Then they tell us we are just making more enemies, as if there are a bunch of people sitting around the middle east-- "well, didn't mind the USA much before, but now.. I hate them and I'll go ahead and be a suicide bomber!!" Here are some items from today's news that are reasons why people join: "U.S. Marines rescued two hostages being held captive in an apparent torture chamber, FOX News has learned. Soldiers were led to the chamber by a tip from one of the hostages' relatives and by the hostages' screams." And these pictures I love... roundin' up the bad guys...
Plain and simple... lots of 18 yr olds see what the Marines are doing in that picture are decide THAT's what they want to do now in life. Of course, the left presumes the guy in the black pajamas was just hangin' out in Fallujah, minding his business, when the bad Marines came by and unjustly imprisoned him... without access to a lawyer!!!
unfortunately money has far more to do with why most kids join the military than patriotism. everyone i knew that joined either had no other options or wanted direction in their lives. patriotism was just the icing on the cake. that being said, i agree that once they've signed up, they're stuck and should follow orders.