JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"DownTime" wrote in message
. ..
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
In the past, you've said it was just an honor to serve in uniform, but
that's too general a statement at this point in history.
It is ALWAYS an honor to serve. The decision makers abilities and
rationale for going to war may be debatable, but anyone and everyone who
has put on a uniform to represent the USA has the right to be proud to do
so.

I'm not debating what you said. My point is that at this moment, it's a
pretty sure thing that someone who joins could end up in Iraq. The only
reason for our presence there that has even a hint of nobility is wanting to
introduce democracy, and Iraq's leaders have sympathetically said "Nice
idea, but don't count on it for a very long time. We are not you." The
history of the Shia vs Sunni mess also discounts the idea that democracy is
the solution to the problems in the region. (Think Northern Ireland, where
democracy solved nothing).

So, to simplify, a soldier offers to die because {fill in the blank,
please}. I don't believe honor is the reason.


I understand your point, I disagree with it being debated in the context
of this thread. If military policy was up to me, I'd bring home ALL our
troops, from every corner of the globe, and use the resources to secure
our borders and clean out the mess we have here, at home, my home, my
country. Use our troops to protect US. I'd stop trying to be the global
big brother.

The religious battles and outright hatred being fought and perpetrated
by various groups across the globe have been going on well before the
USA was even a thought. No amount of money or effort will ever change
that.


Have you served?

Interesting question. Why do you ask?

Just curious. I was sensing/guessing the answer.