On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 14:28:25 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 09:21:47 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Eisboch wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in message
...


I'd love to have Harry look my oldest son in the eye and tell him just
how lame he is. Or my oldest daughter who was in the Navy.

I like Harry, but sometimes, he just jumps and doesn't look and it
sours his relations with people who would be friendly.

Live long and prosper,

Tom


I don't dislike Harry. I dislike or disagree with some of his statements and
assertions.
Sadly though, the statement in question here was not a "jump" on his part.
He truly believes what he says and has made similar comments often over the
years. It is obviously a result of his own background, education and
experience and is consistent with his basic political views.

You're jumping from my generalizations to specific individuals. My point
is this: generally speaking, our brightest 18-24 year olds do not enlist
in the military. Our brightest youngsters in that age category head for
college. If you have some legitimate statistics that dispute my posit,
I'll be glad to look at them. I'm NOT saying that no bright kids head
for the military, because certainly some do. But the brightest kids have
better options.

I recently read a couple of articles that indicated the Army was
planning on lowering the mental ability standards in its "admission
tests" to accommodate the kinds of enlistees it was getting these days.
If that is the case, it does not bode well for the "best and brightest"
claim.


I am not offended because my son is currently in the military either. What
Harry doesn't seem to understand is that many, including both my sons and
frankly myself served because we felt an obligation to do so, driven by
personal reasons that include old fashioned patriotism.

Oh, sure. I wouldn't dispute that. It's too bad that their patriotism is
being squandered by a neocon fascist administration, though, eh? And
that the institution they serve - the military - is so corrupt and
self-serving. As I have stated any number of times, I have respect for
individual soliders, but not much for "the military" as an institution.


More importantly,
the experience of giving something of importance which is greater than one's
own self interests is an important lesson that serves one well in life in my
opinion.

Indeed...which is why I have so much respect for classroom teachers,
firemen, nurses, case workers, religious workers who truly help the poor
and the sick, and soldiers involved in genuine, multi-national
peacekeeping efforts that stop wars.

What a weasel. Your "respect for classroom teachers" can be seen in
the many negative comments you've made about teachers.

Bull. I've made negative comments about *you* as a teacher.

You lie, Harry.

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!