. . .the military PR machine doesn’t seem to be working. In case you can’t view the article, Washington is calling up NG members from places like Kwigillingok, Kongiganak, and Manokotak, places even I haven’t heard of.
From the article:
Yes, I know they signed on the line (and Alaska Natives stepped up when called in WWII), but the reasons given by some is that they thought the uniforms looked snazzy or that they just wanted to get the chance to fire a machine gun. These are poor people whose families rely on them 100% for food for the winter. Another man bringing food to a woman’s house can lead to ostracism or worse. Has it really gotten that bad? Is the all-volunteer force unable to attract new recruits? What’s next, raiding veterans’ homes and boy scout troops?
I suppose this will end up in the Pit, but I’m really just looking for opinions, not a fight.
I especially liked the photo of the guardsmen in white outfits against the snow. This kind of training will come in mighty handy in those snowy Iraqui winters.
My opinion is, what’s the problem? They joined the National Guard of their own free will and they’re being called to duty. Why is it even worthy of comment?
People have been lying to the indigenous population for several hundred years, so ‘free will’ is probably debatable in this case. The problem is that the USG appears to have hit rock bottom for recruits. The national guard hasn’t been called up in 50 years. It would seem that we are somewhat overextended, and now we’re eyeballing Iran. Where are the troops going to come from if that balloon goes up?
Why is this a problem? Should they just get to “pretend” to be soldiers. Just train all the time and without ever having the threat of deployment because their women need them at home? They’ve been collecting a paycheck and benefits, now it’s time to put out. This is no worse than any other Guard unit being deployed. What state they’re from is irrelevant. If you dont think they should be deployed, then they should not be allowed to join to begin with.
Any person who has the will to enlist carries the burden of deployment. No person has more of a right to stay home with family than any other.
Ah. We must protect them from themselves. I see. Do you have any idea how condescending that statement sounds?
Well, no shit. I agree with that part. Some may have noticed from my posts on this board that I am neither in favor of the invasion of Iraq nor in favor of the way it has been conducted.
However, I reserve the right to maintain a little common sense. Anyone who is in the National Guard or the Reserves or is on active duty accepted when they signed up that they would do what they were told when they were told.
You have doubts that free will is involved because “People have been lying to the indigenous population for several hundred years…” To me, that certainly implies that a)they are not fully reponsible adult people with minds of their own who are certainly capable of discerning lies; b) are not capable of making their own reasoned decisions; and, c) require protection from those telling the alleged lies.
If I drew incorrect conclusions, please, tell me what you did mean.
