# What are young people entering the military for-love of country or a hand up in life? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 10, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670 "2016-02-10T02:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/81 "2016-02-11T02:48:59Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What does that have to do with the military? I don’t know, they mention it. They feel that African Americans want their own rules when it comes to crime, etc. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/82 "2016-02-11T02:50:54Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Wow, did you drop a mic on the ground after writing this? 'Cause this post deserves a mic drop. **Glory Days** , you seem to have missed this post so I’m quoting it again for you. You should read it, and maybe discuss it with your alleged co-workers. > > Oh, and thanks for your service, **Bear Nenno**. I will try to. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/83 "2016-02-11T03:03:21Z")
I will gladly have my taxes go to paying the salaries of men and women who sign up for the military so I don’t have to - whether they want to kill kill kill or have “free” meals. Whatever their reasons - as long as it’s not me! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/84 "2016-02-11T03:10:19Z")
Why do these friends/coworkers hold the opinions they hold? On what evidence do they base their conclusions? What do they want done about this? Why should their opinions be respected? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/85 "2016-02-11T03:21:24Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > I don’t know, they mention it. They feel that African Americans want their own rules when it comes to crime, etc. Why don’t you just come right out and start the “My co-workers hate African Americans” thread? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/86 "2016-02-11T03:45:36Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > I don’t know, they mention it. They feel that African Americans want their own rules when it comes to crime, etc. And how does that make you feel? ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/87 "2016-02-11T03:49:30Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Why don’t you just come right out and start the “My co-workers hate African Americans” thread? I don’t think that they hate African Americans, they are tired of the talk of mass incarceration, it’s like if African Americans can get out of jail quick. They get peeved by this. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/88 "2016-02-11T03:52:34Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > And how does that make you feel? Obviously, it doesn’t feel good to be around that. They are worried about these issues. They feel that some African Americans enter the military for a personal gain, not for the sake of the country. I think that is what they are trying to say. Obviously, it doesn’t sound good to hear these things at work, but this is relevant to the thread. It’s important to have these discussions. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/89 "2016-02-11T03:55:07Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Obviously, it doesn’t feel good to be around that. They are worried about these issues. They feel that some African Americans enter the military for a personal gain, not for the sake of the country. I think that is what they are trying to say. Obviously, it doesn’t sound good to hear these things at work, but this is relevant to the thread. It’s important to have these discussions. But you think they are wrong. is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/90 "2016-02-11T03:55:40Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > I don’t think that they hate African Americans, they are tired of the talk of mass incarceration, it’s like if African Americans can get out of jail quick. They get peeved by this. So they would like African Americans to just shut up about the fact that at least for 150 years they have been disproportionately locked up and that they should just accept that this will continue indefinitely? And why is their being peeved about this worth more respect than the terror and anger of black people who are subject to this? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/91 "2016-02-11T03:57:32Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > it’s like if African Americans can get out of jail quick. Do **you** believe this or is this just another of your bigoted coworkers opinions you’ve decided to share with us? Why are **you** actively granting bigoted people a wider audience than they deserve? I don’t really care what your ignorant coworkers have to say. They aren’t members of this board are they? If you’d like us to debate with your coworkers direct them here so we can quit playing telephone. If you aren’t willing to voice any of your own opinions why are you here? Are your coworkers paying you to speak for them? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/92 "2016-02-11T04:03:11Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > My co-workers are tired of minorities Oh that’s OK honey, y’all are well on your way to becoming one. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/93 "2016-02-11T04:11:05Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But you think they are wrong. is that correct? Of course, John. Come on. I don’t think like them. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/94 "2016-02-11T04:12:13Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Do **you** believe this or is this just another of your bigoted coworkers opinions you’ve decided to share with us? > > Why are **you** actively granting bigoted people a wider audience than they deserve? > > I don’t really care what your ignorant coworkers have to say. They aren’t members of this board are they? If you’d like us to debate with your coworkers direct them here so we can quit playing telephone. > > If you aren’t willing to voice any of your own opinions why are you here? Are your coworkers paying you to speak for them? This is what I hear at work, on television, on the radio. This is not only my coworkers view. You need to hear what everyone is saying in America. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/95 "2016-02-11T04:17:31Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Of course, John. Come on. I don’t think like them. Then you’re perfectly capable of arguing with them yourself, so why don’t you just do that and leave us out of it? We don’t know these people; we don’t interact with these people; we have no idea why they even believe what they do. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/96 "2016-02-11T04:19:34Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > This is what I hear at work, on television, on the radio. This is not only my coworkers view. Why do you keep repeating it? If I want to hear ignorant people talking I can flip on the TV myself > [@](#): > > You need to hear what everyone is saying in America. You keep saying this. No I don’t I don’t need to hear people saying ignorant shit constantly to know such ignorance exists. I can head over and read the Stormfront forums anytime I want. I really don’t see any reason to. IMHO **you** are damaging this board. You aren’t fighting ignorance you are just spreading it. If you want to spout off all the stupid shit you hear each day create a blog or something, or at the very least start a pit thread. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/97 "2016-02-11T04:21:47Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Why do you keep repeating it? If I want to hear ignorant people talking I can flip on the TV myself > > You keep saying this. No I don’t I don’t need to hear people saying ignorant shit constantly to know such ignorance exists. I can head over and read the Stormfront forums anytime I want. I really don’t see any reason to. > > IMHO **you** are damaging this board. You aren’t fighting ignorance you are just spreading it. > > If you want to spout off all the stupid shit you hear each day create a blog or something, or at the very least start a pit thread. You might be right. I’ll talk to my coworkers tomorrow. I have to go. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/98 "2016-02-11T04:26:58Z")
Before you go, many of us have asked you to present evidence to support your OP’s claim: > [@you](#): > > I understand the GOP wants to tear her down as much as possible and this is more a political ploy than anything else If you are not going to do so, can you at least tell us that you have no intention of supporting it? So far, you have not offered one piece of evidence in support of this very wild assertion. And no, claiming your “friends” or “co-workers” believe it does not count as evidence. Anyone of us can make up any random piece of BS if we like. Simple question: Are you going to support that claim or not? ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/99 "2016-02-11T04:35:50Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Before you go, many of us have asked you to present evidence to support your OP’s claim: > > If you are not going to do so, can you at least tell us that you have no intention of supporting it? So far, you have not offered one piece of evidence in support of this very wild assertion. And no, claiming your “friends” or “co-workers” believe it does not count as evidence. Anyone of us can make up any random piece of BS if we like. > > Simple question: Are you going to support that claim or not? No I will not. The GOP doesn’t like the Clintons. They haven’t since 1992. My co workers and friends are just crazy and opinionated. I obviously disagree with them. I’m not here to hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s like any other workplace, diner, college that I have been at. I hear these things. It’s not right, but you know what, it’s the way it is. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670/100 "2016-02-11T04:47:42Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Do **you** believe this or is this just another of your bigoted coworkers opinions you’ve decided to share with us? > > Why are **you** actively granting bigoted people a wider audience than they deserve? > > I don’t really care what your ignorant coworkers have to say. They aren’t members of this board are they? If you’d like us to debate with your coworkers direct them here so we can quit playing telephone. > > If you aren’t willing to voice any of your own opinions why are you here? Are your coworkers paying you to speak for them? I am not bigoted at all. I despise it. I will try to talk to my co workers tomorrow and tame them down. Every thing is going to be okay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-young-people-entering-the-military-for-love-of-country-or-a-hand-up-in-life/745670.md?page=6)