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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

controversial.


I must say that I much rather write about complete nonsense, it's much more fun to me for some reason. Maybe it's because a toddler boy has infiltrated my entire being, I don't know.

Today, however, is a different story. And, yes, it's about war and the efforts being made overseas. I came across a girl from high school's profile. I knew her pretty well – all things considered. We went to after school care together for a while, and I always knew she was the artistic type. So if you want to read further into stereotypes you may, but what I saw on her profile already spelled it out. I didn't have to. She had a picture of a girl involved in "peaceful demonstration". She carried a sign that read: "bombing for peace is like f*cking for virginity". How sad. All I can think is this person needs to be told what reality is. But, IN REALITY, I know it wouldn't and doesn't matter. There is a certain point for all of us that we reach where it doesn't matter what anyone tells you – you will think what you want – regardless.
So, that's fine. All I can say is what all of you already know. To make such a statement, is clearly ridiculous. It doesn't make sense and for a person to draw those parallels. Well, let's just say that the way this person thinks isn't logical, so no amount of explaining is going to make this person understand. Sad. As crude as the movie "Team America" is – it's true when it comes to actors trying to understand what they aren't schooled in. We all remember the line from the movie, "As actors, it is our responsibility to read the newspapers, and then say what we read on television like it's our own opinion." And it's not just actors. People. People thinking they have a handle, a grasp, an understanding of something when their statements clearly show otherwise.

I don't know how I feel about what's going on with our troops and Iraq right now. I know I am grateful that Rob isn't over there. But the possibility always looms, even HERE at a training base, which is something I have recently learned. I certainly don't claim to have all the answers either. So mostly it's disheartening to think how people chomp at the bit to make a statement (however uninformed) on this issue. It's sad to me, because it has become a little bit more personal to me because of Rob.

Rob is very sensitive, conscientious, and is a very strong and caring person at the same time. He has a strong core - striving, excelling, and devoting himself to the military. I love him, but that aside, he is a person of integrity. And when I see careless statements being made about war and bombs, it hurts. He has a lot more education and training in his field and profession. It's not just about "bombing" as though it's a close-your-eyes-and-pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey thing. It's about skill, military intelligence, precision….much more knowledge and comprehension required than inscribing some catchy, yet tacky, claim on a piece of poster board with a Sharpie.

One thing he was required to memorize is this little blue book issued to him as a new cadet. It's a synopsis of the history of the Air Force and the military in general. If U.S. military history could be condensed, this is what it would be. This little book is required to be with you at all times, and at any given minute, upperclassman can demand you recite any section of it.

A quote by John Stuart Mill seems fitting: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

I hope that things look up and that efforts come to an end once things have been resolved. And I still believe there are certain things worth fighting for. And I know that a lot of the nation just wants to give up and quit because it is simply easier…..

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