Washblog

Either way, I think its a laudable idea, but not from the "lets get everyone to serve in the military so we don't have wars" sort of way. But, rather, I like how it expands the scope of service to non-military ends. So many kids end up in the military because of a desire to fulfill a higher calling and "to serve." While there are other outlets for service, he military is the best equipped to take on lots of folks who desire service.

We should also focus on building the capacity of non-military service.

________________
I blog here.

It took me most of my life to evolve out of this detrimental isolationist mentality. Some type of commuity or national service would've benefited me, probably--as long as it was NOT military. No one should be compelled to implement a rogue U.S. regime's violent, dangerous, oppressive agenda.

Story:
My older sister joined the military at age 19. NOT because of any idealistic desire to serve or excess patriotism--just that she couldn't think of anything else to do with herself. She was only an average student, did not like college, had no particular talents or ambitions, and wanted to get far away from home (Maryland).

Her first idea was to get a job at the brand-new Disney World in Orlando. Her friends gave her a going-away party with practical gifts that she'd need in her new place. Her first night in Orlando, she saw huge palmetto bug in her motel room, and heard screams from the next room. She freaked out and took the next flight home.

Plan B was the Army--she ended up in Tacoma. It was peacetime...nothing strenuous. She never could keep her weight down to Army standards, spent much time smoking dope, going to rock concerts and dating. She wrote me: "Most of the girls here are ugly, fat, and/or queer, so the guys go nuts when I come along..." It's hard to imagine someone like her actually deployed to a war zone...

What was my point? Not sure...

therefore, no on the national service idea.

unless the congress critters kids - even jenna and barbara - are jumping outta humvees with flak jackets and m-16s and people shooting at them ...

then it will be a joke.

if those kids national service = all hte cushy jobs at the national parks, well,

it will just be another boondoogle.

I do agree with the idea - I also remember all the rich kids getting the good paying / do nothing summer "jobs" in Massachusetts, while low income kids got low income jobs, if any at all.

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

Dave Gibney Pullman