Politicization of the Military

[Bo Diddley]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...itics-problem/

The political divide in the US is pulling the military into the chasm. As an institution, we try to remain apolitical. As an individual of no public significance, I'm happy to share my own political views. But I would never try to assert that my positions represent the military itself in any way shape or form. If I were higher up the food chain, I would probably abstain from even engaging in political discourse on here.

As an institution, we've enjoyed public support and confidence all my time in the military. Now that confidence is slipping. From the article:

From 2018 to 2022, trust and confidence in the uniformed services plummeted from 70 percent to 48 percent (it was 45% in 2021), according to the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute survey. No other public institution has endured as steep and speedy a fall, the foundation warned.

Politicizing Covid and the vaccine is a large part of this, but the bigger factor is simply how deeply divided this country is. Pulling every institution down into that black hole is simply a natural result of that division.

The Army fell 15000 short of their recruiting goal this past year. Politicians are trying to score political points off the military. "They can't recruit because it's too woke." Or "They can't recruit because of the vaccine mandate." They can't recruit, because you are playing to your base and eroding confidence in the military to score political points. Go on and continue to fan the flames of distrust for your political expediency and burn down the institutions you cherish.

[Uncle Ted]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...itics-problem/

The political divide in the US is pulling the military into the chasm. As an institution, we try to remain apolitical. As an individual of no public significance, I'm happy to share my own political views. But I would never try to assert that my positions represent the military itself in any way shape or form. If I were higher up the food chain, I would probably abstain from even engaging in political discourse on here.

As an institution, we've enjoyed public support and confidence all my time in the military. Now that confidence is slipping. From the article:



Politicizing Covid and the vaccine is a large part of this, but the bigger factor is simply how deeply divided this country is. Pulling every institution down into that black hole is simply a natural result of that division.

The Army fell 15000 short of their recruiting goal this past year. Politicians are trying to score political points off the military. "They can't recruit because it's too woke." Or "They can't recruit because of the vaccine mandate." They can't recruit, because you are playing to your base and eroding confidence in the military to score political points. Go on and continue to fan the flames of distrust for your political expediency and burn down the institutions you cherish.

Who would want to join the military if the commander and chief will just leave you to rot in a Russian prison? Screw that, man. I would rather stay home living in my parents' basement playing video games, collect my covid handouts, and have Uncle Joe forgive my student loans. Only big dummies serve in the military to pay for college. And let's not talk about the 13 service members that were killed in the botched pull-out in Afghanistan. I would rather be playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. It hurts a lot less to die in that game.

[Bo Diddley]

Who would want to join the military if the commander and chief will just leave you to rot in a Russian prison? Screw that, man. I would rather stay home living in my parents' basement playing video games, collect my covid handouts, and have Uncle Joe forgive my student loans. Only big dummies serve in the military to pay for college. And let's not talk about the 13 service members that were killed in the botched pull-out in Afghanistan. I would rather be playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. It hurts a lot less to die in that game.

I'll say it again. The political divide in the US is pulling the military into the chasm.

[BigPiney]

In my daughter's friend group of around 10, two kids have signed up. One in the Army, who flew to S Korea yesterday. The other in the Navy that goes to boot camp in January. I also baptized him on saturday. Both are Native American.

[Bo Diddley]

In my daughter's friend group of around 10, two kids have signed up. One in the Army, who flew to S Korea yesterday. The other in the Navy that goes to boot camp in January. I also baptized him on saturday. Both are Native American.

When we went to Iraq, our unit had a detachment in Blanding and about half were Native Americans. One of the big news outlets came out to interview them in Iraq.

[BigPiney]

When we went to Iraq, our unit had a detachment in Blanding and about half were Native Americans. One of the big news outlets came out to interview them in Iraq.

My community is 25% Native.

School(local)where my wife works is:

35.5% - American Indian or Alaska Native

28.4% - Hispanic/Latino

23.2% - White

I'd love to see these kids pursue the military.

[Bo Diddley]

My community is 25% Native.

School(local)where my wife works is:

35.5% - American Indian or Alaska Native

28.4% - Hispanic/Latino

23.2% - White

I'd love to see these kids pursue the military.

Yeah, the military isn't for everyone, but I've seen a ton of people where it provided great opportunities to change their circumstances. I love how I've been able to connect to so many people from different backgrounds and walks of life.

[Uncle Ted]

When we went to Iraq, our unit had a detachment in Blanding and about half were Native Americans. One of the big news outlets came out to interview them in Iraq.

I guess the military loves Native Americans. My father, who is twice more Native American than me (and I am like a 1000x more Native American than Liz Warren, Pocahontas herself!), was drafted when he was only 18, before he graduated from High School. He didn't like boot camp much and wouldn't talk much about the time he spent in France and Germany during the war.

[Bo Diddley]

I guess the military loves Native Americans. My father, who is twice more Native American than me (and I am like a 1000x more Native American than Liz Warren, Pocahontas herself!), was drafted when he was only 18, before he graduated from High School. He didn't like boot camp much and wouldn't talk much about the time he spent in France and Germany during the war.

I know I do. I've got some special memories from the times I spent with Native American soldiers. That bond of brotherhood knows no race or class distinction.

I love what the Code Talkers were able to do. They perfectly represent strength in diversity.

[wuapinmon]

They perfectly represent strength in diversity.

Amen to that. E Pluribus Unum.

[Goatnapper'96]

Amen to that. E Pluribus Unum.

The source of strength was the One. Let it be from diverse or homogenous communities the source of strength is consensus. America is unique because it can still get consensus from the many, or at lease it could at one time, and as the Code Talkers demonstrated use diverse characteristics in the accomplishment of the consensus goals. Sometimes it appears to me that our modern culture wants to teach that the source of strength was diversity in and of itself-when the source of strength was an overriding commitment to the consensus goals even when if that required subordinating sub-cultural goals or habits. Neither diversity nor homogenaity are anything other than is- in and of themselves. We are not united because of our differences we are united because of the goals and values we share in common.

[Bo Diddley]

The source of strength was the One. Let it be from diverse or homogenous communities the source of strength is consensus. America is unique because it can still get consensus from the many, or at lease it could at one time, and as the Code Talkers demonstrated use diverse characteristics in the accomplishment of the consensus goals. Sometimes it appears to me that our modern culture wants to teach that the source of strength was diversity in and of itself-when the source of strength was an overriding commitment to the consensus goals even when if that required subordinating sub-cultural goals or habits. Neither diversity nor homogenaity are anything other than is- in and of themselves. We are not united because of our differences we are united because of the goals and values we share in common.

Queen's "One Vision" just played in my head.

[Pelado]

Queen's "One Vision" just played in my head.

Still stuck on the royal family, I see.

[wuapinmon]

The source of strength was the One. Let it be from diverse or homogenous communities the source of strength is consensus. America is unique because it can still get consensus from the many, or at lease it could at one time, and as the Code Talkers demonstrated use diverse characteristics in the accomplishment of the consensus goals. Sometimes it appears to me that our modern culture wants to teach that the source of strength was diversity in and of itself-when the source of strength was an overriding commitment to the consensus goals even when if that required subordinating sub-cultural goals or habits. Neither diversity nor homogenaity are anything other than is- in and of themselves. We are not united because of our differences we are united because of the goals and values we share in common.

I'd agree with this in its entirety, historically. I feel like now there is so much polarization that shouldn't be happening that it'll take another 9-11-type event to bring us back to unity of purpose. Ukraine has shown us what can happen, very quickly, to spur unity when an outside agent attempts to intrude. Russia invading Ukraine is the equivalent of family being able to say some absolutely mean shit to one another, but as soon as someone from outside the family tries to say the same thing....awww hell no.

[Bo Diddley]

Still stuck on the royal family, I see.