[BasketBallonlyfan]

For teens mired in poverty and limited opportunties, the
military (Army and Marines) can be made to look pretty
good. The burden of the implementation of war plans falls
upon those who "ain't no fortunate son." As a nation, we
don't pay the "grunts" very well; we don't take care of them
after they are wounded all that well. With that said, I
spent an hour or so yesterday watching footage of 9/11 on
You Tube and a few History Channel programs. The whole idea
of redemptive violence (the idea that some good can come
of the use of it), whether employed by terrorists or
liberators, is a dead end street: it goes nowhere, leads
to nowhere, and ends in destruction, anguish and tears.

How many "aint no fortunate sons" are there that start out at the upper or middle levels of any business? The military is like any other business. You start at the bottom and work your way up. Do you think that General Patton or Admiral Nimitz started out as officers? Just the same as the CEO of Microsoft or Wal Mart. In your opinion do you think that they would hire someone right out of high school as a first job in charge of the Eastern region of the United States? You put down the military like they are the only ones who take advantage of the young and under privileged. The whole country does it. I would be willing to bet the whole world does it. As much as it sounds like you want to cut down the armed forces for taking advantage of youths, remember they are fighting for your right to put them down also. Just like what was said in the football forum about ref bashing. Sign up, put on a uniform, build your way up then change the system.

One other thing, you mentioned the Army and Marines. Doesnt the Navy and Air Force do the same things?