Topic: Foreign Policy
Hello -- We've Come For Your Children Let me tell you a little story. It is a true story, although I wish it were not.by MikeFoster
(Libertarian)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My son and I have the same first name so sometimes I take his phone calls by mistake. My son is a High School senior. Yesterday a military recruiter called asking for Michael Foster, and the phone was handed to me.
"Hello Michael, I'm the recruiter for your school, I'd like to talk to you about your plans for after graduation."
This is not the first time we've received a call from a recruiter since my son became a senior. They never give their name - they just say "I'm the recruiter for your school". I told him he was speaking to Michael's dad - then I proceeded to blast him big-time. He hung up on me.
I will be asking the School Principal why they are giving the kids' private information out to solicitors, although I don't expect much of an answer. In fact, I think there was something in the so-called "No Child Left Behind" act which facilitated this "sharing" of information. "No Child Left Behind" means: every child has the same obligation to die for their President!
Good ol' Bubba
There is a certain group of people that I refer to as having the "bubba" mentality (believe it or not, that group is not limited to Alabama, LOL). They tend to think like this:
"We're gonna whup their a**! We're gonna teach them a lesson! Kill 'em all! Nuke the b*st*rds!"
After hearing this sentiment I then mention how proud they must be, knowing that their son or daughter will die for the glory of Bush! Needless to say, they do not reply very kindly, and the bubba mentality is unleashed on me.
Sigh...
I do not think the military has the right to intervene between parents and their children. My wife, I and our children have discussions about their future. Of course, we want them to go to college, but I have tried to be honest and objective with them about the military options.
I do not think public High Schools should become military recruitment pools.
I absolutely do not want my children to die in some far-away place and for some reason I can't fathom.
Sigh...
[end of rant]
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 8 thumbs so far
2008 MikeFoster, all rights reserved.
Published: Thursday, February 28, 2008
Last modified: Thursday, February 28, 2008
The views expressed in this
article are those of MikeFoster only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. MikeFoster is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Well, that's the problem. The original intention of public education - to turn out learned people and, failing that, to turn out domestically useful people. It's not to be used for any other purpose than that. It's not a feeding ground for the military machine. Now, if they want to put out information and make themselves available as an option, that wouldn't be problematic. You know, have a real volunteer military. But what you're talking about is far more common.
I mean, when the USMC recruiters called for me, the guy introduced himself by name, called me by name, and at the appointment he had an awesome pitch. I didn't even have enough perspective to realize I was being sold the Corps. My mom eventually convinced me to not pursue it, but they got my brother eventually. He'd tagged along to my meeting, and they sold him without even talking to him.
I mean, what happened to me happened more nicely than to you, but the core elements are still the same. It's a shame, really.
Rant on Mike! Back in my high school daze, a century ago (or so it seems) military recruiters were given access to the campus. They even had assemblies for anyone interested in learning about the military option. I've got no problem with that.
Today it is required for all schools to provide military channels personal information. When I was the Dir. of Admissions for a private college we even had to comply since many of our students took out student loans through the federally insured programs. This I've got a REAL problem with! I welcome recruiters on campus but personal information and unsolicited calls to the home should not be a part of the support for our military.
One thing I will commend you on is the discussions you are having. The most important aspect of any decision for a high school senior's future should be with the support system they have. No one sat down and discussed options with me and I went into the military simply to escape foster care, not a good reason and it completely altered my life's course. Don't take me wrong, I stayed 16 years (most of them good) and still honor my oath, yet if someone had actually discussed my other options with me I would have been in college instead.
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
2008 MikeFoster, all rights reserved.