Don't get me wrong... I believe that the military is a necessity in any country. But I believe that all should serve in some capacity.

I believe the Isreali model is the best. Upon graduating secondary school, every one does a hitch in the military... male, female, rich or poor... it doesn't matter. The kids learn things (discipline, responsibility, get great educational starts), the military has the people power to function. Some kids decide to stay in, something they might not have done without the experience.

Yes, the war part is the ugly part. Unfortunately this is a planet of war... it always has been and it probably always will be. As long as one part of the world has something the other part wants or feels superior to some other people, there will be war or rebellion or name that violence.

That's not to say I think its right, just that it IS. What one hopes is that the powers that be in a country recognize the effects of war beyond their own desire for power or legacy... that they don't send our troops off on a pissin' contest such as the one we are in now and ill equipped to fight. I've heard Iraq referred to as this generations Viet Nam. The longer it goes on, and the more I read or hear, the more I'm inclined to agree.

I always will support our troops. But not necessarily their "commander in chief".

spazz, stepping off her soapbox