Leathermanwave,
I think you are right in this. It seems that the military has become a political tool. It is being used more and more as a prop in political struggles than as a military who's sole existence is to defend our nation and destroy those who would do US(A) harm. The Army wasn't founded to be the world police, or a political prop for politicians to take their photo ops with in order to garner votes (which, sadly, is starting to become the case now days). I spent 8 years in the Army. I spent 1 year of that in the desert. Care to guess who we had to bust our butts for? Not the guys coming in from the front line, who deserve a hero's welcome and all of our thanks but some know it all politician checking a box and paying lip service to our men in arms so they can garner a few votes come next election. Those same know it all politicians went home to badmouth what we are doing over there, knowing damn well that they never had the backbone to suit up themselves.
I found the picture offensive to, until I realized what was meant behind it.
- EDIT Below -
Sorry for losing my candor there. I had to deal with a lot of political bs, both from diplomats and, unfortunately, senior NCO's in my chain of command. Not all of my NCO's but just one or two in positions of real power. I edit while leaving the original in tact because my sentiment is shared by many of those I served with, reguardless of how unacceptable it was to voice and display our disdain for our civilian leadership. Tell me again why I have to follow the orders of a group of people who largely have never really held the yoke of leadership? Guess I just need to leave this topic alone as I don't seem to be able to keep my calm when discussing it.
HEHEHE- post of the apocalypse
