Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Guess who were the only 'guest speakers' who attended Max's career day at school? Yep, you guessed it...all facets of the military. Army, Navy, Marines. Almost every other group that signed up to participate didn't show. Hm, that's strange.

Max came home complete with a "Go Army 2007" yellow wrist band, pamphlets, a head full of idea's (lies) about where he'd be 'stationed' if he signed up and completed boot camp AND an itemized list of all the 'perks' he would receive directly from the military. Including, the infamous GI Bill (which now doesn't pay enough for a kid to go to community college in Colorado), housing for his family (this is a good thing, I agree...except I've heard some pretty interesting stories about the conditions of military housing in the past 10 years) and spending money ($150 a week?) so he can purchase his own clothes and cd's (amongst a myriad of other items the recruiter used to appeal to a 14 year old.)

argh.

Then I read THIS!

http://www.alternet.org/story/51889/

Please do not mistake my disgust with recruitment practices with lack of support for these kids or as a disrespect for the thousands of veterans who served with honor and pride. That is in no way my intention and I mean no disrespect.

But, my son isn't going to this war and I'll be damned if someone with clearly less than ethical 'business' practice's is going to come to his school and somehow pollute his mind about the 'benefits' he'll receive he signs up. Benefits for vets is a thing of the past, these kids aren't receiving 'benefits.' They ARE receiving a shit load of mixed messages, zero mental heal support services upon returning home and minimal physical treatment for injuries.

I get that this has been going on now for years, but....it finally hit home and the gall of those bastards to come and try to encourage an innocent, naive young person to enlist in a military fighting an illegal war.

Not my kid buddy. Not Anyone's kid. No way.

Beat it, scram. You are not wanted here.

Joining the military should be voluntary, better yet...if you join the military, you should have the choice about whether you want to fight in a war like this. You certainly should NOT be harangued and deceived into joining. There is nothing, at all, even remotely ethical about that.

EFFERS!