General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "WE'RE BUILDING A DOMESTIC ARMY" -Marine Corps Colonel Speaks Out [View all]pnwmom
(108,976 posts)to give people more volunteer opportunities as a way to strengthen America. That's why only those 2 sentences are included. If you heard the whole context you'd have a completely different reaction.
Which is why no progressive media figure, including Michael Moore and Rachel Maddow, has complained about this quote for five years. And why googling the quote will only bring you to crazy right wing sites and no mainstream media sources.
I found the whole passage at factcheck.org.
http://www.factcheck.org/2008/11/obamas-national-security-force/
Obama, July 2, Colorado Springs, CO: president I will expand AmeriCorps to 250,000 slots and make that increased service a vehicle to meet national goals, like providing health care and education, saving our planet and restoring our standing in the world, so that citizens see their effort connected to a common purpose.
People of all ages, stations and skills will be asked to serve. Because when it comes to the challenges we face, the American people are not the problem they are the answer. So we are going to send more college graduates to teach and mentor our young people. Well call on Americans to join an energy corps, to conduct renewable energy and environmental clean-up projects in their neighborhoods all across the country.
We will enlist our veterans to find jobs and support for other vets, and to be there for our military families. And were going to grow our Foreign Service, open consulates that have been shuttered and double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011 to renew our diplomacy. We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that weve set.
Weve got to have a civilian national security force thats just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded. We need to use technology to connect people to service. Well expand USA Freedom Corps to create online networks where American can browse opportunities to volunteer. Youll be able to search by category, time commitment and skill sets. Youll be able to rate service opportunities, build service networks, and create your own service pages to track your hours and activities.
This will empower more Americans to craft their own service agenda and make their own change from the bottom up.