Reply #29: The kind of military we should have is

[Cleita]

one that can defend our nation against aggression, but our military should never be used to raid other countries. That makes us no better than the Huns of the Dark Ages. In a true Democracy this never would have happened.

I have always believed that every high school graduate before the age of 25 should do a stint in the military, so in case we do have a war like WWII we can have a trained force to call to duty. Also, I think the stint in the military should be mandatory or a draft, but going to war should be voluntary. I say this because in a just war, able bodied people will volunteer in droves to defend their country.

In a concocted war like Iraq, only the career military should be called on to go and if there aren't enough volunteers from the rank and file, there really won't be a war, IMHO.

I also believe there should be honor in the military, like you don't bomb or shoot anyone who isn't another soldier with a weapon aimed at you. That was the original intent of bombs, to destroy military installations of the enemy, not to bomb cities full of civilians.

I am just sick of how our present military has been brainwashed to believe this is a just war. Their lives are being thrown away for greed and the spoils of war to be enjoyed by the armchair generals far from the action.

Also, why can't our military be kept busy with explorations of sea and space for the sake of improving our science. I think this would be a useful function for the military and not accompanied with the horrors of war.