Reply #14: What, exactly,

[manic expression]

did that have to do with what we're talking about? This thread has been about how a high-ranking military officer said something completely ridiculous to try to paint the US Military's restrictions on joining as "elite". That statement was, in fact, preposterous and ludicrous and deserving of criticism.

There are physical standards, but I am quite sure that the military rejects few of those who do not meet them outright (IIRC, they are usually put into programs to help get them up to those standards, and are kept to the commitments they signed off on). And even if you include those, that does nothing to make the statement that "Only 25% of High School students can join the military" any less foolish.

HOW, in any way, does that remotely express "broad based hatred of the US Military"????? I'll give you a hint: It doesn't.

If you want to talk about criticism of the military's action in war, especially in Iraq, that is a whole different story. However, let me tell you that most people on this forum (as in the vast majority) support the troops. More importantly, even more people on this forum do not want them put into danger, or kept there, for no reason whatsoever. The Republican party is the party that cares not when soldiers get their faces blown off by IED's, or when so many young men and women are crippled for life (physically and mentally); the people on this forum, however, do. When it comes to the US Military's participation in terrible actions, many people on this forum object to that in the highest degree, but that has no connection with any sort of negative feeling toward the US Military. Does that clear things up for you, or should I continue?