I reject the notion that serving in the military is the greatest way one can serve their country.
ColoradoJ said 03/21, 06:06 PM
I'm not saying that those who serve in the military are not making a huge sacrifice for the country. However, I am saying that those who work in the non-profit sector, those who teach in poor areas, those who serve in the peace corp, fire men and women, many police men and women, pro-bono doctors, etc. are just as much heroes as those who serve in the military.
457692345653 said 03/21, 10:40 PM
Why, in Canada then, do thousands of people come to the funerals to soldiers that have served their Duty in Afghanistan? Not only that, some jobs are taken because of good military rankings. Think about the Founding Fathers of the U.S.A.. They nearly risked their lives just to get America's Freedom. If there were none of the jobs that ColoradoJ listed were not taken, some people could die, and I am not dishonoring their lives. But if an entire country dies, that is many more people. It is sort of sacrificing 1 life for 100.
Military servises also have alot of Propaganda behind them, saying that they are good things. That is also true, and that is why so many people serve in the military.
ColoradoJ said 03/22, 12:39 AM
Did not thousands of people attend the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. and other great non-military servants of our country? Would not thousands of people die if we did not have doctors to cure our diseases or non-profit workers feeding the homeless?
Your last point at the bottom makes no sense what so ever.
457692345653 said 03/22, 10:29 AM
These people are important but the military people still are important because they help things. What would happen if the US military did not attack Iraq? Without the military to help stabilize other countries, there could not be war between just 2 countries, but many others, too. Even a World War could happen if countries are not stable. Without a military, the country could not be defended. As well, think about why many worldwide superpoweres have their status today. In the 1800's, England and France's Armies were feared. Do you think they could have once owned all of British North America without a threat to the people's land? As well, look at the current but weakening superpower, America. They have a large stock of weapons and a well-trained army. Is this not a military thing that makes America shine? Now, turn to future superpowers China and India to give them a look. China has a large population, making the recruits easier to get. Both India's and China's economies are strong, helping them buy more military supplies for the future.
If the military is not something that can be honored, no one should serve in our armed forces.
Finish
ColoradoJ said 03/22, 07:52 PM
Did you not read my first argument at all? I am not at all saying the military is not important. Rather, I am saying that we should not regard people who serve in the military as greater than say a fire man or woman.
I never said we should not honor the military, I am just saying it should not be honored above all other ways of serving a country.
On a side note, military power (hard power) is not the only way a nation becomes powerful. It takes a good mix of hard power (military) and soft power (economic, culture) to become a world power. The collapse of the Soviet Union is a good example of how relying solely on one's military for power will not work in the long run.
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This argument is diffcult to go one way or the other as the entire premise is opinion. Do you feel that the military is the GREATEST way to serve or not? It is a matter of opinion, not something that can be proven one way or another. There are many jobs, each are important in their own fashion. Trying to compare a teacher to a solider is pointless as they serve completely different functions and both are vital to the survival of a nation. I cannot vote either way as this debate cannot be truly won.
Ariyel | 03/22/08
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This is ridiculous... numbers guy, please try to comprehend an argument before trying to refute it. And what is with the five minute gaps between the main point of your argument and the weird little nonsensical ones down at the bottom?
RTBA2A | 03/22/08
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Okay, as to the argument: Yes, teachers teach our students and firemen save them from burning buildings, but without the military none of those people would even exist. Our entire democracy wouldn't exist as it does. The soldiers in our nation's history have helped define who we are as a nation and have given teachers the right to teach fact instead of propagandist government-invented slop like teachers are forced to regurgitate each day in many Communist and dictator-ruled countries. Without the soldier who shot Stonewall Jackson, we might still have slavery today. Hey, without the general or tactics officer who decided to adapt and strategize the Native Americans' guerrilla tactics, we might still be a British colony. Yes, Firemen/women and Policemen/women and teachers and pro-bono lawyers and Ty Pennington and all those other great humanitarians are incredible people, worthy of much honor, but the soldiers of our country have defined our way of life far more than any humanitarian group, and I hold that putting your life on the line, literally sacrificing your life, dieing for the sake of the freedom of your countrymen is the absolute greatest way that anyone can serve their country.
RTBA2A | 03/22/08
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There are many democratic nations that have little to no military. These nations are proof that a democratic society can be sustainable with little to no military. Now I know you will say that these nations became democratic through militaristic means, and some of them did, but notice that my statement says "is the greatest" not "was the greatest." Based on the fact that many democratic nations throughout the world thrive with little to no military it is safe to say that serving in the military isn't the greatest way to serve your country today. It is just one of many great ways to serve your country. In 1776 and possibly WWII, yes the military would have been the greatest way to serve your country, but now it is just one way.
ColoradoJ | 03/23/08
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I'm studying to be a teacher. I do believe that in some way everyone's employment and life has something to do with anothers and has some effect on someone. I think this effect is highlighted when part of the military, which I was. However, I do agree that military service for some people is not the greatest way to serve ones country. To say that it is implies a great biasm and a belief that one group of people are better than another. I refuse to condon that idea and therefore my vote goes to ColoradoJ.
shrek | 03/24/08
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Shrek is right, no matter what it is any average citizen does whether it be teaching, construction, sanitation, charity, manufacturing, teaching, medical, practicing law, anything, you are contributing to the bettering of your community, state and inevitably nation. Military service is noble indeed, but it does the military itself a grave injustice by proclaiming it is the best way to serve your country, since the military is there, as stated before, to protect and allow Americans to do all listed above and more. We must never forget what makes America great is our basic determination in all of our endeavors to try and do it as best as we possibly can, whether it is working for a better life for us and our fellow countrymen, or defending said country when it is truly called for. That spirit, above all else, is what make an American unique, regardless of their heritage or background.
base89 | 03/24/08
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I listed teaching twice, my mistake for not proof reading better.
base89 | 03/24/08
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Who came up with the notion that serving in the military was the greatest way to serve? I missed it.
Ron | 03/27/08
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Not in this forum, but in conversations I've had with many people.
ColoradoJ | 03/27/08
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Please keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.
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You missed his argument completely. He is simply stating that other jobs are important to the country, and that serving in these jobs is just as important as serving in the military. Your rebuttal makes it sound as if he is somehow trashing the military, which is the exact opposite of what he is doing. Yes, many other jobs are vital to America, and there are other ways to serve your country then by joining the Military.
J.A.B.C. | 03/21/08
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