Dear Editor:
To many brain dead people, running to joining the military triggers off patriotic fervor and pride that their offspring rushes out for his or her country’s defensive. Being the cynic that I choose to be, my label for most of these so inclined individuals is “mercenaries.”
Not only in other world countries but I can imagine many youth who have given up trying to find a legitimate job here and abroad see the military as a step forward. Believe me the administrations have made it more and more lucrative to suck these poor slobs in. How many now are regretting their choice as the forever war will keep them uniformed for much longer than they planned? I realize some have little choice, for I went through all that miserable experience. At least WWII had a smidgeon of legitimacy. That time doesn’t exist anymore.
I was prompted to write this letter by this morning’s news that S. Korea is on the verge of sending thousands of Korean youth to answer the USA’s pleading for help in Iraq. I guess jobs are getting scarcer in S. Korea as we experience a world depression, and as usual America’s wallet will be the employer of last resort. To feed themselves and raise families, these, mostly innocents, will become the ever increasing army of mercenaries described above. But remember I’m a cynic, you call it what you want.
Finally, if S. Korea has the excess of youth or troops as they seem to suggest, why don’t they keep them at home and send as many thousands of Americans home that would love to get out of that rat trap. That is all but the high brass who live in relative splendor many, many, miles behind the front lines, get excellent conditions and pay and can count on Republican hawks to give them a life-long job. I used to be naïve, but age has taken its toll but what a ride it has been!
Angelo Nanfro