People who work outside of the military die doing their jobs, too.

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2009/09...angerous-jobs/

~ a friendly reminder ~

It is an honorable thing to serve one's country for two years in some way, whether it be in the military, senior corps, peace corps or merely volunteering to pick up trash on a highway.

We honor those who died while in service to the country not because they died, but because they did so while serving us. Serving. You and me. Whatever they did, and whatever our attitude towards that was, they did it to serve you and me.

And so, unless we did more for our various countries than pay taxes, in acknowledging our role in something larger than ourselves, we should probably shut the fuck up.

We should honor them, but we don't have to shut the fuck up if we have a problem with the way the armed forces are used.

Merc isn't getting picked on for that. He is getting picked on for his political beliefs.

Too many people have difficulty understanding the difference.

I think everyone in this thread sees the difference clearly, but they also see it quite realistically, too. Merc shouldn't have to be treated any differently simply because he chose to go into the armed services. The quip about him not being on the government teat anymore, although somewhat crass, still plays into the discussion, and isnt being disrespectful.

And I got on him for playing the 'honor thy soldier' card with too much of a heavy hand.

Ummm..there have been thousands upon thousands of deaths in the construction field - many of those men died building our bridges, railroads, dams, high-rises, etc. The same is true in factories and in the mining industry. In fact, fatal work injuries in the USA number around 4500 yearly. These men don't get the same reverence.

We honor those who died while in service to the country not because they died, but because they did so while serving us. Serving. You and me.

No? Oh, they were serving the business owners, whose interests are nowadays being served by the military. Same difference.

UT, you changed your post.

Originally you wrote something along the lines of 'they weren't serving you and me' - referring to men who die on the job.

Yes, any post of mine should be considered a first draft for five minutes.

Yeah, OK. I see its necessary to quote your posts for relevance then.

:thumb: I respect your views and your idea that we have different views on the issue. Even though I know you are wrong and will never understand or see the world through my understanding and depth of experience. I don't judge you for it, nor do I condemn you for it, I understand you are naive and have no idea what the fuck you are talking about and don't hold that against you.

Merc didn't die.

Are you saying that you honor people who build our roads and bridges, who prepare and serve our food, who voluntarily pick up trash along the highway, who treat our illnesses the same way that you honor those who have served in the military? They serve us, and many have died while serving us. If not, why not?

Again, just because you were in the military doesn't mean that you should be honored. I know many guys who spent their time in the military getting high and drunk, as often as possible. People in the military are just like the rest of the population. Some should be honored. They chose to work in an occupation, they were compensated for their effort.

I'd agree with that. The shame of it isn't that soldiers get benefits. the shame of it is that their's is an exclusive sacrifice, and has been allowed to eclipse all other sacrifices in the national consciousness.