Comments about ‘Utah's top general: A generation at war with more to come’

What a bunch of bull!

I deeply appreciate the sacrifices these men and women make. I also deeply appreciate their families left home -- sometimes for multiple tours. I am grateful they are willing to do what is asked of them.

At the same time, I wish more of our civilians would do even a smidgen of what is asked of *us* in electing representatives who will do their Constitutional duty to maintain oversight of our armed conflicts and ensure that they only send these brave and willing folks into *necessary* and wise battles.

Sadly, most of our Federal Representatives won't touch the relevant issues and questions with a 10-foot pole and simply rubber stamp every "hawkish" idea proposed by private think-tanks and the 'military-industrial complex'. Our Congressmen are rewarded with a desirable label of "patriotic" for *not* doing their duty and only have that patriotism questioned when brave enough to actually try to fulfill their duties. These things really ought not to be.

I remember a number of years ago a professor at a local university, stating that when we take the very best of our society and send them off to war, all we have left to breed a new generation are those who like what this country offers but are unwilling to stand up for the nation.

Since that time I see that he is right, now we have a voluntary army, somewhat like Rome who go off to protect us, while we lay around, get fat and complain. One day, like Rome, this nation and it's constitution will fall. Why, because of the people who want it all but are unwilling to give back and teach their kids to do the same.

Its been suggested by some that one path to citizenship would be to have prospective candidates serve a term in the military. I don't think that's an entirely bad suggestion. Another might be to have government leaders do the same. Anyone's perspective changes, at least slightly, when they themselves become involved in that which they feel competent to discuss.

Many of our founding fathers were involved directly in the war of independence and framed the constitution to avoid many, if not all of the assaults on freedom that they lived through under British control. Our political leaders today, except for a handful, have never experienced a battle zone and feel that a degree in law gives them sufficient experience to conduct a war. Once war becomes personal, then we have more reasons to end them.

And then we have Utah with one of the lowest rates of military service in the nation. Shamful ...

*'Homosexuality Is a Sin: Rick Perry Tells Bisexual Teen Why He Opposes Gays in the Military' - By Buck Sexton - The Blaze - 12/19/2011

'..I dont agree that openly gays should serve in the militaryDont ask dont tell was working I hate the sin but i love the sinner.

And yet:

"The Iraqi regime . . . possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear weapons.' - George W. Bush - Ohio Speech 10/7/2002

On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taleban regime in Afghanistan.'
- GEORGE W. BUSH 10/07/2001

People tell me we should be concerend with debt.

And yet:

*'Cost Of Wars In Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan To Reach $3.7 Trillion' - By Elise Foley - Huffington Post - 06/29/11

Not to mention:

*'U.S. Military deaths in Iraq war at 4,485 - AP - Published by the DSNews - 12/20/2011

The cost of human and American lives.

Hey ClarkKent,
How about serving something real for once, instead of the fake reasons and for phony values. In this political/financial situation, it's not like we have to meet a quota or something.....

old men start the fights, but young men do the actual fighting and dying.
The poor die in the wars, and the rich profit.
If there was mandatory service, fewer wars would be started.
Because it would be the rich mans sons and daughters dying; instead of the poor mans sons and daughters.

ulvegaard | 9:06 a.m. Dec. 28, 2011
Medical Lake, Washington
"Its been suggested by some that one path to citizenship would be to have prospective candidates serve a term in the military. I don't think that's an entirely bad suggestion."

@ulvegaard, Although that sounds like a good idea, I think that MANY illegals have absolutely no patriotism towards the U.S. I wouldn't want one of our sons or daughters having to depend upon an illegal to watch their back in combat. I do think that some sort of service could be provided. The idea I like is to place them along our border building a fence.

M. Matchette | 10:11 a.m. Dec. 28, 2011
Syracuse, Utah
Hey ClarkKent,
"How about serving something real for once, instead of the fake reasons and for phony values. In this political/financial situation, it's not like we have to meet a quota or something..... "

@M.Matchette, so is that YOUR excuse? If you don't think that serving in the military today is about serving something real, I feel sorry for you. Do you think you have the right to live in this country and enjoy the freedoms you have and have someone else die for you?

The military/industrial lobby is ALMOST as powerful as the pharma/healthcare lobby.

So yes, you WILL see troops deployed around the world with the same amount of certainty that your prescription/healthcare costs will rise!

UNLESS we start electing different folks.

Thank you OneFly...At least someone get's it!

'So yes, you WILL see troops deployed around the world with the same amount of certainty...' - Fitness Freak | 11:29 a.m. Dec. 28, 2011

*'GOP contenders argue on Iran' - By Kasie Hunt - AP - Published by DSNews - 11/12/11

"If we re-elect Barack Obama, Iran will have a nuclear weapon. And if you elect Mitt Romney, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," vowed the former Massachusetts governor.'

*'Mitt Romney, Rick Perry slap at Ron Paul on Iran issue' - By Philip Elliott - AP - Published by DSNews - 12/28/11

"You don't have to vote for a candidate who will allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Because America will be next..." - Article


Sound familiar?

"The Iraqi regime . . . possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear weapons.' - George W. Bush - Ohio Speech 10/7/2002

Result?

*'U.S. Military deaths in Iraq war at 4,485 - AP - Published by the DSNews - 12/20/2011

The military should have a single purpose: destroy the enemy. We have a problem when our military is deployed to a war zone to build schools and pass out toys to kids. Those are great humanitarian goals but they should not be met by the US military.

In the picture, we see a little guy in the suit, rooting for the real man to do the dirty work.

Perfect.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Rather than have people go to war, putting their life and well being at risk, and also family life, why doesn't the United States become less dependent on foreign energy?

Is it really necessary that people be allowed to drive vehicles much larger than they need? Is it really necessary that we not make use of the great and sustainable energy resources that we have i.e. Yellowstone?

Are these luxuries worth having people killed and maimed for life? Are these luxuries worth depleting our treasury and sinking deeper and deeper into debt?

We are acting like a primadona, and ignoring the consequences of our non optimal choices. We can do better if we choose to.

ClarkKent.

What is so heroic about unconstitutional wars? There is nothing noble about overthrowing a countries government and handing it over to the UN.

As I retired Army National Guard NCO I do not appreciate many of the comments on here. Our soldiers have sacrificed much and served valiantly. They deserve our support. I won't say anything else. The D-News wouldn't print it. I expected better than this from D-News readership. Hopefully those posting here are a minority.

God bless America and the men and women that proudly wear the uniform. The rest of you can go back to being armchair quarterbacks. Enjoy your freedom.

If only more Tea Party members would be elected, they will solve the war problem, I don't think one of them as served. Is there such a thing as a General of The Tea Party? We need one, one with real guts.

NeilT | 1:15 p.m. Dec. 28, 2011,

Thank you for your service.