Whether or not it's a good deal, obviously is up to you to decide. This will be my first blog, and as such will demonstrate what it is I stand for and what it is that motivates my words and actions in my life for now and in the future.
I am a war veteran. Ten years ago, I didn't think those words had any chance of crossing my lips. I was a naive graduate, thinking only of how great it was going to be getting out from under the parents, and getting on with my life. Little did I realize how much that life would change in the matter of 6 years. College didn't suit me, I was too interested in skipping classes and chasing the fairer sex. Eventually I joined a peace-time military. I was wooed to "be all that I could be" and a chance to travel the world and finally make something of myself.
Fast-foreward a few years. 9/11 had already happened. We were in the process of hunting down and exterminating all of the cretins who were involved with, or allied with those that stuck at us at our heart. We were proving to the world that we will not back down from the drawing of the gauntlet, we would be up to the task of defending our nation. I eagerly re-enlisted for a few more years. I wanted to be in a position to defend our nation from such attacks, should they happen again. I wanted to be a leader, not just a follower. Then, word started to filter down that we would soon be going somewhere else. No fooling anyone, this was in October of 2002. We were told, no doubt about it, we would be "across the pond" early next year. "Be ready," they said. I turned to one of my buddies a couple months later and said, "wouldn't it be funny, after we go over there and do whatever it is we're going to do, if we didn't find a single WMD?" I don't think I need to go on there...
Now, after a year in Iraq, a year and a half working my way out of the military, I'm finally back in the civilian world. Yes, I'm one of the few, the proud, the "non-stop/lossed." It was close, very close. Now, I travel, training those that are our nation's defenders on how to use their equipment.
I come from a rural area. I have classmates who wanted to be farmers. I've had military service. I was there to see what the military says is ok and isn't ok, and then what the books tell you is ok and isn't. I have a family, whom I care for deeply, and know the impact of legistation on the middle class. Does this make me liberal? Does this make me conservative? This makes me aware of my surroundings.
I'm for woman's rights to an abortion: it's her body. I'm for the day-after drug: again, it's her body. I'm for the rights for people to not have religion tossed in their face: I'm not an atheist, but I definitely don't blindly believe everything I've been taught. I beleive in universal healthcare: if it's good enough for them (legislators) it's good enough for us. I believe in educating our youth: indoctrination and education are two different beast, learn the difference. I believe we shouldn't be in iraq: cut and run? How about let them deal with their own, as we have in our history. I believe in an across the board tax: everyone bares the same percent, no buts, no cuts. I believe in a modern army: air warfare gets us only so far, and "zerging" the enemy doesn't get us anywhere. I believe in accountability: you do something wrong, you're not going to be able to hide behind a rubber stamp that says "classified." I stand for the right of every american citizen to say "I may wish well for my fellow man, but I wish well for them in their legal country of residence." Notice: I said "legal."
I once thought about running for politics, but realized I couldn't subject my family to the kind of bashing candidates get, especially on the blue side of the fence. Good luck to those that are doing the job, I may decide to meet you some day to help with the fight.