this is something that i wrote a while agao and i thought it may be helpful. and i live in and am part of the New Jersey National Guard. So finding out earlier this week that 6 people were arrested for plotting to go to the gates of Fort Dix and just start killing as many service members as they could again brought this home for me since i did 2 1/2yrs as gate guard at Fort Dix. so you can think what you like but it doesn't matter if you have anything against your neighbor he may have been brought up to hate you and hide it until they are told to strike. This story was posted on yahoo so it can be found.

But this is a blog i wrote while just getting fed up with different people blaming the military for not acting or acting to much. just let me know what your feelings are on this.

I am not big on writing or spelling, but i just want to put this out there. To all the people who say no to the few people anymore who wish to enlist in the military, just think on this. Yes those who serve can be sent into harms way, and in todays society probalbly will. But there are benefits as well as risk. I can say that after getting off active duty in '96 that the pay has gone up alot, not to mention the health, room and board. there is also the educational aspects such as knowing you will be the one paying for any college yourself and not relying on anyone to support you, and also the great technical training ina wide area of jobs. and for those that like to travel in 4 yrs i went through 11 time zones without paying a cent.

now i won't sugar coat it, the service can be very tough no matter how strong or independent you may be. i followed my father's advice for boot camp which is the toughest part. believe nothing of what you hear and only about 10% of what you see, and do what you are ordered to do.

just know these are my thoughts, and just remeber the next time people are complaining about not getting help right away when its needed. ask yourself this have i ever volunteered for anything, and not just the military. (ex- first aid squads, fire departments, neighborhood watches, red cross, or any group to help others). now i know people don't want to think about this but how long can we go if no new people are elisting before the draft is re-enstated.

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I am what I am and thats all that I am, I'm Shipwreck the Sailor Man!!!! Toot, Toot!!!!!!!

Smiley!

As I'm reading the different opinions here (BTW none of them are wrong) I realize that we all would rather have peace, but it won't happen because we all have different opinions, beliefs and whatever else. So instead of respecting and forgiving each other and co-exisiting we fight, argue, name call and basically show our hatred. It's funny that we are the superior beings.....maybe we should take a few lessons from some lower rungs of the evolution ladder....



My dog and cat who haven't figured out they shouldn't be doing this, but rather chase each other. BTW the cat does this with our 90lb pit bull also.

Nice picture Blowtorch!

First off, war is sometimes a necessary evil. Better war, than living in oppression or fear. And I'm thankful for those serving and who have served.

Since Frank's question dealt with how those with various viewpoints use their Joes, I had to think for a few moments. Me, pretty much for escape. But there are valid points to the psychological release of things we can't release in real life. Or at least we can't release in our present context in society. I'm afraid that my views would be somewhat less than politically correct in today's soft America. In WWII, the Allied forces did not concern themselves with the fact that enemies hid and fought in cathedrals or ancient historical buildings. There were bad guys inside. The bad guys had to die. There was collateral damage to buildings, and sometimes to innocent people who were in harm's way. This did not deter from the primary focus. The bad guys were no longer alive to fight tomorrow.

Unfortunately, we spend billions of dollars worrying about perception, when we will be hated regardless of what we do. If we give humanitarian aid, war-lords steal it. If we fight the war-lords, we are only making way for the second place war-lords to rise up. And lackeys of the first will still fight against us and the second place war-lords. Can't have peace with wackos with guns running around. Can't make peace with wackos who are willing to blow up themselves and others.

Someone needs to find bad guys wherever they are and K-I-L-L them. I equate bad guys as those who would willfully do harm to others simply because their viewpoint is different and who idealize their hatred, but mask it in the form or religious or political views. This seems like a job for a nimble, daring, highly-trained special missions force. It's purpose: To defend human freedom against _________, a ruthless terrorist organization, determined to rule the world.

Back to psychology, and the original question:

My 6 year old always has Joes and Cobras shooting at each other or people getting run over by tanks, etc.

My 3 1/2 year old has them talk to each other: "Hi, How are you doing?" "I'm fine." "That's good. Well have a good day!"

Is it insight into their personality? Is it just their age? I'm not sure. All I know is GI Joe is different for different people, and that's okay. I know the world would be better if everyone spent more time playing and less time killing, or having to hunt down those who would oppress us, or those who would make us live in fear.

I'm happy to see so many who have thought through this to a conclusion. Nice thread!