RE: Am I the only one annoyed by this picture?
July 30, 2012 at 10:04 am
(This post was last modified: July 30, 2012 at 10:11 am by The Grand Nudger.)
(July 30, 2012 at 6:22 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote:(July 29, 2012 at 10:55 pm)Rhythm Wrote: It's an odd one, for sure. I personally don't know too many vets (disabled or otherwise) who would give a shit whether or not Kevin decided to stand for the pledge of allegiance.
I sure as fuck wouldn't. From my perspective, forcing kids to recite the pledge diminishes the value of the oath. You want to recite the oath (and mean it)? Knock yourself out. Want to pass? Fine with me.
Forcing anyone to do it renders it wholly meaningless (which it is). I can't take it seriously at all. (On the other hand, the oath I took on entry into the military, that I took very seriously.)
This reminds me - my employer's former CEO used to have a full color guard and have the all the employees stand and recite the pledge at major company functions. No, I'm not joking. (Incidentally, my employer is based in Houston. Go figure.) Pretty much everyone in my office (Portland, OR) thought it was a stupid exercise.
Does anyone else outside of the US do shit this stupid?
Sounds like your old boss liked to play Dress Up.
(July 30, 2012 at 4:58 am)jonb Wrote: Don't feel sorry for the kid with the powers of the state being used to control him, he's enjoying every moment of it.
What better way to gauge for oneself the normally imperceptible tendrils of The State. The only time you even notice the little bastard at play is when you are at play- at odds- with it. One can get to thinking that it is a completely impersonal machine if one never decides to try on the opposite for a moment. It then becomes very clear that The State has a pulse, breath, and body just as anyone else, and that each of those individuals who might challenge your refusal to toe the line are indistinguishable from its eyes, ears, and fingers.
Hell, it's almost gratifying to know that The State would take notice of you, even if only to put the thumb on you, turn the screw. Eve if all it allocates to the issue are a few mouth-breathers and hyperbole. Beats being ignored.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
