Need to vent....

I've had a couple of people ask me about my son's choice of military service in this time of "war" we are in. Well, I have this to say (without going into the politics of our leaders) about that: I think that ALL citizens should have to do a mandatory 2 year tour of duty in our armed forces. Russia does it (or maybe they don't anymore), Isreal, and Switzerland all have this policy. We should too. Think of what it will do for the average kid coming out of high school. Before you go to college (unless you are on a scholarship) you go to 2 years in the service of your choice. Let's look at the some of the benefits: 1) More maturity, 2) more disciplined (buckling down and studying) 3) Less alcohol on campus (maybe). The kids coming back will be ready to handle most anything set before them. Professors will enjoy more studious students. Potential students would be more equipped to pick out their majors, maybe even based on what they learn in the military. It's just an idea, but I think it has it's merits. As a side effect, think of the kids who would be on the streets who can't go to college. This is your normal cannon fodder anyways (due to social-economic disparity), imagine getting ahold of them before the gangs do. Now after 4 years in the Military, you give them a full ride to college. Now they are educated! Ready to return to their neighborhoods and be an example to others.

Okay, as I was saying about my son. Oh wait, I did say that in the statement above. I once read a quote “Freedom has a taste, and for those that have fought for it, the taste is so sweet the protected will never know…” That was said by General George S. Patton Jr. and I think he might now what he was talking about. I was unable to join the military due to my hip problem, and I know that if I would have, I would most likely have made a career out it. What the GI bill offers is great for someone just starting out in life and with all the sign-up bonuses that the different branches are offering, he will have quite a little nest egg after a couple of years. He'll be prepared to face whatever challenges come his way. There I'm done.

Funeral for the ex-equine

So I just happen to login to John's MySpace account just to see if anyone has posted anything about him. Lo and behold there are 2 e-mails! The first one is from Nicki and basically says (yes I'm paraphrasing this for quickness) "I'm not a skank! I've had a serious boyfriend for over a year and we were on a break. You should get over yourself!"

Hmm... okay. You were with the same guy for a over a year, the minute you broke up you found another guy. Sounds odd to me, but hey, I'm getting older all the time.

The next one is from Nicki's Mom. Yes, that's right, her mother. (again paraphrasing) "I know that are parenting styles differ, but calling a 17 year old girl a skank is childish."

Alright, it is childish, but if the shoe fits? So that is the bone of contention here? Don't mind that your daughter is sneaking in to boy's houses, OR the fact that she is being dropped out of a 2nd story window. Yeah, to say our parenting styles differ is an understatement.

Let's consider this done now. Moving on, unless my son decided to screw up again, but let's hope he's learned a lesson here.