Is the Fact that the US Army met it's recruiting goal for the year another SIGN of this UNPOPULAR war?

Question

This along with the MASSIVE protests in the streets have convinced me that the LEFT wing media (CNN, MSNBC, NYT et al) is right when then say most 'Unpopular' war ever!!!!

"The US Army met its recruiting goals for 2007"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usmilitaryrecruiting

I would thank many of you on the left for educating me. I did not know the troops are stupid, poor & criminals.

I just thought the troops were patriots!

Answer 1

After, of course, lowering both the target goal numbers twice, raising the age a person can enlist and allowing convicted felon and high school drop outs to once again enlist. So either all those "conservatives" enlisting ARE criminals or drop outs, or they simply aren't enlisting, to truly put their lives where mouths are, in support of this "war in Iraq".

Sure glad they're getting the cream of the crop. So when do you enlist? To help raise those numbers for NEXT year's goals?

I did my duty, when do you do yours? Since you support the troops so much?

Answer 2

Interesting how some people demand giving "criminals" a second chance in society at large, which claim they are victims of society and wish to help them with government programs and rehabilitation hold the same people in contempt for joining the army.

They're willing to bribe them with student grants to go to college but God forbid they take a bonus to join the army and earn the money to get an education, if that's their choice.

Says a lot about some peoples motives for leveling criticism at the military.

As I recall, there was a time when young men in trouble with the law were and may still be given an option: jail time or army time.

When a person with a criminal background can't get a job and enlists, that says more about his soul than his greed. After all he's chosen military service over crime.

Apparently some people believe it’s a false choice.

One would expect those that did the army time were more likely to become decent individuals while those that opted for jail time, more than likely, became career criminals.

Some may even have within them the leadership qualities we will need. Better to be a platoon leader than a gang leader.

When it comes to poor, undereducated youths from inner cities and rural areas not involved in crime that choose the military as an option, I will just say this. Over the last 40 plus years, the left has been willing to spend trillions of dollars to better their condition to no avail, but now begrudge the meager bonuses for trying to better themselves by classifying the enlistment bonuses as evil bribes.

One gets the impression that some liberals in particular are two-faced or as my wife of Native American descent would say, forked-tongued devils.

Take note: An American in trouble with the law who willingly risks his life in defense of his country (the society that made him a criminal) and indeed may lose his life in such an endeavor is worthy of respect, regardless of his motives, whereas those unwilling to give due respect have earned our disdain.

When one considers the enlistment standards of the enemy, which apparently are as long as you’re willing to take an ungodly number of innocent’s lives along with your own to fulfill their goals, you’re in. Social standing, economic level and education are of no consideration.

Where is the criticism for that?

Answer 3

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army met its recruiting goals for the last year but enlisted thousands of new soldiers with criminal records and fewer who have earned high school diplomas, according to figures released Wednesday.

The spike of new enlistees given "character" waivers for fiscal 2007 continues a steady upward trend in the number of recruits with past arrests and convictions allowed into the Army since the start of the war in Iraq.

More than 11 percent of the Army recruits needed waivers for problems with the law -- up from 7.9 percent the previous year and more than double the percentage in 2003, the year the U.S. invaded Iraq.

Answer 4

I don't see how that is a sign of an unpopular War. All War's have been tough and it is hard to meet the recruiting demnads during War time. I see it as a sign of dedication of our young Men and Women that choose to serve. I feel like all Wars are unpopular, why would this one be any different?

It's nice to see how the left can brain wash people and try to turn good news with a spin like this is a sign of the Wars unpopularity. Instead of condeming a War whay don't you try supporting our troops and hope they make it home safe. They have a tough job and deserve your loyality.

Answer 5

We are not a very active country now, and I don't mean the idle treadmills at the gym.
We just sit in coffeehouses and dislike policy.
The US Army has taken to bribing enlistees with more money than the youngsters are likely to see in their first years out of school. This coincides with idea that death and pain can't happen to them so it works out well for the government.
And lets not forget they have also lowered their standards, so people who wouldn't have been, shall we say encouraged to join are now eligible.
Oh well, by whatever means necessary I suppose.

Pointing out what the military has done isn't unpatriotic. They make the announcements, they offer the money, they are the ones lowering the standards. In other wars, that went on for a long time we had a draft, now we don't. If you don't like what the military has done to meet its lowered goals, why blame libs? Its the Reps who are responsible in as much as anyone is. By your own way of thinking, they would be the only ones in the Army.

Answer 6

As totally volunteer military. Meeting the recruiting goal is a good think! If the war was that unpopular, you wouldn't be seeing so many recruited.

MASSIVE Protests? Are you still living in 1972?

Answer 7

It's a sign of large enlistment bonuses and the lack of opportunity in low paying jobs. It's the only way many Americans can afford college.

Answer 8

I think it's a sign that young poor and lower middle class Americans have fewer and fewer decent career opportunities. It also says something about the abysmal state of education in America.

Answer 9

The US Army is recruiting some people of dubious character.
And training them how to use high powered weapons.
Is that a good thing?

Answer 10

I went to the grocery store the other day and saw an Army recruiter in the Wal-Mart parking lot hassling all the young men walking out of the store..even the ones carrying their children.