I took calls about Haditha all day today. The lawyer I work with was all over the airwaves.
ND have your mom call a military lawyer. Hear lots of great stories about the way military members are really treated. How about the soldier who was court martialed and worse for sending his wife emails telling the truth about his situation? How about the woman whose medical records were leaked all over a base because another woman was having an affair with her husband. Or the MASSES of folks with medical problems who are unceremoniously kicked out without benefits. Oh yeah. The military is a great jobs program in a lot of ways, but too many of the people in it are treated like dirt.
ND's mom is in her 70's and set in her ways. She's not calling a military lawyer anytime soon.
There was also a story I saw recently about how many veterans are ending up homeless. Possibly in the online Newsweek? There was a brief mention that the people who go into the Army come back and find themselves behind people their age who'd started their career paths ... which would contradict her advice to get an education from the Army.
Okay, looking over Tom's pictures--you are all unutterably gorgeous. Just so you know.
Or BROKEBACK HIGHLAND "I wish I could quit ewe!"
Definitely New Zealand then.
I think, given that the ACTUAL CAR CRASH WAR hasn't sunk in, trying to change her mind is probably needless stress for both parties. Probably a better idea to just make sure that are rational viewpoints being stressed as well.
Mom and Dad are also the type that vote straight down the republican ticket every time. Dad quit watching election coverage before the debates last time. Didn't want to be bothered by any more of it. Both of them never miss voting and never vote anything other than republican.
At least now I know I'm adopted.
People can have disconnects about their world versus the Big World. My nephew wants to join the Marines when he graduates from high school next year despite everyone in his family being vehemently anti-war--and being anti-war himself. His personal politics and his interest in the military don't connect up somehow. Rationally, he knows he would have to go to Iraq if he joins, but the part of him that is attracted to the challenge and camaraderie and history doesn't care.
