Proud Citizen of Berkeley

Yes, the military has its share of dumb people. But honestly, it's proportion doesn't seem all that much different than dumb people in the corporate world or the small business world. But there are a LOT of very intelligent people in the military. Unfortunately those numbers are getting smaller because many of the smart ones simply don't want to deal with the crap anymore and have left. It's a vicious cycle. There really aren't that many drones in the military - they're just like anyone else in America but tend to be in better shape and all wear the same clothes to work.

Personally, I have found that in many cases, students are the most likely candidates for "dronehood" than anywhere else. Sure, they seem to be anti-drone with activism and causes and going against the machine. But they all seem to be identical versions of independence - kind of ironic. Drones come from everywhere.

What I find funny is that people like to rail against the military but don't want to do anything about it. Smarter than them? Think you can lead better? Have better morals and want to stop "bad behaviors"? Then by all means - join and be the "better leader". The military is much like politics. You can whine and picket and have politicians roll their eyes at you. Or you can become part of the system and allow your actions to shape the model.

Again, all of these conflicts boil down to misunderstanding. The protesters don't understand the difference between the military as an occupation and therefore often cast regular world templates on them such as the "why can't anybody be part?" At the same time, the military looks at the protesters and can't understand how they can be so impassioned about a cause but not seem to be willing to go any further than looking like whiners. Neither system understands each other. But neither system really tries either.

I was thinking about this statement that I just made as well...its a challenge for me to fully endorse anyone. There are some things about Berkeley that I absolutely loath. I am liberal about some things and very conservative about others. I think thats whats so great about that place, you can find someone that is for and against just about anything. Not only that but even many of your bums on the street in Berkeley are well educated about whats going on, not just what main stream media is feeding us. This is because of the diversity in population, my best friend in grade school was afghan, after that, an El Salvadorian, both of which are volatile countries filled with violence and lack of basic human rights. I think we all see the value in living here in America and for that we are all grateful but we are not Police and we don't have ultimate truth or righteousness. So I suppose my real point is a semi-retraction of my statement about being a "Proud Citizen of Berkeley" the city of Berkeley has done things that politically affected people close to me and for that I don't like it. That being said, I think I just wanted to add a devils advocate to the conversation.

Okay, another statement retraction. I am in support of Code Pinks right to protest, and their desire to get a military recruitment office removed from the area they were in, in Berkeley. I don't agree with just about everything else they do. My point was that without liberals you wouldn't have the luxury of calling yourself a conservative