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Men with Guns
americanthinker.com — "We sleep peaceably in our beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf." (George Orwell)
DanThePainter- 87 diggs
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- Taquoshi, on 05/11/2008, -3/+29Well said, and well written.
- knucklebusted, on 05/11/2008, -3/+16I've never read a Stephen King book, either. I suppose I won't start after that moronic statement. I've never liked most of his movies, either.
- KJeffV, on 05/11/2008, -1/+13King is a storyteller extraordinaire, but as w/many talented persons in the arts, he is lost in Leftism. I would guess he suffered some embarrassment/hurt feelings early on fr/his parents' church inasmuch as he says/writes all the code words associated w/that kind of experience. In addition, his narrow escape fr/death at the hands of a reckless van driver in no way caused him to pause and reconsider that Someone might have been trying to get his attention.
It's a shame he chose horror as his genre since he proved w/"The Body" {filmed as STAND BY ME} that he's able to craft a most excellent story. I do recommend his book, "On Writing" {ISBN 0-7434-5596-7, paperback,} f/any aspiring writer, however. - BECoole, on 05/11/2008, -2/+9I wouldn't be so hard on Stephen. I don't know what the rest of his opinions are, but that one was poorly worded.
I think Stephen meant that it's not if you have an education that the military is out, it's just that you have a lot of options. And if you aren't a great student, it isn't that the military is the only option, it is just one of the better options.
The military is a great option for lots of people. They need everyone from floor sweepers to scholars.
The military is currently experiencing a glut of officers. In terms even Stephen can understand, that means they have an excess of very educated people serving.
Whether you are a humble floor sweeper or a Doctoral-level officer, the military has a place for you doing good, honorable work.- KJeffV, on 05/12/2008, -2/+5Well said!
- flip2trip, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1I'm going to be very hard on Stephen King for the very reason that WORDS are his business. He knew what he was saying and he should be held accountable for it.
- Jeff82, on 05/12/2008, -0/+8I've always liked the movies begat from his writings. Unfortunately, like many in the "arts," he's opened his mouth concerning politics ("Thank you, now I know to divert my $$.") and has now gained one more ardent opponent.
- KJeffV, on 05/11/2008, -1/+13King is a storyteller extraordinaire, but as w/many talented persons in the arts, he is lost in Leftism. I would guess he suffered some embarrassment/hurt feelings early on fr/his parents' church inasmuch as he says/writes all the code words associated w/that kind of experience. In addition, his narrow escape fr/death at the hands of a reckless van driver in no way caused him to pause and reconsider that Someone might have been trying to get his attention.
- InRussetShadows, on 05/11/2008, -3/+26I resonate with that so strongly that I feel that the author borrowed my blood to write it. Favorited.
- Johneeeee, on 05/11/2008, -3/+27Pacifism is the cowardly empowerment of evil, not the height of intellectual enlightenment
- IconoclastStill, on 05/11/2008, -3/+21"In 1000 years when the dust has settled, when the first glimmers of a new Age of Gold appear, men like Leonidas will still be remembered. Men like Stephen King will be as forgotten as yesterday's papers, remembered only by worms."
OUTSTANDING article. - bosssmiley, on 05/12/2008, -11/+4"Machismo-worshipping zombie Robert Heinlein, is that you?"
George Orwell *earned* the right to make comments like the one quoted above. He chose to go to war to defend the principle that people should be allowed to determine their own government, despite his own chronic health problems. The author of the present thinkpiece probably hasn't put his money where his mouth is in that regard.- Jeff82, on 05/12/2008, -3/+9Your ramblings are based on a "probably"? (slowly shaking head from side to side while frowning...)
- Jeff82, on 05/12/2008, -1/+7Hu-rah!!
- chessmasterjoe, on 05/14/2008, -2/+2I don't need someone else to stand up for me. I can and will do it my self.
- Qong, on 05/14/2008, -2/+4That was a great article, very interesting read.
However, I can't say that I fully agree. I'm certain that as we progress as human beings military struggles will be less and less important, while intellectual pursuits take their place. That isn't to say that I am not in complete awe of history, military history, and great humans of the past; I have a great respect for history and warfare, for both leaders and soldiers, past and present. But there is no doubt that any great man named in the article would agree with me if they knew the technological advancements of our current age. While those advancements may not necessarily trump military conflicts right now, they are definitely helping and will continue to do so as time passes.- Indyanna, on 05/14/2008, -1/+7Hi, Qong - I gave your comment a thumbs up, because you stated your thoughts well. Plus, I can relate to what you said because 25 years ago, I would have said the same thing. :-) Throughout my 20's I really believed that mankind/humanity was progressing and that the more we learned, the more civilized the world would become. But as time went on, I realized that my theory didn't match what was actually happening - whether it was on the world stage between nations and peoples, or whether it was among individuals. With all that we human beings know and are able to accomplish, there are still thefts, murders, and unspeakable atrocities against defenseless people. (Child abuse/human trafficking esp. comes to mind.)
Technology, scientific advancements, more education, etc. all have their advantages of course. But that's not what changes people. What we all need is a change of heart; a change from selfishness and self-pride to realizing that before God we are sinners in need of forgiveness. - aerostar, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Hi, Indyanna! Thanks for your shout directing me here. I truly appreciate it... also your comment about Hungary... I am hoping to go back to RU soon, too. Despite the horrors of some of the political intrigue there, there is a beauty & charm among the Christians there... I have found some of the most sincere Christians there... Just as "PRESSURE" turns coal into diamonds.
I appreciated your articulate & accurate reply to Qong... Mega thanks for your eloquence & precision!
Enjoy your trip... I've tried to send you a shout, but couldn't do it, so I had to "personalize" this a little bit... sorry everybody... Cheers to all... Semper Fi
- Indyanna, on 05/14/2008, -1/+7Hi, Qong - I gave your comment a thumbs up, because you stated your thoughts well. Plus, I can relate to what you said because 25 years ago, I would have said the same thing. :-) Throughout my 20's I really believed that mankind/humanity was progressing and that the more we learned, the more civilized the world would become. But as time went on, I realized that my theory didn't match what was actually happening - whether it was on the world stage between nations and peoples, or whether it was among individuals. With all that we human beings know and are able to accomplish, there are still thefts, murders, and unspeakable atrocities against defenseless people. (Child abuse/human trafficking esp. comes to mind.)
- Kizilbash, on 05/14/2008, -5/+2Except they kick furriners out of their beds now. Give me a ***** break. You are not defending anything in Iraq, you are offending.
- aerostar, on 05/15/2008, -2/+6AMERICAN THINKER's article is brilliantly written. The logic is flawless and the history & its lessons is undeniable... except, of course, for the Ostrich-Mentality which ignores past lessons, current threats & future enslavement. If you are only reading "Digg" comments, please do yourself a favor & click on the article. It is Textbook-Freedom Training. It should be taught in EVERY Public School.
Of course it will not, but I pray that our Private/Christian Schools will pick up on this thoughtful article & make it required reading in their High School, every year! - kirralin23, on 05/18/2008, -2/+3The military has a much higher academic standard than Stephen King seems to think. To enter the military you must meet minimum requirements on the ASVB test. The lowest scores are required by the Marines. The highest scores are required by the Air Force. But from personal experience I believe most of the people enlisted in the other branches of the military have met Air Force requirements. Nobody who is illiterate could even take the ASVAB because it is a written test. Clearly Stephen King is a very talented, but largely uneducated, writer; otherwise he would have looked into the military more carefully prior to making his statement.
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