Soccer Mom: Unplugged

The media and anti-military types are so quick to publish any sort of improper conduct in our soldiers, sailors and airmen but what they often forget to acknolwedge is that the folks in uniform are a sub group drawn from the general pool of the American populace.  The military is a microcosm of our entire nation.  There are jerks all over America - unscrupled types who do not recognize the lines of legality or morality.  If that "class" of people makes up ten percent of all Americans then it will make up something like 10 percent of the military.   There are no morality questions on the ASVAB.  If there are losers in uniform, then look to the losers in civilian clothes who raised them.  And perhaps, the loser culture that fostered their growth. 

While the military are held to a higher standard of punishable offenses (the UCMJ), like any other code of law, it has to be broken to be enforced - you don't notice how many are keeping the rules, you only notice the offenders.

While 90% (perhaps more) of our soldiers are decent people, and a large bit of those truly honorable folks, nearly ALL honor one thing and that is the comitment they made to take care of this country and to take care of each other.

You don't have to be a good person to be a good soldier.  What we honor is their willingness to serve the nation, to place the call of duty and the defense of our lives and freedoms above their own.  And that alone is worthy enough of our thanks