<p>Momof2, it’s not my intention to fire cheap shots. I think you have some valid points, but I disagree with you on some things, and I did read your comments as being anti-military. </p>
<p>We don’t do our own taxes (too complicated, although we do my FIL’s returns). I am the one who has completed all the Profile and FAFSA forms, and I didn’t find it particularly difficult. With access to the internet, and so many books about applying to college and/or Financial aid, a motivated student has many tools. I’m not saying it’s totally brainless, but neither is college. </p>
<p>I would love to see lower rates on student loans, but mostly for PLUS loans, which is our vehicle of choice. I don’t have a problem with kids who graduate with less than $20K in loans, payable over 10-15 years. Some kids choose to take on debt (some with parental loans) and some choose to serve in the military for a limited period of time and have no loans. S1 is considering medical school. If he chooses that option, he’ll be assuming loans for the entire expense, and will probably spend many years servicing those loans. A HS friend of mine attended med school through the Army. He served his required term, and didn’t have any loans to pay off. Each option requires time and/or money.</p>
<p>I think that if you read, or listen to, his comments, it’s pretty clear who the target was, and it wasn’t the troops. He botched his prepared remarks, which wouldn’t be the first time for a politician. If anyone should understand that, it’s GWB. I’m not a Kerry fan but anyone who knows his record regarding the armed services knows that it’s unlikely he would ever say something negative about the troops serving in Iraq. This has been blown way out of proportion which isn’t surprising. He’s now apologized. People should let it rest and concentrate on the many more serious issues at hand.</p>
<p>well, what he was meant to say and what he botched are two different things and if you need to be mad at Kerry and ignore the real story, well, fine</p>
<p>“well, what he was meant to say and what he botched are two different things and if you need to be mad at Kerry and ignore the real story, well, fine”</p>
<p>Right, and grownups who mis-speak apologize and clarify.</p>
<p>“I think that if you read, or listen to, his comments, it’s pretty clear who the target was, and it wasn’t the troops.”</p>
<p>It’s not clear to an awful lot of people, judging from the reaction. </p>
<p>“I’m not a Kerry fan but anyone who knows his record regarding the armed services knows that it’s unlikely he would ever say something negative about the troops serving in Iraq.”</p>
<p>This is the same man who threw the Vietnam POWs under the bus. I’m not surprised at anything this man says or does. </p>
<p>And he has the gall to say that anyone who thinks that a veteran would ever attack the troops is absolutely crazy? Hello? Does Jack “our troops kill civilians in cold blood” Murtha come to mind?</p>
<p>“He’s now apologized.”</p>
<p>Gee, that apology kind of rings hollow after he testified to congress about how his "fellow soldiers tortured, raped, cut off ears and heads and ravaged the country in a manner reminiscent of Genghis Khan . . . " </p>
<p>This latest fiasco isn’t the first time he’s insulted this country’s military.</p>
<p>Whether it should be this way or not, I think he may have turned this election into a referendum for or against him.</p>
<p>Sjmom, you are a college-educated adult who has had years of experience with governmental red tape and who has easy access to your family bank statements, tax returns, etc… I am referring to 17-year-olds who have no red-tape experience, probably disadvantaged high school educations and little to no family support or interest. We can talk about exceptions to these kids (those somehow who find the adult support or have the determination to figure all of the application and fin. aid stuff out on their own) until the end of time. We can talk about our own family experiences all day, too. But please admit that this process is clearly an obstacle for the majority of low-income kids. Do you even work with low-income youth or have any kind of experience with them? They often are overwhelmed by daily living and have a difficult time even thinking a few months ahead, much less mapping out a four-year college plan. The military makes it easy because they just sign up and a plan is implemented. </p>
<p>Just because you yourself beat the odds, doesn’t mean we as a society shouldn’t be trying to make it as easy for kids to sign up for college or career training as it is to sign up for military service.</p>
I’m sure Bushco would like that. They already won once and are now losing. Why would anybody vote for a particular congressman because of something Kerry, who is not running for anything, says? This seems to me a tempest in a teapot. Something the Republicans are stoking to fire up their ‘base’ to hopefully increase turnout.
People who don’t like Kerry are ‘outraged’ and Democrats dismiss it as as malapropism. What difference do his inanities really make to anybody?</p>
<p>momof2 – I do know low-income kids, and WAS one, in fact. If a student can’t use whatever resources are available through his/her high school, can’t check a book out of the library or ask for help from a college financial aid office, what makes you think they’d be successful in college? I’m not blaming the victim here, just pointing out some inconsistencies in your argument. For some kids, the military IS a good option. Your comments still seem to view it as a last resort – how can you say that you don’t view the military as full of kids who can’t figure out any other option? And what does that say about your views of their abilities?</p>
<p>It again just goes to show, some people should not attempt comedy. John Kerry needs to learn how to say more with less. That cost him the election. GW has learned the art of saying nothing much and having others think it’s fantastic. We live in the 30 second society. </p>
<p>I think one over looked aspect of this statement is history. When Kerry was of college age… good grades kept you out of nam. If you weren’t doing well in school, your number came up. So he might have been appling a bit of historical reference unintentionlly. Again, those who can’t joke… shouldn’t.</p>
<p>As far as the outrage… please. While several here can cite wonderful examples of quality individuals who have or are having careers in service. The facts remain the military is lowering it’s standards to meet recruiting numbers. It isn’t becoming harder to join, it’s getting easier. Also to gain the highly educated the incentives have increased considerably. How do I know? Son took the Mcaps and the first letters came from the armed services offering a ton of money. We are considering it, but not under this administration. The man’s a fool, I will not put my S at risk under his leadership. Yea, I woulda voted McCain had his own party not submarined him. The country would have been in a better place than today. I’m not so liberal, but I also am not so gulible either. </p>
<p>Now that’s not to say someone can improve themselves after joining the service either, it happens often. </p>
<p>I do agree that the party that speaks for the “military” tends to forget those who serve and don’t come back in one piece. What type of medical care are those 30,000+ wounded going to get after a few years home? </p>
<p>Why does it seem that the demos are the one’s fighting for the vets to continue services and treatment? In our state (WA) I don’t see the gop stepping up for VETs care issues. Shouldn’t we help those who didn’t die in combat but left a limb, eye or mental state behind in some foriegn soil? Care for Vets shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but it sure seems to be. </p>
<p>At what point do you look at the lack of feet on the ground from start till today and realize that the guys leading us are playing a game of “I can do it for less”. The germans tried to do it with less and what happened to them? What won WWII? Mass production, flooding the battlefield with more than the other guy. We came in under in everything but cost. What a stupid way to use American lives.</p>
<p>If that is the case, then we are truly a shallow and reactionary electorate and deserve whatever we get. There are a multitude of real achievements and shortfalls by which to judge our current Congress.</p>
<p>Yes, some can’t do this and yet still want to go to college and can still find their way to the military enlistee office. And what does this say about YOUR views of their abilities? </p>
<p>Why are you against making it as easy to sign up for college as it is to sign up for the military? Are you in favor of weeding out kids before they even reach a college campus? That’s what our system does now.</p>
<p>I’d like to see the breakdown of non-college attendees to see numbers on how many kids go into the military versus how many just go to work somewhere. I think that might tell a very different tale than the old “poor kids go into the military because they have no other options” story that is leftover from the Vietnam draft.</p>
<p>Too funny! I’m relieved to see that in addition to intelligence and bravery second to none, our military prove they also have a keen sense of humor. :)</p>
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