<p>Stallion, </p>
<p>Excellent review/assessment of the article.</p>
<p>A few observations…</p>
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<p>Relative to the observations about critical thinking, I would venture a guess the author is not cable of making the distinction between the fundamental differences in the individual capacity for critical thinking, problem solving etc and the process by which the academy trains individuals to be something more than just “individuals” that act alone and perhaps only in their own self interest. If you have never served in any capacity it becomes very easy to view most members of the military as “automatons”, particularly when it serves a greater and more subtle purpose. </p>
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<p>“Academically superior to Yale students”….Machiavelli would be proud</p>
<p>If I wanted you to find my observations and therefore my conclusions more credible I might choose to include something that you would want to believe, something flattering perhaps in prefacing my observations and conclusions… </p>
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<p>Nuanced yes, subtle manipulation yes, accurate? </p>
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<p>Outside of the abuses we’ve all heard about over the years, hazing is no longer understood or politically correct within a society that has shifted it’s respect away from selflessness to selfishness. Why would you be expected to earn something you are entitled to? Think of the audience this is directed towards? Many though not all are members of an elite part of our society, the lucky sperm club; their parents went to Yale or Harvard, they came from money. They have enjoyed a privileged life that demanded little from them and yet they may be curious about those around them that are different, so this author is providing a valuable service by informing them and opening up a window into this world so they can better understand the shortcomings of one of our presidential aspirants.</p>