We see where Hank Dagny is coming from with his most recent comment. When all else fails, he goes back to the imputations of treason. I shouldn’t let him get my goat, but I’m human and sometimes I lose my temper.

I’m pretty sure that Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy, LBJ and all other Presidents didn’t take off their political gloves during wartime. Personally, I don’t think either Webb or Bush or buttholes. I do think they could both use a nap though.

Hank, my man: Relax. All Americans are equally entitled to all protections offered by the U.S. government. Thank God for that too.

Geddy’s comment is the funniest damn thing I’ve read on line all week.

Ask him why he rails against Government unions but his wife is in one and their daughter takes one menial class at college so she can stay on mommies insurance. ROBBING THE TAXPAYERS BLIND-

Invokes God all the time but hardly ever sets foot in a church or says a prayer to our LORD, he doesn’t even go to Church on our Lords Birthday or Resurrection, thats Christianity for you in rio lynda

He constantly brings up the Military but has never served a day in his life, he actually dodged the Vietnam draft.

He is nothing but a hypocrite, he threatens to kill you when he gets really mad, I have him on tape I know him personally, he has blocked me from his blogs

By the way, dude: do me a favor and don’t call me “Dump.” I expect it from my enemies, but not from my friends.

As to what motivates people to join the U.S. military, I’d say there are many reasons than the economic ones outlined above. I suggest that’s probably true more so today than in the last 50 years.

During WWII (and before) the rationale for joining was most likely patriotism. I would guess that rationale diminished increasing up to around the year 2002. During RP’s time, a better paycheck & opportunities probably were big motivators; but I wouldn’t underestimate the fact that many joined for those things as well as for reasons of patriotic beliefs. For me personally, I joined to improve myself and have an opportunity to defend the U.S.

Fast forward to 2002 and my guess is that most recruits enlist for reasons that aren’t primarily economic. Most ground pounders will have to go to Iraq eventually, and most people would rather work in a low paying civilian job rather than go there. So my guess is that many of today’s recruits differ from the late 80′s or 90′s timeframe. They probably see the U.S. under attack (rightfully or wrongfully) and respond the only way they know how. I submit the fact that Webb’s son enlisted in the Corps as a proof of this. He’s most likely from a pretty wealthy background but still enlisted. So I’d say that money and opportunity clearly aren’t what he’s going after.

I agree with RP’s comment that it is unfair for people serving in the U.S. military to be denied citizenship. In my opinion, those that serve the U.S. should be entitled to participate fully in its government and society.

As far as the thread that started this, from my reading of Dump’s excerpt, I don’t think Bush is off base in his reply. If the story is true, he asked how Webb’s son was. “Webb responded that he (Webb) really wanted to see his son brought back home.” Well, that’s not an answer to the question. The question was about the condition of Webb’s son, not what Webb felt about his son. Anyway, I don’t find too much fault in how Bush responded.

Had Webb said “he’s doing shitty and wants to come home” or “he’s doing swell and really likes it at Anaconda” then those would’ve been good responses. As it stands, Webb never answered the question and Bush called him on it. Not sure what the big deal is on that.

By the way, the Phillipino rocked out of bootcamp because of a heart murmur.

And so it goes.

As for your accusations of “dishonesty,” you don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about. You don’t know the difference.

Your semi-literacy, evidenced by the fact that you write things like “should of” and “would of,” is a visible sign of how seriously you should be taken. You’re a loud, angry, misguided blowhard. You’re amusing most of the time, but sometimes you get ugly enough to provoke anger. Is that what you’re after?

(Note to Xmas shoppers: Hank Dagny, aka “Lycfyg,” could use a dictionary. Someone could really brighten his Christmas morning with a gift of Webster’s. He’s been good this year!)