So, the author of the Daily Kos likes the military, and thinks its values and liberal values are the same because
The Army taught me the very values that make us progressives — community, opportunity, and investment in people and the future. Returning to Bush Senior’s America, I was increasingly disillusioned by the selfishness, lack of community, and sense of entitlement inherent in the Republican philosophy.
I can agree with him on the sense of entitlement — angry sense of entitlement — I think most Conservative Republicans have evinced since at least the 1980s. No argument there.
But I learned entirely different things from my time in the Army. As an individual, you do not matter. You do not get to choose your purpose, define the value and meaning of your own life. The Army does that for you. You are not allowed to disagree. It is perfectly okay to terrorize and humiliate the weak; it helps build their character and they usually deserve it. Even if it kills them.
The Army and the government are always right, and you must always follow, even if what you are doing endangers your life and well-being and the lives and well-being of others. Even if what the Army and government do violate laws or any sense of right and wrong, or justice and injustice, that you may have. You have no say in what right or wrong even is.
If this is Kos’ idea of progressive values, of “community, opportunity, and investment in people and the future,” then I clearly want no part in it. At all. Ever. Period.
I don’t want my community built at gun-point. Not sure why anyone else would want that either.
12:49 pm on April 19, 2006
