I agree with Robert that Memorial Day hardly seems like the appropriate time for an argument like this but your "exception and not the rule" argument is just pure bullshit for one main reason. YOU HAVE NO FRIGGIN WAY OF KNOWING. YOU'RE NOT THERE. And basing you information of what you read in blogs talking about soldiers doing good deeds is no indication it's the norm. I'd like to believe it is but it simply is not something that's measurable based on accounts from bloggers and soldiers just as the perception I might have that things are going really bad is just as immeasurable.

Here's a real strong indicator though Tom. I spent time in the military when it was a completely volunteer force. We went into lands subject to abject poverty and deprivation and you know what? I saw almost none of the people I worked with going around to the population and doing good and charitable things. A few did but all in all the majority went about being drunken Americans out to raise a little hell and find pussy. Why would you believe that suddenly our armed forces have grown angel wings? If you want people creating good will among the land they're occupying you don't send in young guys with guns. You send in the Peace Corps with farming implements and condoms.

I truly appreciate what having a military means to my freedom and security and have wept in my life over the sacrifices others have made but I'll be damned if I'll elevate these guys to some status above human. Sometimes you're nothing more than a talking point.

Welcome back Bowser. Good to see some balls returning to this spot.

Art