Alternative Service

Writer Chris Hedges wrote a book called War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning. Though the title says it all, more specifically, Hedges was looking at why humankind seems to tolerate, if not glorify war as the be all end all reason for being. True it brings out the best and worst of us on occasion, but take a minute to think what life would be like if humanity simply decided not to participate. This impossibility would take a collective action so vast as to seem impossible, but, if such a consensus could be reached, imagine what life would be like.

Some young folks are impatient about when they can get in the game. hey prepare themselves with military video games, all manner of camp clothing, and being obsessed with the latest fighting technology. I had a student once who was obnoxious in his passion to become a fighting marine. He couldn't wait to see blood, taste blood, or let blood. Constantly reminding anyone who would listen what he was going to do once he finished basic trining and became battle tested, he became isolated and shunned by many of his peers. To the best of my knowledge, he got his chance, became severely injured and was left with a massive existential crisis. The meaning he sought quickly turned into disillusionment. War casualties take many forms.

We are fond of and careful to say, "Thank You for Your Service," to military veterans. Yet no-one says that to PeaceCorps or Americore/VISTA alumni about their service. The old Selective Service System had a set of criteria they used to grant alternative service to the military. One such criterion was that the service had to "disrupt your life." That meant it couldn't be easy, safe, or without personal risk. The poverty pockets I served in in Texas were some of the most dangerous communities in the nation. Living on $180.00 a month certainly insured a life of disruption.

I do not mean to diminish anybody's service. I just wonder why only one kind gets recognition. I fear it means that going into the poorest communities in this country to sacrifice time, treasure, and safety is not as important in fighting the nation's wars. That the war on poverty was not as important as the war in Vietnam or anywhere else for that matter. We are what we value. Just give us the choice.

But nobody ever says, Thank you for your service to those volunteers.

Still, our country would be better served if all young citizens, by the age of 18 were required to serve their country. This compulsory service could take various forms including military service and/or community service. Seems like an obvious win/win situation with far reaching consequences. The only thing preventing it is political will.

Comments

To a Tee

I'm a sucker for a good t-shirt. They are the foundational garment of my life. My day starts with selecting a t-shirt and it ends with sleeping in one. Once thought of as under garments, t-shirts are now original art and no doubt, a billion dollar business. You can get a t-shirt with anybody's picture displayed. You can commemorate an event, a birthday, a death, even a specular play in any sport. Family reunions usually have a commemorative t-shirt. Also, any organization that solicits your support in the form of a donation is likely to offer you a t-shirt. Where once I only had the basic white t-shirt, my drawers are filled with all manner of colorful choices. Some recognize major events in my life, some, spectacular performances or plays I have witnessed, and some unforgettable places I have been. I say I'm a sucker for a good t-shirt because I have taken the bait on what I perceived as a must-have only to be disappointed. ...

Illusory

What does it take to enrage you? That moment when your words fly on pure emotion because enough is enough. Is it a driver that cuts you off at high speed? What about being an eyewitness to blatant racism or on the receiving end of some obvious injustice? I know some people who never express rage. I admire them but know full well I am not capable of such distance from that which would bring about such a strong response. Another senseless shooting and 7 people die at the hands of a mentally ill gun owner. The father of the 20 year old college student lets it fly and somehow millions feel a new sense of relief. He calls the politicians bastards who do nothing, he wears his pain in public. The news media responds but we all know that nothing is going to change. We are the gun country. We are the place where anybody, anytime, can be cut down just for being there when somebody else snaps. Usually the perpetrators are delusional. ...

Mr. Greene v. Mr. Brown

I want to tell you about something. Something I've carried inside myself for a number of years now. Perhaps if I were a different kind of person I wouldn't need to talk about it. I'm not. My need to tell it is stronger than your need to hear it. Because, however, there are a number of teachers and former students of mine who may read these meanderings from time to time, I need to tell this story all the more. About 7 or 8 years ago I was asked if I would allow a university PhD. candidate to observe an English class. At first I decided against it because I was scheduled to have a student teacher placed with me the second half of the semester in question. After some urging, however, at the request of a respected colleague, I agreed. Soon I was committing to extra meetings, signing documents and explaining to the class in question who the young woman who thoughtfully pounded away on a laptop in the rear of the classroom three times a week was. I knew that the topic of ...

Daily Blues & Views

Search This Blog