Comments on: Are You Too Good for a Crew Cut?

By: southpaw

southpaw — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:44:42 +0000

I don’t know that a radio spot, by its nature, affords much space to establish or defend morals from first principles. In thinking of ways I’d seek to defend this principle (common interest, the frailty of the individual, reciprocal expectations, etc.), none seems particularly zippy or radio friendly.

By: Julian Sanchez

Julian Sanchez — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:02:19 +0000

Please.

By: Paul Wright

Paul Wright — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:43:46 +0000

I think the key phrase is “We train”. Don’t get uppity about the military. Everybody gets trained. What’s wrong with this being part of everyone’s training?

By: Julian Sanchez

Julian Sanchez — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:14:16 +0000

I’m saying I’d rather see the principle defended on it’s own merits, not as an extension of martial honor.

By: southpaw

southpaw — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:03:57 +0000

To the extent you’re saying that, in the abstract, a principle you teach soldiers is not necessarily applicable to a democratic polity, of course I agree.

But if you’re saying that the specific principle in question here is inherently militaristic, or has no applicability to a democratic polity, I heartily disagree.

By: RickRussellTX

RickRussellTX — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:55:59 +0000

“never leave a team member behind”

It would be nice if our military and political leadership subscribed to the same philosophy. If they showed as much respect for the rank-and-file as the rank-and-file showed for each other, maybe we wouldn’t have 5000 dead US soldiers.

By: John Markley

John Markley — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:38:24 +0000

Emily,

There are any number of examples that could evoke human kindness and solidarity. They chose an example characterized by strict subordination, hierarchy, regimentation, and obedience, and which exists for the purpose of violently subduing opponents.

Now, odds are that whoever wrote the ad didn’t think it through beyond, “Hey, the military is respected and stirs feelings of patriotism, let’s mention that.” But it’s still bothersome as an example of how so many people in politics seem to treat the military and military life as the supreme model of virtue and citizenship.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:49:38 +0000

“Just, you know, going out on a limb: because a free society doesn’t organize itself on the model of a military platoon?”

Ha. No, it doesn’t, but the sentiment from the ad also isn’t just a militaristic one. Sort of a human kindness and solidarity one, or?