Recently a journalist on NPR was interviewing a US veteran( retired military man) and she started by thanking him for his services to the nation. I have heard hundreds of interviews on NPR and other news sources where they interview people, including very prominent individuals from all walks of life who have made exceptional/ significant contribution in their chosen professions and trades. I'm sure whatever they do is also a invaluable service to the nation but then why is it that they are not thanked for their contribution at the beginning of an interview ? Why is it a culture in the US to believe that the military keeps the country safe? Does the nation believe that it would still be safe if its janitors did not do their work well ? Or for that matter its doctors, engineers, scientists, bankers, computer programmers, .........? Do they believe that the people who join the military do it for a selfless purpose? Do they ever ask the 16-18 year old boys who join the military if they like playing with guns and whether that was a reason why they joined the military? Do those who join the military do it for free? Is the military service in the US a harsher job ( compared to other professions)? Is it very competitive to get into the military( you wouldn't think so- what with all the benefits and enticements offered to join it). Is the risk of death serving in the military any greater than for an worker on an oil drilling platform or a coal miner? Why does it look good on a elected public official's CV to have a military record?
Why is America so obsessed with the military?
WHY? Why?.................
Updated 01/18/2014
Listening to This American Life -act 4 of "Good Guy" story of a guy who described his view of why people join the military ".... Most men join the military because deep inside they have a deep desire to kill another human being..."
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