Kerry's Comment

Whether he intended to or not, Senator John Kerry told the truth. What's shocking is that such an establishment figure, a 20 year US Senator and former major party presidential nominee, would be so honest.

The fact is that the rich and educated don't join the military and don't go to Iraq. If a kid comes from a rich, respectible family, than he or she is automatically a first-class citizen, no need to contribute anything to society. Just go to college for five or six years and indulge in all the liquor and lipstick lesbians you can handle.

If one comes from a poor family, and doesn't do so well in school because the family emphesized "practical" blue collar skills over "book smarts." than the military is often the only way to avoid second-class citizenship.

There was a saying in 18th century Britain. The last line was something like "after a dog, a soldier." Meaning that the military was considered to be a last resort option in an increasingly decadent and imperialistic society.

The United States has become much like the British Empire was in the decades before it collapsed. Poor, often minority "expendibles" are sent to do the dirty work so that upper classes can rule and their children can play. I know only wild-eyed radicals would say such a thing in public, but lets be honest now shall we.

There are plenty of studies that document who joins the military and why. If you are one of the "expendibles" you can deal with the information in two ways. You can take it as a personal insult and shoot the messenger, or you can detach yourself, think about what the numbers mean, and what you can do about it. The later option may strike you as so cold or unmanly that it's not worth considering. But if you choose the former, I can assure you that the new dark age that is the 21st century will grind you into dust.