Should those who in our armed forces deserve entitlements?

[El Jefe]

Let me preface this by saying that I am one of the Patriotic members here on CP. Those of you who know me know how many threads I have posted honoring those who served/serve our country. But I was dissappointed today in our local Speedway gas station. There was 2 Marines driving a big Military SUV vehicle and they were walking into to Speedway in full attire. I was next to them and I thanked them for serving our country to which neither replied to me, I thought they didn't hear me. So I said it again, and the one guy said "Yeah we heard you the first time". At this point I left it alone. At this time another little convoy pulled up (I would assume from the same group), they were in full garb as well. They congregate around the slushy machine and they all get one (there was maybe 10 of them).

They come up to pay for the slushies and they ask where Chris is? Chris is the manager down there, I know because I buy a big gulp almost every day, and I know the people who work there. The cashier says "Im sorry Chris isn't in today" she then tells them their total and they start going nuts. The main guy says CHRIS NEVER MAKES US PAY!!! I AM NOT PAYING!! The cashier says that she's sorry, but she cannot give the slushies away or it will come out of her pay. The Marine then says "Do you know who the F we are? We are F-ing Marines, and we protect your God damn Country Bit**". At this time the other Marines in the group started chattering and saying how ridiculous this was that they wouldn't give them drinks. The cashier says "serve If I give it to you I would have to give it to everyone else, I am not the manager and I cannot give them to you, you can either pay for them or leave them here". The Marine then says F YOU!! The cashier then says if they don't leave they will call the cops. They leave, and they refuse to pay for their slushies. Everyone in the store has the David at the Dentist "Is this real life" look on their face.

I am all for being generous to those who protect us and I try to pick up the tab for them at fast food places, or pay for their big gulps, but I was shocked to see that behavior. The sad thing was there was at least 10 of them, and not one of them would say this is ridiculous.

My question, when those who volunteer to serve our Country demand things or expect entitlements, do you think they should be able to do that? Or should they not be able to do that?

[Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I appreciate the military very much, but I get really tired of the "military worship" that we have in our society these days. It's ridiculous. It's a volunteer force. It's not like they were drafted.

+1 and this is from someone who did nearly 23 years on active duty before I retired.
I did half a dozen deployments and you know what that makes me? Someone who did his damn JOB. Just because I got up and went to work in another country doesn't make me some kind of fricking hero like some of these kids think they are.


Sorry for my bit of a rant, but this is something that bugs the hell out of me.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

It only really matters when it given as a sign of respect and thanks for service gesture.

The Chiefs Planet packages for the troops is not about jerkey and peanuts. They know that, we know that. If it was jerkey and peanuts provided by the mess hall it wouldnt mean shit. Recieving a package from fellow Americans out of respect and thanks for their service. That has meaning.

I always respected those who donated to those care packages. That speaks highly for those on CP who did that even though they were under no obligation to do it. I never recieved one, but never asked, but those who did recieve them I bet were grateful.

[Dayze]

she should've responded with "well, you'll be a Marine while sitting in jail F-stick if you don't GTFO"

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by tredadda

If not for the less than 1% of the country who volunteers to serve, how would the government fill it's ranks? 99% of the country had better things to do than serve. To compare the sacrifices of veterans to that of market researchers is weak at best. If a civilian company wants to extends benefits to veterans for whatever reason that is their right. If they do not, then that is also their right. For those who want the benefits of being a veteran, swing down to your local military recruiter and volunteer 3-6+ years of your life.

Don't underestimate the service that market researchers provide. If not for us, you'd be driving a black Model A and eating broccoli without cheese. All clothing would be the color of natural cotton, and your TV would have three channels featuring the local news, the national news, and I Love Lucy reruns.

Market researchers have made this country great, and by god, we deserve 10 percent off our Applebee's bill just like the military does.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by tredadda

If not for the less than 1% of the country who volunteers to serve, how would the government fill it's ranks? 99% of the country had better things to do than serve. To compare the sacrifices of veterans to that of market researchers is weak at best. If a civilian company wants to extends benefits to veterans for whatever reason that is their right. If they do not, then that is also their right. For those who want the benefits of being a veteran, swing down to your local military recruiter and volunteer 3-6+ years of your life.

Your joke-meter must be broken...

[BigMeatballDave]

These guys are just assholes.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Don't underestimate the service that market researchers provide. If not for us, you'd be driving a black Model A and eating broccoli without cheese. All clothing would be the color of natural cotton, and your TV would have three channels featuring the local news, the national news, and I Love Lucy reruns.

Market researchers have made this country great, and by god, we deserve 10 percent off our Applebee's bill just like the military does.

Hint to Tredadda, this is also a joke. I can see how you could miss it though -- there's just no reason why you'd think Rain Man was trying to be funny.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

+1 and this is from someone who did nearly 23 years on active duty before I retired.
I did half a dozen deployments and you know what that makes me? Someone who did his damn JOB. Just because I got up and went to work in another country doesn't make me some kind of fricking hero like some of these kids think they are.


Sorry for my bit of a rant, but this is something that bugs the hell out of me.

It's also not like everybody who puts on a uniform is Captain America. All kinds of people in the service, just like anywhere else. Some are pricks. Some are really big pricks. I spent my last three years at the Great Lakes Legal Service Office involved in court-martialing lots of them, and believe me, I saw the hind end of the recruiting spectrum.

If you take some guy who was a loudmouth bullying douche before and turn him into a Marine, sometimes you just end up with a loudmouth bullying douche with a serious attitude problem and combat skills.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Don't underestimate the service that market researchers provide. If not for us, you'd be driving a black Model A and eating broccoli without cheese. All clothing would be the color of natural cotton, and your TV would have three channels featuring the local news, the national news, and I Love Lucy reruns.

Market researchers have made this country great, and by god, we deserve 10 percent off our Applebee's bill just like the military does.

I don't underestimate what they do, just saying the two aren't even close to comparable. If you want a 10% discount at Applebees, contact them and state your case. If they grant it, great. If not, so be it. It is their choice. I feel the same way about everyone who offers or does not offer discounts to the military. If they offer them I take advantage of them. If they do not then I don't demand them, nor should any other veteran.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I appreciate the military very much, but I get really tired of the "military worship" that we have in our society these days. It's ridiculous. It's a volunteer force. It's not like they were drafted.

I'm sure that part of it is the guilt from how the returning Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home. It builds upon the white guilt about Jim Crow and slavery.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Your joke-meter must be broken...

Might be, hard to evaluate whether someone is joking or not on the internet.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by tredadda

If not for the less than 1% of the country who volunteers to serve, how would the government fill it's ranks? 99% of the country had better things to do than serve. To compare the sacrifices of veterans to that of market researchers is weak at best. If a civilian company wants to extends benefits to veterans for whatever reason that is their right. If they do not, then that is also their right. For those who want the benefits of being a veteran, swing down to your local military recruiter and volunteer 3-6+ years of your life.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by frazod

It's also not like everybody who puts on a uniform is Captain America. All kinds of people in the service, just like anywhere else. Some are pricks. Some are really big pricks. I spent my last three years at the Great Lakes Legal Service Office involved in court-martialing lots of them, and believe me, I saw the hind end of the recruiting spectrum.

If you take some guy who was a loudmouth bullying douche before and turn him into a Marine, sometimes you just end up with a loudmouth bullying douche with a serious attitude problem and combat skills.

This.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Hint to Tredadda, this is also a joke.

Hey, think about it.


No military = Communists take over. Everyone wears grey, everyone drives black cars with no stereos or air conditioning, everyone eats plain foods.

No market researchers = efficiency takes over. Everyone wears grey, everyone drives black cars with no stereos or air conditioning, everyone eats plain foods.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by tredadda

I don't underestimate what they do, just saying the two aren't even close to comparable. If you want a 10% discount at Applebees, contact them and state your case. If they grant it, great. If not, so be it. It is their choice. I feel the same way about everyone who offers or does not offer discounts to the military. If they offer them I take advantage of them. If they do not then I don't demand them, nor should any other veteran.