Fighting for my freedom?

[Fountain79]

I am sure we have often heard this mantra over and over again concerning the American soldier. "They are fighting for your freedom." Now while I have a tremendous amount of respect for someone who feels so strongly about committing themselves to military service, however wouldn't it be fair to say that military only sometimes fights specifically for us and other times for self interest?(I am know I am preaching to the choir here, but I just felt the need to articulate this thought)

[Ezlivin]

1. Speaking as a veteran, nearly every sailor I served with signed up for

reasons other than "fighting for freedom."

I'm sure that the percentage varies from branch to branch (for instance, I suspect that a higher percentage of Marines or Army personnel would mention fighting for freedom). After "Top Gun" came out, I heard many guys voice the desire to join and fly fighter jets.

Most people don't want to kill others; a large part of military training is breaking down that psychological barrier. In fact, people are so reluctant to wage war, regardless of the reason, that we have to spend a large amount of money on PR. When that fails we have to resort to the draft.

[jimshoes]

2. It seems beyond strange to me

that the same people who will claim that the troops are fighting for our freedoms over in Iraq, are so willing to give them up over here. What is up with that?

[RC]

3. Because they have no idea what Freedom really is.

They have never stopped to think about it, never read the Constitution with comprehension.