Too many toys and too few boys. The 10¢ soldiers.

[Stinky The Clown]

The Pentagon is engaged in profligate spending as perhaps it has never engaged before. So spectacular is this spending that we now see it presented as entertainment on such cable shows as "Future Weapons" on the Discovery Channel. We see, over on the History Channel, former USMC drill instructor R. Lee Ermey dressing us down as he replies to all manner of 'booooo-YAH' inquiries about the mechanisms and tactics of war.

Smart bombs, laser guidance, flying gunships, night vision capabilities, high tech battle wear for the 'solidier of the future', battle gear that appears for all the world like a Star Wars costume, intimadating weapons with lumps that look like human muscles. Nuke boats and cruise missles. Surgical strikes and handguns that allow a soldier to shoot around corners.

Americans in love with the machines and mechanics of war.

Lots and lots of toys.

But who is playing with these toys? The same boys, now grown old and mean spirited, who dreamed of glory but chose not to serve. They're the ones controlling the toys. But these are not the toys of rubber and plastic, with little flat bases to make them stand. These are not the 10¢ toy store soldiers all too often lost after being buried in the sand pile where they engaged, on warm summer days, in battle after battle played out by boys too young to know the reality of blood and spilled human organs. It was only later in their lives that these boys came to have a taste for the real thing. To drink the very blood of their victims, still warm.

So what of the boys of today? The sons and daughters of all of us. The little ones we suckled at our breasts and stood by proudly as they played Little League. They are *our* children, barely old enough to shave, who are being enticed by these mean old men to come and serve. To play with the really big toys.

But what have we, really? Fewer of our children are choosing to play with these toys. And that is to our peril. Who will drive the tanks when we might really need to turn the toys into true machines of defense?

How clever, the mean spirited old men. They ask that we only support them with our assent. No need for conscription, they tell us. No need. We have what we need, they tell us. And yet, clearly, we do not. Our sons and daughters have returned, again and again, the round trip frightening, but increasingly routine. Even those who've survived their full obligation are being called, for one more round trip - hopefully one more ... and hopefully round.

America has no more stomach for this. No one is clamoring to play with the toys. No one but the mean spirited old men.

And yet, there is a real need for those who would would play with the big toys. What if they truly are needed? For a righteous defense of our nation? Where will the new boys come from? The mean spritied old men seem to think they need only go back to the toy store for new 10¢ soldiers. But the store is closed.

Lots of toys. Not enough boys. And if needed, we have no more mechanism to work the mechanisms of war.

We are, virtually, impotent against a real threat.

All because of mean spirited old men who never really came appreciate the true cost of those 10¢ soldiers.

[Monkeyman]

1. Yep they now raised the age to 42 next it will be old farts like me

[acmejack]

6. We're in real trouble when they want you or me.

I wish I were in the health they would want me.

[The Straight Story]

2. Whew - thought you were gonna tell me they were banning war toys

:)

[The Straight Story]

3. Whew - thought you were gonna tell me they were banning war toys

:)

[Dhalgren]

4. Man what a great piece! Thank you. That was from and to heart...

[patrice]

5. "enticed" - Yes! The Army seduces parents who have a struggle

on their hands, "Can't get a handshake and a look in the eye from your son? Send him to us."

But ultimately it won't matter whether we send them or not; the machines ARE taking over. Their next generation is tactical nuclear weapons.

We will no longer have to settle for robbing a few dozen people of their own deaths. We can steal those last few seconds in which some kind of personal relationship with the hereafter, or "the Void" or whatever, might be achieved. We can steal those last few seconds from thousands and it will be called Victory.

[calimary]

7. Excellent piece!

Truly. I still say we should round up all those mean-spirited old men you describe so beautifully, and send THEM off to play with those big toys they love. Since the poor dears didn't get the chance when they were younger...

Frankly, I think a WHOLE LOT of 'em who supported this war and thought it was such a damned great idea should put their lives where their mouths were. You think this war's so virtuous? Well, then, suit up, go over there, and pitch in!

Great work here. K&R!

[Sonicmedusa]

8. Awesome Post

I tried to recommend, but I don't have enough post yet. :(