It is a sad commentary on America and how it treats the men and women tasked with so-called protecting America's freedom and liberties that they are granted very few of their own.
There are so many rules in place that makes it difficult, if not impossible for active members of the military to participate in anything political among themselves. And we are the most affected by the warmongering whims of whoever is the Commander-in-Chief! There are so many obstacles in place that is far easier to just not care and not pay attention!
These are just a few of the things I am not allowed to do as a single marine (and as such, required to live in the barracks on-base):
1) No bumper stickers supporting anyone on my car if I drive it anywhere on base.
2) Not allowed to print campaign literature using my personal computer and printer on-base.
3) Not allowed to pass out campaign literature to people on-base even if it was printed somewhere else off-base.
4) Not allowed to pass out any campaign literature to anyone even if it was my roommate!
5) Not allowed to have rallies or any sort of meetings on-base that is supportive of any one candidate.
6) Not allowed to pass out invitations to a meeting off-base that is supportive of any one candidate.
And that is just the tip of it. It is no wonder that most of my fellow service members are apathetic! The institution all but demands it!
Anon. Marine: My husband was a Medical Officer in the US Navy, 1990-1995. I guess as a function of our lives at the time (grad school for me, Navy life for him), we weren't very active in politics, although we lived off-base, and talked politics with other military friends, etc. It's interesting to read your perspective--and a great irony that the very people tasked with protecting our liberties, have very few political liberties of their own. Semper Fi! and thanks for serving--and thanks for being a guest blogger here!
Posted by: Laura Ebke | 12/02/2007 at 08:51 PM
Back in 1970 when I was a footloose and free sprited hippie kid I visited my cousin Michael who was an officer at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio. He was frustrated with the war in Vietnam and with his inability to express himself politically & openly.
One Saturday morning he decided we were going to the grocery store and getting a bunch of fabric dye, "RIT"; and that I was going to teach him how to tie-dye. He wanted all his sheets, towels and some of his undershirts tie-dyed.
We labored over steaming pots with the artisticlly tied stuff for hours, with music from "Jesus Christ, Superstar" and "Hair" blaring extra loud on the stereo. (In case you don't know, those were hippie standards.)
Finally, it was a moment I wish now I had had a camera for, since he decided the best way to dry the psychedelic linens and skivvies was to hang them out all over the balcony (of his officer's housing complex) all day to dry.
;) He was one happy man!
Posted by: Deb Yost | 12/03/2007 at 12:58 PM