tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51278598938793398.post1833979949535649919..comments2023-04-10T07:51:48.277-04:00Comments on Election 2008: An Attempt to Understand Our Options: From the Horse's Mouth: National Service Forum With the CandidatesBrendan O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14657163906187876799noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51278598938793398.post-260587301750336992008-10-05T21:22:00.000-04:002008-10-05T21:22:00.000-04:00Hi,I hear what you're saying, and maybe i should h...Hi,<BR/><BR/>I hear what you're saying, and maybe i should have phrased that differently. I don't think that having a military necessitates gun violence, as there are of course lots of countries (in Europe i know for sure) that have a military but don't have gun violence; i also don't know that there's less gun violence as you suggest b/c of the military though. My point was more one about priorities--our country focuses so much more on the military, defense spending, etc. than it does on on alternate ways of national service, the teaching of conflict resolution and peace in our schools, etc. Those skewed priorities that in the end put human life too low on the list, are the reason more specific solutions to problems such as gun violence have not been realized; but i guess the way i wrote that wasn't clearly stated enough, so my apologies for that.<BR/><BR/>I think a lot of the options for service mentioned in this post, proposed by both candidates, are within a natural role for govt.; as i've said before on here, the govt is just uniquely situated to organize national initiatives--particularly with areas like this where so many agree that our people (young and old) need better options to serve and get acquainted with the hard realities of life.Brendan O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14657163906187876799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51278598938793398.post-90096198658386169282008-10-03T19:54:00.000-04:002008-10-03T19:54:00.000-04:00your military comments are a little infuriating. ...your military comments are a little infuriating. military does not have anything to do with the occurrence of gun violence. i would say there is actually less gun violence because of the military keeping us safe protecting our freedom. the military has proven to be a life changer for many people to get off the streets where there is real gun violence. and those who are risking their lives for the country deserve a bonus and the gi bill.<BR/><BR/>Why do you think it is the role of government to provide service opportunities?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com