Here's the thing...tracerooOctober 4 2008, 14:23:26 UTC
There is a fine line between pride and elitism. Being a veteran and a POW is elitism!... but in a good way, a genuinely good way... well, not being a POW, but -- you get me.
But somehow, being a war veteran and a college graduate are perceived very differently even though the logic should be the same, IMO. Every American citizen, barring physical disability, has the choice whether or not to enter the armed forces. If you choose to, you're one of the few, the proud... the elite... and this is good.
Every American citizen has the choise whether or not to enter college. Every. One. But if you do choose that, do work toward that goal, go educate yourself... that's... bad elitism??
I perceive an attitude among the uneducated that there's an arrogance in education. "Stop throwing that in my face all the time!" But, hello? John McCain, could you possibly get through 10 minutes of politican discussion without waving your status as a vet and POW in everyone's face?
By NO means am I saying he shouldn't be proud of his service, or that we should not admire it. I just don't see the distinction between two flavors of challenging one's self, rising to the occassion, Eye of the Tiger and all that, and coming out a broader, better person who will therefore be a better citizen for the experience.
But somehow, being a war veteran and a college graduate are perceived very differently even though the logic should be the same, IMO. Every American citizen, barring physical disability, has the choice whether or not to enter the armed forces. If you choose to, you're one of the few, the proud... the elite... and this is good.
Every American citizen has the choise whether or not to enter college. Every. One. But if you do choose that, do work toward that goal, go educate yourself... that's... bad elitism??
I perceive an attitude among the uneducated that there's an arrogance in education. "Stop throwing that in my face all the time!" But, hello? John McCain, could you possibly get through 10 minutes of politican discussion without waving your status as a vet and POW in everyone's face?
By NO means am I saying he shouldn't be proud of his service, or that we should not admire it. I just don't see the distinction between two flavors of challenging one's self, rising to the occassion, Eye of the Tiger and all that, and coming out a broader, better person who will therefore be a better citizen for the experience.
T$
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