Couch 181: The Symmetrical Couch

I have never thanked one for their service, even though I’m related to a few. Not that I don’t appreciate it, I do, but to my ears and those of the vets I know it comes across as trite. Like, people think the fact that they didn’t serve and end up in a war zone abroad can be made up for by a phrase like “thank you for your service.” It’s getting like “thoughts and prayers.”

A lot of the vets I know will tell you they signed up to do a job and they did it. Nothing more.

So no, I don’t think it’s disrespectful to not say it (after all, didn’t they serve to protect freedom?), but to each their own.

I don't think it is. In fact, I think it is moronic to thank a veteran for signing up. They chose it for reasons of their own. People don't walk around thanking meter checkers for their service or plumbers or the gas company.

My Dad is a Vet and said something very similar to what you said. He told me nobody asked him to sign up. He did it on his own and he does not expect people to thank him for something he chose to do.

This is exactly the point I’m an trying to make to the person I am having the disagreement with.

Sometimes students thank me at the end of a lecture. I find it bizarre.

When students thank me like that - I think they are sucking up.

I agree isn't not expected and don't think it's disrespectful to not say anything. Sometimes it seems awkward.

Veterans should be recognized for service (ie veterans day, the president, memorials etc) despite that they signed up/volunteered. If they didn't sign up, there would be a draft.

There's also an inequality ingrained in service. Many from poor communities don't have the same choices as those with educated and professional upbringings. If you haven't noticed, the army bases are all put in the poorest areas of the country. There are also wealthy and harvard educated who join but that is not the bulk of who makes up the ranks.

It is all propaganda.

We'll Follow The Old Man Wherever He Wants to Go (old man = general)
Uncle Sam Wants YOU

Brothers At Arms

He's 1-A in the Army and A-1 in My Heart

When You Ride Alone You Ride with Hitler.

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

"Dig! Dig! Dig! And your muscles will grow big
Keep on pushing the spade
Don’t mind the worms
Just ignore their squirms
And when your back aches laugh with glee
And keep on diggin’
Till we give our foes a Wiggin’
Dig! Dig! Dig! to Victory"

Not disputing your overall point, octoberful, but actually I think most military bases were originally placed in the southern part of the US because the weather allowed for better training conditions.

Plus military bases need space - many wealthy areas are population dense.

navy and marines are put by the oceans.

everything was done for strategic reasons in my opinion (close to korea, cuba, russia, etc.) but the army bases, the largest branch, are in poor areas. i was only referring to the army bases.

This getting dark at 5:30pm business has to stop!

Yes, seriously.

My dog is scared of rats. My Ds rat just wanted to investigate him and he was terrifed, we had to take himout of the room.

There is nothing better thsn Matt Berry and Brian Blessed in the same scene, except maybe Matt Berry doing the sand dance

Thank you for the opinions on my disagreement with my friend. I just told her we can agree to disagree and I will not engage her further on this topic. Done and done.

Speaking of military...they pulled a funny prank:

Two Marine pilots grounded pending investigation into sky penis flight pattern



The two pilots have not been punished as the investigation into the incident continues.

Navy disciplines aviators who drew a penis in the sky

I'm scared of rats too.

I don't understand that not sure how they knew that they was drawing that shape in the sky

Its a zen thing. Dont you thank your yoga master?

No...why would I?

men

They have GPS. In fact, they can probably preprogram their entire route.

And pilots have been doing much more complex things than that, like skywriting, long before GPS.

I am feeling much better. I am going to prove i am not bipolar.