Growing Problem for Military Recruiters: Parents

NY Times ^ | June 3, 2005 | DAMIEN CAVE

[jmc1969]

Rachel Rogers, a single mother of four in upstate New York, did not worry about the presence of National Guard recruiters at her son's high school until she learned that they taught students how to throw hand grenades, using baseballs as stand-ins. For the last month she has been insisting that administrators limit recruiters' access to children.

Meanwhile, Amy Hagopian, co-chairwoman of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association at Garfield High School in Seattle, has been fighting against a four-year-old federal law that requires public schools to give military recruiters the same access to students as college recruiters get, or lose federal funding. She also recently took a few hours off work to stand beside recruiters at Garfield High and display pictures of injured American soldiers from Iraq.

"We want to show the military that they are not welcome by the P.T.S.A. in this building," she said. "We hope other P.T.S.A.'s will follow."

Two years into the war in Iraq, as the Army and Marines struggle to refill their ranks, parents have become boulders of opposition that recruiters cannot move.

Mothers and fathers around the country said they are terrified that their child will have to be killed - or kill - in a war that many see as unnecessary and without end.

Around the dinner table, many parents said, they are discouraging their children from serving.

"Parents," said one recruiter in Ohio who insisted on anonymity because the Army ordered all recruiters not to talk to reporters, "are the biggest hurdle we face."

[vpintheak]

Rachel Rogers, a single mother of four in upstate New York, did not worry about the presence of National Guard recruiters at her son's high school until she learned that they taught students how to throw hand grenades, using baseballs as stand-ins.

IMAGINE! The military teaching people how to use weapons! The Humanity!

[68skylark]

Rachel Rogers . . . did not worry about the presence of National Guard recruiters at her son's high school until she learned that they taught students how to throw hand grenades, using baseballs as stand-ins.

Well what the h*** are we supposed to throw at the enemy -- spitballs?

[Blue Scourge]

She also recently took a few hours off work to stand beside recruiters at Garfield High and display pictures of injured American soldiers from Iraq.

Gee..I wonder who she voted for....

[The Iguana]

Many of the mothers and fathers most adamant about recruitment do have a history of opposition to Vietnam. Amy Hagopian, 49, a professor of public health at the University of Washington, and her husband Stephen Ludwig, 57, a carpenter, said that they and many parents who contest recruiting at Garfield High in Seattle have a history of antiwar sentiment and see their efforts as an extension of their pacifism.

I'm shocked.

[The Iguana]

Could be Nader.

[GVnana]

"We want to show the military that they are not welcome by the P.T.S.A. in this building," she said. "We hope other P.T.S.A.'s will follow."

She does this instead of talking to her children.

[goldstategop]

Liberals think freedom doesn't require the ultimate sacrifice. So its inevitable the New York Times comes up with another article throwing cheap shots at our military. These people sure do have an agenda.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[coconutt2000]

Pretending to throw hand grenades with baseballs as stand ins is not the big deal they're making it out to be.

We threw rocks at other kids and made exploding noises when the rocks hit the ground (or bounced off of a body).

[goldstategop]

hehehe... New York is full of Cheri-loving voters who think a baseball is gasp!> a grenade! Good riddance!

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[goldstategop]

Yeah and who says liberals don't impose their values on others? sarcasm>

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[EagleUSA]

So its inevitable the New York Times comes up with another article throwing cheap shots at our military.
------
Yes, the ultimate socialist society, that has no cost for freedom -- it is amazing that this sick, anti-American, fantasy mindset can even exist in this country. Where does it come from? It certainly is not taught in any credible school (are there any left?).

[Bluegrass Conservative]

IMAGINE! The military teaching people how to use weapons! The Humanity!

I'm not against the National Guard teaching people how to throw hand grenades. But maybe they should wait until the kids actually enlist?

[goldstategop]

This mother thinks she lives in France. I'd like to see her advocate a White Flag salute every morning in our nation's schools, including instruction in the fine art of kissing our enemies' asses.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Paul Atreides]

Well what the h*** are we supposed to throw at the enemy -- spitballs?

If so, we need to begin cloning Chris Matthews immediately!

[Paul Atreides]

Rachel Rogers, a single mother of four in upstate New York,

Maybe she should try keeping her knees locked together, before she takes on the military.

[niteowl77]

I'm not against the National Guard teaching people how to throw hand grenades. But maybe they should wait until the kids actually enlist?

They should at least wait until those kids have mastered the public school condom training.

[68skylark]

A high school senior, Katie Coalla, 18, stood up at one point and tearfully defended the recruiters, receiving applause from the crowd of about 70, but Ms. Rogers persisted.

It's nice to read how a student stood up for the U.S. military. Sometimes I think young people today have their head screwed on straighter than a lot of "grownups." Don't trust anyone over 30!

[SteveMcKing]

Parents' problems with U.S. Army:

JAGs

[68skylark]

But maybe they should wait until the kids actually enlist?

Why should they wait? If it gives the kids a little taste of military life and helps the recruiters build some good rapport with the kids, then it sounds like a great idea to me.

[Texas_Jarhead]

These people are selfish and unpatriotic - period!

[goldstategop]

Instruction in anal sex makes moms like Rodgers sleepy. But mention a lesson in the arts of fighting America's enemies, and they get roused to fury. Sorta like the Muslim mullahs who doze away when Muslims get blown up but get worked up into a frenzy over a libel of a Koran being flushed down a toilet.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Calpernia]

ping

[goldstategop]

LOL! Patriotism is the last refuge of losers and cowards!

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[WOSG]

NEEDS A REWRITE:

"Rachel Rogers, a single mother of four in upstate New York, aging Hippy, Kerry voter, anti-military liberal zombie and one of those annoying, cloying folks who runs your local homeowners association or PTA with an iron fist and sharp tongue, today took on our nation's military ..."

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Why should they wait? If it gives the kids a little taste of military life and helps the recruiters build some good rapport with the kids, then it sounds like a great idea to me.

Gee, that's all we need . . . the thugs that don't go to college or in the military being taught how to use sophisticated weaponry. Oh, but I'm sure they'll only do it to protect their homes and families, right? <./sarcasm off>

[WOSG]

"A Department of Defense survey last November, the latest, shows that only 25 percent of parents would recommend military service to their children, down from 42 percent in August 2003. "Parents," said one recruiter in Ohio who insisted on anonymity because the Army ordered all recruiters not to talk to reporters, "are the biggest hurdle we face." "

75% of American parents forget what happened on 9/11.

[Eva]

My son has a friend who has been in this country since he was fourteen on a student visa. The young man is graduating in June from the University of Washington with a degree in computer mapping and tried to enlist in the military and they said that they couldn't help him.

[goldstategop]

No one seems to mind pacifism. But no one should ever be asked to die for their country.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Texas_Jarhead]

Pardon me!? Is that sarcasm or what?

[angkor]

Meanwhile, Amy Hagopian, co-chairwoman of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association... "We want to show the military that they are not welcome by the P.T.S.A. in this building,"

I wonder if the "PTSA" has one or two adult members with the cajones to stand up to this harpie.

[Old Sarge]

Patriotism is the last refuge of losers and cowards!

So, which one am I?

[WOSG]

"But Col. David Slotwinski, a former chief of staff for Army recruiting, said that the Army faced an uphill battle because many baby boomer parents are inclined to view military service negatively, especially during a controversial war."

THE TRUTH COMES OUT ... IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BOOMERS' SELFINDULGENCE!!

[goldstategop]

The funny thing is if Charlie Rangel succeeded in reinstating the draft, the parents wouldn't even be able to keep able bodied kids out of the military. Liberals' hatred of our President may lead them just where they don't want to be. Call it the law of unintended consequences.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Don't trust anyone over 30!

Actually, I'd change that to "Don't trust anyone between the ages of 45 and 60"! (That does take care of the baby boomers, right?)

[MinorityRepublican]

It's nice to read how a student stood up for the U.S. military. Sometimes I think young people today have their head screwed on straighter than a lot of "grownups." Don't trust anyone over 30!

You are right. We are members of South Park Generation (I think that's the perfect name for this generation) and we ain't gonna listen to hippies.

[goldstategop]

I'd have to amend it. On reflection, it should read, losers and cowards are sunshine patriots. The true patriot loves his country and answers her call in all seasons.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[TontoKowalski]

She does this instead of talking to her children.

Worse, she's one of those folks who feel the need to act on behalf of other people's children. Notice how she says that the PTSA doesn't welcome the recruiters, but the article also points out that many people, judging from the applause of the crowd when a student took her on, don't agree with her.

She cloaks herself with "power" of her organization, but speaks on her own behalf.

[68skylark]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. A little clarification would be nice.

The exact quote is "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." It's by Samuel Johnson, in 1775, and it's not an indictment of patriotism in general. More here.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

She cloaks herself with "power" of her organization, but speaks on her own behalf.

Power corrupts . . .

[WOSG]

"Charlie Rangel succeeded in reinstating the draft,"

As we all know, this is not a serious proposal, but merely an attempt to relive the Glory Days when they could get the youth agitated.

Now the youth are bothered by the aging hippies trying to relive their glory days with their meddlesome activism. Love the part about the kid defending the recruiters. my goodness the average teenager has lived through 10,000 ads or more on TV, I am sure they stand up to some military marketing and make their own choice.

[Ultra Sonic]

Patriotic Children: YOU WILL RESPECT OUR AUTHORITAH!

[68skylark]

Thanks for the clarification. I agree with you that the Thomas Paine quote is a good one in this situation.

"The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
Thomas Paine, The Crisis, 1776

[Nik Naym]

"I'm not against the National Guard teaching people how to throw hand grenades. But maybe they should wait until the kids actually enlist?"

Oh for crying out loud!!

They were throwing BASEBALLS!

[CindyDawg]

What does "Dad" have to say about this?

[goldstategop]

I was being sarcastic. There are some people who think of love of country is taking it for granted but not assuming the burdens that make her existence at all possible. The fact they pose as lovers of liberty don't make them patriots, period. Its been quite a change in this country from the challenging words of JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." But that was a lifetime ago and another century.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[org.whodat]

I'm not against the National Guard teaching people how to throw hand grenades. But maybe they should wait until the kids actually enlist?

You are so right, it's not like the kid's were maybe killing people in video games. That is a much safer past time.

[armymarinemom]

Parents have always been a hurdle even during peacetime. I spoke long and hard to recruiters concerning each one of my three sons who joined the military. The biggest difference now is that the old hippies are panning for the camera and the media is more than happy to record to their histrionics.

[26lemoncharlie]

Rachel Rogers; Add her name to the list of Volunteer Virgins for DEAD Jihadists!

These screwballs should be drafted and made to walk on the side of the roads in Iraq, looking for bombs!! They have had it to good, they have forgotten how they got it and the blood that someone else paid for it. These people need to live uner the rule of some of these Tyrants!! They will not learn until it's to late!!

[68skylark]

Yeah, that JFK quote is a great one for this situation as well. These hippie parents are the ones who make a cult out of the Kennedy legacy, but they only cherry-pick certain parts of his legacy.