Moms tell recruiters: ‘Leave My Child Alone!’

People's Weekly World ^ | 06-30-05 | Tim Wheeler

[Alia]

WASHINGTON — Megan Watson, leader of Mainstream Moms, is so angry at military recruiters for invading schools to sign up unwary youth for combat in Iraq that she and her group launched an online movement, “LeaveMyChildAlone.org.”

“They offer these trinkets to lure our children to enlist,” Watson said in a phone interview from her home in Bolinas, Calif. “This is very aggressive, demographic targeting to have conversations with our kids that should not be happening.”

All branches of the military are falling short of recruiting goals as parents say, in effect, “Hell no! My kids won’t go!” Watson blasted the aggressive recruiting drive as a backdoor draft conducted by the Pentagon because the American people reject a return to military conscription. “I’ve heard it called an economic draft,” she said. “They know where to find kids who don’t think they have a lot of options. They are playing on our children’s lack of hope about college and their future.”
...
Watson shares these views. “I do utterly oppose our occupation of Iraq,” she said. “We are spending $4 billion every month on this war. People are seeing the cost not only in dead and wounded but also in their own communities. Libraries forced to close. No National Guard to fight forest fires. They can’t find $8.5 billion of the funds we sent to Iraq. And they want to squeeze it out of Medicaid funding for senior citizens. It’s just outrageous
...
Joining the effort are a dozen peace and justice groups including the Ella Baker Center, ACORN, Code Pink, Peace Action, American Friends Service Committee, Latinos for Peace and Veterans for Peace.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

But she's OK with homosexuals in the schools.

[Reactionary]

Isn't that supposed ot be leavemycowardalone.com?

[evad]

You would have no objection of Planned Parenthood setting up a booth and "informing" kids on abortion, right?

Why would you make that assumption?

[evad]

I think you need to relax a little. The military, despite what a lot of people say, is not evil, and it is instrumental in turning boys and girls into men and women--something a WHOLE lot of high schoolers need these days.

1..Thanks for the advice
2..I didn't say the military was evil. Quite the contrary I think it's one of our most honorable institutions.
3..I agree that high schoolers need to grow and mature. Maybe for some the military is the answer. If they wish to go to a recruiting office and sign up, all the more power to them.

[Future Snake Eater]

If they wish to go to a recruiting office and sign up, all the more power to them.

You'd be shocked how few recruits actually actively seek out recruiters. For many it's an option they've never before considered. It takes an approach by a recruiter to get them thinking in that direction.

[Future Snake Eater]

That's great, I just hope none of you are prosecuted for murder when you do shoot a terrorist.

The only instances I've seen of that happening so far, the offender in question was pretty blatantly wrong. Many times even if you do accidentally shoot someone who is unarmed, if you're truthful about the incident, they're just gonna yell at you and that's it. A lot of the cases I've seen, the defendant killed someone he wasn't supposed to and then lied about it. That's a big no-no.

[jonascord]

"...setting up a booth where anyone can "drop by" and learn all the advantages, options and salaries gain by enlisting in the military..."

And this is, somehow, a bad thing? And I suppose it is MUCH better to spend two years working part-time at Micky Dee's, followed by two semesters at Alfred Packer JC, and a lifetime of toking to compensate for the guilt, envy and regret every time they hear real vets talking...

[evad]

And I suppose it is MUCH better to spend two years working part-time at Micky Dee's, followed by two semesters at Alfred Packer JC, and a lifetime of toking to compensate for the guilt, envy and regret every time they hear real vets talking...

I wouldn't make that supposition but you're free to think that if you wish.

My supposition is that most 17 year olds are not mature enough to make decisions that are as important as enlisting in military service. Some may be but most aren't.

[billbears]

Well as I said, I realize Republicans don't care about turning over any and every power to the national government, as long as the majority in government has the right letter by their name.

And I also realize it may have been done 'unofficially' within schools in the past. But at no time was it ever the intent of the Framers for the national government to maintain that much knowledge over the citizens of the separate states. Good to see Republicans don't care about that if it gets in the way of their agenda

[paul51]

Children aren't allowed to enlist in the military. Thank god for those enlistees and their families that are willing to carry the load for the freeloaders.

[okie01]

Recruiting would be setting up a booth where anyone can "drop by" and learn all the advantages, options and salaries gain by enlisting in the military.

And, why, pray tell, would you have a problem with that?

Prospective employers recruit by this device. As do colleges.

Why shouldn't the military be allowed to do the same? They have comparable benefits to offer.

[Ray'sBeth]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I just sent them a (polite) to-the-point email of my opinion of their opinions. They can only do it because my son is helping protect that right. When a US Marine recruiter came to his school, my son joined--without any special bonus or trinkets or any promises except lots of hard work. Soon he'll be heading to the Sandbox for his second deployment, and we are so proud of him.

[paul51]

Have a Happy 4th and if you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

Thank you

[billbears]

Children aren't allowed to enlist in the military

Nor should they be open to questionable recruiting practices as outlined in the No Child Left Behind Act

[paul51]

I guess 'questionable' is in the eyes of the beholder. Personally, I have know problem with students receiving mail at home from recruiters. They receive mail from numerous other institutions re post HS education plans. Worse things are occurring in the high schools with out parents knowledge.

[CheneyChick]

LOL - love your homepage - 51 pairs of shoes?

[TexanToTheCore]

17 and 18 year old men are fully capable of making a reasoned decision as to whether to enlist in one of our Armed Services.

18 and 19 year old men won WWII for us.

[Doe Eyes]

If this 17 or 18 year old male let's his Momma run his life, what branch would want him?

In America, this "man" can't legally drink a beer.

Where did that come from?

[paul51]

Know---no. No speaka the eng

[popdonnelly]

Is this source anything like the Weekly World News?