I guess with the likes of Pablo Paredes, our military has received exactly the candidates they deserve. They should stop complaining about being surprised by such recruits. I don't think we deserve this type of individual. I'm sorry the Navy wouldn't take you when you volunteered, but that doesn't mean we deserve the likes of pablo. Besides, this guy was not a recruit. He had already served over a year on a ship that was forward deployed to Japan. He didn't have any problem serving then. It wasn't until he got orders to the USS BONHOMME RICHARD - which was scheduled to deploy to the Gulf soon after his report-no-later-than date -, did he all-of-a-sudden choose to become a c.o.
Sorry - it is a volunteer military and people do sign up of their own free will. So a better way to put people of Paredo's disposition in their place is to let them know military life involves taking on risks - among them, being prepared to die for your country. If that's not for them, then the service is not their place. I should make it clear I'm not complaining I couldn't be accepted - just that I would have gladly done so if my physical condition had been completely sound. And whatever the nature of my assignment, I would have done it faithfully. So on further reflection, every young American ought to take on that duty when they enlist. Their country expects the utmost of them. After all being a patriot entails acceptance of the possibility one may have to sacrifice one's own life so other Americans, both the living and future generations yet to come can enjoy the fullest measure of freedom. Let's remember that every Veterans and Memorial Day when we go to the cemetaries to honor the dead who gave their lives for this nation.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)