My Response, which I sent to the school paper.
Mr. Bowles’ Stupid View of the Military
I am a Northwestern Alumnus, an ROTC graduate, and a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
I will not and cannot engage in a debate with Mr. Bowles concerning the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy of the US Armed Forces. That is not my responsibility; it is a directive from both the legislature and executive branches of government. The military does not set policy; rather it follows the guidance and orders of the superior civil authorities. This arrangement of civil and military authority has preserved our Republic for over two hundred years; I see no reason to change it.
I take particular offense to Mr. Bowles contention about the make-up of the Armed Forces. Mr. Bowles seems to feel that the role of ‘cannon-fodder’ is reserved for the less-intelligent. One cannot fail to comprehend how Mr. Bowles views society: the intelligent should govern and the less-intelligent should follow orders. While the Republic is preserved by the sacrifice of these “idiots,” the intelligentsia can prosper and enjoy the fruits of the Republic. That is an aristocratic sensibility that is reprehensible in a Republic that seeks to believe that “all men are created equal.” Mr. Bowles would replace that statement with this supposition, “all men are created equal, and the smarter are more equal than the ‘idiots’.”
Mr. Bowles has a second opinion on the Military which is equally unintelligent. Evidently smart people who happen to make the mistake of joining the military do so out of a misplaced sense of masculinity. For Mr. Bowles, all things must surely revolve around sexuality and our sense and security of that. It might surprise Mr. Bowles that I joined the military for two rather different reasons. One, it allowed me to attend Northwestern University and leave with very little debt. Two, I am privileged to serve my country and follow in the footsteps of millions of Americans who put their own lives on hold to serve a higher calling. Mr. Bowles evidently views them as ‘idiots’ too.
Fortunately for him the US Military will continue to defend and protect his right to pass off vapid and dim-witted pieces of garbage as insightful columns. Better Luck Next Time.
Although my response is weak in comparison to your service (and that of all others who have served honorably), thank you for you service.
I wish I could adequately explain my outrage to statements like the one we are discussing.
All I can say is that the ranks of officers in the US military are filled with highly intelligent and honorable men. That is my testimony as civilian who has had more than one occasion to make such a judgment.
When the aristocratic elites of a society are no longer willing to defend it, the society is in trouble. The only thing is, guys like this only think they are the elite. They're dead wrong.