Best to you on your journeys,

Your comment is disturbing, and the sort of judgemental or close-minded type of ignorance that keeps our country from the progress of change that it needs to survive. The things that you said are exactly why I still don’t support what the military is doing and why I promote peace.

You would think that after hundreds of years of this sort of violence that we would know better by now, but it is this type of brainwashed ignorance that keeps our country in the business of war and more of the same.

Your statement is typical, but Josh and Conor give me hope. Don’t kid yourself, David. You earn respect by giving respect. It does not come with a military title. I respect the people who can say no to war. No to guns. No to killing. That’s all it takes.

Choosing NOT to kill. That is honor. Choosing to promote peace and equality. That is integrity. Service to our country would be helping save lives, not take them. We cannot force our “freedom” on others.

The only TRUE freedom is our own freedom of THOUGHT. It is the only thing that NO ONE can take from us or fight for. It is yours. It is the ONLY thing that you have that is real freedom. Everything else is freedom as far as the people in power let us have or is written into law. Freedom of thought is the only thing that has no cost. You have the freedom to think as you want to. Action is different, don’t get me wrong. Just because you may have negative thoughts does not give you the right to act on it. Once it’s turned into an aciton, it is something else entirely. You only have the freedom to think. And…you have the freedom to learn and to change your thoughts.

You lose that freedom of thought when you join the military. You do what you are told to do. For whatever reason they give you; honor, integrity, etc- the only freedom that you truly have is gone. They put their thoughts, ideas, choices into your head, thus taking your true freedom away. Where is the honor in that? Is that integrity? Is that respect? No. It is similar to a cult. An organized religion. It is brainwashing. It is wrong. Don’t justify. Don’t make excuses. If you still think using force on people and killing is okay, then continue your path. Just don’t kid yourself and sugar-coat the truth. Be real. If you are acting on what YOU think is right (and not what someone is telling you is right) then more power to you.

Josh is not “bashing” anyone in public. He is not a disgrace to anyone. They turned their backs on no one. That is all brain-washed military rhetoric. Dying and killing for freedom? Pul-eeeze. Rhetoric. They have to make you believe that or no one would sign up, would they? Stop with the guilt bullsh*t that you are laying on them. That is part of the brainwashing process.

I serve my country. I serve all countries. I help build wells in Africa where the water is limited. I sponsor a girl’s education in Tibet who would not get to go to school otherwise. I volunteer with Hospice, St. Jude’s, and animal shelters across the country. I run an animal sanctuary (and rehab) to help sentient beings in need. I educate the children about kindness and peace. I shop Fair-Trade and live eco-friendly. I don’t eat meat. I am in the business of saving lives, not taking them. Yes, I also “serve”, but in a non-violent way. I have friends in a hundred other countries and hope to meet more. We all do our part to “serve” by promoting peace and understanding.

Funny, that people call me anti-American and non-patriotic because I choose not to harm. Because I spend my time helping anyone no matter the nationality or race or species. If that makes me anti-American (in your eyes), then I’m okay with that. You won’t find an American flag at my house. I have an Earth flag. It shows that we are all from the same place and everyone is equal. It does not excude anyone.
When we know better…we do better.

“Service” is not about joining or leaving the military. That is just a personal choice. There are greater ways to serve and do good without the violence. I hope for you, David, that it doesn’t take your whole life to figure that out. No one is calling the military “wicked”, but the actions of the military as it is today is pretty disturbing. I’d rather see the military helping out during the wildfires or natural disasters. Train to save lives, not take them. Put the guns down. That would be much more of what I expect from our “service” people.

Kudos to Josh and Conor for “getting it” early on! I am proud of them and so happy that they will help to enlighten others. We need more people such as them.