Well hello there stranger! Yes, I know, I was bad last week and didn't post at all. (Well, I did "post", but they were just links to other people's stories. That probably shouldn't count!) My excuse? I was just a little busy last week I suppose. Some weeks are going to be like that I am afraid.

Anyway, what should I talk about after my week long absence? OH! I know! Politics! Haha. I promised (I think) in the beginning that this blog wouldn't ONLY be about politics, and I mean to keep that promise. I do want to eventually blog about religion. I would also like to start blogging about the progress I am making leading up to the Bolder Boulder. As well as many other fascinating topics that strike my fancy. But right now I am just appalled and outraged at our current administration's actions in all manners from Iraq to Iran to any domestic issues they reluctantly burden themselves with. (And really, if any of you are paying attention at all, you should be outraged as well!) So, for a little while longer at least, I will need to vent. Bear with me! *grin*

As some of you may or may not know, I spent a little time in the Army. While I didn't serve any combat time, I bring this up because I feel my 4 and a half years of service qualifies me a little to discuss the current state of our armed forces. What I would specifically like to focus on today is this widely held myth that "Republicans are better for the military than the Democrats". This notion is so pervasive among those in and out of uniform that it seems to be just taken for granted like "Soy is good for you" or "Atheist are devil worshippers".

While I know a simple blog that hardly anyone reads is not going to go far in breaking our country of that "Repub = Good Military" myth, hopefully it will at least give a handful of people something to think about and discuss when the opportunity ever arises. Here is where help from you the reader comes in to play though. I am going to list a few reasons I believe this myth to be false with links to fact-based stories supporting those reasons. You don't have to read them all cover to cover, but take a moment and skim, get the gist of the argument, and move on.

Before Service:

• Recruitment during unpopular wars is hard, "standards" for the best and brightest amongst us suffers. here
  
• Low numbers of volunteer force + increased need for more troops = lack of proper training and equipment. here
  
• Republicans can 'talk the talk', but often don't 'walk the walk'. here
  

During Service:

• Elective and ongoing wars lower moral and waste too many lives and funds. here
  
• President and the media sanitizing the real face of the war by avoiding funerals. here
  
• Shameful neglect seen at over taxed and under funded Walter Reed (Army Medical Center). here and here
  
• Of course they DO love their military contractors. here
  

After Service:

• The cutting of veterans benefits to help make tax cuts on the wealthy work. here and here
  

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is a good starting point. The truth is, while I will concede that Republicans do a better job than Democrats of beating their chests and talking tough, that does not exactly equate to being 'better for the military'. Yes, Democrats prefer peaceful talks and negotiations through diplomacy rather than the Republican strategy of tough talk and 'action'. And no, talk doesn't always work. But shouldn't it be a good starting point? Shouldn't we resort to violence and war as a last effort after EVERYTHING else has failed? And if war and violence aren't working, shouldn't we be strong enough to admit that and try a different tactic? Aren't these the lessons we try and teach our children? Finally, above all else and regardless of what actions we choose, shouldn't we treat those in the military who are making the ultimate sacrifices with all the honor and support they deserve? I think so.

Just some food for thought. Thanks for reading..