Indeed. Very nicely said, and very appropriately quoted. Thank you!

So...are you planning to enlist to fight in Iraq? If not, why not?

No. Why not? Because I'm middle-aged, with a family and many responsibilities. If I were unattached I'd definitely be there in some capacity. (I was keenly envious when a young friend of ours was offered a job in Iraq. So was my wife, by the way.) Iraq is the fulcrum of our world right now.

Ideas matter. Principles matter. One should be prepared to fight for them. What ideas are you prepared to fight for, Ms Anonymous Coward?

I don’t understand the fixation many people have with demanding that others enlist in the military. The conscription/slavery crowd sure do believe it heart and soul. A volunteer military is a good thing. Indentured servitude isn’t.

First off, one could also be commissioned. Although the Corps probably wouldn’t take you on that side of the house, if you’re over 27. Your age is probably the biggest thing keeping you out of the fight. But the fight for ideas is important too.

Anne’s comment was goofy and telling, and I in no way support her.

The only thing I might add is that many folks that join the military also have other responsibilities. It’s a little off topic, but it’s important to note. For many servicemen, that’s the reason why they join. Not just to protect their wives, but to protect all the wives.

Heinlein had a good quote:
“Some people say-I've heard talk-that married men should not go (to war). Because of their families.

But this involves contradiction, a fatal one. The family man dare not hang back and expect the bachelor to do his fighting for him. It is manifestly unfair for me to expect a bachelor to die for my children if I am unwilling to die for them myself. Enough of that attitude on the part of married men and the bachelor will refuse to fight if the married man stays safe at home...and the republic is doomed. The barbarian will walk in unopposed.”

I really like that quote, but I want to be very clear that I am in no way demanding or even suggesting that someone join the military unless they volunteer to do so.

Another thing to bear in mind, "Anne", is that some of us have already served and are now too old to re-join. I did my part 20-25 years ago, manning the ramparts against the Soviets. Assuming you're of military age, why don't you do your part and fend off the Islamofascists?

It's not really a fixation, it's more like a fourth-grader who has a riddle that can stump the grownups. If you can answer they lose interest.

I vaguely remember Sean Hannity(?) getting stumped by a lefty asking, "Would you send your child to die in Iraq?" or some such. Of course that's meaningless. Children aren't "sent," adults enlist. And have only a small chance of serving (or dying) in a particular campaign.