Posted on Sep 25, 2015
Do you Agree or Disagree about this article - The politically correct military?
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http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/09/21/the-politically-correct-military/
Do you Agree or Disagree about this article - The politically correct military?
RP Members interesting article and perspective on The Politically Correct Military!
Your feedback and thoughts about the author's position:
We have become so obsessed with political correctness that we are almost to the point we cannot function as a country. Meanwhile the PC distraction is padding the bank accounts of ambulance-chasing attorneys, while the politicians, become more efficient at fleecing the American public and driving minorities onto a government plantation with more handouts. Perhaps this is the insanity we deserve for not voting wisely.
The effect of political correctness is to fundamentally change America, so much so that our Founders would never recognize what has occurred. It is not only maddening, but downright dangerous when such nonsense is extended to those who have volunteered to protect and defend this country.
The folly of the liberal-progressives is their idea of a politically correct military. It all began in 1972 as the war in Vietnam was drawing to a close. Active U.S. involvement ended in January 1973, and the world bid South Vietnam sayonara when North and South Vietnam officially became one.
Do you Agree or Disagree about this article - The politically correct military?
RP Members interesting article and perspective on The Politically Correct Military!
Your feedback and thoughts about the author's position:
We have become so obsessed with political correctness that we are almost to the point we cannot function as a country. Meanwhile the PC distraction is padding the bank accounts of ambulance-chasing attorneys, while the politicians, become more efficient at fleecing the American public and driving minorities onto a government plantation with more handouts. Perhaps this is the insanity we deserve for not voting wisely.
The effect of political correctness is to fundamentally change America, so much so that our Founders would never recognize what has occurred. It is not only maddening, but downright dangerous when such nonsense is extended to those who have volunteered to protect and defend this country.
The folly of the liberal-progressives is their idea of a politically correct military. It all began in 1972 as the war in Vietnam was drawing to a close. Active U.S. involvement ended in January 1973, and the world bid South Vietnam sayonara when North and South Vietnam officially became one.
Political Correctness
Politics
American History
Military History
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 24
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs - I agree with the author. I believe our country is suffering due to the "political correctness" BS that has permeated every facet of our lives, to include the military.
The problem I see with the PC crap is who elected or appointed the PC crowd (typically liberal buffoons) as the arbiters of what is PC or not? What makes their opinion any more important than those who disagree with their decree that, for example, calling someone "queer", instead of "gay" is not politically correct? Or calling someone "negro", instead of "black" or "African-American" is not PC... Hell, every time you get used to one of the terms that are "correct", the PC police change them.
Our military is suffering from social engineering and PC garbage. That is indisputable and it is something that is putting our nation at risk. If that is not a PC statement, I don't give a rat's ass. It is the truth.
The problem I see with the PC crap is who elected or appointed the PC crowd (typically liberal buffoons) as the arbiters of what is PC or not? What makes their opinion any more important than those who disagree with their decree that, for example, calling someone "queer", instead of "gay" is not politically correct? Or calling someone "negro", instead of "black" or "African-American" is not PC... Hell, every time you get used to one of the terms that are "correct", the PC police change them.
Our military is suffering from social engineering and PC garbage. That is indisputable and it is something that is putting our nation at risk. If that is not a PC statement, I don't give a rat's ass. It is the truth.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs The article makes a lot of good points. The author is correct that our nation is being crippled by political correctness. When our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written, they were written by men who had open dialog. If person A thought that person B had a stupid idea, he would say it. Person B would take it on board under the premise that not everyone is going to agree with their ideas. They had the ability to listen to the dissenting opinions and come to a mutually acceptable compromise.
Our modern culture is soft. Young children participate in sports where no score is kept, and everyone gets a trophy for participation. It doesn't build character, it instills the idea in these kids that just showing up is praiseworthy. There is no instilling the principle of striving to be great. Political correctness is in that same vein. Soft people are easily offended, and lash out at the offending party. A modern person could not function in a society where they had to excel to succeed.
In a modern setting if person A thought person B had a stupid idea, and they told person B, person B would whine about how mean person A is. Maybe they would play the race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or some other discrimination card. The end result is that instead of looking at the merit of the original subject material, the character of the person questioning the subject material is what is questioned instead. This stifles the free flow of ideas. The next time person A questions the merit of an idea, that person is going to be reluctant to voice their concerns. Over time that turns to resentment. That resentment ends with belligerence and an unwillingness to even consider the views of the other side.
This is truly the state of affairs in Washington right now. Both the republicans and the democrats refuse to work with each other. How many times in recent years has legislation either been passed or rejected with a vote falling straight down party lines? Most recently the attempt to keep the government solvent while defunding Planned Parenthood was split right along the party lines. Forget that these people are supposed to be working for the American people. They are going to work for their party and the special interests that are lining their pockets.
The longer that we continue on this path, the worse it is going to get. We are going to come to a point as a nation where we are weak, uneducated, and ripe for a fall. Then when the US falls into history, those who live during that time will wonder "where did we go wrong?" They won't even be able to see that in trying to be liked by everyone while offending no one, they have weakened the character of a nation to the point of failure. I hope that I am not here to see that time happen. It will be a sad time for all.
Sorry for the doom and glum on a Friday.
Our modern culture is soft. Young children participate in sports where no score is kept, and everyone gets a trophy for participation. It doesn't build character, it instills the idea in these kids that just showing up is praiseworthy. There is no instilling the principle of striving to be great. Political correctness is in that same vein. Soft people are easily offended, and lash out at the offending party. A modern person could not function in a society where they had to excel to succeed.
In a modern setting if person A thought person B had a stupid idea, and they told person B, person B would whine about how mean person A is. Maybe they would play the race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or some other discrimination card. The end result is that instead of looking at the merit of the original subject material, the character of the person questioning the subject material is what is questioned instead. This stifles the free flow of ideas. The next time person A questions the merit of an idea, that person is going to be reluctant to voice their concerns. Over time that turns to resentment. That resentment ends with belligerence and an unwillingness to even consider the views of the other side.
This is truly the state of affairs in Washington right now. Both the republicans and the democrats refuse to work with each other. How many times in recent years has legislation either been passed or rejected with a vote falling straight down party lines? Most recently the attempt to keep the government solvent while defunding Planned Parenthood was split right along the party lines. Forget that these people are supposed to be working for the American people. They are going to work for their party and the special interests that are lining their pockets.
The longer that we continue on this path, the worse it is going to get. We are going to come to a point as a nation where we are weak, uneducated, and ripe for a fall. Then when the US falls into history, those who live during that time will wonder "where did we go wrong?" They won't even be able to see that in trying to be liked by everyone while offending no one, they have weakened the character of a nation to the point of failure. I hope that I am not here to see that time happen. It will be a sad time for all.
Sorry for the doom and glum on a Friday.
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I've been out for 10 years but it doesn't seem that bad to me. I work with a lot of AD Army and Air Force right now and there is not a whole lot of PCness with them. Maybe the higher levels suffer from it and some of their decisions affect the lower levels but it seems like at the lower levels Soldiers are Soldiers and do what needs to be done. I suppose the first example I saw was in 1986 when you couldn't sing a lot of the old cadences anymore. We griped but got over it quickly. A lot of what people railed against that was PC was pretty pointless anyway. I suppose today's biggest thing is transgender troops. Lots of screaming about that but at the end of the day, who really gives a shit. I still use many un-PC terms and phrases. Maybe I get a pass since people think I am old or crazy or something, but it does not affect my day to day existence that much. I was angry about not smoking indoors, people called that PC then. Now I get it and it's about health and wasn't that bad a decision as it turned out.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; The gentleman makes a few good points badly.
[1] Open all areas to anyone who wants to apply for them,
[2] Set a single (objective and measurable) "minimum standard" for acceptance into any course,
[3] Allow entrance onto any course depending on open (and objectively measured) competitions,
[4] Set a single (objective and measurable) "minimum standard" for graduation from any course,
[5] Fill vacancies for people who have graduated from the requisite training randomly from those who are graduating from the requisite training.
The KEY is the "single (objective and measurable)" part.
[1] Open all areas to anyone who wants to apply for them,
[2] Set a single (objective and measurable) "minimum standard" for acceptance into any course,
[3] Allow entrance onto any course depending on open (and objectively measured) competitions,
[4] Set a single (objective and measurable) "minimum standard" for graduation from any course,
[5] Fill vacancies for people who have graduated from the requisite training randomly from those who are graduating from the requisite training.
The KEY is the "single (objective and measurable)" part.
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I think the article would have been better had it taken out the insults and placed for facts in their places. Not worried about PC, but to put this "Boomers who became the foundation for what has put America on a non-stop highway we call political correctness, and began their quest to fundamentally change America, long before Barack Hussein Obama was even wet behind the ears . . . a mere dope smoking teenager in the making" in there shows what? Obama had nothing to do with it. This time. Maybe I was hoping for a more informational and accurate piece than another OP Ed from someone with an ax to grind. Everyone has stake in this nation, and the Boomers weren't all a bunch of acid tripping liberals anymore than they were a bunch of back wood racists or inner city gangsters. The author had the right idea, but the execution fell flat. He also fails to mention how VA has been bad since the Nam era (and before), yet wanted to mention how Obama mentioned it as a focus (which he did). I'm sure there were a few Presidents between that time, and more than a few hundred thousand vets who got out of the military who also saw the failures of the VA. Where is the accountability for them? Of the congresses during those times? I don't care what party other than there's been a systemic failure at the helm to rein in VA by anyone.
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The article is a muddle of many disjointed ideas some of which refer tangentially to political correctness and therein lies the problem. We will never successfully defeat political correctness until we learn how to better frame the debate. Sadly the opposition are masters of the art.
First of all, we need to take a deep breath and learn how to laugh. We're pontificating far too much and it only serves to drive those on the fence into the waiting arms of the opposition. Yes, yes, I know. I'm guilty too. It's hard to keep calm when faced with such stupidity. (Sorry about that. "Stupid" and its variants is politically incorrect - anyone with young children or grandchildren have most likely been chided if they use that word). But learn we must...
Secondly, we need to use terms correctly (not politically correctly). The debate goes to the person who defines the terms. For example, "political correctness" is simply a prohibition on telling the truth. In other words, it is the opposite of free speech. Its practical application prevents us from saying anything, even honestly, if the utterance might offend someone, anyone, even those who deserve or need to be offended.
Third, when political correctness is in force, lies run rampant. (Keep in mind points one and two) Truth is the shield against falsehoods. When truth is bridled by political correctness, lies run rampant.
I could go on but will stop at four as I come full circle to one. Let's start laughing at the antics of the politically correct crowd. As Twain observed, no one can stand against a gale of laughter. Be confident when you are armed with truth and use it without reservation. Also, its hard to be angry with someone who is laughing, even when they are laughing at your lies...
First of all, we need to take a deep breath and learn how to laugh. We're pontificating far too much and it only serves to drive those on the fence into the waiting arms of the opposition. Yes, yes, I know. I'm guilty too. It's hard to keep calm when faced with such stupidity. (Sorry about that. "Stupid" and its variants is politically incorrect - anyone with young children or grandchildren have most likely been chided if they use that word). But learn we must...
Secondly, we need to use terms correctly (not politically correctly). The debate goes to the person who defines the terms. For example, "political correctness" is simply a prohibition on telling the truth. In other words, it is the opposite of free speech. Its practical application prevents us from saying anything, even honestly, if the utterance might offend someone, anyone, even those who deserve or need to be offended.
Third, when political correctness is in force, lies run rampant. (Keep in mind points one and two) Truth is the shield against falsehoods. When truth is bridled by political correctness, lies run rampant.
I could go on but will stop at four as I come full circle to one. Let's start laughing at the antics of the politically correct crowd. As Twain observed, no one can stand against a gale of laughter. Be confident when you are armed with truth and use it without reservation. Also, its hard to be angry with someone who is laughing, even when they are laughing at your lies...
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You used a much more eloquent way of say it but you know exactly where I'm coming from.
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"Political Correctness" was created by the manipulative to empower the apathetic and demonize the audacious. It corrupts compassion, reason and principle into avarice, propaganda, and anarchy.
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I look at political correctness as a way to strip away any personal identity to the point you don't have an opinion as any perspective will offend someone. You don't like rainy days your an a-hole that's aquaphobic - you like rainy days your an a-hole that's heliophobic. This conditions one not to care if its sunny or rainy. When the masses become indifferent its easy to say go outside without any resistance. You won't hear "its to hot" or "but its raining". The heard will just meander out into the slaughter house. We need to go back to the days where there were winners and losers - there was a right and a wrong - your name wasn't just a name it was a promise of a hand shake that you would honor your part of the deal. PC is killing all of this.
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Long ago ... we have something that call Freedom of speech .... now? we got political correctness. That is all a political correctness do, shut down a discussion.
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To be honest Political Correctness dates back at least to the French Revolution COL Mikel J. Burroughs. That turmoil resulted in the dictatorship of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The current worship of the Liberal/Progressive pied pipers will hopefully burn out by 2020 if not 2017. Those folks have,like the pied piper, attempted to lead the schoolchildren astray to blindly follow their views of history, social importance and priorities, etc.
The current worship of the Liberal/Progressive pied pipers will hopefully burn out by 2020 if not 2017. Those folks have,like the pied piper, attempted to lead the schoolchildren astray to blindly follow their views of history, social importance and priorities, etc.
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