Reply #66: Sorry--17 IS too young and stupid to make a life-threatening decision [View All]

Kids that age will do really stupid things because basically, it hasn't sunk into them that they're going to die some day.

Deep down they believe, "It won't happen to me."

And all this talk of "serving one's country" by going overseas and killing people who never threatened the U.S. is pure macho bullshit. Anyone who really believes that the troops in Iraq are "serving their country" and not carrying out the mad ambitions of the current administration is too naive to be away from home.

There. I said it.

If a young person wants to "serve his country," let him go volunteer to rebuild houses in New Orleans or fight forest fires or help out disabled veterans just a bit older than him who are paralyzed for life or covered with burn scars or blind.

And for heaven's sake, let him know that there are ways to finance college without risking his life.