Reply #11: Welcome!

[Hello_Kitty]

I was in the Navy from 1987-1997. When Reagan and Bush I were in office the President was to be respected and criticism was actively discouraged by seniors. When Clinton came into office the big deal was gays in the military and the mostly conservative guys I worked with were up in arms. The reverence for the POTUS was out the window. It was then that I began to form my liberal world view. I failed to see what they were so agitated about since they were a. already serving with numerous gays (unbeknownst to them) and b. were not generally the most moral guys around (infidelity, sexual harassment, and prostitution are rampant on most bases) despite many of them objecting to being gay on "Biblical grounds". Just for fun, I'd point out to them that Scriptures also condemn all sorts of behavior that they regularly indulged in. They'd realize that they really couldn't argue with me and get mad and storm off or mock me for being a "bleeding heart tree hugger". So I started reading and learning more about various issues and realized that I agreed with the left wing perspective on most things. Meanwhile, people around me just allowed the propaganda of the right to wash over them. Very sad. Personally, I think being a liberal made me a better sailor. I valued my team over my individual accomplishments. In the end, I probably did not get promoted as often as I could have but I'm glad I opened my eyes and was true to myself. Thanks for your post and welcome. :)