An Active Duty Marine Just Delivered a Pizza to my House.

[hang a left]

I answered the door to a southern drawl informing me of my order total. I noticed the shaved haircut underneath the baseball hat and I knew he wasn't from around here.

I asked him if he was in the service and he told me he was. "Active Duty Marine stationed at Miramar." I made a comment regarding him having to seek a second job. He told me he had to because when he returned from Iraq 3 months ago after being there for a year his wife left him 6 months into his stay. She wasn't willing to wait for him.

I asked him who he was going to vote for. He was hesitant and said "Bush, probably." He informed me he was a Texan and the democrats traditionally haven't been good to the military, and how bad it was under Clinton. Seeing no point in disagreeing with this poor soul, I wished him well.

So very very sad.

[saracat]

1. I would have asked him if he felt it was any better now, and

left it at that.

[HopeArrival]

10. I would not have bothered him with politics

The man sounds like he has had a handful as it is. I would have tipped him big and wished him my best.

[saracat]

14. But politics is why he is where he is. If they all continue to vote that w

thats the way it will stay.His biggest tip should have been vote Democrat!

[NMDemDist2]

15. welcome to DU Hope

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Poor guy. :^(

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Well, better delivering pizza than shooting people for Exxon.

Poor brainwashed sod.

[Bowline]

4. The Republicans traditionally garner the majority of the military vote.

Not surprising, given that the majority of the senior officers are strong conservatives. While Clinton didn't win many friends in the military the current administration has done a fantastic job of driving many undecideds and moderates to the left. Most can see the reality of what we are doing in Iraq and don't appreciate being used for the neocon's personal agenda.

[Blue Wally]

22. This was not always the case

Wheni came into the Army in 1961, the majority of the officer corps were Roosevelt and Kennedy Democrats. There were a few old-fashioned "blue blood" Republicans, but they were only a significant minority.

This changed in 1972 when mcGovern was nominated. There was a wholesale shift away from McGovern. The shift was completed in 1980 when Reagan took office. Even those who didn't vote for Reagan in his first election voted for him in 1984. Reagan just touched a chord with Army officers.

Bill Clinton's rhetoric, urban legends told about hilary, and the people that surrounded the Clinton's pretty much kept the officer corps on the Republican side.

Army officers are quite liberal economically, but are very conservative when it comes to cultural issues and national security.

[anarchy1999]

5. How in heaven's name did you ever let him just walk away?

Hey Libnproud, I know you better than this. You must have been flabberbergasted and speechless, otherwise he would never have walked away. "The democrats traditionally haven't been good to the military...."

I'm sadder than sad, will you order up another pizza?

on edit: I'll pay!

[hang a left]

12. I just ached in my heart for him and I was speechless.

I wish now I would have told him I am voting for Kerry and I support the military 100%. He was just so young and naive and brainwashed I didn't even know where to start.

[rocktivity]

6. There's a scene in F9/11

where a pair of Marines are recruiting in downscale outdoor mall. They stop a young couple with a child, and the man points out he has a family. One of the recruiters says, "That's all the MORE reason why you should join!"

:headbang:
rcoknation

[freetobegay]

7. Poor guy, I wish him well

One of these days he may even see the light.

[Mika]

8. I used this line on a mil patient

Which would choose to defend vets and active..... draft dodger Clinton (I know, I know), AWOL Bush, or decorated war veteran John Kerry?

Kerry was the reply.

[Tardisian]

9. On the other hand,

you say he hesitated before he said "Bush, probably",so maybe he really will vote Kerry, he just didn't want to say so and seem "disloyal" to the CIC.

[Divernan]

11. Hope you have the opportunity to see him again and

maybe give him a printout or some material detailing Kerry's military service, and something on how Bush has cut veterans' benefits. Maybe a picture/article about Kerry's Band of Brothers supporting him.
It's a sad, sad story, and one of many thousands of lives destroyed by the Bush war regime.

[Junkdrawer]

13. A guy in that much denial has to work it out himself...

you would have only rubbed salt into the wounds by haranguing him. You did the right thing.

[wrate]

16. What is worse than being sent to kill and be killed for and oil company?

This is in reference to the guy's comment about Democrats not being good to the military.

[VOX]

17. Tell him you appreciate his service, and ask him to just give Kerry a look

No need to disagree with him. Look him in the eye, tell him that you know where he's coming from, but mention that Kerry seems like the real deal, and is worth looking into. Give him a healthy tip, a heartfelt thanks (for more than just the pizza), and a firm handshake.

My wife was getting a quick manicure before our night out in a Northern California town. Their talk got around to politics, and the manicurist was foursquare for Bush*, saying that he was "likeable."

My wife didn't disagree directly with her, but simply said, "He may seem likeable, but he's surrounded by some really bad people." Just enough to perhaps get her thinking. Even a little bit.

Never overlook a chance to try and shine a ray of light into the darkness.

On edit: typos

[Catch22Dem]

18. I served in Clinton's Air Force

And I know for a fact it was better than it was under Reagan and Bush I.

[Walt Starr]

19. I hope you gave him a good tip

I've lived in a military town and knew airmen who had to deliver pizzas to make ends meet.

[nose pin]

20. My nephew is in the Army

He was married for a short time, then got divorced. The Army sends half his paycheck to his ex-wife automatically. Sucks.

[KC21304]

21. Too bad this marine doesn't know that

Democrats have traditionally been VERY good to the military. FDR signed the GI Bill of Rights for WWII veterans, Truman the Korean Conflict GI Bill, and LBJ the Vietnam Era GI BIll. Too bad he doesn't know what Truman did for Black veterans. Too bad they believe this GOP propaganda. So sad.

[Booster]

23. You did the right thing by wishing him well and not

saying anything else. My nephew is going to Iraq in August and we have a couple of political discussions and he is confused about duty/Bush etc, but I, like you, figure he has enough on his plate and I will not fill his head with political baggage until he gets back, and then the gloves come off. ha