Letters to the Editor

Freshmen, think before you speak.

Well, where to begin? I am sick of people suddenly driving around with American flags on their cars.

I am sick of people suddenly saying with yard signs, “We Support Our Troops.” Our troops have always been around…why do you suddenly support them now???

I was devastated by the losses of 9/11, but I am also devastated about the losses from the Battle of Tarawa, the Battle of Iwo Jima, and of course the Gulf Wars.

There have been others. Ask your grandparents; they will tell you about them.

A few comments in the “would you reinstate the draft?” column prompted me to answer in this fashion. With the understanding that those questioned did not understand what they were being asked, I will leave their names confidential.

A junior is the only one to answer the question well. I disagreed, but at least it was a good answer. I will leave him alone!

Next, believing in the draft, but only if it is for men? You ladies asked for your equal rights … now you have them!

Next, someone thought it was gay. Well pal, gay how? Gay that people serve in the military so you can be in this newspaper gay or gay like how it would be if we lived in a country without freedom of speech gay?

The next is my favorite. “I don’t like the draft. … If it’s needed, you have to go and there’s no way around it. I think we should use voluntary methods before it’s reinstated.” Correct me if I am wrong, the reason for a draft is due to not having sufficient “voluntary methods.”

Well, whatever, she must not be informed about that yet!

Okay, so I lied, this is my favorite:

“I’m opposed to reinstating the draft. I feel there’s enough incentive for people to join voluntarily rather than forcing people (to join).”

Okay, so dude, are you saying that $800 a month (for someone your age) is good enough to put your life on the line? No!?! Then do not say it is enough incentive, at least ’til you have your Wellness credits done…then you’ll be a real war hero!!! If the incentives are so good, why are you not in the military?

Excuse me if I got onto a soap box, but my intent is only to inform to the students of South Dakota State the information that at least one person in the military feels about the general attitude portrayed in the “Could You be Drafted?” article.

I feel really strongly that the students surveyed were either misinformed or our nation is in a lot of trouble.

Dan Daly United States Marine CorpsBrookings, SDAs this week’s letter of the week author, Dan will receive a $10 gift certificate to the University Bookstore. He and other winners can pick up their prize at the Collegian office in USU 069.