Many of you may have read the recent letter to the editor titled "No place for the military at job fair". If not the article reads:
"While I realize that times are tough due to budget cuts and bad economies, I commend you on standing on principle and not printing military ads. Having money may be important, but having moral integrity is more important. No amount of money is worth the cost of knowing that you have contributed to militarism and occupational violence.
I would also like to complete this thought by extending it to the administration: I as that Western follow in the steps of Harvard and Yale universities by dis-allowing military recruiters access to their students. Killing is not a valid career option. Even by simply allowing uniformed soldiers onto campus, Western undermines the psychology of peace through the presence of violent symbolism.
I am asking the administration to do the ethical thing and refuse the Marines and the [Drug Enforcement Agency] their tables at the upcoming career fair, just as they would refuse cult recruiters, extremists or Blackwater mercenaries to set up and court their students. There are some things more important than money, and integrity is one of them."
Written by Evan Knappenberger, Whatcom Community College Student
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There are always at least 2 sides to every argument. Mr. Knappenberger has presented one view, and while you may disagree with it, it is a legitimate view point. My "opinion" is in agreement with Mr. Knappenberger's. Everyone in this country knows we have a military and if they want to pursue that career they are entitled to do so. And just because the military has open jobs, doesn't mean every college in this country has to allow them to set up tables at their career fairs. Do you watch the ads at the movie theatres? Do you read their recruitment materials. Do you listen to what the recruiters are telling the 18 and 19 year olds? They are glorifying the challenge of the horrific. If you had to deal with the young people today as they are coming out of the service, you might, just perhaps, change your mind.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely think this is a legitimate side of the an issue. However, this is a side that is more represented on WWU's campus. As a campus that supports diversity, veterans that hold views other than the one presented by Mr. Knappenberger contribute to that diversity on campus, yet it is less valued.
ReplyDeleteI happen to work with young people that are coming out of the service and entering the world of higher education and while I would never intend to speak for them, the one common theme I have noticed is the feeling of facing an unwelcoming campus community.
I also agree with you when you state that every campus in the country doesn't need to allow the military to set up a table but aren't those who want to pursue that as a career entitled to recieve that information? As a state funded, public institution, WWU may not have the flexibility of allowing some (but not others) onto campus such as Harvard or Yale.
Penny, thank you for your post!
maybe I forgot to mention that I am a veteran and that I served in iraq, when I wrote the letter.
ReplyDeleteaccording to the no child left behind act, all educational institutions recieving federal money (including harvard and yale) are supposed to allow recruiters access.... some choose not to because recruiters are lying pond scum glorifying violence and selling children into servitude.
ReplyDeleteEvan, thanks for visiting this blog!
ReplyDeleteI read some of what you have posted on your own blog and I think I need to clarify a few things.
My motives are simple: to work toward serving those who have served, not glorifying what was required of these men and women (including you) while in service. My father has been in the US Navy for almost 30 years and we disagree on most federal policies.
Instead of poking at recruiters, shouldn't we systemically examine why the military needs recruiters?
I respect what you have to say and the information that was published in the Western Front. However, a fine line must be walked when addressing an issue like this because one's identity may be attached to their service.
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ReplyDeleteoh gee, thanks for deleting my post. Way to make veterans feel comfortable on campus!
ReplyDeletewhat i was saying was that in response to your question of "why military recruiters are necessary," that they aren't. They are not necessary, and that is the dialogue that needs to be happening on campus, which you stifle in the name of "diversity" or protecting some other "majority-minority" feelings of veterans that disagree with me.
Evan, I deleted that post was because, as the creator and administrator (and unaffiliated with the University), I felt it as though it did not coincide with the reason why I created this blog.
ReplyDeleteWhile your viewpoints are valued, perhaps another blog would be a more appropriate place to debate this issue.
you asked. then you deleted.
ReplyDeleteHey Evan its good to know that you never even left the wire while in Iraq. You coward I'm sure you gained first hand experience while sitting at BIAP and being on post. Your a disgrace to yourself. There is plenty of honor in service but I'm sure you didn't learn any of that while walking to burger king.
ReplyDeleteHey Evan why dont you act real tough and beat your wife some more... oh wait you already did that.
ReplyDeleteEvan, it warms my heart to know that you took time out of your obviously busy schedule to write me a little poem. We should definitely become bestest friends since you like to write me sweet little poems.
ReplyDeleteOh and I don't know what a 762 is (its 7.62, but if you ever did anything in the military you might have known that) and on a second note. Since you are a "veteran" when you stated on May 19th that "you and all veterans are whores" I believe that makes you a whore as well. Plus for someone that attempts to talk all this nonviolence stuff man you need to check yourself out in the mirror with all those cuss words and name calling. But take care bestest bud, cant wait to read your reply.
oh, and in case you didn't understand the poem, it is calling the stench of burning soldiers "the smell of hope." Get it?
ReplyDeletethe stench of burning soldiers: the sweet smell of capitalism at work. american blood is the sweetest thing in the world! i did a dance when those recruiters got shot the other day. allahu akbar! i did a dance when john russel fragged those five gi's too... once again, we come to the same conclusion: it is irrelevant what i feel, because the american military deserves to bleed.
ReplyDeleteOh my confused bestest friend Evan. Looking at my police record, oh yea its clean. Looking at your police record, thats right you assaulted your spouse. I would say that means you cant hack it in the real world.
ReplyDeleteOn a second note I dare you to say these words to any combat troops face. See how that works out, your a real big man talking behind a computer. Probably you feel like a big man to beating on a woman apparently. Oh yea that John Russel whoever dude. Yea dirt bag national guard like yourself. Im noticing a real trend here.
Good job posting your little mindless rant on June 6th, I know that day has no meaning to you since honor is nothing more than a word in the dictionary in your life. Always remember Evan that better men than you died so you can be a coward behind a computer screen and a bigger fool at home attacking a woman.
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ReplyDeleteMad Nomad. We know who you are. We see you everyday......You should be careful about what you say about veterans, although some of us can be fanatic there are allot of us who can complete a rational thought, and will defend everyone's right to kick your @#&%!!
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