Joining the Minnesota National Guard

I joined the Minnesota National Guard on this day. I joined because I did not see a problem in defending my country - but more importantly my state. Jesse Ventura was my state Commander-in-chief and Bill Clinton ( who I did not admire much at the time) was the current President. In the National Guard I saw them as on equal levels. Since 9-11 the National Guard has become a de-facto reserve for the Feds and NOT a state-run organizations. States do not even have the right to keep their troops home if they want them to ( this has not happened yet, but the Feds took away the right in 2005 to pre-empt future Governors from this power).

I also joined for experience. I cannot say I have gained much experience as I have a glimpse into a culture whose existence I would never have seen. I cannot truly transfer the literal skills of the job I have, apart from leadership skills into a civilain career. I do not plan to work for Qwest or Time Warner installing cable internet - as this would be a lower paying job than my current work.

The ARMY subculture is rather unique. It is comprised mainly of rural and small town citizens - not so much urban dwellers. Their beliefs in things such as gun rights and that God should be in charge of our nations policies are much more radical than any suburbanites I had met.

But also not having lived in a large city, they tend to have stereotypes of where I live. They fear cities. They think any person of another color who looks at them in Minneapolis wants to "beat them down." I honestly cannot understand why there is so much fear to cities, maybe they should visit me and take a stroll down Frankline Avenue or Nicollet Avenue with me sometime. Then they will see that the place is not some city full of gangs ready to mug you as it is coffee shops and ethnic restaurants.

If anything, I show them what is possible by living in Minneapolis. They see it as possible to live where I do carfree. Though they cannot understand how I am still alive on a strict vegetarian diet. :) But I can pass my physical tests and can run faster than most of them!

Anyways, I did not foresee a war with anyone until 9-11. Afghanistan was indeed run by the Taliban and needed change. Iraq and the Middle East have needed change, too. But there are more countries than Iraq that need it.

Saddam Hussein was our ally until he went to war with Kuwait because Kuwait was taking Iraqi oil. Horizontal drilling by the Kuwaitis is still occuring and the current Iraqi elected officials want it to end. So to have worked with Saddam to create a democracy after he died - would have been a better resolution than not trading with Iraq and causing thousands of children to die of malnutrition and the nations ifrastructure to fall apart.

If we make a deal with every dictator that they establish a democracy after they leave office or die - then we will be able to create democracy worldwide without as much bloodshed and suffering. This seems to be current U.S. policy ( the opposite of the spread of Communism ) - the creation of democracies worldwide.

I look at politics as a form of nonviolent warfare of ideas and beliefs. If we can move more people to working together in this fashion, I think we will see a less violent world. Even as the Iraq War 2 began, worldwide deaths by war were the lowest in decades. I see this long-term change very optimistically.

But rushing to war without proper global dialogue and without a real reason - really doesn't fly to well with me.

So I get to decide before May of 2006 if I should renew my agreement with the U.S.A. and stay in the National Guard. We will see what happens. I consider it only because I have 2 years of IRR and could get called up to go to Iraq AGAIN if I do not stay in longer.

DQ Dilly Bars

One of my favorite childhood memories: dilly bars! :D

You can't go wrong going to Dairy Queen in the Minnesotan summers! It can be addicting and unhealthy. Of course, there should be more vegan alternatives there for the 21st century.....