THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA

An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis

Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor


READERS' VIEWS -- EMAIL

RE:   MILITARY SERVICE, SHARED EXPERIENCE, & NATIONAL UNITY
December 31, 2002

Dr. Way,

    Where have you been?  I just stumbled across your web site while doing a Google search on military strength and couldn't believe what I found.  I was so intrigued that I read your political party preference and political philosophy.  It was as if I was describing myself.  How did you ever survive in the hallowed halls of academia?

    I've only just started reading some of the articles (there are so many of them!).  But I'm impressed.  It will take me a while to get through all of them, but get through them I will.

    As a retired member of the military (28 years, 4 months, 11 days), I find it disquieting that only 5% of journalists and 8% of the members of Congress have ever served in the military--among the lowest percentages in U.S. history.   The percentage for university professors is even lower.  I think those numbers have a greater significance than is gen- erally realized.  We, as Americans, no longer have a shared experience.  Our parents and grandparents could point to World War I, the Great Depression, or even World War II.  Today, there is no shared experience.  We are even losing ground on all of us speak- ing the same language.  We, as a country, are no longer the great Melting Pot but in- stead the Buffet Salad.  I am not confident of our ability to ever come together again, united in a single purpose, over a sustained period of time.

    Forgive my rantings.  I just wanted to share a thought with you and tell you your site is a great resource of timely information.  I will be a frequent visitor.  Keep up the good work.

Ralph Panz




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