Wanted: A Good Job and Some Understanding

[frigidmagi]

NYTimes

[quote]My father and I don’t talk much about my time in the war. I’ve told him a little about my frustrations with the experience and about my contradictory feelings of pride and humbleness. During dinner one evening, when we were discussing my difficulties with juggling my civilian job and National Guard responsibilities, my father finished chewing his food and placed his fork down on the table.

“When I look at a guy who has to report to drill every month, as a manager and as a hirer, I have to think about that,â€

[Comrade Tortoise]

I can speak to this, although I am currently employed. Some of the folks here know the frustration I went through at times. The constant refrain I would hear at some of my jobs "wow you're the saniest Marine I've seen" left me worried as well.

It is true though. Worrying, but true. I mean, you got out in '03. The marines getting out today have been through the abject horror of an occupation which has, frankly, been run very poorly. They have done so for years. I know damn well you have your share of issues due to your experiences, but you came back "heavily used" not "broken". That is the only analogy I can think of.

You have a mosque down the street from you and you dont visibly flip out when you hear the call to prayer (not sure if I can hear it from your place, but can from parts of campus nearby). I know a guy who cant heat the words "Allahu Akbar" without at best getting a bit visibly twitchy.