A Response to a National Guard Pamphlet Delivered to my Home on January 20th, 2008

Question 1:

LOOKING TO LEAD AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE? 
DO YOU NEED MORE EXCITEMENT IN YOUR LIFE?

I like to think that, day to day, I already live an extra(ordinary) life.  The extras in my life arrive each day, faces and eyes intact, waiting for the next word, or I waiting for theirs.

THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER--
MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

I appreciate the noble sentiments.  However, I can't help but feel that the small, almost bullet like tip of this pen I now write with can make a difference--more, I daresay, than a hollow point one desetined, perhaps, for an Iraqi villager walking home to his hut in the middle of a firefight?
The curves and shapes made by my ink write in his remembrance, rather than splatter him with his own blood. 
In fact, it just did.

DEFINE YOURSELF.
WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?

For my part, adventure has never required the dubious assemblage of napalm, bombs or guns.
Adventure for me lies between the ringing, pop, and simmering crackle of words and everything attendant
upon them.  Sound familiar? 

THE GUARD EXPERIENCE--
GUARANTEED INTENSITY.

"You've never experienced adrenaline pumping, heart pounding excitement like this before.  Whether navigating a night infiltration under a pitch black sky, or maneuvering a 60 ton tank, you'll do things in the Guard most people only do in video games.

I recently witnessed a friend of mine playing a war game in which he strategically destroyed 10 "enemy" (were they the "enemy"?  Could you send me another pamphlet making it real clear who the "enemy" is?  Dangerously ambiguous term.  Even virtually, they were so far off that I couldn't tell.  Do these lines get more blurry in combat?)  I was perfectly content to read a book while he did this and had no desire to "play the game" and, no offense, I'd much rather not play your game either.

 SERIOUS EQUIPMENT:
 
"The Army National Guard has the kind of equipment that wins wars.  You can become an expert on equipment like M270 Multiple Lanch Rocket Systems.  If you thought you were excited the first time you drove the family car, wait until you climb behind the controls of a multi-million dollar tank."

Hmm.  No, I'm not sure our definition of excitement match up.  The problem is that Rocket Systems and driving a car don't equate.  When I decide to pass another person in a tight lane my intention is not to destroy their livelihood or "outman" him.
Does it provide excitement?  Sure. 

As for the rocket firing, I'll leave that to you--or wait, I won't.  Simply because I attended an ROTC high school
is no reason to assume that I will.  

Actually, with each and every breath inhaled and exhaled, between each pulse of my veins, wars of any kind will
be my enemy.

This pamphlet has no place on my doorstep, in my mailbox, or even my garbage.

And they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4)