Would this bumper sticker upset you?

[Mickey527]

My son called a few minutes ago and he was telling me about a bumper sticker he saw that upset him. He said he didn't know whether to be angry or insulted.
I am not sure how I feel about it.

MY SON IS FIGHTING IN IRAQ SO YOUR SON CAN GO TO COLLEGE

My son is going to college, but when he finishes his Associate Degree in another year he is planning on joining the AF. He wanted to get some college behind him so he can go in with a higher rank since he is going to be older than most of the new recruits at 24.
I do feel compassion for any person who is fighting and won't get into debates about the right and wrong. But I am not sure the goal of this particular fight is our country's freedom.
Somehow I wish the bumper sticker could be re-worded. I think it is important that we honor those who are over there, or any serviceman or servicewoman who is anywhere defending our political decisions. I know that wasn't worded to let everyone know what I mean, but it is hard to word something to be neutral.
I plan on having bumper stickers all over my car when my son enlists, because I am proud of what he will accomplish wherever he is sent. But I don't want to start a controversy or have to defend my son's choice.
I have a flag hanging in front of my house and have since I bought this house. I do get angry with the 9-11 people who only hang flags on that day or Veteran's day etc.... But that is another controversy and another topic.
Peggie

 

[twinklebug]

That bumper sticker was written with the intention of offending. The person who put it on their car had the same intention.

I try to shrug stuff like that off. We have a good family friend who is over there right now WITH his fiance. My son, is in college. Both are just as valuable to society as are the kids who choose to go to technical school.

The only ones we should put down are the kicked out of school drug dealers.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

That bumper sticker was written with the intention of offending. The person who put it on their car had the same intention.

I try to shrug stuff like that off. We have a good family friend who is over there right now WITH his fiance. My son, is in college. Both are just as valuable to society as are the kids who choose to go to technical school.

Exactly!

 

[maleficent1959]

My reaction is *** does that even mean? I need someone to connect the dots for me. Fighting so that your son has the right to go to college? Fighting for democracy in Iraq so your son can go to college? Fighting in Iraq so that in case there's a terrorist there he won't attack so that your son can survive and go to college? Fighting in Iraq so your future adopted Iraqi son can go to college?

I can see a slew of similar bumper stickers. "My son is in medical school so he can save your son's life." "My son is in law school so he can prosecute your son's frivolous lawsuit." "My son is a tourism major so your son can have exceptional service at Disneyworld." But it doesn't need to be limited to college. "My son is an agriculturalist so your son can smoke pot."

And where are the daughters in all of this?

 

[EeyoreFan1]

A bit, but not enough to make me get mad or anything.

 

[DISUNC]

It's just a IGNORANT bumper sticker that makes no sense or has no truth or humor!

 

[Captain Brain]

It would make me a little upset, but not too mad. I usually shrug those kind of things off.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It sounds holier than thou to me. There are many young men AND women whose college degrees will help otherwise support the troops. The equipment they get and utilize was designed and created by many many many of those who opted to "serve" in other ways.

I would have just shrugged it off--but I'm not in a place in life where it can offend me personally.

I would certainly hope that people don't think of my husband as less of a man for choosing not to join the military. He did want to join the reserves but I was very very skiddish about that and i think he now may be too old for that.

 

[Beth76]

Fine by me. I'd rather my sons go to college than go in the army.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I wouldn't be offended. I would just read it and if my husband was in the car I would point it out to him and then move on with my life.

 

[N.Bailey]

For now at least, our military is made up of volunteers, so I'd just blow it off. I have already signed papers that no recruiter will be allowed to contact either of my children while they are in high school and I won't be giving my decision a 2nd thought.

I do agree that the bumper sticker was created to incite, but as a mother, I would be worried sick if my child were in Iraq, so I can give a free pass to them on this one. I do think it's in bad taste, but I can still look beyond it.

 

[Micca]

That sticker is ridiculous They let people that stupid drive?

 

[Syrreal]

I'm pretty sure the sticker was meant to offend. It's because the person driving the car thinks they are a "Better American" than others. (I won't don a flame suit for saying this- I actually had some guy tell me that he was a better american than me because he had a sticker on his car. Mind you, I didn't say a word to this guy and I made no comment before he said this, but he decided to scream at me anyway <shrug>)

Anyway, I am not pro the war, but I am pro the men and women who are serving this country wherever they are stationed. The soldiers don't make the decision of where to go or what to do and I don't feel that anyone should belittle any of them. (I have seen some scenes at airports that are absolutely heartbreaking) They have seen so many things that I can't even imagine.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I'd rant about it a bit to my FH and then forget about it later. Some people join the armed forces, some people continue their education in college right away. It doesn't make one better than the other one and that bumper sticker's a load of crap.

 

[Cantw8]

I find it nasty and in poor taste

 

[disneycutie84]

I find it nasty and in poor taste

I agree!

 

[marybet]

I've heard a lot of reasons for going to Iraq but never this one. I find it insulting to college students and soldiers.

IMHO there is no good reason to be in Iraq.

 

[snowy76]

I think it was written to incite, but I will take it this way instead:

Our soldiers fight for our freedom. One of those freedoms is the right to an education. Not everyone in this world has that freedom and we should remember the folks who protect it for us. Which all of us lovely DISers do!

 

[grlpwrd]

It's in very poor taste and very ignorant. I have about 6 fellow students in my classes who still serve.

It is the American way, though - free speech - even if it is in poor taste.

 

[dementia412]

Why would that insult anyone? If you disagree ignore it, it's not like you have to listen to this person as they preach their values at you, you don't work with them, you have no connection to them. It's like what I told my daughter when the boys at school called her a boy... are you a boy... no... then what does it matter what they say, say whatever and walk away.