Being stupid enough to go to Iraq is not an adequate defense not to pay your obligations.

geosprint: Being stupid enough to go to Iraq is not an adequate defense not to pay your obligations.


Being stupid enough to say things like that indicates that you probably shouldn't be posting.

JohnBigBootay: fark you and your ilk for intimating that citizens who don't agree with our government's foreign policy don't love their country. I respect anyone who is called to serve thir country - for instandce your Vietnam veterans - horrible idea that did no good, but whatever, many of the soldiers had no choice and I thank them for their sacrifice. This all volunteer army is just wasting time and money. You aren't serving for me OR my elected officials. They CHOSE to go. They get a paycheck for their service, don't look for anything else from me. I don't support it and I ain't thanking anyone for going.

Fark *you* for insinuating that I agree in the slightest with the policies of the Administration.

Fark you *further* with a rusty iron spike for daring to imply that the Constitutionally-provided militia does not serve your purpose if it happens to be used inappropriately.

Fark you even *further* for confounding the actions of the traitor in the President's chair with the purpose of the armed forces.

And may you be Farked eternally for your short-sighted views: armies are not raised and trained overnight, so a standing army is [ sadly ] necessary in order to maintain readiness.

Be damned with your arrogance.

/Hey, Fark's back up!

Dont understand this one, must be talking to an asshole in customer service. Worked for them along time ago and they have ALWAYS had a zero plan for deployment. The only thing needed is a copy of orders or a signed form from support. Either he is talking to a person who has no idea what he/she is doing or he got ahold of a prick. Thank God I went to school and dont have to worry about shiat jobs like that anymore.

LandOfChocolate :

Yep, respect firemen, police & yeah even lawyers. I even respect the teenager that washed my boat last weekend to make a few xtra bucks & help me out @ the same time. Anyone working for a living doing anything is appreciated. Otherwise we'd have to do alot of stuff ourselves, think that's what makes the economy engine run [econ101]. Some of us guys in these dangerous chosen professions do it for the glory, some of us do it for the rush, some of us do it to protect our families, all of us has a different reason, I do it because I'm the best pilot in the Navy & I like to fly, none are better than the other in my book. Buzzy.

/sorry about the lack of white space, I'm a cram everything into one sentence alpha dog type guy.

Action Replay Nick


So the line of reasoning goes: people in the military should recieve special treatment because they are better than people not in the military.

They should recieve special treatment because they are putting their ass on the line to protect your right to be a farking moron on this board without recieving the ass kicking you so richly deserve.

MWeather: The documentation that came with my hammer says it's used for hammering nails into wood.

Betcha if you look at the documentation, you'll find a clause along the lines of "You can't hold the company responsible for misusing this"--y'know, like that warning on the side of all the aerosol cans about deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents.

There's a clause in the constitution about that, too--it allows for the removal of anyone who misuses a tool. It's called impeachment.

Schmee

None of those professions can get transferred overseas at the drop of a hat without having the option of changing jobs, either

So what? That's part of the job. They know it, they sign
up and they agree to the terms. They agree to serve for so
long and that's the contract. Period. Firemen have to run into burning buildings,
it's a crappy part of the job but that's what they signed up for.

I do feel bad for the guy, it's a hard life but a life he
chose. If you choose a hard life then that's your choice.
Do it because you want to not because the world will owe
you something forever.

I develop technologies for the government and am on an army
base right now. I help develop technologies that can save
soldiers lives. I do feel bad, but it's something they
chose and every soldier knows that.

Y'all want to know about sacrifice, pain, comaradirie? Read this:
"Fallen Marine couldn't wait to meet his son for the first time"

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/BF3C0734E09CF3FF8525715B006CF 9B2?opendocument

Some of you might have some sympathy. A lot of you will be snarky.

/cut 'n' paste
// sorry no html skills.

mic87108
I believe that using all caps is a form of yelling...yes I WAS YELLING!

The irony is: the more you yell, the less others listen.

brynthian: I develop technologies for the government and am on an army
base right now. I help develop technologies that can save
soldiers lives. I do feel bad, but it's something they
chose and every soldier knows that.



"I work for the government on an army base, so I'm really getting a kick out of some of these replies..."

farkstinks: you know nothing about the word HONOR so be quiet please.

Welcome to America, where we've got freedom of speech (you may have heard of it!) but not freedom from being offended (sorry if that bothers you, grow a tougher skin).

/ass

Yeah, military personnel get paid, but not very much.

As an E5 over 4 in the Navy I made just around $20k per year. Our CO wouldn't allow us to live off the ship, so I didn't get the benefit of a housing allowance (I read that they get close to a grand a month now for housing and groceries. I could live like a king off that). Because $20k is not a whole hell of a lot we also got a pretty decent benefits package (medical coverage, etc.) which included certain laws Congress had put into effect to prevent people from gouging the shiat out of us.

It's pretty much an uncontestable fact that the nation still requires some kind of military to defend our interests around the world. If you disagree, then you really need to stop driving or, say, buying anything at the store that was not driven to that store, because it was military actions that have kept your gasoline-fueled economy up and running. So before you guys start whining about how this is some "personal responsibility" issue, STFU and understand that servicemembers get certain bennies as compensation for doing a pretty important job for shiat pay.

Such animosity in this thread.

At the very least, can we all agree that the solider in question was a dumbass for not taking care of his personal business prior to deployment?

Brick Top: As an E5 over 4 in the Navy I made just around $20k per year.

$20k? Jeeze, I'm making more than that now....

/You guys get better benefits than I do, though.
//Looks to be $28k for me this year.
///$20k ain't nearly enough for me to consider being shot at.

optimus_prime: At the very least, can we all agree

Nope. 'cuz this is Fark, and we LIKE it like this.

I used to work for Sprint and I handled collections on accounts like this.



Yeah.... I called in sick alot.

Brick Top: around $20k per year.

If you really think about it, 20K is pure bank. Food, housing, medical, and clothing (albiet camouflage) is provided for you. That's a hell of a lot of disposable income for a single person (with no family commitments).

I was never broke while I was in.

/GI Bill pays my school and rent

LandOfChocolate

You didn't answer my original question. Why do you think everyyone should be required to serve in the military and why do you think those that do are better than those that don't?

I'll swing at that one.

the idea behind mandatory military service is that it builds some civic pride, instills some discipline, and would give every American some common ground. Not to mention that there would never be a manpower shortage for troops in America ever again. Not only would active duty rosters be huge but most of America would be potential reserves.

Of course the downside to that is that the military budget would be huge as well. The "everyone serves" model works much better in a small country like Isreal.

I actually prefer the "Starship Troopers" Model (book, not movie)Military service is totally voluntary but only those who have completed a tour of service are allowed to vote.

As to why we are better? Well, we've put our ass on the line to protect your rights, that deserves some respect.

There are a lot of myopic, delusional, insensitive aholes in this thread.

You should all get jobs at SprintPCS. You'd improve customer service there a hundredfold.

optimus_prime: solider in question was a dumbass for not taking care of his personal business prior to deployment?

can't even really go that far - if you sign up for a cell phone and then a month or two later join up, you could very well be deployed well before the end of a two-year contract, right? maybe even a one-year.

smoky2010
STOOPID CELL PHONES....
That's why mine is prepaid...Yea! TracPhone

Hell yeah. My yearly tracfone bill is about $100. I'm a light user obviously - tracfone is farking perfect for me.

I don't have a shiny music-playing camera phone but somehow, unbelievable as this may seem, I can live without it.

Digitalstrange: As to why we are better? Well, we've put our ass on the line to protect your rights, that deserves some respect.


Respect? Absolutely. However "more respect" != better person.

C0rf: can't even really go that far...

First, Sprint has sales reps all over military bases. You can't go to the PX or Commissary without running into one of their booths. As such, their organization is pretty familiar with the trials and tribulations of active duty servicemen.

All the soldier had to do was call customer service, let them know that he was in the military and was scheduled to deploy. They would have gladly suspended his account, preventing charges during a time of non-use.

Digitalstrange: Not to mention that there would never be a manpower shortage for troops in America ever again.

The only reason there's a shortage is that we're spread all over the world 'peacekeeping', etc.--which is properly the mission of the UN; why do we have them otherwise?

I actually prefer the "Starship Troopers" Model (book, not movie)Military service is totally voluntary but only those who have completed a tour of service are allowed to vote.

Very VERY dangerous. If only those who served in the military are allowed to vote, that necessarily means that those declared 4-F would be, by means of being born with a disability, unable to take part in government. Also, as a consequence, the military would be the forefront and the most-funded part of the government, through sheer self-interest.

There is no huge overwhelming enemy to fight against, like in Starship Troopers--thus, the model of a government where the military is preeminent will only cause problems: a military needs something to fight against, and if there's nothing to fight against, something will have to be *found* to fight against.

If you say, "Well, what about the Army Corps of Engineers or something" I might remind you that we do not live in a communist country--there's no reason for government work camps or anything of that sort.

there are so many ways to get around the $68/mo, i think that family is just stupid...

optimus_prime


I was never broke while I was in.

You obviously didn't drink or have a girlfriend :)

Digitalstrange: You obviously didn't drink or have a girlfriend :)

True. And I am paying for it now! Why are fat wallets and girlfriends mutually exclusive? Luckily, I don't drink much.

May the either bunny pay you and yours many a visit.

muninsfire: If you say, "Well, what about the Army Corps of Engineers or something" I might remind you that we do not live in a communist country--there's no reason for government work camps or anything of that sort.

*cough*really?(pops)*cough*

muninsfire

The only reason there's a shortage is that we're spread all over the world 'peacekeeping', etc.--which is properly the mission of the UN; why do we have them otherwise?

Why indeed?

Very VERY dangerous. If only those who served in the military are allowed to vote, that necessarily means that those declared 4-F would be, by means of being born with a disability, unable to take part in government. Also, as a consequence, the military would be the forefront and the most-funded part of the government, through sheer self-interest.

If you had read the book there was no such thing as "4-F" If you volunteered to serve they found you something to do.

as to the rest you couldn't vote until after your term of service, IE when the military was no longer your self interest.

And considering the small percentage of people who vote now when the priviledge is free I suspect that having too huge an army not to keep them busy attacking things wouldn't be a problem.

muninsfire
Very VERY dangerous. If only those who served in the military are allowed to vote, that necessarily means that those declared 4-F would be, by means of being born with a disability, unable to take part in government. Also, as a consequence, the military would be the forefront and the most-funded part of the government, through sheer self-interest.

You should try reading the book. In that society anyone could serve if they wanted to. The corps would find something for them to do even if they were disabled. IIRC anyways.

Good book, interesting idea. I'm not sure I'm totally sold on it but it's a good read. I even enjoy the movie (for different reasons, obviously).

Jument: I even enjoy the movie (for different reasons, obviously).


What oh what could those reasons be?

those are 2 fine reasons LandOfChocolate

Wow, triples! There should be a point system on replies. Alright, in order:

CommonSenseSurrenders: *cough*really?(pops)*cough*

Job Corps is not funded by the military. Though even then, I still think it's the duty of the state, more than the Federal government, to take care of most labor practices.

Digitalstrange: If you had read the book there was no such thing as "4-F" If you volunteered to serve they found you something to do.

as to the rest you couldn't vote until after your term of service, IE when the military was no longer your self interest.

And considering the small percentage of people who vote now when the priviledge is free I suspect that having too huge an army not to keep them busy attacking things wouldn't be a problem.

There is, however, something like that today. [ Though granted, I had forgotten that detail; it's been some years since I've read the book. ]

Despite not being able to vote until after your term in the military was up, do you think that it would not be in the military's self-interest to indoctrinate anyone in the military as to its importance, and thus influence their voting behaviour afterwards?

Yes, admittedly, I do sound paranoid. I cannot discount the possibility, though.

Sure, many people may not exercise their right to vote--but it is a right, granted by the Constitution.

Besides, you necessarily would forbid conscientious objectors from voting--and that, I think, is just wrong.

Jument: You should try reading the book. In that society anyone could serve if they wanted to. The corps would find something for them to do even if they were disabled. IIRC anyways.

Again, it's been a while since I read it. I'd forgotten that detail.

brynthian: Firemen save lives and property. Policemen protect rights,
property and save lives daily. Teachers watch over our
young and largely shape our future. None of these noble
professions get any special treatment

Actually, they do.

Lots of businesses, neighborhoods, and government organizations have special deals and programs for firefighters, police, and teachers.

optimus_prime: At the very least, can we all agree that the solider in question was a dumbass for not taking care of his personal business prior to deployment?

Given that he was with a Nat'l Guard unit, and given my experience with the Nat'l Guard, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that his unit dropped the ball on informing him of all the forms he'd need to have filled out, paperwork signed, etc.

Wow, this has broke down into a giant flamewar over many things. Can we all at least agree that Sprint sucks. I'm giving this guy the benefit of a doubt just cause he's dealing with Sprint. Their service sucks and their customer service is worse. I should not have to stand on my tippy-toes in only one corner of my yard just to talk to someone!!
/I love that commercial where the guy calls on his cell phone and can only get out the words "hey, it's"
//Sprint's trying to do internet now, that'll work.

fark him. Don't sign contracts if you don't like the terms.

HotWingConspiracy: Don't sign contracts if you don't like the terms.

You're a little late. The flames have died down.

/enjoy the marshmellows

Immaculate_Misconception

Is there a way to filter out posts on Fark threads so that only yours show up? That would make me happy. =) You're awesome.

For all of you tards out there in Sprint's favor, all I can say is -

1. There is NOTHING good about a cell phone service provider. If you're fooled enough to think they care one bit about you, then you're a fool.

with that said-
2. You should NOT have to engage in a contract for ANY type of service, be that telephone, cell phone, cable, DSL, etc. If you're NOT using the service, you shoul NOT have to pay for it. PERIOD.

Now what part of that do you farkwariors not understand?

When I was working for Sprint, I dealt with people coming back from army/navy/etc every day or going overseas and many customer service reps would screw up the customer's accounts BIG TIME when they were going over seas, we're supposed to put them on a military plan for when they go overseas, but many reps forget to do that and the charges rake up and it's not fun to take the call for when they get back wondering why their bill is $1000

/Customer service sucks
//Sprint sucks even more

He signed a contract. Because you have a job as a soldier does not mean you can cancel your subscription. I guess it's hard paying the bill on his $12 hour job.

I have heard this from several vendors the only way to terminate a cell contract without paying is Death or Military service (although for far to many it becomes the same thing). They all will do it.

I have delt with all of the major US cell co's (ie sprint/nex, verizon, cingular). FACT: They all suck balls. However you have to know how to ask the right questions and how to get to talk to the right people.
"We're confident it's a case of the right people not talking to each other."
Exactly. This is a non story.

demoralizer: He signed a contract. Because you have a job as a soldier does not mean you can cancel your subscription. I guess it's hard paying the bill on his $12 hour job.

The conversation was over a while ago, but...

a - He doesn't know when he will get deployed so its not his fault
b - All he needed to do was show a copy of his orders and they let him out of that contract


Why side with the jackass companies that rip you off anyway? I thought all my fellow Austinites were "liberal hippy asshats that fight and rebel against anything and everything". Guess not...

subsailor: For some big ticket things, there is actually legal protection (Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, I believe it's called), because we don't always have control of our circumstances.

My best Friend's brother had his leave cancelled, and the Airline he had booked once he got back wouldn't refund his tickets.

So, their family called up "Action News Team" for our state and they had that fixed in about 5 minutes, give or take.

It was cool because It was on the news.

muninsfire [TotalFark]


Despite not being able to vote until after your term in the military was up, do you think that it would not be in the military's self-interest to indoctrinate anyone in the military as to its importance, and thus influence their voting behaviour afterwards?

And is the current system much different? Every government is dependant on it's military to remain in power, that wouldn't change anything. In fact having soldiers as voters might improve certain areas because a guy whos ass was once on the front lines waiting for supplies to arrive from saaaaay Halliburton while his unit was hungry and low on ammo might be more inclined to look unfavorably upon approval of a no-bid contract from them by a politician.

no system is perfect, but I see alot of positives in that one.

And in other news (or not news): http://www.sploid.com/news/2006/04/could_it_happen.php

LOL

/Yes. Sprint is one giant asshat...
//Knows from personal experience....