RE: Poll

I hope not, though I can conceive of the necessity depending upon circumstance. I would be far happier if the Iranian reformists can de-couple the government from the clerical hierarchy. Ultimately, any real change has to come because the Iranians themselves wish change. Jump-starting such change, as we are doing in Iraq, is a harder task.


RE: our soon-to-be-16 idealist soldier.

Don't be so harsh on him. Dreams of glory and adding GKB, VC, DSO after your name are perfectly normal for a teenager -- if they didn't have that spirit and willingness to reform the world we would lose something as a species. Remember, also, that a newlie officer's command in the UK usually comes complete with a sergeant with more than a hash mark or two (or however our brit allies indicate service time). It's her or his job to bring the newlie into reality. So I say go for it (But listen to the sarge's suggestions)! More than one roman scion went back to Rome with phalerae because they listened to a centurio.

But: REALLY hammer it on the physical side. Military academies will wash you out if you can't absorb the physical stresses. Preference reps over weight for the most part -- the ability to crack out another 3 reps when everyone else folds up is the ticket.

Seamus