Comments on: U.S. has more military musicians than diplomats.

By: Gregory

Gregory — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:23:02 +0000

The Military Bands of the United States, especially the bands in Washington, are highly respected performance organizations worldwide. They are held up to high artistic standards. And some of the best musicians in the country play in these bands especially in Washington. Since the United States can’t figure out how to keep cultural institutions like orchestras operating it is often the only way that musicians can do their craft. Band Music is an integral part of American Culture and History. It is one of the few forms of music that we can really call “American.”

I wonder how many of these musicians included in the count are actually full time musicians like the musicians at the academies or Washington and how many are just people that play in some field band to put themselves through music school but are in reality full time soldiers.

By: r

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:20:37 +0000

This is disturbing.

In high school all the dweebs were either in band or debate.

We assumed they all turned out to be lefties.

Now there’s some struggle between the two.

Sad.

By: Bobwurst

Bobwurst — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:14:13 +0000

And why is that a problem? The US Navy Bluegrass Band makes me proud to be an American.

US Diplomats? Not so much.

Your pride aside, we need diplomats to talk with our allies and enemies so we don’t wind up halfway around the world stuck in the middle of a civil war all by ourselves….oh wait, your presidint likes killing patriotic americans so he can think he’s a big man.

By: kipster

kipster — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:08:57 +0000

And why is that a problem? The US Navy Bluegrass Band makes me proud to be an American.

US Diplomats? Not so much.

By: Retrogrouch

Retrogrouch — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:05:39 +0000

Interesting turnabout here since it is typical Republican policy of late to underfund public schools to the point where band classes among others are dropped. I guess the lesson is clear – if you want to learn an instrument, you had better be willing to go to war in support of a flawed policy. Flutes don’t kill people; flutists do.

By: r

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:24:59 +0000

A. itâ€™s been the same forever, but it makes a good headline.

B. Does your local school have more band members than career placement counselors? Oh! Your priorities must be screwed up.

C. I assume Kilcullen, is a respected soldier, but in his writing he seems to prefer diplomacy to killing the enemy. It worked out ok in Japan and Germany (after the killing) where entire countries ere made to change. But with our recent â€œlimitedâ€ wars, does diplomacy really work? Maybe too early to tell, maybe it will, maybe not.

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:59:41 +0000

Comment by Cats R Fly Fishn â€” July 17, 2007
Hi!
Much happier screen name, I agree!

I’m just getting caught up on the news, I’ve been out on firefighting assignments, often out of contact with the world beyond firecamp.

I am on Richardsons e-mail list, and I’m getting inundated!

I caught a couple of nice fish in June, up in the San Juan Wilderness in Colorado. It was a little early to be up that high, snowbanks still lining the streams.
Wish I could get up there now, the summer hatches are on fire!
I have a couple of days off now before probably being sent to the fires in Oregon…..

By: Cats R Fly Fishn

Cats R Fly Fishn — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:23:55 +0000

Hi Raven,

How’s Richardson’s campaign going in New Mexico? He’s picking up speed here in PA.

FYI – I returned to the “Cats” name. The “Coffins draped with flags” was becoming to heavy to carry. My soul couldn’t take it anymore.

By: J Lewd

J Lewd — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:22:18 +0000

I’m confused; is it the “Boys in the Band” who are gay or is it the diplomats? God knows the US military doesn’t need any more homeosexuals in its ranks — especially speaking Arabic.

By: Cats R Fly Fishn

Cats R Fly Fishn — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:19:26 +0000

I do know that the Navy has an asskickn’ bluegrass band. If you ever get the chance to hear this band play, do it.

By: impeachcheneythenbush

impeachcheneythenbush — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:00:12 +0000

Sadly, this isn’t merely the function of this particular administration. This has been the situation for the past 60 or so years..WWII. Or maybe following WWI. The caution about allowing a standing army, expressed by some of our Founders wasn’t listened to. WWII and the resultant “military-industrial complex” Ike warned about as he left office has led to the total militarilization of this country. And please note: there’s no mention here of the private security forces, like Blackwater, which currently equal our non-private military in Iraq and around the world as well. Diplomacy? Who needs it when you have the atom bomb (post WWII thinking).

By: kyle

kyle — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:53:06 +0000

Lets be rational here, if you are to legitimately wage a just war, do you need to employ 1.68m plus diplomats? Sort of like comparing the weight of an Elephant to that of a mouse, and concluding that the Elephant is significantly overweight in comparison.

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:52:49 +0000

Diplomacy in D-flat

By: Perry Logan

Perry Logan — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:47:35 +0000

It’s more fun being a musician. You’ve got those military-band groupies.

By: RUCerious

RUCerious — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:42:28 +0000

You’ve got to have “So be kind to your web footed friends” ready to go at the drop of a hat.
Now, negotiating with Middle Eastern potentates, no so much.

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:41:55 +0000

I’ve always had the hots for oboe players.

By: upside00

upside00 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:41:04 +0000

Good one Raven! Maybe they are the band on the SS TiBushCo regaling Dubya as he rearranges the deck chairs.

By: Ringo

Ringo — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:39:25 +0000

…there are substantially more people employed as musicians in Defense bands than in the entire foreign service.
——————————————————————————–

You got something against marching bands?

By: pablo

pablo — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:38:33 +0000

so i lean over and say “hey mister, you know that your monkey has his balls in my martini?”….

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:36:23 +0000

…and the band played on…