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Literature Text
To Whom It May Concern:
Thank you for your message. I am truly honored by your generous offer to stand among the United States Marine Corps, the elite branch of our country’s armed forces. However, I do not think I am the type you want in your service. And, although I am proud and flattered that you would ask me to join your ranks, I do not believe that military service is what I want.
I possess a major aversion to the dealing out of death. Although the Marine Corps is a proud branch of service, hallowed through many courageous and honorable deeds, it revolves around one simple and saddening purpose.
This purpose is, and always will be, killing.
I am not the type to kill. I could not see myself taking a life willingly. The plague of death and destruction that has plagued mankind from its beginnings is not something I wish to get involved in, no matter how glorious some may make it out to be.
Further, I am not someone who follows their government unquestioningly. I believe my government is not one for making wise decisions, and I always hesitate before agreeing with it. Such a mind set would not be valuable in the Corps, I am sure. My current feelings about my government are very negative. I believe they are slowly repressing our civil liberties, and this may eventually grow into tyranny. Once that happens, what will be the difference between us and our enemies, who we have branded supporters of tyranny and enemies of freedom?
Do not take me in the wrong way; I love America. A verse from a song by one of my favorite punk rock bands, the Dead Kennedys, best exemplifies my feelings.
“I’m proud to live in a place
Where I can say the things I do
Without getting taken out and shot.
So I’m on guard against the goons
Trying to take my rights away...
No one else will do it for us,
We’ll just have to fix ourselves.
Honesty ain’t all that hard–
Just put Rambo back inside your pants...
I think I love my country too!”
America’s free speech and press is a marvel. I am thankful every day that I do not live inside a radically repressive tyrannical government. Therefore, I am someone fighting against tyranny and oppression every day at home, to make sure that we do not turn into what we are fighting against. I believe militarism and jingoism to be causes for tyranny. Such phrases as “Let’s Roll,” although benevolent and patriotic on the outside, have been twisted to support the total and relentless destruction of America’s strongest and weakest enemies alike. Such practices would make us mirrors of Saddam Hussein, and even Osama bin Laden, who believe violence is the only solution to problems. Some Americans may say that fighting fire with fire is the right solution, but that would only make a bigger fire.
In the letter you sent me regarding my volunteering to the United States Marine Corps, you asked in the short survey you provided: “Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?” I can proudly say that the answer is “Yes, I am.” This is how I am standing up for what I believe. Before we take it upon ourselves to change governments to a more free and just sort, we must make ours free and just as well. That is what I will aspire to do throughout my life. I will take it upon myself to protect my country from the tyrannical menace on the inside, while our brave warriors in the Marine Corps will protect our country from the tyrannical menace on the outside.
I would like to thank you greatly for taking the time to read my message. I know that every member of the Marine Corps is toiling day and night to protect civilians like me from terrorist threats, so I am honored that you were able to read this letter.
If I believed in God, I would ask Him to bless America at this point.
Sincerely,
[my scrawled signature goes here]
Sam Finer
Thank you for your message. I am truly honored by your generous offer to stand among the United States Marine Corps, the elite branch of our country’s armed forces. However, I do not think I am the type you want in your service. And, although I am proud and flattered that you would ask me to join your ranks, I do not believe that military service is what I want.
I possess a major aversion to the dealing out of death. Although the Marine Corps is a proud branch of service, hallowed through many courageous and honorable deeds, it revolves around one simple and saddening purpose.
This purpose is, and always will be, killing.
I am not the type to kill. I could not see myself taking a life willingly. The plague of death and destruction that has plagued mankind from its beginnings is not something I wish to get involved in, no matter how glorious some may make it out to be.
Further, I am not someone who follows their government unquestioningly. I believe my government is not one for making wise decisions, and I always hesitate before agreeing with it. Such a mind set would not be valuable in the Corps, I am sure. My current feelings about my government are very negative. I believe they are slowly repressing our civil liberties, and this may eventually grow into tyranny. Once that happens, what will be the difference between us and our enemies, who we have branded supporters of tyranny and enemies of freedom?
Do not take me in the wrong way; I love America. A verse from a song by one of my favorite punk rock bands, the Dead Kennedys, best exemplifies my feelings.
“I’m proud to live in a place
Where I can say the things I do
Without getting taken out and shot.
So I’m on guard against the goons
Trying to take my rights away...
No one else will do it for us,
We’ll just have to fix ourselves.
Honesty ain’t all that hard–
Just put Rambo back inside your pants...
I think I love my country too!”
America’s free speech and press is a marvel. I am thankful every day that I do not live inside a radically repressive tyrannical government. Therefore, I am someone fighting against tyranny and oppression every day at home, to make sure that we do not turn into what we are fighting against. I believe militarism and jingoism to be causes for tyranny. Such phrases as “Let’s Roll,” although benevolent and patriotic on the outside, have been twisted to support the total and relentless destruction of America’s strongest and weakest enemies alike. Such practices would make us mirrors of Saddam Hussein, and even Osama bin Laden, who believe violence is the only solution to problems. Some Americans may say that fighting fire with fire is the right solution, but that would only make a bigger fire.
In the letter you sent me regarding my volunteering to the United States Marine Corps, you asked in the short survey you provided: “Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?” I can proudly say that the answer is “Yes, I am.” This is how I am standing up for what I believe. Before we take it upon ourselves to change governments to a more free and just sort, we must make ours free and just as well. That is what I will aspire to do throughout my life. I will take it upon myself to protect my country from the tyrannical menace on the inside, while our brave warriors in the Marine Corps will protect our country from the tyrannical menace on the outside.
I would like to thank you greatly for taking the time to read my message. I know that every member of the Marine Corps is toiling day and night to protect civilians like me from terrorist threats, so I am honored that you were able to read this letter.
If I believed in God, I would ask Him to bless America at this point.
Sincerely,
[my scrawled signature goes here]
Sam Finer
Suggested Collections
Recently, I got a letter from the United States Marine Corps, asking if I would like to join them. I don't know why they would want me, but it's their decision.
My parents also got a letter from them, saying that if I wished to join, they should consider the benefits of the life of the Corps.
I don't want to receive letters from them anymore, so I squinted reeeeeal hard and wrote the most civil reply I could. I think it's pretty civil.
(It's under philosophical because it reveals a lot about my political beliefs and that sort of thing.)
My parents also got a letter from them, saying that if I wished to join, they should consider the benefits of the life of the Corps.
I don't want to receive letters from them anymore, so I squinted reeeeeal hard and wrote the most civil reply I could. I think it's pretty civil.
(It's under philosophical because it reveals a lot about my political beliefs and that sort of thing.)
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Comments8
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<---that guy's a jarhead.
i got to say, that was well put together. i personnaly appreciate the support people like you send. its a morale booster in hard times, and it really helps us out alot to know that people appreciate the sacrifice we have to make.
maybe you arent ready for the marine corps. i know quite a few people that thought they were and they just didnt have the testicular fortitude to make it when it came time to proove that you really wanted it. the way i always looked at it is that anything worth getting is worth working for.
but on another note, the whole dealing out death thing. we are good for killing. that is not the only thing we are good for though. did you hear about the hospital in iraq that was designed and built by Marine Corps Engineers? what about all the kurds that were getting wiped out like the jewish people in ww2? we put a big stop to that. make a good barrier to the bullets flying at the unarmed civilian population out there.
all im saying is we do more than just kill. we defend, we die, we live. our hearts pump the same blood as anyone else on here. we bleed and we die. and in the process we get called baby killers, pigs, fascists, nazis, devils. the lsit goes on. i didnt choose to go to war. i didnt choose what country we go to war with. i follow my orders. according to john locke, rules and guidelines and the such are indirectly descended from god himself. thats the attitude we have to have going in to this thing. if i am told to shoot, i had better shoot and shoot straight, and pray to god they dont see me and shoot me first.
and another thing, only good for killing? according to the rules of engagement we are not allowed to fire a weapon unless either fired upon or presented with a threat that puts me or my marines in mortal danger, ie someone holding an explosive or a weapon in a public area.
we do the job few have the heart or the stomach for. we abandon our families, our husbands and wives, our children. all to do what our country needs us to do.
so to all of you who feel the need to bash the United States Marine Corps, feel glad that you live in a country that will let you do so. honestly, if it were my choice, i'd shoot every son of a bitch in the head execution style that wanted to act on his ingrateful impulses. send you out there in the sandbox for 8 months, then see if you dont feel the same way youself.
i got to say, that was well put together. i personnaly appreciate the support people like you send. its a morale booster in hard times, and it really helps us out alot to know that people appreciate the sacrifice we have to make.
maybe you arent ready for the marine corps. i know quite a few people that thought they were and they just didnt have the testicular fortitude to make it when it came time to proove that you really wanted it. the way i always looked at it is that anything worth getting is worth working for.
but on another note, the whole dealing out death thing. we are good for killing. that is not the only thing we are good for though. did you hear about the hospital in iraq that was designed and built by Marine Corps Engineers? what about all the kurds that were getting wiped out like the jewish people in ww2? we put a big stop to that. make a good barrier to the bullets flying at the unarmed civilian population out there.
all im saying is we do more than just kill. we defend, we die, we live. our hearts pump the same blood as anyone else on here. we bleed and we die. and in the process we get called baby killers, pigs, fascists, nazis, devils. the lsit goes on. i didnt choose to go to war. i didnt choose what country we go to war with. i follow my orders. according to john locke, rules and guidelines and the such are indirectly descended from god himself. thats the attitude we have to have going in to this thing. if i am told to shoot, i had better shoot and shoot straight, and pray to god they dont see me and shoot me first.
and another thing, only good for killing? according to the rules of engagement we are not allowed to fire a weapon unless either fired upon or presented with a threat that puts me or my marines in mortal danger, ie someone holding an explosive or a weapon in a public area.
we do the job few have the heart or the stomach for. we abandon our families, our husbands and wives, our children. all to do what our country needs us to do.
so to all of you who feel the need to bash the United States Marine Corps, feel glad that you live in a country that will let you do so. honestly, if it were my choice, i'd shoot every son of a bitch in the head execution style that wanted to act on his ingrateful impulses. send you out there in the sandbox for 8 months, then see if you dont feel the same way youself.