Whose kids should we send to U.S. wars?
It may be, in the end, that the best test of our nation?s resolve and will to fight a war would be our willingness to accept an exemption-less draft, one in which each and all of our children would have equal opportunity to fight and die or be maimed.
At what point does a totally voluntary force become an essentially mercenary force? Do we really want to fightan American war with a total force of those who are patriots, of course, but also do it for a living?
For so many troops, getting a job that pays good money is the main reason they join the military.
Should those with financial means to avoid service in favor of college always be able to take a pass if they choose? Should families with money be able to pass the terrible burden of a child?s death or limb loss to poorer families?
Our courageous founders, deciding to go to war with the English, committed to each other their “Lives ? Fortunes and … sacred Honor,” going well beyond the affixing of a magnetic yellow ribbon on their SUVs.
So, do we support our troops so much that we?d send our daughters and sons to be among them?
Or not?
The inspiration behind the hairdo
The woman having her nails done admired the haircut of a passerby at a Baltimore salon. It was the haircut that became the one to have when Dorothy Hamill was queen of the ice, she recalled, remembering how as an adolescent that she simply wanted to be Dorothy Hamill.
She studied the haircut a little more closely.
It was Dorothy Hamill.
She giggled a little inside, enjoying the quick, anonymous peek at her hero.
Taking advantage of Hawaii?s, D.C.?s expense
At $518 a day (up $77 from last year), D.C. closely trails Hawaii as second most expensive place for a family of four to visit, reports AAA. But not for us who live here or for those who visit us here and make it a fun and educational two-city vacation. Our tourism folks must be all over this notion as a strong promotional angle for staying and enjoying Baltimore and taking the train to DC. Right?
Autograph hounds
MayorMartin O?Malley, as it happens from time to time, was getting requests for his autograph at the Baltimore Port Birthday celebration Wednesday.
One witness noticed that the paper of choice for the autograph-seekers was The Baltimore Examiner?s front page, which, of course, carried the date of the 300th birthday.
And no, I didn?t plant the autograph-seekers but would have had I thought of it.
Michael Phelps is president and publisher of The Baltimore Examiner.
