[TANaples]

Originally Posted by mango23

Would you give that advice to your own son? I am a vet and I would not what a child in the military at this time. I have no interest in defending my view or debating but I am being honest.

The one I mentioned in the other posts. She started school early and graduated a few months after her 17th birthday. She contacted a military recruiter herself. This was before NCLB. They wanted her to commit to 5 years not 4 and they couldn't guarantee that she would be placed as an MP which is what she wanted. My husband, a Nam Vet, sat down with the recruiter and talked specifics with him. In the end she backed out because she wanted that MP position. She would have still been serving when 9/11 happened.

My daughter to this day says she wonders how her life might have been different had she joined the Army. So much that has happened to her just plain would never had happened in the military.

Anyway, too much water under the bridge now. My younger daughter's childhood friend joined after HS at 17 and HAS seen 2, soon to be 3, tours of Iraq.

I still think it is a better option than what this young man now faces.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

Your opinions are way too much out of touch with what the real world is like for the youth of America today. Not going to waste my time trying to educate you to reality; your denial is just too prevalent.... your blinders are totally blocking your vision.

I am sorry for your Pittsburgh ghetto teaching experience that shaped your views to that of hopelessness. We can only hope at least a few students escaped your cynical outlook before having their dreams crushed by your influence.

You know, having a positive outlook and seeing possibilities is not having blinders on, quite the opposite. It is dealing with life, not from a standpoint of fear and confusion but one of understanding and confidence. Teaching understanding and instilling confidence in a young person is the job of the teacher and parent. The parent will not always be there and it prepares them to deal with the adversities they may face, not through fear but understanding. Can it guarantee a positive outcome, of course not.

But making them afraid of their own shadow and preaching the world is this horrible place to be feared does them a real disservice. It's like taking a student into a shop and spending all your time making them afraid of every machine instead of teaching them how to use the machines and showing the wonderful things they can do. I am sorry, I don't view the world as this horrible place to be feared.

As all this applies to the original kid in question asking about coming to Florida. These ridiculous knee jerk scenario people have painted of his going to jail, becoming a prostitute, getting on drugs, he will be living on the streets and end up dead. How about maybe the worst case scenario probably being, he may not like Florida and will get on a bus and go home.
You people are ridiculous.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by TANaples

The one I mentioned in the other posts. She started school early and graduated a few months after her 17th birthday. She contacted a military recruiter herself. This was before NCLB. They wanted her to commit to 5 years not 4 and they couldn't guarantee that she would be placed as an MP which is what she wanted. My husband, a Nam Vet, sat down with the recruiter and talked specifics with him. In the end she backed out because she wanted that MP position. She would have still been serving when 9/11 happened.

My daughter to this day says she wonders how her life might have been different had she joined the Army. So much that has happened to her just plain would never had happened in the military.

Anyway, too much water under the bridge now. My younger daughter's childhood friend joined after HS at 17 and HAS seen 2, soon to be 3, tours of Iraq.

I still think it is a better option than what this young man now faces.

I don't want this to be political but I can only say no matter how he is living now would have to be better then the possibilities of going to war. I was in Vietnam and in my way of thinking the casualties of war are 100%. They may not come back in a body bag but the person who left is gone for good. The one who returns is a changed forever. Many who return turn to drugs, alcoholism, spousal abuse, failed relationships, can't hold a job, divorce and in many cases suicide. I am sorry to say and we can only hope things are changing but the biggest disappointment one will find. Will be the government they fought for when they return abandons them. That is my biggest complaint.

[Retiredcoach]

Originally Posted by mango23

I am sorry for your Pittsburgh ghetto teaching experience that shaped your views to that of hopelessness. We can only hope at least a few students escaped your cynical outlook before having their dreams crushed by your influence.

You know, having a positive outlook and seeing possibilities is not having blinders on, quite the opposite. It is dealing with life, not from a standpoint of fear and confusion but one of understanding and confidence. Teaching understanding and instilling confidence in a young person is the job of the teacher and parent. The parent will not always be there and it prepares them to deal with the adversities they may face, not through fear but understanding. Can it guarantee a positive outcome, of course not.

But making them afraid of their own shadow and preaching the world is this horrible place to be feared does them a real disservice. It's like taking a student into a shop and spending all your time making them afraid of every machine instead of teaching them how to use the machines and showing the wonderful things they can do. I am sorry, I don't view the world as this horrible place to be feared.

As all this applies to the original kid in question asking about coming to Florida. These ridiculous knee jerk scenario people have painted of his going to jail, becoming a prostitute, getting on drugs, he will be living on the streets and end up dead. How about maybe the worst case scenario probably being, he may not like Florida and will get on a bus and go home.
You people are ridiculous.

"There is none so blind as he who will not see” .

You are seriously living in a world that has not existed in America for over 30 years. You have no real perspective because you have removed yourself from reality and immersed yourself in an illusion of the way that you would like things to be. You know nothing of me nor of the youth that you seek to enlighten, but your limited and ignorant stereotypes will forever narrow your perspective.

[grapico]

I guess you guys are just picking strings, but yeah... he is probably going nowhere without at least a h.s. education. There just aren't new lands to conquer or things to exploit anymore...
He can surely make a lot of money in manual labor though if he desires.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

He said he's going to Hawaii (bad choice IMO, but let them battle that out on the Hawaii forum).

[mango23]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

"There is none so blind as he who will not see” .

You are seriously living in a world that has not existed in America for over 30 years. You have no real perspective because you have removed yourself from reality and immersed yourself in an illusion of the way that you would like things to be. You know nothing of me nor of the youth that you seek to enlighten, but your limited and ignorant stereotypes will forever narrow your perspective.

I thought I was not worth your time? I have to say you may the the worst teacher I have ever heard speak. You chose to call me ignorant rather then address one thing I have said. It is because everything I say is true. The world is not this terrible place to be feared and not everyone lives their lives hidden away as a teacher. I know teachers. Most are dedicated but they have one thing in common. They cling to the security of their jobs because they are afraid of the real world. They don't build business or employ people. They don't create jobs or wealth. They hide in their class rooms waiting for a pension. Although valuable and necessary, they are the classic working ant. Just getting by and not making waves. They dare very little and are never the ones in the arena. They spend their lives safely on the sidelines:

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Teddy had it right almost a 100 years ago.
I am afraid people like you can only view the world through your narrow prism of fear and can't understand those who don't think like you and are not afraid of their own shadow. You know what is typical about people like you though, you point to everything you believe is wrong, but you never seem to offer any solutions, not even an idea. You just sell more fear.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

mango I almost agree with you but I think there has to be at least a basic plan or skills in place first before making a move like that. Years ago I moved to a strange city and made it work, but that was during a great economy and I had a skill I'd already learned. And even then it wasn't a piece of cake.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by OrlandoRE_Miracle

mango I almost agree with you but I think there has to be at least a basic plan or skills in place first before making a move like that. Years ago I moved to a strange city and stayed in a very cheap hotel for a month and made it work, but that was during a great economy and I had a skill I'd already learned.

Of course, I am willing to give the young man the benefit of the doubt. He needs a plan, it doesn't have to be the greatest plan and no matter what plan he has he will find things will be different regardless. There will always be the unexpected and not always for the worst. Often what at the time seemed like the worst thing to ever happen to you later turns out to be the best. That job you lose that was just a little too good to quit, allows you to maybe move in a new direction you would have never known was there. Life is flux and to be lived not feared.

[Pink flamingo]

Mango I am on your side regarding giving people a chance and taking chances in life and all else that your wrote in your posts. People are afraid to stray from the beaten path. Just maybe this kid needs to find himself, he still needs money to do it. Hawaii is the most expensive place to go. This kid writes very little other than he is smart and wants to have fun. He sounds like a loser more than seeker. Maybe a couple of years hard labor and then he will be ready for an education. Otherwise I see him spending the rest of his life with a big red "L" on his forehead.