No doubt. And there's just something patently ridiculous about banning smoking for a soldier's "health and safety" while sending him/her into areas to be potentially shot or blown to bits.

Excellent! I can kick myself for not even taking that into account

I understand it's about team work and discipline and respect. The military's version. That is control, it maybe sound unfriendly, but it is control. When it comes right down to it we are all controlled, though not as strictly as one is in the military. If they take smoking away from soldiers, what else can you call it? That's a serious question, I am not trying to start something here.

That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard.

...i think people in the pentagon are smoking the good shyt and i dont mean marlboro...if anyone should be held to the strictest of limits it should be the government ..after all they are our employees and as their boss i propose we should impose some bans on them like..pay ur phucking taxes,deport your illegal aunt..and we can smoke because we are your employer..but you cant...and did i mention that you will be getting a decrease in pay..and considering the latest financial debaucle did i mention PINK slips,...

I served for 6 years. I wasn't controlled. I was doing my job. Are you controlled at your work? If you look at it in that perspective everyone is controlled at their jobs. Am I wrong every job needs to be done a certain way. So then I guess we are all "controlled" by our jobs.

Yes, from that perspective anyone in the service or who is an employee is controlled. Yet you say you were not controlled, please explain why you believe you were not controlled, yet people who work for someone are. I am trying to understand your perspective.

Actually I believe I said we are all controlled to a certain extent. I work for myself and aways have, but even then I am at the mercy of others and am controlled to a certain extent if I want to stay working..

Because if you love your job then I believe you are not controlled.
I just put it that way because I was offended when you said the military is controlling and it's not the military that is suggesting this ban.

Ok wait a sec.

''Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco by troops and end its sale on military property''

With that. Are you saying the Pentagon is not part of the military? Just want to be clear. I don't want to offend anyone, just saying how I feel about it and what I percieve as control.

I am personally not fond of control myself, and I don't much like anyone trying to control me, but I do accept a certain amount if I want to survive in our system, and take advantage of some of the good things benefits provided by some sort of controls. I also love my job, so I accept but recognize control when I see it, and each of us will see it differently. I am just wondering why you say you don't feel controlled but you actually are.

Forgive me TJN, maybe I am the one that is just not getting it. I'll just drop it here. I accept the fact that we aren't seeing eye to eye at the moment. But I would still like to know if the pentagon is part of the military or not.

Ok this is how I see it..

I am free because I live in a free country. Those who serve do so, for some, to 'preserve' that freedom not to dictate who's idea of freedom to honor, yours or mine. I am not free because he made the personal decision to serve. I was free before he made that decision.

If that means to some that I disrespect his service there isn't much I can do about that unless I force myself to ignore my own feelings about it.

You don't see it that way, but I do. So I should leave the country because I think differently than you do? I should be subject to your interpretations? I keep thinking I have lived in a free country for 60 years. It's just recently that I am not so sure. I think many of the newer generations know exactly what freedom is, thought they may not interpret this the way you do or the way the older generation does or did, me included.

Can't I respect your view but not share it and still be welcome in this country as a citizen and a taxpayer? Or is the US reserved only for those who think alike? I am beginning to wonder, seriously.

I tend to agree, banning consumption of tobacco would be a good idea. Remembering, all the money they claim spent is Taxpayer money.

Granted, tobacco use is detrimental over time and IMO, smoking is a death wish. I smoke, quitting, and realize, if I want a quality life, I need to get that addiction out of my life.

If the Military wanted to ban something that is detrimental to not only the user but, potentially deadly to the general public, they might consider doing a study on the cost of alcohol use. Alcohol is a substance that, when consumed, affects the mental and physical as soon as it is introduced into the body.

Alcohol has probably destroyed more lives than tobacco.

If alcohol were banned, all troops would be always be responce ready. As we all are aware, Military people are not 9 to 5 workers. They are Gov. Property 24/7.

You just lost the other half of your retention with the banning of alcohol...lol

that may be a good thing

maybe that would stop the u s from being the free police force for the world

just a thought

but hey

what do i know

""""""free country my arse""""""

cool no we can go back to the true original homeland security idea


THE SECOND AMENDMENT

and watch the liberties start coming back

just a thought

but hey

what do i know

I'm with holding my comments on this thread until another day

ah come on you will feel better

(as long as yer not aiming at me )

Robin....you sooooo aren't helping me

why

whadda i do



you can do it rose you are a strong woman in control of her very being