Here are both of the maps.....
For some reason these would not upload to my server so they are linked from the original site, so if that changes the images should be able to be seen here:
http://www.mvp-seattle.org/pages/extrapages/pageRedBlueMap.htm
While it sounds very ala Michael Moore to say as the above website does:
The war cheerleaders don't seem to be pulling their own weight. It figures.
Let's pause for just a moment and remember that no matter the red/blue state designation, the past few elections the majority of members of the US service have voted republican. In Gore v Bush 2-1 voted for Bush. The past few elections Democrats have tried to campaign to get more military votes, which they have not been successful at.
So, while I will agree it looks like the Blue states have made a larger sacrifice when it comes to losing their sons and daughters? There are other factors that should be considered as well, such as are enlistment numbers highter in Blue States? If the stats as presented by many is true that the proposed base closings will affect blue states more than red states, that will change this because it's pretty much a given the more military bases you have in your state the chances of being recruited and enlisting is higher. What connection do unemployment figures have in this equation? Some of these Blue states have higher unemployment numbers which could also be a factor as to reason for enlistment in the first place. Twelve from Puerto Rico have died, does that mean that Puerto Rico is more patriotic than Wyoming or Montana?
Perhaps before we all run out and try to make a claim that "our" side shows the most patriotism, shouldn't the point be that no matter whether it is a blue or red state the end result is we have lost another american....not another republican, another democrat, another idependent.....but another american.....
That to me is what every dot on that map signifies...another father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother, friend, who will not be coming home......
Update: I did find a link to enlistment numbers from the Census for anyone who wants to see them -- page 7 on the pdf file....
4 comments:
My roommate from college is a pilot with an aviation battalion in the 3rd infantry. He's currently on his second tour in Iraq. He was a history major, went to grad school before joining the Army as an enlisted man. He's usually a liberal, but in 2000, he voted for GW because he promised to pull out of the Balkans -where my friend had already done two tours (at that point, he was in armor, and not flying yet). This time around, he cast his ballot for Kerry, because he considers the war a futile effort.
As for enlistment numbers - a large portion of the military comes from the poorest sectors of society. the largest concentration of the poor are in urban areas. There is a larger concentration of large urban areas in the so called blue states.
There's no redstate bluestate divide when it comes to dying. but there might be when it comes to joining.
Brew, I agree on your statement on enlistment numbers, think we also both agree that a bullet or a bomb doesn't stop to determine which political party you were.
I guess what made me even write about this is I grow tired of the "who is more patriotic" argument and using those who have died as some kind of a pawn in the constant one-up manship.
Some of the guys I know in the military have told me they voted for Kerry, some for Bush, and a few were so disgusted by what they felt were the two main choices they voted either libertarian or didn't vote at all. More of them say they did vote for Bush, but they are also the same ones who supported him last time.
The focus should be how to get these americans home as quickly as possible hopefully in a manner that prevents us from having to keep going back.....
I'd also add to be fair...some of these guys especially the younger ones feel pressured to vote republican from the higher ups. I know one officer in particular who made it very clear his political issues and how he felt about anyone who did not agree with him. Does that happen all the time? No, I'm sure it doesn't but it does enough to add that as a point to consider as well.
Just agreeing with Brew.
Those nice progressive areas of the Lib left are poorer and that is causal to enlistment. Unfortuneately. (sp).
The enemy doesnt know where they are from. They are shooting Americans.
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