on a more serious note, having spent some time in the military myself, I’m kinda behind the typically European military service requirements for kids, although my reasoning is based on my own peacetime service. I simply mean to say that that time was a great rite of passage for me, and looking back, I really couldn’t see myself making that transition at uni. I see all these kids coming outta school at 25, 26 with little to no real world understanding, many of them simply ignorant of culture and world events, many without any real appreciate of what it means to struggle and work for something, and given our opportunities for privileged lifestyles here in the US, it’s easy for many of them to remain ignorant and content in simply chasing the latest fashions, tech gadgets, or entertainment gossip.

however, I can honestly say that I don’t think I’d want my own teenage kids going off and fighting in some of the ridiculously political games we’re all involved in now with our current government. most of them have no idea what they’re fighting for, only what they’re told they’re fighting for. I’d also like to add that it disgusts me that very few of our government officials’ own children are or have been in meaningful military service, which I think allows them all to make decisions on war much more easily than they would were they to consider how these decisions might affect their own families.

anyway, nice photos in that set. I’m always envious/inspired by nice photo journalistic work.