There are Always Naysayers
Have you noticed that there are always naysayers to every piece of good news? They can be just as irritating as the “silver lining” people who find something positive about every piece of bad news.
Case in point… the U.S. Army is beating its retention goals by 15 percent. Since we are at war, you would think this is a good thing. It is a good thing!
Sure there are reenlistment bonuses ($$$) for many specialties that are enticing, but if these soldiers weren’t fairly confident that they’d live to enjoy that extra money, they would probably choose to go home to their families.
But one naysayer is focused on the extra money we will have to pay these experienced soldiers in salary and benefits should they decide to make the Army a career instead of a short-term stint.
Hmmmm… well, if “military sociologist Charles Moskos, an emeritus professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.” can paint the downside, let me… a silver lining philosopher paint the bright side… an Army of experienced soldiers may be better prepared to deal with the realities of war. An Army of experienced soldiers may mean fewer casualties. An Army of experienced soldiers may mean that we can all sleep better tonight.
Yes, there will always be people to point out the downside. But there will also be people to point out the upside. What type of person are you?
P.S. Don’t even try to use the old “But I’m only being realistic” line on me. I don’t buy it. It isn’t accurate. Both the up and downside of any situation can be realistic.
