Your're accusing Henderson of living in a bubble, but that description applies to you as well in the exact opposite sense.
If you globe-trot to places where wars, crime, strife, and misery are prevelent that I am not surprised that you have such a bleak view of the world. The fact is you CHOSE to walk where you did. Did you really expect the military/police was going to send you to Fantasy Island when you joined up? The government doesnt send soldiers/police officers like you into places where things are pleasant, they send people like you into places where things are very bad. What you saw was the bad part of the world, but fortunately most of the world isnt like that. Have you ever lived (not visited, actually lived) in a country outside of military/police service where things are calm and peaceful?
Ill agree that there are some particularily nasty parts of the globe, but you really cannot make such a general desciption as the world as some pit. And I say this because like yourself, I too have done my own share of globe-trotting across many continents. I can safely say that most of it isn't too bad. There are places to avoid, but thats exactly what I do: I avoid them.
What your saying is like going to going to the North Pole and then stating "Sh*t! the whole planet is a freaking ice cube". Some of it is, but most of it isnt.
You are right in one sense.
We knew we were going to have to walk the shitholes of this planet when we signed up.
Some of us did it so that you wouldn´t have to walk around in your country being afraid.
Yeah I know...Kids and their romantic thoughts of making a difference.
At the same time I can´t help wonder were this world would have been without those kids ya know?
The kids that actually stepped forward when called upon.
The kids that picked up a weapon and stood a post, because they realized it was their responsibility to protect the ones that couldn´t protect themselves.
Now, I personally never thought.."Hey I am going to protect the ones that choose not to protect themselves".
I picked up that weapon because of the ones who can´t.
Do you think you anology of the north pole have any bearing on lets say New Yorkers working at the World Trade Center?
Or on Londoners who took a bus to work on the wrong day?
Or the tourists on Bali out to have a bite to eat, a drink and a dance..Perhaps even go on a date with that girl they met on the second day of their vacation.
Or the spansh people who took the train on that summerday back when someone decided they should die because of....Religion, skin color, politics or just the fact they were soft targets to hit?
You pick any survivor and tell them that analogy of yours..
Fast forward a few years.
Today I have seen some **** that I never thought could exist between people.
Today I have been spat at for wearing the uniform my country gave me to wear while protecting the people that for one reaon or another couldn´t protect themselves.
Today I listen to people saying my job isn´t honorable, that I do it because of oil or I do it to profit from other peoples missfortunes.
I listen to it with a smile on my face while my insides are burning with anger.
Why, you might ask?
Why don´t I just tell them?
There is no use in getting into that argument, because they would never get it.
They are the ones that did not step forward.
They are the ones that left that responsibility to someone else.
Yes, today I am a colder, some would even say a harder man.
I recognize that comes with the job while you do what some on this site do for a living.
I am ok with paying that prize.
Because I know I have made an impact on several lives during my career.
And hopefully, when the time comes to sum it up the positive will overpower the negative.
Today I have realized that, whatever sacrifice I make.
However much I give of my life and of myself there will still be people in this world that are ready to kill others over whatever reason.
I just hope that when the time comes for me to stand down there are other kids ready to step forward when called upon.
There are other kids that decide it is their responsibility to protect those who can not protect themselves.
After all, it´s just a job..................Right?
//KJ.