HBO Executive enlisted -Astan
 

"I just feel that I owe this country a great deal," Barragan said by phone as he prepared for deployment in the battle zone. "I never believed that my education or professional success absolved me of a duty to serve."


Barragan, who went to the University of California at Berkeley and has a law degree from Georgetown, said he simply followed his conscience.
His bewildered bosses thought he was joking

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/e...#ixzz1Htt16WON

Interesting story. I can only hope no harm ever comes to him so I don't have to read about his incredible sacrifice to join us commoners in the military. He enlisted? I guess we have enough SJA officers...we can always use one more $hit house lawyer though.

Let me see equal press going to PFC Smith, unknown H.S. kid fresh off the farm who feels an obligation to his country without asking for or expecting a press conference to discuss his choices.

Yup I agree, this is a "non-story" with me.

Let me see equal press going to PFC Smith, unknown H.S. kid fresh off the farm who feels an obligation to his country without asking for or expecting a press conference to discuss his choices./QUOTE/1stindoor

I concur,excellent point..........;)

Big Teddy :munchin

I read this earlier this morning and like most posters dumped it in the BFD pile. But, it has been gnawing at me, and I finally figured out why.

In spite of his quote to the contrary, Brannigan does think the privledged life he has led absolves (what an odd choice of words) from his duty. I suppose because his privledged station in life means he has so much to offer or perhaps those of his station need not bother with the obligations incurred by the nation -- more and more led by and for -- his class. I beg to differ, I've been reading John Rawls lately and I am finding, compelling, his rejection of the theory of "moral deserts". "There is a tendency for the common sense to suppose that income and wealth, and the good things in life generally, should be distributed according to moral desert: justice is happiness according to virtue . . . How justice as fainess rejects this conception." ... we do not deserve our place in the distribution of native endowments, any more then we deserve our initial starting point in society. . .

And secondly, that his employers, even more favored by fortunate circumstances, find his sense of obligation (or at least his acknowlegement of it) laughable is shameful.
The American Military is at war, the American people are at the mall. Barrigan's employers must be at Brooks Brothers.

You know what, I could care less what his motivation are, but it is telling what the reaction is to his enlistment.

I want that kind of guy next to me, someone who believes that his privilege education did not exempt him from service, a view point which understands, that it could have easily been arranged.

I understand the points above. That said, I admire the guy and feel bad that I didn't do the same thing.

I also applaud the actions of this young man and in no way does it diminish the farmer's son who joins. in fact they have thrown in their lots together to serve this great republic. As Penn mentions, it would an easier choice for this young man to disregard the patriotic feelings that have pushed him to this decision. It reminds me of a soldier with whom I served. Both his parents were doctors and his decision to enlist virtually ostracized him.

I'm not sure I can share Penn belief regarding the inherent goodness of man, but I can take heart when any decide to take on this responsibility of protecting this nation, especially when the likelihood of serving in harm's way is so strong.

I stand by my original thought. It's not news. It's a sad commentary on our general populace, and what's considered newsworthy. I'd rather see the nypost stick to stories that are truly newsworthy such as what's going on with Charlie Sheen.

And why is this guy a "Heroic HBO bigwig?" He's a pompous a$$.

I applaud him for pulling his head out of his ass 10 years after the fact!!!!!!!

Have fun son!!!!!

I was going to say something along the same lines...but decided that it was too easy of a shot since all of us came in "before" or "after" something else.

I came in shortly after Grenada, well after Viet Nam, into SF right before Panama, missed Desert Shield/Desert Storm due to being in 7th and not 3rd. But went to 3rd afterwards and PCS'd before Haiti. lol.

It's a BIG world with lots of paths - we all walk the one we've chosen for ourselves - he's walking his - good for him.

Richard :munchin

My Feet are Bigger!!!! :D

Barragan's military career will be interesting to watch.


the statement "while America is at the mall" occasionally posted on this forum makes me feel left out. The town closest to here has a tire store with front end alignment shop and a gas station across the street. The tire store has a popcorn machine. Is that kind of like a mall?

Close, but I'm pretty sure it has to have a Victoria's Secret to officially be called a "mall". ;)

Pat