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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: maceng2 who wrote (6440)	10/20/2001 2:43:08 PM
From: maceng2	Respond to of 281500

Hey... Anyone want to join the SI version of the French Foriegn Legion ! Just learn some of the songs. -g- The Legionnaire's Thoughts The Legionnaire is a volonteer. Most often, he has come to the Legion to escape from his past. Generally, he has joined because of a personal or family crisis or an upheaval in his social or political life. Striking examples of this can be found in the mass enlistment of Alsatians after 1871, of Spaniards in 1939 and of Eastern Europeans after 1945. For others, those who are unable to deal with the limitations of a middle-class life, the Legion represents a life of adventure. In the enlistment procedure, selection is very tough. Many candidates are turned down for medical reasons, or after a thorough study of their individual cases. The legionnaire is seldom an angel but never a criminal. Once he has joined, under an assumed name if he wishes, the legionnaire enjoys an unequaled protection for as long as he serves, because of the anonymity rule. Only he can decide when to break it. Coming from all over the world, with such different origins, languages and ideals, it would seem that they have nothing to share. But they have one thing in common : they refuse to be mediocre. Rejecting easy solutions, the legionnaire has bravely broken with his past and his family. Having lost his roots, he is ready to give all he has, even his life. This state of mind binds the legionnaires together and explains their unrivaled cohesion sealed with discipline, solidarity and respect for traditions. The legionnaire is first and foremost a man of action, brave in combat and eager for change. He disdains idleness and routine. He is generous to the point of sacrificing both his money and his life, and never loses trust in his leaders. This trust fosters attachment, and the ties between the legionnaire and his leaders include as much respect and admiration as true and sincere affection. Alive, he will follow them everywhere, dead, he will never be abandoned. That's why one perceives the Legion as a large family. A man who has left behind his past, his social and family background, transfers to the Legion his need of an ideal, his affection equating the Legion with that of a homeland, to the point of sacrificing everything to it with a generosity which has astonished the world. That accounts for the motto on the front of the Legion's Museum : "LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA" NOW We just have to get some of those Legionnaire's marching songs going on this thread -g- best regards everyone, never did like the French but sometimes, one is overwhelmed -g- pearly.

To: maceng2 who wrote (6440)	10/20/2001 8:01:17 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Been discussion of a US version of the Foreign Legion floating around for years... I would STRONGLY ADVOCATE the idea... given our propensity for sending US military forces on peacekeeping missions all over the world and our apparent unwillingness to absorb losses. And who knows... maybe before all is said and done, someone might advance that idea. I would also like a coupld of brigades of Ghurkas.. They would be rich men on a private's pay, and would be quite nice for missions where maximum intimidation is required and a "don't screw with us" mentality are paramount. 10 years service, automatic US citizenship (which they probably wouldn't utilize since they'd go home to Nepal)... It was the smartest thing the Brits have ever done.. Ghurkas are some of the most intimidating military societies around.. And fiercely loyal, and honorable. Hawk

To: maceng2 who wrote (6440)	10/20/2001 8:19:31 PM
From: RocketMan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

A U.S. Foreign Legion? Having foreigners defend us would be the ultimate in foresaking our own responsibility. Would we also inscribe foreign young men who reach draft age (as nearly happened to me when I was 17 in France, to be sent to Algeria to defend Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite, and the French reactionaries)?