You, too, can win your very own body armor

Lucky at cards, unlucky at war

This story yesterday from the NY Times depicts a new low in how we treat our soldiers. Actually, it’s not a new low, since it has been going on for many years.

We’re running casinos on military bases. So, we’re not only asking our men and women in uniform to gamble their lives, but, hey, while you’re at it, why not throw in your paycheck and your family’s livelihood?

All this is justified because the Pentagon uses the $120 million or so it fleeces our soldiers for for “recreational” uses. You know, golf courses and such.

As the story notes, jackpots are kept low so soldiers are less tempted to gamble. Of course, anyone who knows anything about compulsive gambling knows that doesn’t really work.

I wish I could come up with some crack about this. You know, maybe “Let’s have a raffle for a set of armor plating for your squad’s humvee.” Or how about, “It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to take a chance on winning your very own set of body armor”?

Instead, I’m just sort of ashamed.