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Killing for a Second Chance opinion by Jesse Lancaster
Presently in the US, countless young adults--similar to any of us at the same age--have found themselves at the receiving end of criminal charges, and as a result have lost many of their rights as citizens. This devastating blow is often felt only later in life, when the once-young-adults find that--despite growing older, maturing, and trying to build a foundation for their lives--they have been condemned to a lower class with the inability to even be considered for any job that requires a background check. Recently, the US Army, which in the past refused to enlist people with a criminal history, has started accepting some of these people. This is the sharpest double-edged issue I have come upon in some time, so I'd like to state my opinion modestly and with some hesitation. I have lived the life depicted here, as an individual struggling from paycheck to paycheck, trying to provide. Seeing it from this perspective, I agree with the Army's decision, even though--with respect to the present situation--I refuse to condone the fight we are submerged headlong in. It appears thousands and thousands of men and women for the time being have an opportunity to better their lives. This seems to be a step in the right direction, even if I do not agree with the fact that young men and women are picking up arms as a last resort and killing for a second chance. My fear is that once the US government has finished exploiting these individuals who fight with no hate, no prejudice, at great risk to themselves, and only do so for an opportunity at life, which has been beyond their grasp for so long, Uncle Sam will disregard them once more to the lower class, where their only choices are minimum wage or welfare.* |
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