I haven't read the whole thread yet but... On the topic

It seems pretty plausible that Kerry just botched his speech. However, I think the botched version is much more truthful, relevant and poignant.

Dicsuss!

I wouldnt say soldiers come from lower income families. I would say that they DONT come from rich families. Maybe thats what you meant, but most soldiers are middle class just like most of society is middle class.

However, a much larger percentage of smarter kids go to college and a much larger percentage of avg to below avg intelligent kids join the military.

Of course theres exceptions to every rule. Most Officers are pretty smart (although alot of them have no common sense). There are some pretty smart enlisted men as well, but they normally end up in more important jobs that dont require getting shot at all day long.

When you join the military you take a test called a GT test. Its basically an IQ test of some sort. Each job in the military has a minimum score. If you score 85 but you need a 110 to be a missle technician, then your not going to be a missle technician. Most of the lowest scoring people end up in the infantry, which has no minimum score, so consequently, more soldiers of below avg intelligence are in Iraq right now because thats where the infantry is.