I just got promoted...

[Ben Kenobi]

If Albie is going away to the Marines in 5 months and doesn't need a car, why should he buy one?

It's a good backup plan for him, giving him more alternatives to the Marines, which is by no means a sure thing.

That would be a complete waste of money for him, not to mention the hassle of dealing with a car in an urban area (I've done it, it's a pain), and then having to get rid of it once he leaves.

So have I. It can be a pain, but it also opens up opportunities for Albert as to the work he can pursue. He's not limited to his immediate neighbourhood.

I've done both for years, and I would not want to go back to not having a car again. It's just simply too difficult to maintain a regular commute of any distance without one. Transit is not cheap.

If these are the kinds of decisions you make with your money, no wonder you're poor.

First job I got out of college, I bought a car. After having my loans and whatnot paid off. Sure, I'm not rich, but I'm also not 40k in student loans down, with a car payment, credit cards, etc.

[Boris Godunov]

It's a good backup plan for him, giving him more alternatives to the Marines, which is by no means a sure thing.

Considering that's 5 months away, he can address that issue when it comes up. It's not as if used cars will suddenly not exist by then. Until he has the desire/plan to go somewhere, it would be a waste of money and effort.

As for transit costs, while I'm not up on the Philly bus system, I'd say it's likely that, for 5 months, the costs of using it would be far, far less than the cost of buying and operating a car...

[self biased]

what's the over-under on alby not making into the marines again?

[MikeH]

I don't know anyone stupid enough to lay that.

[MikeH]

Or the bet!

[Zoetstofzoetje]

Nobody bidding, just offers.... sounds like a flash crash!

[Zoetstofzoetje]

what's the big deal wanting to get into the marines anyway? if you've got a degree, you're overqualified, unless you want to become an analyst.

[-Jrabbit]

I'm pretty sure mostly he wants to kick non-American ass.

[Zoetstofzoetje]

why do americans glorify war so much?

you're at odds of being shot, being underfed, high risk, and when you're disabled they ditch you.

[self biased]

if you've got a degree, you're overqualified, unless you want to become an analyst.

we can't even get alby laid through the front door. what makes you think he'd make it in the back?

[Riesstiu IV]

why do americans glorify war so much?

you're at odds of being shot, being underfed, high risk, and when you're disabled they ditch you.

Three possible things come to mind.

1. At least 30% of this nation is made up of sociopaths.

2. Maybe because there is no collective historical memory for warfare's destruction and mass death that other nations have? Doesn't seem to always work though. After all, Germany went a little nuts after WWI.

3. There are a lot of basement dwelling man-children who play too much Halo Reach-Around.

[DaShi]

#1 is the most likely.

#2 Civil War

#3 They're so fat they can barely reach anything.

[ColdWizard]

War is what separated us from being English and/or Canadian.

[Zoetstofzoetje]

Three possible things come to mind.

1. At least 30% of this nation is made up of sociopaths.

2. Maybe because there is no collective historical memory for warfare's destruction and mass death that other nations have? Doesn't seem to always work though. After all, Germany went a little nuts after WWI.

3. There are a lot of basement dwelling man-children who play too much Halo Reach-Around.

Actually, wargames were initially sponsored by the U.S. MinDef when they discovered later on that a lot of soldiers on the beaches of Normandy had not fired a single shot. So the population had to be mentally prepared to kill.

[giblets]

Actually, wargames were initially sponsored by the U.S. MinDef when they discovered later on that a lot of soldiers on the beaches of Normandy had not fired a single shot. So the population had to be mentally prepared to kill.

Interesting, could you link to a source that says this? I would like to read more about it.