This is what he said:
I don't want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don't, then you've got, the Army, Iraq, I don't know, something like that. It's, it's not as bright. So, that's my little commercial for that.
The truth is that reading will greatly assist you in learning to think critically and educate yourself. But reading alone won't let you just walk into a job. That will require special skills. And being a History or English Lit major is likely to only qualify you to say: "Wanna biggie size that?"
Having found himself in a hornet's nest he has tried three times to get out, but the problem is, he doesn't understand.
That wasn't my intention. I like the troops just fine, and respect the hell out of their brainpower. I know that most of them read.....It's the war our politicians--many of whom have never heard a shot fired in anger--have sent them to fight that I have a problem with.
What he doesn't understand is that when he runs his mouth the enemy the troops are fighting are encouraged. The terrorists believe that if they can hold on just a bit longer then the anti-war Left, one of which I believe King to be, will force a withdrawal and the terrorists will win. Of course to "hang on" the terrorists must kill some US troops, so the troops and those of us who support them, see his position as being un-supportive and counter productive.
King is a fantasy writer. He has been in his fantasy world too long. He rants a bit about "No Child Left Behind" a bit and then, having decided that no child is learning to read, comes up with this.
Many will be faced with entry-level jobs like clerking and handing out burgers from the drive-thru window. The best option for many is the armed services, because they see a chance to continue their educations and/or learn a marketable skill. Many will wind up in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some will die, because this is an entry-level position where kids wind up getting shot at.
What King doesn't understand is that most of the young men and women who join are patriotic and believe in this country, and believe in this culture and understand that the country and culture must be protected. That they may learn a skill is a plus, but that's not why they join. There are far too many other educational options available.
If King was truly concerned about the futures of these men and women he would be pressing for energy independence for thus country. To do that we must work on not only alternative sources, but drill for oil now and build nuclear power plants now. Two proven technologies that need only for King and his ilk to join with others in demanding that government get the hell out of the way.
But he won't. His success in writing fantasy has convinced him that he knows what the rest of us should do.
I for one know what I will do. I will no longer purchase King's books.
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