Ever since our troops entered Afghanistan and the subsequent invasion of Iraq, one of the signs of required patriotism was to show some sort of support for the troops. Rather than be deemed unpatriotic, many choose to qualify what they were feeling by stating that they do support the troops, but not the cause for which they were fighting.
This statement is becoming the wide spread sentiment now that the wars and the leaders are becoming more and more unpopular. The heart of the problem may be that not enough Americans have sacrificed anything more than higher gasoline prices and longer lines at air ports in these conflicts. It is easy for people to reconsider their opinions when they are merely inconvenienced.
During World War II every American felt the effects of the war. The war machine required much form its people. There was fuel and food rationing. Items were collected for recycling for the war effort. War Bonds were a patriotic investment. Though there was a draft, most Americans joined the military freely. Women and persons with deferments filled the industrial positions vacated by those who were serving in the military. On the dark side, ethnicity decided who was assigned to internment camps. There was no escape from that war.
This time around troop support means that you buy a magnetic ribbon that was made in China, and you slap it on the ass end of your SUV so you can see it every time you pile groceries in the back or fill the over sized gas tank with Middle East fossil fuels. The President prescription for supporting out country during the time of war is his instruction for the people to go out and go shopping.
There are sadly over 3500 families that have lost their loved ones and many thousands more who have life long disabilities due to injuries. These are the people and their families making the real sacrifices in this war. It is an insult to their integrity and sacrifice to throw on a magnetic ribbon and think that you support them.
If you want to support the troops, sign up to do some volunteer work that will directly benefit them. If you don’t want to commit some time to them you should at least remove your magnetic ribbon. It is an insult.
2 comments:
What strikes me now that you mentioned your comparison between the current "war(s)" and WWII, is that even with the 24 hour/7days a week access to everyhting about Iraq and Afghanistan on the television, radio, newspapers, people still act like there is nothing going on and still buying their F-ing SUV's and putting those F-ing stickers all over the back ends of them.
Thanks for writing this Syd and Sid.
What strikes me is tht not even the government "truly" supports their vets. My dad recently had a heart attack. We had to rush him to Columbia Memorial Hosp who life flighted him to Portland St. Vincent's even though his doctor is at Camp Rilea, Dr. Steven Gibson and he has been going to the VA hospital since 2001 for his Parkinson's. WHY? Because the VA refused him saying they don't take "outside" referrals! If I could drive him to the emergency room myself they would take him! So, he goes to St. Vincents and a $60,000 bill. If you want to know the kind of care he got there, I'll be blogging about it. ACK!
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