I know if anyone actually reads this, this rant will cause me some grief but I just got to say it. Can anyone really support the troops without supporting the war? What is it we're really saying when we purport such a proposition? I can understand people saying that they would rather not see young men and woman in harms way or having sympathy for the ones who die or are wounded but to believe that you ca support the troops without supporting the war is a dangerous fallacy.
I have to admit I am fearful of writing this. Opposition to the war in this country has brought about a suspension of rights and an equation to treason, but; my father, who passed away last year, was a VERY VOCAL opponant to the war and the Bush administration policies and he was a Decorated COMBAT VETERAN of the Korean War. It pains me when I hear that the troops are defending our nation. PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION!!! We did not go into Iraq for this reason. Does anyone remember the WOMDs??? There were none. We toppled another country's government and set about creating chaos. This is a mess and our young people are being killed and maimed in the process! Why is it few ever mention the loss of life on the other side? Why is it we call those opposing us insugents? If America were to be invaded tomorrow, would you not take up arms against the invaders?? I sure as Hell know that I would oppose any invader trying to change my way of life or impose it's rule of law over me.
You, each and everyone of you, has to take a clear stance. If you support the war so be it and if you oppose it so be it. But to waffle, to straddle the fence, is to support the war and all that comes with it. That is not just the injustices taking place in Iraq but anywhere abroad or here within our borders. The Patriot Act (clever name), the illegal wirtapping and surveilance, and the 'outing' of opperatives (illegal) who do not support the administration. Apathy is the #1 enemy to freedom and democracy, not guns and bombs. Going with the flow, refusing to see how each and every individual voice can and will effect the events taking place today is complicity to the very crimes being ptacticed against humanity!
DP