A Salute To America's Veterans

(I originally posted this one year ago. It deserves another read this Veteran's Day. Thank you to those who have served in the past, those who serve today, and those who will serve in the future.)

For over 200 years, Americans from all walks of life have answered their country’s call to arms during times of war. They have sacrificed their security, their future, and their lives to defend this country and our way of life. They march, sail, and fly into battle at the behest of our leaders with a single thought: protect American freedom and lives. They endure hardships and experience horrors most of us can never really comprehend, and they do it without thinking twice. America has been engaged in many wars over the course of our history, some of them righteous, others less so. But no matter the reason for conflict, when the military is ordered into action they go. It is this unwavering devotion to duty that makes our military among the finest in the world.

As we remember those who have fallen and those who are still fighting on this Veteran’s Day, we must try to separate the conflict from the men and women who go off to fight it. We must remember that these people did not create the wars they are sent to fight. They do not decide what weapons to use, what enemy to target, what building to destroy. They operate on orders from our civilian leaders, funneled through the military command. They just do what they are told to the best of their ability. They do it because they have to. They do it out of honor. They do it for us.

We must always remember that regardless of how we may feel about a particular conflict, we can never allow our feelings about war to denigrate those who would stand and fight for us. In the 1960’s and 70’s, American soldiers were demonized by average citizens because of widespread discontent with the war in Vietnam. No matter how wrong American policy may have been at that time, it was not the soldiers who deserved condemnation.

The war in Iraq has been drawing comparisons to the Vietnam conflict almost since it began three years ago. Some of those comparisons may be dead on, others a bit off the mark. But if average Americans learned anything in the years following Vietnam it was that our soldiers are not our enemy. There will always be atrocities in war and there will always be people in and out of uniform who betray the cause by acting in ways that bring shame to themselves and to our military. Prime examples of this include the horror of My Lai and the despicable actions at Abu Ghraib. But we must strive to remember that as a whole, our men and women in uniform work hard to live up to the high expectations we have of them. Americans no longer blame the military en masse for the acts of a few bad apples. We know that those who would fight for us deserve better than to be painted with such a wide brush.

On this Veteran’s Day, I hope that you will take a moment to honor those who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. Honor those who have fallen in the wars of yesterday. If you have a veteran in your family, offer them thanks. If you see a veteran on the street, shake their hand, buy them a cup of coffee, throw a few dollars in their tin cup. Take time today to remember the service they have given in your name and the sacrifice they have made for all of us.

Fighting the battles of war is the job of the military. Fighting the politics of war is our duty. Tomorrow will bring another day of fighting and death abroad. Tomorrow will give another chance to confront the political machinations that have brought this war upon us. But for just one day, today, let’s forget about the politics of war and remember the warriors.

(cross posted at Bring It On! and Blogtemps)

The People Have Spoken

Democrats will retake control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate too as voters across the United States sent a message to lawmakers in every corner of the nation. In what will rightly be seen as a referendum on the Bush Administration and the culture of corruption that permeates the Republican party, this was an election when the people put national interest ahead of their own local concerns.

With 62% of voters in exit polls saying that this election was about national issues, one has to assume that the people have finally chosen to wake up and smell the burning of our constitution and our tradition of freedom. With 42% saying that political corruption was a prime factor in their votes Tuesday, one has to assume that the people are fed up with the horseshit that passes for political leadership.

57% said that the war in Iraq was a key concern, while only 40% cited terrorism. These numbers clearly show that Americans no longer trust George Bush or the Republican party to guide the helm of our nation.

But that doesn't mean they trust Democrats either. Overall, 62% of voters disapproved of Congress as a whole, hardly a rounding show of support for the Democrats. Again, it was the lesser of two evils for many voters.

But now the Democrats will have a House majority- at the very least. To which I can only say thank goodness. So today I rejoice at what has been halted, or at least seriously slowed down- a Republican juggernaut hell bent on destroying American honor, integrity, justice, and might. Tomorrow the work can begin.

(cross posted at Bring It On!)

Vote For Freedom

233 years ago, our predecessors through off the chains of an oppressive, authoritarian, anti-freedom government. Their success was the first step towards our free and democratic way of life.

233 years later, another George is trying to shackle the freedom and democracy of this great country through an authoritarian and oppressive force of will.

Today you have the chance to rescue that which our forefathers fought and died for. Today you have the chance to stand for freedom.

Today it is time to change the direction. Vote for Freedom.

(cross posted at Bring It On! and Blogtemps)