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Veterans Day Thank You

November 11, 2009 by · Comments Off on Veterans Day Thank You 

VeteransDay_thumbMany are inclined to assume that when people opposes a war, they also oppose the troops serving in it.  During the Vietnam War, a small minority of protestors, mostly on the West Coast fixed that notion in the public’s perception by throwing blood at returning troops.  To this day I feel angry over that.  Most of us in the peace movement took a completely different attitude.  We accepted returning troops and listened to what they had to say.  They were a window for us, through which we could see the truth about what was happening there.  Once returning vets saw that we accepted them and did not condemn their service, more often then not they joined us in opposition to the war.

Our troops do not make policy.  They do not start wars.  They serve under oath to obey the legal orders given them.  Most perform their duties with pride and honor.  When they become involved in illegal, immoral wars such as Vietnam and Iraq, they are victims of the politicians that place them in harm’s way without just cause.  They deserve our thanks, our loyalty and our love.  They deserve the best care and benefits we can provide them because of the extreme sacrifices they have made on our behalf.

With that in mind, I considered the ongoing GOP claim that Democrats do not support our troops, but Republicans do.  I visited Project Vote Smart to learn what our veterans have to say about just who it is that has their backs.  The Disabled American Veterans gave 200 national politicians a 100% perfect rating.  All 200 are Democrats.  They gave 32 national politicians a rating of 50% or less.  All 32 are Republicans.  The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave 85 national politicians an A+, A or A- rating.  All 85 are Democrats.  They gave 49 national politicians a D, D- or F rating.  All 49 are Republicans.  It seems that Republicans call it supporting the troops whenever they vote for a measure to funnel billions into the pockets of war profiteers, but when it calls to actually taking care of our vets, they almost invariably complain about the costs and oppose it.  So I encourage you all to do remove Republicans from office.

And to those among you who have served our nation in the military, thank you for your sacrifice.

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