I live by a simple rule. If you wore the uniform, if you served your nation with honor, and especially if you fought and were wounded in battle, then you have earned the right to be treated with respect.
That's why I am so outraged that the Republican party has systematically attacked the wartime service and patriotism of veterans who are running for office as Democrats. It is despicable — the sign of a party more concerned about hanging onto power by any means possible than with giving veterans the respect they have earned.
Having worn a uniform for six years and served in the first Gulf War, I am disgusted to no end with these chickenhawk rat bastards.
I was marching with Veterans for Peace and Veterans for Common Sense a few years back to deliver a letter (signed by thousands of veterans) to the VA bemoaning the sorry state of veteran care.
On the way, we were treated to a group of cowardly College Republicans and Freepers with signs like "Have you forgotten?"
Now, given that this march had nothing to do with the war or September 11th, just why were these brave trust fund babies out there heckling us with their signs? To show that they disagree our plea that the VA treat wounded veterans with a little respect and compassion, as our letter addressed?
Normally I am reserved and non-confrontational in person, but that set me off. Not a single one of those cowardly kids would answer me when I asked them why they hadn't enlisted. One brave photographer, who sided with the kids and tried to protect them from our hard questions, mentioned that he was a reservist. Umm, why not active duty? Why was he taking pictures and playing around in the reserves when he felt this war was so necessary? Why was he not on active duty, instead of participating in the denigration of fellow veterans by cowardly, sheltered trust fund babies?
These brave souls, who fight with other people's blood and bodies, are not real men and women. They are cowards. UnAmerican. Traitors to liberty and domestic enemies of the Constitution. And I sincerely hope that history will judge them as such.
Link courtesy of The Anti-BS Chronicle: http://antibschronicle.blogspot.com/2006/10/more-from-wes-clark.html