Yes, that’s a harsh headline for this piece.
But I’ll ask you to forgive me because, as a Veteran, there isn’t a day on the calendar that causes my hatred — and I do indeed mean hatred — of George W. Bush to bubble over the top more than Memorial Day.
“On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who have laid down their lives in the cause of freedom, resolve that they will forever be remembered by a grateful Nation, and pray that our country may always prove worthy of the sacrifices they have made,” reads Bush’s official Memorial Day proclamation, issued by the White House on Thursday.
The Chickenhawk-in Chief says a lot of things that make this Vet’s blood boil but stuff like saying that he prays “…that our country may always prove worthy of the sacrifices they have made” is almost vomit inducing.
This statement comes from the same man who himself began dishonoring the sacrifices of all Veterans in such huge ways in March of 2003, when he invaded Iraq behind a veil of lies and deceit and started spilling barrels of military and civilian blood to start a war with a country that posed no threat whatsoever to our national security. These stirring words of remembrance come from an administration that began with a stolen election in 2000, which goes entirely against what I was taught way back when I was in the U.S. Navy, which was that part of the “way of life” we were protecting was symbolized by the ability of all of our citizens to have their votes counted.
“These courageous and selfless warriors have stepped forward to protect the Nation they love, fight for America’s highest ideals, and show millions that a future of liberty is possible,” continues Bush’s proclamation. “Americans are grateful to all those who have put on our Nation’s uniform and to their families, and we will always remember their service and sacrifice for our freedoms.”
The words Bush puts forth are true — it’s him being the one to say them that I find so sickening and personally offensive.
It is positively nauseating to have George W. Bush ever talk to us about “America’s highest ideals” when his administration has started a bloody war for no reason, imprisoned those suspected of being “terrorists” without trial or benefit of legal counsel, tortured prisoners in America’s name and done everything but grab the original U.S. Constitution from the National Archives and run it through a paper shredder.
I also don’t believe for one minute that the majority of the planet now holds our country in such extreme contempt because we’re right and they don’t understand our “highest ideals.” This Veteran will go to his grave believing that the years 2000 through 2008 were a dark time in our history when much of what I believed when I served in uniform was made invalid and debased.
2 comments:
The speaker at our little town's Memorial Day was an Iraq War Vet, whose Grandfather's fought in WWII, he said he got to Iraq and found that after years of UN sanctions Iraq wasn't capable of being a threat to the United States, that people who carry on about supporting our troops really don't do much to stop the suicide rate for returning vets or support the troops by demanding better healthcare and benefits.
Everyone was stunned. Finally one of the Lion's Club ripped the speech out of the hands of the young man and said we aren't here to hear an anti-war speech! I and perhaps 20-30 others kept applauding over him and the young vet was allowed to finish his speech.
The older crowd was incensed. I could hear grumbles of "unpatriotic" "inappropriate" but there were lots fewer people at the Memorial Day parade and picnic, than usual. A neighbor who for the last couple of years brings a placard with the number of Korean War dead wasn't there either.
I stayed for the recitation of The Poppies, which is a town tradition and sang America the Beautiful and left. That young vet had more courage to "wreck" the solemn occasion than a lot of people would have. Supporting the Troops is a lot of hot air for most, and it was really refreshing to hear some truth.
Wow. Thanks for sharing this, Anon. Most folks are either simply in denial or following the President's rhetoric or are afraid to speak the truth. The truth is now known that American people have been hoodwinked by the President and invaded a country on false pretenses. Most folks have lost the sense of what word patriotism is in this country. Patriotism is not just supporting the troops according to Bush. It is carrying in your heart the love of your country, appreciating the Constitution by our Founding fathers, and more importantly, knowing who we are as a people and where we are going.
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