‘I Don’t Support The Troops’
PERHAPS the most insidious byproduct of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has been a reflexive sanctification of the military. To put this in bumper stickerese: Support the Troops.
Well, I have an ugly confession to make: I don’t support the troops - at least not unconditionally. When somebody tells me they serve in the military, my first impulse isn’t to say, “Thank you for your service!” like those insufferable chickenhawks on talk radio.
My first impulse is to say, “I’m sorry to hear that.” Because I am. I’m sorry to know that the person I’m talking to might someday be maimed or killed on the job, or might someday kill someone else. Or refuel a plane that drops bombs on buildings.
I can’t see how anyone who calls himself or herself Christian - or human, for that matter - wouldn’t be sorry.
The fact that we have an army, that we need an army, is inherently tragic. It’s an admission that our species is still ruled by fear and aggression.
Bear with me here folks, the language may get rough. The self-righteous, pompous, asshole who penned this insanity goes by the name of Steve Almond. Steve seems to relish in getting negative reactions out of people and then either pretending he is above them on an intellectual level or ignoring their existence entirely. His past hits include blogging about letting his toddler watch an episode of The Wire and other crap no one cares about. You see, Steve is one of those writers who pretends to be above the fray — no one else can touch him, no one else is as talented as him and the only reason his books only sell seven copies is because Americans just don’t get it.
Well, guess what Steve, you’re the one who just doesn’t get it. This cornucopia of peace that resides deep inside your mind is nothing more than a figment of your imagination. If this country didn’t have the brave men and women of our armed forces to defend us we would have sank into oblivion decades ago. It’s disappointing that our troops can’t pick and choose who they fight for tossing halfwits like you into the outer reaches of the arctic where all is well and peaceful.
I almost hesitate to give Steve the attention but he’s not the first to go this route.
Elsewhere, On The News Junkie...
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That’s because youre a chickenhawk, shawn. Just like Bush and Cheney
Reply to RacerXHow do you type with those wings?
If veterans are the only people allowed to have an opinion on war, why is the left so vocal about it? I’ll bet anyone a donut that Mr. Almond never served. Maybe he should just do everyone a favor and shut his pie-hole.
Reply to Peeved GuyI’m not dumb enough to take that bet… but I do want a donut.
Reply to Shawn Wasson