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Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:47 |
| | Bill Walz |
I have angry things to say. Forgive me. I am angry about the demagoguery and deceptions of the president and his supporters as to what constitutes support for our military.
Bushís conduct of the war in Iraq has been widely discredited as failed, and yet, he refuses to deescalate his hopelessly flawed military effort to engage international diplomacy as the only credible American exit plan. Instead, he has escalated the war. Now, Americans sickened and saddened by the sacrifice of American troops to this tragic blunder are speaking out.
In
response, Bush and his allies have resorted to their oft-used tactic of
defaming his detractors, of labeling them as unpatriotic, as
unsupportive of the men and women serving in the armed forces. This
requires a response.
In Bushís last election, the campaign slogan that boiled my blood then,
and does so even more now, declared, ìSupport the troops. Support
President Bush.î Thatís disgustingly washing himself in the blood of
the American troops he sends into harmís way for political advantage.
Now, with the administrationís lies for starting the war, and
incompetence in its prosecution exposed, he, Vice President Cheney and
their rightwing allies in the media and Congress have gone once more to
the well of slander against their political opponents. They call into
question the dissentersí patriotism and support for the American
troops. This is the crassest politics.
The American people and military have been lied to and used. This war
is not about a terrorist threat to America, although the administration
continues to beat this torn drum. The American military has been a pawn
in a shameless grab for power, oil and war profits committed by this
administration and still these brazen exploiters use the blood and
courage of the American military as their last citadel. They declare
the blood sacrifice must go on to justify the sacrifice thus far made.
There seems no shame in them. There is no pity in them for the brave
who have fallen, or who will fall. And there is no respect for
democracy as the people say, ìNo more!î
Now, after Bushís non-support for the troops by sending them into Iraq
improperly equipped and without a clear mission or strategy for
success, we have assessments of how the militaryís capacity and
effectiveness have been severely diminished by this waste and spoilage.
We hear reports about the disgraceful housing conditions facing
returning wounded outpatient war veterans and about woefully inadequate
VA services. We hear of grandparents left to raise orphaned children of
veterans being denied the death benefit for their son or daughterís
sacrifice. We are witness in our communities to already extended Guard
and Reserve terms of service being extended even further, shattering
families and careers. It needs asking, who has failed our troops?
Bush has declared, ìThe only acceptable outcome is victory,î ìFailure
will bring the terrorists to Americaís shores.î Many disagree, seeing
the growing Muslim radicalization in response to heavily armed U.S.
troops patrolling and smashing down doors in a Muslim country as what
is increasing the threat to us. Bush then has the audacity to assert
that the troops want to finish the job, and dissenters undermine their
resolve. How baldly disingenuous! Of course, every soldier in every war
has believed in the cause they fight and die for to the last, otherwise
how could they continue to fight and die? Even so, 41 percent of U.S.
military polled in December í06 opined that success in Iraq was not
likely. It is not dissent that disheartens them. It is Bushís failed
policy.
Support the troops. Support them by caring about their lives, limbs,
families and well-being. Bring them home to every possible support for
their recovery from this disaster. American troops are to defend our
homeland, not be wasted in political adventurism and war profiteering.
The American people do support our troops, it is Bush and the political
right who have shown their contempt for the military. Those who exploit
war and the soldiers who fight the wars are the ones who do the
military and the country great harm. Remember that in the next
election.
ï
Bill Walz is a
UNC Asheville adjunct faculty member and a private practice teacher of
mindfulness, personal growth and consciousness. Contact at
bill.walz-at-worldnet.att.net or 258-3241.
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