If I have something to say on this day to a military member or family that lost one of its own serving this country, I do it privately. After all, it is a very limited number of people.
And therein lies the most overt American obscenity.
From this 2010 interview with Ted Koppel on the grotesquely uneven distribution of the burden of war:
By and large, 90 to 95 percent of the American public, probably more than that if you look at the real numbers, are paying absolutely nothing for this war. We are not paying anything additionally in money. We are not paying anything in terms of personal sacrifice.
We should not have one soldier serving five tours of duty; we should have five soldiers serving one tour. Because if the average American had a real stake in this country's military action, there would be a hell of a lot less of it. The hawks wouldn't be so quick to bray on if it actually meant something to their minions. I can only imagine the enthusiasm draining from the fist-pumpers if their calls to action involved their own children--or even their pocketbooks. (You better believe I support a hefty war tax payable by every American save for veterans, active military members and their families).
Lastly, there is nothing "happy" about Memorial Day, and the simple fact that a tiny sliver of our population bears the burden of loss of life and limb courtesy of our wars ought to give every American pause.
Our wars?
Yes, indeed. They are yours and mine and there is blood on all of our hands regardless of support.
* * *
18 comments:
I usually visit the cemetery on Memorial Day. You're right, it doesn't make me a better American. The veterans I know and have known are proud of their service. Thinking about those who've served and died, seems appropriate to me. That "tiny sliver of our population", I think, wouldn't want you/us to feel as though we have blood on our hands but, a thoughtful or prayerful, pause to remember, might be appreciated.
The problem I have isn't with Memorial Day or Veterans Day themselves; it's the hypocrisy they represent given what goes on the rest of the year. We don't want to pay them, we don't want to care for them, we don't want to support them except with empty gestures. The only way in which Americans actually reliably support their military is in taxes, and we endlessly complain about that, too. I wouldn't mind all this outpouring of patriotism if it wasn't so damned fake.
Thanks for this post. Well put.
Fake patriotism Anon? Is yours fake or real or non existent? It's not all about money.
Bill, you're really going to come here and troll on Memorial Day?
If that's who you are, fine. I'll play along at least with this comment. I'm not talking about a stroll through a cemetery or a prayer or any other appropriate observance and you goddamn well know it.
I'm talking about this.
Anon was talking about fake patriotism. I'm saying most people aren't faking their patriotism. I'm also saying that those veterans that we memorialize actually wanted to serve their country. They didn't join because they didn't have options. They joined to do their duty. Some died heroically by falling on an explosive to save their buddies or just fighting. Only "a sliver" of our population would do that. Honoring our veterans is NOT fake. There are plenty of heroes to honor. Not just the ones I personally know. If anon wants to ridicule our deep gratitude, so be it. This is trolling? I take offense.
Yes, it is. Now then ... spittin' out the bait here, boss.
Trying to honor our Veterans CAN be a real thing...it's perfunctory for all our politicians. But to then turn around and cut their benefits or profit from death with Congressional insider tips or to degrade our First Lady's efforts to help and make change is sick.
RE: The current situation at the VA:
Until the VA can straighten out their affairs, every single man or woman who has been waiting for care or treatment for more than say a month should get a voucher redeemable with any healthcare professional or facility in the country for the complaint they presented to the VA. You need some money to pay for it? Pass the hat. I'll throw in 50 bucks for starters. If I had more, I'd give more.
Just don't let the status quo prevail and allow anyone to think it's in the name of the American people. The status quo is an infamy.
MR
This is entirely off topic, however: I used to be a regular reader/commenter on this blog but drifted away and haven't checked it for years. I was a little surprised to find it was still active but I'm amazed that everyone is still on here! Bill! It's great to see that you're still up to your old hijinxs! You're a true blue uber dawg!
Yeah Dude. Still here and enjoy commenting once in a while, even though I'm usually the only one enjoying my comment. You should stop by more often. Nice to hear from you.
Bill Maher, during some national spasm of patriotism some years back, nailed ostentatious patriotic displays by advising: Wear a flag pin on your lapel. It's the absolute least you can do.
Senex Ægypti Parvi
American Flag Lapel Pins On Sale?
" ... trading away five murderous terrorists for a likely Army deserter ..."
Didn't read any more of this silly hack's drivel after that. As far as labeling Bergdahl as a "deserter" before the man tells his side of the story, I find it utterly indefensible and disgusting.
Too bad he the silly hack didn't put the trade deal at the bottom, instead of at the top, of his list. This silly hack's opinion is as valid as the those other, more reputable, reporters from The NY Times and Washington Post. But, I agree that we don't know the reason for Bowe's departure from the base. He might have just had a date with a local Taliban girl. We should wait to understand the reason for his "AWOLness" before convicting him.
Too bad he the silly hack didn't put the trade deal at the bottom, instead of at the top, of his list. This silly hack's opinion is as valid as the those other, more reputable, reporters from The NY Times and Washington Post. But, I agree that we don't know the reason for Bowe's departure from the base. He might have just had a date with a local Taliban girl. We should wait to understand the reason for his "AWOLness" before convicting him.
One has to consider the source on the 'newspaper.' The Post is News Corp. which is Uncle Rupert which is Fox.
Riddle me this: The people who think the kid's a threat to national security? Won't he be easier to watch here rather than in some cave in Afghanistan?
@ Erin, quite correct. There is a swath of people who want to meet his plane with torches and pitchforks. Lovers of the troops disinterested in due process. Lovers of our legal system unwilling to extend 'innocent until proven guilty to this young man.
The kid signed up for Army infantry during a time of war. If he wanted to minimize his profile he could have gone Navy or Air Force-much smaller chance of getting shot at. The Army promoted him to Sergeant while he was a prisoner.
This is not the sort of kid to dismiss peremptorily.
@ Bill-Thumbs up for you, and I mean that most sincerely. The level of vitriol towards and condemnation of this young man is dark and very ugly. It's gratifying to encounter hold-outs for fairness and common sense.
MR
Eric Cantor is a hippie. This is the dawning of The Age of Aquarious.
RJ
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