Posted on 12/05/2005 3:16:52 PM PST by mdittmar
"We have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure." -John Kerry "But I do support the troops."
"He betrayed this country! He played on our fears! He took America on an ill-conceived foreign adventure dangerous to our troops, an adventure pre-ordained and planned before 9/11 ever took place!" -Al Gore "But I support the troops."
"The motivation for war is simple. The U.S. government started the war with Iraq in order to make it easy for U.S. corporations to do business in other countries. They intend to use cheap labor in those countries, which will make Americans rich." -Micheal Moore "But I support the troops."
The examples can obviously continue but they do not need to in order for a point to be made. At what point does a patriotic phrase like "I support our troops" lose its meaning? It doesn't lose it's meaning when preceded by the word 'but'. It doesn't lose it's meaning when it is repeated over and over again either deliberately or accidentally. It loses it's meaning when it is repeatedly used to cover someone's rear end. Patriotism is not subject to public relations nor should it be encouraged to exist in such shallow terms. It exists in the heart of the people, not on their sleeves or other superficial adornments.
No one should be encouraged to support anything in life blindly including public figures who spout the right phrases but only to advance their agendas. Despite their best efforts, politicians will never be able to dumb down the American public to the point where their statements will be glossed over and ignored just because it was followed by "but I support the troops". That should not and will not be used as an universal eraser line in America. Whenever we can, we should stand up and defend phrases like that against those who abuse it and ridicule it with their words and actions. We are free to analyze the war, our politicians, various issues on the table, etc. But against those who villify our actions and desperately wish to wave the white flag of appeasement to the enemy out of one side of their mouth and then spout "but I support the troops" out the other...I stand up and shout "no, that is wrong." It is sad that it is getting to the point in society where the word 'wrong' is sounding more and more like a swear word but that is another entry on another day.
If the military truly is falling on tough times, we only need to look to history and within ourselves to know that as long as the American people are informed about what is truly going on through our military, we will rally together to support the troops in whatever way we need to in order to ensure complete and total victory. A majority of Americans know what true hardship and sacrifice is all about...we have read up on our history, grown up in close knit communities and have fought hard to earn enough for groceries/college/medical visits/etc. We know that we live in the greatest country on Earth and we have been blessed by God because we once loved Him. I think that love and respect is still beating in America's heart but those who backhandedly say they support our troops and then turn right around to undermine them...their voices and actions are threatening to shut off those blessings. It is not their right to do so and it is not their right to tiptoe on the borderline of treason and then claim they love this country and what it stands for including uttering their favorite phrase "but I support the troops".
Look at the recruitment numbers which continue to stay steady, if not increase, by each training period. Look at the charities thriving from donations from Americans wanting to help the families of the soldiers and to send over packages letting them know their efforts are appreciated and we are behind them. Look at how this country rallied behind President Bush and vowed to stay the course against a persistent enemy because we believe in the troops. "But I support the troops." Perhaps so, Mr. or Mrs. Senator but we, the American people, actually do.
Dem bumper sticker:
"I support our troops, but..."
The same people who spat on our soldiers in the 70's are now reborn as the soldier's best friend. "We support the troops", they say. But what are they actually doing to show support? Nada. Talk but no walk.
Note to Ben Webb: the correct spelling in the context used is "its" not "it is".
Thats just my opionion;)
I understand....it's just a pet peeve of mine.
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