Support the Troops? I am Angry
- By Doug Coleman
- Published 02/19/2008
Doug Coleman
I like simplicity. I write about simple things like easy (simple) time management and customer service without slogans, just good sense. I enjoy auto racing, opera, jazz, puppies, and sunsets. There's nothing better than a glass of wine watching a brilliant sunset listening to Oscar Peterson's piano. Life is good.
I can't contain my anger when I hear "funding the troops" and other references to "the troops" being the focus of our emotional and financial support. I don't dispute the fact that all military people try to do their jobs to the best of their ability. That's just a normal work ethic that has nothing to do with the reason for the work. To the majority of the military, they have jobs that pay them money and benefits whether here or overseas. These are generally good people who are trying to do their best under rotten circumstances.
In 1950, I enlisted in the Navy for four years to avoid being drafted for two years, a decision I still feel good about. The conflict was Korea and I didn't know, understand, or care what the issues were. I did my assigned job to the best of my ability and worked to earn promotions. To this day, I don't really understand what we were doing in Korea except getting a lot of our young people wounded, crippled, and killed. The times haven't changed, but the politics have.
As a sailor, I was more concerned with paying my bills with the few dollars I was paid than even thinking of the cause I was fighting for. I suspect that most of our "troops" (we writers know that a "troop" is a body of soldiers, not one soldier) have the same attitudes that I had if not worse because many are reservists called to active duty from their civilian
lives and families.
Don't jump to any conclusions about where my support is. I was a sailor for four years. I know what it is like to follow orders whether you agree with them or not. I support each member of our military with respect and compassion for the risks they face and the sacrifices the have been forced to make in their personal lives. I grieve for thousands of maimed men and women whose lives are forever altered. I mourn with the families who have lost their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers or mothers who where just doing their jobs. They didn't have a choice.
I wish our leaders would be honest, truthful, and respectful of the people who, by casting one vote at a time, have given the power of life or death to mortal men and women in their desire to leave their footprints on the sands of time and be a footnote on a page of history.
I support each military person and am angered when the politicians claim their actions are "in support of our troops." I am angered when I am classed as "unpatriotic" if I don't support the president's "gun slinger" policies, regardless of the cost. I am angered that my grandchildren will be paying for this folly and the continuing care of the thousands of military people who will forever carry the scars of this deception. I am angered by the waste of thousands of lives and billions of dollars that could have been used for far better purposes.
Yes, you're damned right I'm angry.
In 1950, I enlisted in the Navy for four years to avoid being drafted for two years, a decision I still feel good about. The conflict was Korea and I didn't know, understand, or care what the issues were. I did my assigned job to the best of my ability and worked to earn promotions. To this day, I don't really understand what we were doing in Korea except getting a lot of our young people wounded, crippled, and killed. The times haven't changed, but the politics have.
As a sailor, I was more concerned with paying my bills with the few dollars I was paid than even thinking of the cause I was fighting for. I suspect that most of our "troops" (we writers know that a "troop" is a body of soldiers, not one soldier) have the same attitudes that I had if not worse because many are reservists called to active duty from their civilian
Don't jump to any conclusions about where my support is. I was a sailor for four years. I know what it is like to follow orders whether you agree with them or not. I support each member of our military with respect and compassion for the risks they face and the sacrifices the have been forced to make in their personal lives. I grieve for thousands of maimed men and women whose lives are forever altered. I mourn with the families who have lost their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers or mothers who where just doing their jobs. They didn't have a choice.
I wish our leaders would be honest, truthful, and respectful of the people who, by casting one vote at a time, have given the power of life or death to mortal men and women in their desire to leave their footprints on the sands of time and be a footnote on a page of history.
I support each military person and am angered when the politicians claim their actions are "in support of our troops." I am angered when I am classed as "unpatriotic" if I don't support the president's "gun slinger" policies, regardless of the cost. I am angered that my grandchildren will be paying for this folly and the continuing care of the thousands of military people who will forever carry the scars of this deception. I am angered by the waste of thousands of lives and billions of dollars that could have been used for far better purposes.
Yes, you're damned right I'm angry.
