Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Support Our Troops

In a time of war, the good and the ugly come out in a lot of Americans. There are a few things about "ugly" America that really tick me off. I'm going to be blunt and honest. Please note these are in order of how angry they make me... with #5 being something that you should NEVER say.
  1. "We are fighting for nothing!" / War Protesters
  2. People Who Lack Patriotism
  3. Flag Burners
  4. Chruch Protest at Soldier's Funeral
  5. "Anyone who joins the military is stupid."

1 & 2) Let's begin. This essentially addresses #1 & #2.
"We are fighting for nothing!" This is a common phrase used by people who do not know much about the military, are often liberal, and have generally no respect; nor do they think about the consequences when they repeat this uneducated falsified statements. How is removing a murderous dictator, giving the Iraqi's a democratic government, training a police force, providing them opportunities to vote, and helping to educate Iraqi children doing "nothing" ?!? I have NEVER understood where these IDIOTS get the right to say such statements... or how anyone could even believe them. I mean, how could you ignore all of the good stuff that is going on? Okay, so what if the media ONLY reports the negative... how can you honestly see a picture of a soldier and an Iraqi child with a new chance at life and think, "Wow, what a waste." How conceited can you really be? Place yourself in the Iraqi child's eyes. Hmm... communism, high chance of torture and death to my innocent self or my family... no freedoms for me or my family or my chi
ldren or my children's children.... or chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Hm... I don't know about you but it is obvious that these people are thankful, and I would be too. Don't give me crap about the terrorist groups there... obviously they don't want us there because we are trying our best to prevent them from wreaking havoc among the innocent civilians. Worthy cause? I would think so.
So do you have a problem supporting this war? Obviously, no one wants war... I mean it's dumb to assume that just because I am proud of my troops and I think we are making a difference doesn't mean I am some kind of heartless freak. War hurts everyone involved, but also has always, and will continue to yield results. Sometimes it is necessary, and someone has to do it. It's not like I speak of this and have no connection to anything in the military that would, I don't know, give me some reason to speak my mind without actually knowing how it feels. Well I'll tell you right now, I've never been in a war, but the love of my life is about to, and no one (unless they are in the same situation) knows how it feels to have someone you love go off to fight for a country who is back home protesting what they are doing. How would you feel as the mother of a son who recently died in battle if someone claimed to you, "Oh, he fought for nothing!" What an inconsiderate lie. If you don't believe me, hear it from a mother herself whose son is in the army (Sarah Palin) ... and an Iraq veteran. Please, take the 3 minutes to watch these two videos... they may surprise you.
Do you want the troops home sooner? Stop bringing the morale down, and show a little support. Why don't you try to send care packages, letters, toys for Iraqi kids? These simple, small things could make a world of a difference to someone in Iraq, both a civilian or a soldier. Any positive difference like this results in positive changes... do your part. Making false statements and making everyone else feel negative is obviously not getting you anywhere other than making you seem disrespectful. If you want this war over... then HELP. Remember when people rationed their food, bought war bonds, and served in military hospitals? What happened to that pride in our nation? And if you truly don't remember what they are fighting for... I bet you there is someone who does:





3) Flag Burners.
For the life of me, I canNOT figure this one out. Why would anyone burn our symbol of freedom?? Are you not proud to be an American? Just because you don't agree with something the government does doesn't mean you should show such disrespect! Even though Obama was elected (which is, of course, a disaster), I am still an American. Everyone needs to think that way. Sometimes you ought to push political factors aside and sit back and realize that you are lucky. We have more freedoms than most people in this planet, and we constantly take them for granted. Texas vs Johnson was just a horrible, horrible decision. I don't think this is protected under the right to protest. Flag burning is being disrespectful, I don't think anyone has the right to be an asshole. You do, however, have the privilege, and do you know why? Because of the American flag. I mean, it's sad that this has to even be QUESTIONED as to whether or not it should be legal. It simply should not happen.
This BAN FLAG BURNING PETITION states it best. "The American Flag is a symbol of courage, strength and national
freedom. To burn a flag is to disgrace the land we love and diminish
the sacrifices of those who have paid dearly - sometimes with their
lives - for the freedoms we enjoy today."
How do you really think a soldier feels while he is risking his life... and you are burning the flag. I mean, I'm sure this has been used time and time again, but that is because it's the God's honest truth. If you really hate America, get the hell out. Why do you think we have such an immigration problem? It's because America is a land of hope and promises. It's a sad day when foreigners realize this... and our own people can't honor it.

4) Church Protest at Soldier's Funeral
So apparantly, "a right-wing Protestant Christian church group from Topeka, Kansas is
planning to demonstrate at Piper's funeral services at the Old North
Church. They claim U.S. soldiers like Piper are dyin
g because the
country is being punished for its tolerance of what they see as immoral
behavior, such as homosexuality.The group, from the Westboro
Baptist Church, protested several weeks ago in Dracut and Lexington,
Mass., carrying signs depicting homosexual sex, with slogans such as
"Pope In Hell" and "God Hates Fags," and "God Hates The U.S." Police
called in extra officers to handle the demonstrations." -The Boston Channel News.
Does this make any sense to anyone else? I mean the whole idea behind it, putting aside the complete disrespect, is down right retarded. I'm a conservative Christian just like the next one... but I'm not a nutcase. Whatever poing they were trying to get across is completely washed out by the fact that they are protesting at a soldier's funeral. This is DOWNRIGHT DISRESPECTFUL AND WRONG. Did you hear about this and ever wonder what happened?! Well according to Guardian.co.uk,

-Writing on a website dedicated to the late Lance Cpl Snyder, the
family said: "Using innocent children to deliver their twisted message
of hatred and fear, the defendants in this suit have sought to attack
the memory of our departed heroes, to strip their loved ones of their
dignity, and to use abuse and intimidation as a tool for preventing
surviving family members from reaching closure over their loss."
-Mr Snyder's lawyer, Craig Trebilcock, had urged jurors to award an amount
"that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of
hate to Maryland again."

-A Baltimore federal jury awarded Mr
Snyder a total of $10.9m (£5.2m) after ruling that the group had
violated the family's privacy and intentionally inflicted emotional
distress.

-The church's leaders reacted defiantly to the verdict,
saying it was "an act in futility", and pledged to continue to picket
military funerals.

It's hard to believe this happened, much less that people
support it... and even better yet, that they still plan to do it. My
condolences go out to the Snyder family for having to go through this
horrible experience. If you want more information about this, it's
everywhere on Google. In fact, while searching, I found information
about this group protesting Heath Ledger's funeral because he played a
gay character? Er, I'm not sure what kind of "right-wing Christians"
these people are... or what kind they THINK they are, but it sure makes
it seem like the rest of us are disrespectful, ignorant people. This
is not true. I want to share my favorite poem with you. Think about it.

It Is The Soldier

"It is the soldier, not the president who gives us democracy.
It is the soldier, not the congress who takes care of us.
It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
And it is the soldier, who salutes the flag; who serves beneath the
flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, that allows the protester
to burn the flag.”
-Father Dennis O’Brien, USMC Chaplin"


5) You Don't Support The Troops?
BIG mistake. I know it's hard for many of us to fathom, but I have in fact heard, and know other people feel this way... but I have actually heard people claim that anyone who joins the military is "dumb", "stupid", "retarded", etc. This just blows my mind. If anything, if someone is really that anti-war...
THEN REALLY, YOU SHOULD BE THANKING GOD FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVING AND RISKING THEIR LIVES SO YOUR SORRY BUTT DOESN'T HAVE TO. In case no one has told you that before, it's about time you heard it. Has anyone heard recently what Obama said about the troops? "air raiding villages and killing civilians" Uhm... wow. Talk about disrespect, and you elected him to be the president of OUR country? Way to go, America.
Does anyone remember what Senator Kerry said about the troops? Well, I remember when it was a HUGE controversy, and I have had it posted on my Myspace as long as I can remember. Let me refresh your memory. The following is a Marine in Iraq's response to Senator Kerry:

**The following letter was written by my husband, Aaron, who is currently
deployed to Iraq, in defense of a recent comment made by Senator John
Kerry. Pass it along, it might inspire someone else to speak up! ~
Michelle**

The other day - John Kerry said,

"You know education..If you make the most of it, you study hard, you do
your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well, and
if you don't, you get st uck in Iraq."

So I wrote him a letter:

I am a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I am currently on my
second tour in Iraq, a tour in which I volunteered for. I speak Arabic
a nd Spanish and I plan to tackle Persian Farsi soon. I have a Bachelors
and an Associates Degree and between deployments I am pursuing an M.B.A.
In college I was a member of several academic honor societies, including
the Golden Key Honor Society. I am not unique among the enlisted troops.
Many of my enlisted colleagues include lawyers, teachers, mechanics,
engineers, musicians and artists just to name a few. You say that your
comments were directed towards the President and not us. If we were
stupid Senator Kerry, we might have believed you.

I am not a victim of President Bush. I proudly serve him because he is my
Commander and Chief. If it was you who was President, I would serve you
just as faithfully. I serve America Senator Kerry, and I am also
providing a service to the good people of Iraq. I have not terrorized
them in the middle of the night, raped them or murdered them as you have
accused me of before. I am doing my part to help them rebuild. My role is
a simple one, but important. You see Senator Kerry, like it or not, we
came here and removed a tyrant (who terrorized Iraqis in the middle of
the night, and raped them and murdered them). And we have a
responsibility to see to it that another one doesn't take his place. The
people of Iraq are recovering from an abusive relationship with a
terrible government and its going to take some time to help them recover
from that. We can't treat this conflict like a microwave dinner and throw
a temper tantrum because we feel like its taking too long.

Senator Kerry, you don't have to agree with this war. You don't have to
say nice things about those of us who choose to make sacrifices for the
rights of every American rather than sit back and simply feel entitled to
it. But please Senator Kerry, if you're going to call me a stupid
murdering rapist, stick by what you say. Don't tell me that I
misunderstood or that you would never insult a veteran because you are
one too. Having been there and done that does not give you a free pass to
insult me.

My suggestion for you, Senator Kerry, is to remember that your speeches
are recorded, and broadcast to us simpletons over here. You may want to
work on the delivery of what's written for you by your spin doctors - say
it back to them so they can tell you what the presentation sounds like,
how others might interpret what you say.. Remember that we can't read
your mind. If there are any misinterpretations in what you say, it's
because YOU didn't communicate clearly.

Good luck to you Senator Kerry, if nothing else it's always entertaining
to watch you try and climb out of the holes that you constantly dig for
yourself.

Sincerely,
Somebody who is watching his daughter grow up in photographs so that you
can have the right to say whatever you want about him.

Does this piss anyone else off? It was written off as a joke that he messed up, but whatever. People who make racists comments sometimes say "Oh, it was just a joke." Does that excuse the remark? Nooope. If this doesn't anger you, it should. If this doesn't bring tears to your eyes, it should. If this doesn't make you want to salute your flag and make you feel lucky, it should. How anyone can get through this and not be touched on so many levels, I'm unsure. Aside from being plain angry, I'm proud of this soldier's response... he stood his ground and told it like it was. I'm proud of these people and I'm glad that they are fighting for me. This also makes me appreciate my family and the opportunties I have to spend time with them. Everyone should think about this and what a soldier gives up for you.

Finally, I just wanted to say right now, I have been someone who has supported our troops as long as I can remember. I was raised in a very patriotic household, and remember as a kid thinking it was so amazing when Americans came together, especially in the time of war. Do you remember after September 11th when newspapers printed paper American flags and everyone had them displayed in their windows? Why were those torn down? I still have mine (although I have a real flag of course). I have Americana items all over my apartment and this will never change. I remember thinking as a little girl when I got a little like 8 inch flag from school that it was the COOLEST thing ever. I felt so proud and awesome because I had an American flag, one of the greatest things ever. I still get this feeling when I see a flag... I wish everyone felt this way. It's not even just the flag... but pride in America in general... and especially in our troops.
When I got older, I started to get into politics. I had current affairs, government, and history classes that I just thrived in. I LOVED giving my opinion. I was also a member of the Youth In Government club my last three years of highschool. I participated all these years in an activity called MGA (Model General Assembly). Students from all over Virginia came to discuss politics in the actual General Assembly buildings, etc. It was one of the neatest experienecs for me and is one of the reasons I changed my major to Political Science. But aside from all of the politics, one of my greatest passions and fasinations has been with the United States Military... a great and honorable group of people. Military songs touch my heart and can bring tears before they even begin. These people are doing such an amazing and honorabl
e job... and it's hard for me to believe that someone could disrespect them. In my "Heroes" section of Myspace, I state "and The US Military ...who are putting it all on the line to fight for my freedom." I mean, it's the truth. They are my heroes. This especially started to touch home when I had two friends join the military, my cousin who is also a close friend of mine, and most recently when my best friend who I love more than I could even begin to explain to you... joined the United States Marine Corps. It's been a rough transition so far, but I have a tremendous amount of hope and I'm so very proud. My heart belongs to a Marine... and my gratitude belongs to all those currently serving, and the millions before them who have served. My heart also goes out to all of those who have lost loved ones, also to the families who currently have someone serving, and especially to those men and women whose love is currently serving our country. May they come home safely, and may you stay strong... I know it's a feeling no one can even BEGIN to describe, and it's a fight in it's own to be away from someone in that situation. Stay strong and stay faithful... the person you love is doing a great duty to our nation and all of its people.
When it really comes down to it, Toby Keith says it best about all American Soldiers. "I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight." I know I sure feel protected.


I wanted to suggest some good patriotic songs/songs about the military in general. All can be found on YouTube!
the following are tearjerkers, and not for the weak of heart; but to be honest, I cry either way...
  1. Toby Keith - American Soldier
  2. Tim McGraw - If You're Reading This
  3. Trace Adkins - Arlington
  4. Darryl Worley - I Just Came Back From A War
  5. Lee Greenwood - Proud To Be An American
  6. Carrie Underwood - Just A Dream
  7. Chely Wright - Bumper Of My SUV
  8. Darryl Worley - Have You Forgotten?
  9. David Ball - Riding With Private Malone
  10. John Michael Montgomery - Letters From Home
  11. Braid Paisley & Allison Krause - Whisky Lullaby
  12. Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars & Stripes & Eagle Fly
  13. Toby Keith - Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue
If you have any other suggestions, please, feel free to list them so I can make this list as long as possible! I know there are more, these are just some off the top of my head.
A Soldier
There is discipline in A Soldier
you can see it when he walks,
There is honor in A Soldier
you hear it when he talks.
There is courage in A Soldier
you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in A Soldier
that he will not compromise.
There is something in A Soldier
that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in A Soldier
that beats from his heart.
A Soldier isn't a title any man
can be hired to do,
A Soldier is the soul of that man
buried deep inside of you.
A Soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,
A Soldier is always A Soldier
even while he sleeps.
A Soldier serves his country first
and his life is left behind,
A Soldier has to sacrifice what
comes first in a civilian's mind.
If you are civilian -
I am saying this to you.....
next time you see A Soldier
remember what they do.
A Soldier is the reason our land
is 'Home of the free',
A Soldier is the one that is brave
protecting you and me.
If you are A Soldier -
I am saying this to you.....
Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER
Thank God for what YOU do!

-Unknown

On one final note, I wanted to address those who may have felt offended or ticked off by anything I have said. Well, one, way to waste 10 minutes of your life reading something you disagree with. And two... tough. I say it like it is... and someone should. Sorry I'm not telling you what you wanna hear, but it's time to open your eyes and get real. I'm proud to be an American, why aren't you?

I pledge allegiance to this flag
And if that bothers you, well that's too bad

But if you got pride and you're proud you do
Hey, we could use some more like me and you
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly

-Aaron Tippin

1 comment:

  1. Fred Phelps is a Democrat. Thus, it would be impossible to call him a legitimate Christian Conservative. He's probably a liberal masquerading as a Christian Conservative.

    ReplyDelete