Support the Troops? Not Bloody Likely
Michael Redding, Recruitment PosterI shout it out to the night
"Give me what I deserve, 'cause it's my right"
Shouldn't I have this (shouldn't I)?
--Passionate Kisses, Lucinda Williams
__________
Everybody has a pet peeve, and here is Ranger's.
All patriotic Americans claim that they support the troops and appreciate the service rendered by our fellow citizens (suckers?). But why then do so few businesses then not offer some token of appreciation, like a military discount?
Many of my local businesses and restaurants give discounts to police and firefighters, but nada to soldiers.
In fact, my home state of Florida makes combat wounded vets pay for their license plates, and they are charged the vanity rate price for noting such achievements as winning the Purple Heart in combat.
Only former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor (MOH) winners and 100% service-connected disabled vets get one free license plate. Such largesse from a grateful nation of yellow ribbon-wearers! And since there are only about 100 MOH winners still alive, this is naught more than a token gesture.
Why don't all Service-connected Disabled Vets get a free plate? Is this too much to expect?
If you out there in business value military service, then put a dollar on that valuation that helps veterans with their daily lives. Put it on the line, like they do. An honest gesture would go nice with the otherwise fallow words on the ubiquitous banners, "We Support Our Troops."
Put your money where your mouth is. The troops deserve their breaks more than the rich need another tax cut.
Labels: community should support the troops with discounts and benefits
14 Comments:
Ranger,
"Passionate Kisses" was written and recorded by Lucinda Williams. Mary Chapin Carpenter recorded it but Lucinda deserves the writing credit for song quotes.
Kevin in Granvile
Thank you, Kevin.
Because attribution matters, and Ranger welcomes oversight, being neither executive, legislative nor judicial in function.
Lisa
While the rhetoric or support in the public forum has long irritated me, what REALLY lights my fuse is the Republicans of Congress singing that song; then does something like filibuster Jim Webb's bill to give the troops adequate HOME based rest between deployments. Yee-freakin-haw, thats the way to do it, support them to exhaustion an death.
Labrys,
You know, your comment addresses something which came up just yesterday in conversation--the contradictory impulse of the Repubs to be both pro- and anti-life.
Your statement has encouraged me to write it,
L.
You say support the troops, when we're at war
But when it's all over you're not there anymore
You say support the troops yet you soon forget their fate
You're just a fairweather patriot
www.elmercreek.com
This year marks the 40th anniversary for Viet Nam Veterans Against the War. One only has to look back at the struggles this group has had to go through to get benefits and recognition for veterans over the past 40 years to realize how badly we treat our combat veterans. Unfortunately, things haven't gotten better and it looks like veterans of the Iraq war will have to fight for their benefits and recognition of depleted uranium poisoning.
I guess supporting the troops after the war is over cuts too deeply into corporate profits!
Happy 40th VVAW. Keep up the good work. You've done well.
Hmmm. Lisa, not to pimp for my forum, but I stashed a political cartoon there that speaks of just your topic about the neo-cons and prolife issues. Let's hope this link will take you there...but I don't think you can see the graphic (which requires clicking to enlarge) unless you register. Freaking software...and my freaking computer idiot status.
http://walkofthefallen.com/forum/index.php?topic=495.0
Labrys,
Thanks for your link, but I confess to being far less computer-savvy than you. (I have never had an avatar before; I rather enjoy being Bono.)
Lisa
LOL...being Bono would be awesome...all I have for avatar is my tired old tattoo'd self! Thanks for going to the forum; were you able to see the cartoon...sometimes it is glitchy about enlarging.
Hey labrys,
Excellent cartoon. Like I say, I'm barely computer literate, so I will have to practice navigating my way around your site.
It's a little more involved than this one.
We are still working on making it user friendly...only built it in March. I am having no luck whatsoever with the current blog software, for instance. The main page (walkofthefallen.com) has an index to reach forum or blogs, plus the explanation of the entire site.
But it is an ongoing aggravation and work in progress.
labrys,
I read your raison d'etre, and I commend you for your project, and your labyrinth.
I have shared in such moments of sorrow and deep feeling for those we are killing, on both sides.
Thanks, Ranger. We are a house of three veterans (husband of Viet Nam, myself Viet Nam Era, and son of the first Gulf War time...and this one.)
So, the grief is always close and heartfelt.
Understood.
Trip Wire's Fairweather Patriot neatly summarizes the average American's attitude toward vets. Seems to me like all those yellow ribbon decals are more about supporting Bush's nasty little war than supporting the troops. Nice job, Trip Wire.
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