through a glass darkly: blog 
through a glass darkly's blog
salute to our troops day
Published Apr. 22, 2008
I happened across an article mentioning that Raleigh is celebrating "Salute to Our Troops Day" this Saturday. The article mentioned a parade and that the various armed forces were competing to get the most hardware up here to Raleigh to make the most impressive display possible. (http://www.saluteournctroops.org/index.html warning -- includes sound on frong page).
After reading all the material, I couldn't help but see similarities with the pro-military parades in Red Square for May Day celebrations (see image for this blog). Is this what the US has become?
At least one analysis I've read suggests that we defeated the Soviet Union through bankrupcy. They simply couldn't spend the percentage of GDP put into the military to keep up with the US. Can we keep up with it ourselves? What should citizens' responses be to the militarization of the US? It has only been 50 years from Eisenhower's admonition that we avoid it.
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GOLO member since January 29, 2008
April 23, 2008 9:13 a.m.
wow...need breakfast.
GOLO member since November 21, 2007
April 23, 2008 9:00 a.m.
When China calls in the massive debt that we've been borrowing on...
just kidding (sort of).
Actually, here is a good point, the argument of the right is that we must win or radical Islam will take over the world (not sure how non-radical Islam feels about that) and that well all be wearing Burkas next week...but how does the left fell when we've sold our country into bankruptcy and are speaking Mandarin (kind of Firefly futuristic look)...for those who are keeping count...half a TRILLION, so far....
GOLO member since November 21, 2007
April 23, 2008 8:58 a.m.
The argument sounds like:
(1) If you don't support the war then you don't support the troops. (2) If you don't support the troops then you're a heartless wretch who kicks puppies and slaps old women. Therefore: If you don't want to be seen as someone who kicks puppies, you must support the war, and the consequence is to make the military and its members into sacred cows that you can't say a bad word about.
THAT is the essence of political correctness. Nobody becomes willing to say "stop funding the war" because it's muddied with "well, you obviously don't support the troops." I'm happy there's a military (more to the point, a Guard), and I'm fine supporting them, but I disagree with this mission. I think that's valid: hating the war isn't about them, it's about the person who is driving the mission. And at what point do we say "we can't sustain this effort"?
April 23, 2008 8:18 a.m.
GOLO member since November 21, 2007
April 23, 2008 8:11 a.m.
GOLO member since August 22, 2007
April 23, 2008 7:01 a.m.
Am I allowed to like a tax collector and be against new taxes? It's sad that critical thinking has fallen apart this badly. It's a lovely tactic, this whole all-or-nothing notion. It fits well with the current administration of "you're either with us or you're with the turrurists." It's a soundbite so catchy that even a No Child Left Behind student can figure out which side they're supposed to be on.
But if that's the playing field that they want (and I'll sound trollish here), what happens if people stop deifying the military and are willing to say, "fine, if that's the mission, then I DON'T support the troops"?
I don't think that's a healthy response, since it engenders anger where it doesn't belong. But then again, I probably hate freedom because I think the entire Guard should've been stateside and able to have helped New Orleans in 05.
April 23, 2008 1:12 a.m.
However, I am beginning to feel that tmedlin is correct about one thing: You may not be able to 'support the troops' and be against the war in Iraq. The right wing simply won't allow it. Unfortunately, the ones who lose in this are the service men and women.
GOLO member since January 29, 2008
April 22, 2008 11:58 p.m.
Well, if golo is any indication, the ostrich approach is spot on. SuPp0r+ TeH TroOPz!!1! USA! USA! ohpoowe'rebroke
April 22, 2008 10:07 p.m.
GOLO member since August 22, 2007
April 22, 2008 7:38 p.m.
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