On this Memorial Day, Musing’s Musings says it better than I could.
Yes, I think the War on Terra was a big fuckin’ mistake, and that the people who started it are criminals who should be in the dock in the Hague. My bet is that quite a few of the guys and gals fighting in the war feel the same way I do. But because the people running the country into the ground are misguided Republican asshole extremists doesn’t mean I don’t think that our fighting men and women aren’t worthy of support.
Our troops should get 100% of everything they need to do the jobs we give them to do. We shouldn’t be sending them into harm’s way unless there’s absolutely nothing else for it, but when we do, no matter what the pretext or the evidence, they should absolutely go into combat with all the guns and ammunition and armor (body and otherwise) they need to do what they have to do with a minimum of casualties. Nobody who signs on the dotted line to put his or her body between us on the home front and the people who are trying their best to destroy us should not have to be worrying about whether his/her family back home is going to be able to make ends meet. No military family should ever have to take food stamps or go on welfare because one or more members is in the service. And when the war’s over, no serviceman or -woman should have to wonder if there will be health care available to take care of his/her needs, support for easing back into a normal routine or into civilian life. For those that don’t come home in one piece, or, God forbid, don’t come back at all, there should be no question that their needs will be met and their loved ones cared for–justly and fairly.
Indeed.