I hit my saturation point with the Memorial Day weekend lip service and memorials to those who died “fighting for our freedoms.” We can argue about previous generations, but the US has not fought a war for “our freedoms” in my lifetime. The nebulous “War on Terror” has certainly not been about expanding or protecting freedoms and would have been better described as a “War on American Freedoms and Liberties.” Not a single freedom has been expanded or “protected” by this war. However, nearly every “right” provided by the Constitution of the United States has been in one form or another attacked, eroded, or outright ignored and flagrantly violated. As such, today I am going to briefly discuss how you can honor your veterans and how to really help them if you are so inclined.
I am a multi-tour combat veteran and I have had friends wounded and killed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Telling the truth, identifying the real enemies, and not parroting patriotic feel good nonsense does not diminish their personal sacrifices or honor. In fact, I speak for many veterans when I say that we are sick of the rhetoric and would much rather hear substantive discussions about issues that matter. For example, why after a decade and a half can’t we get decent care at a veterans’ hospital and why can’t all of NATO to include the US, not win a war against some Pashtun villagers. The military service members I served with are appalled by the political lies and deceit and want justice for those killed and wounded, not lip service. Stop talking about the ridiculous notion we somehow “liberated” Iraq and brought democracy to the people. Everyone with even the most basic knowledge of foreign affairs now knows the invasion of Iraq was completely illegal. The true culprits behind 9/11 and the Iraq War were hiding in the Saudi and US governments and in every lobbying firm and think tank in between. We want to know why not one of these enemies and traitors respectively were held accountable. Further, we want to know why general officers were not resigning in mass protest of an obviously flawed and unsalvageable war strategy. If the “strategy” was so good, why hasn’t it worked? If it is a viable strategy, then why haven’t we fired the generals that have completely failed to achieve a decisive victory? If you want to help veterans, demand the truth and accountability while dispensing with the patriotic rhetoric. Read more
