Honor or Politics?

First, let me make it clear that I reluctantly but firmly opposed the war in Iraq. In the very first entry in my blog I expressed my opposition. However, I have also always believed that once involved in a war, it is immoral to do anything other than win the war, which is why American politicians' conduct of the war in Vietnam was immoral and reprehensible. Equally immoral and reprehensible in the Vietnam War era, however, was the treatment of American servicemen by those opposed to the war; despite the fact that they were mostly conscripts, they were called war criminals and were spat upon by the anti-war elements. Those opposed to the current war have learned from this and have been pretty meticulous about separating criticism of the war from criticism of our troops. My concern is that in their opposition to the war, they are still exploiting service members. The New York Times and other papers have printed pictures of all of the service members killed in Iraq, ostensibly to “honor” them, but the fact, the reality, is that it is being done for a clear political purpose: to foster opposition to the war based on the body count. This does not honor the troops. It does not honor the memory of these troops. These were brave young men and women who deserve better from the sacrifice they have made. If you want to protest the war, protest the actions of the politicians—do NOT cheapen the sacrifice our service members have made by making them numbers in a body count.

Posted by trygstad | Category: Rant | 01:25 PM