I want to thank all the DU veterans and military families for speaking out

[Lisa]

While delivering campaign literature for the Canadian election yesterday, I encountered a man who wants Canada to adopt Bush's policies because he is "strong and trustworthy". He claimed to have served in the Canadian Forces for 20 years. (Just my luck, to have found the one pro-Bush voter in Poll 62!)

I had been thinking about all the stories I've been reading here on DU -- especially Mari333's stepson, and what he and his unit are going through. It was a hot day and I was tired and thirsty, but the realization that it was FAR worse in Iraq weighed on my mind. I'd be able to have a shower and as much water as I wanted when I finished my shift -- I could go across the street and get soda, ice cream, and even beer if I wanted. But those soldiers would be suffering in 100-degree plus heat for months.

So when I heard that man going on about what a great job Bush was doing, I couldn't stop myself from blurting out some of the things I know thanks to DUers -- about Halliburton not supplying enough food and water, and the troops not having proper body armor and being sent out in deathtrap Humvees. The guy was staring at me with his mouth open by the time I finished. I told him that if he planned to vote based on what would happen to the Canadian military, he'd better make really, really sure he knew what was going on over there before supporting somebody who would send our troops into that situation.

I doubt I changed his mind, but I think he was kind of rattled -- enough to claim that former Conservative Prime Minister Joe Clark (who has been warning Tories that it's not the same party anymore) "wasn't elected by the Canadian people". If he had to resort to untruths like that, I guess this shows how much denial there is out there.

I can only imagine what kind of personal attacks are being made against US military personnel and their families who are opposing Bush's foreign policies. They are probably being accused of everything from mental illnesses to spying for bin Laden, if this guy's comments are anything to go by. (One would think that after HE had left the service, the ranks were entirely filled by cowards and weaklings who would complain at the drop of a helmet!) But I believe what our DU military families are saying, and I know a lot of other people do too, even if they may be hesitant to say so in public.

Though I can't do very much from up here, I promise that I'll back up the troops and their families if I hear people trashing them -- from any part of the political spectrum -- and make sure these stories are heard.

[Career Prole]

1. Thanks, Lisa!

:yourock:

[DEMVET-USMC]

2. If it is any comfort, some significant men from the Military are writing

books, making public statements condemning this militarily inept Administration including : Gen. Wesley Clark, Marine Gen.Zinni, Lt.Col. Kowalewski, and event Col. Hackworth. There are many others I simply cannot remember at this moment. ...Oscar