"They knew the risk when they signed up". Bushites HATE the troops.

[Inland]

When I see somebody volunteer for military service, I see someone willing to give everything for this country, and all they ask in return is to be equipped, taken care of if injured, and not wasted in something stupid.

But when a Bush defender sees someone volunteer, they see someone who should have read the fine print because their ass belongs to Bush, and they have no moral or contractual right to anything except to do as he says.

They see someone who knew the risk that they wouldn't be properly equipped, knew the risk that this country would leave them impoverished if they are wounded, knew the risk Bush would cause and keep on a war for no particular good for this Country, and (at last reason given by Bush) solely for the purpose of helping Iraq, not protecting the US.

In other words, Bush supporters say volunteers knew the risk that the US would betray them so let's go right ahead and do it. How disgusting.

So as the troops come back and tell us the truth about how Bush has abused them, the same Bushites who said we should support the troops tell us that we don't have to care because "that's what they signed up for." They signed up for betrayal. Sure they did.

Disgusting.

With that attitude, no wonder the Bush supporters don't sign up themselves or encourage their kids to sign up. They look at the other Bush supporters and realize that the potential volunteers are being told, explicitly, that they will be screwed by the Bushies themselves.

[redqueen]

1. It is disgusting...

no soldier ever signs up to be lied into a war of aggression... they sign up to DEFEND our country, not attack countries that don't pose any threat.

[FreedomAngel82]

4. When they take the oath

They take an oath to the Constiution/Bill of Rights against foreign and domestic enemies.

[Just Me]

21. Blind loyalty to a man (proven to be a betrayer) rather than a nation is,.

,...not just sick, it's traitorous. :grr:

[WildClarySage]

2. We who do not or can not make their sacrifice have an obligation

to those who do, and the neocons and bushies keep forgetting that- or choose to ignore it. But putting a magnet on your vehicle or even a ribbon around a tree in your yard doesn't meet that obligation.

[FreedomAngel82]

6. I think they refuse

They just want to make their pockets rich. If you haven't visit http://www.informationclearinghouse.info and watch the film about Veterans who are homeless. It's really sad. :( This is how we honor those who give their lives for us.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. I agree

It's so disgusting. If you haven't you should see this film: http://informationclearinghouse.info/article9154.htm

Don't forget cutting VA benefits too.

[Tsiyu]

5. They know the risk when they say that to me.

You don't use people who trust you. Not if you are a decent person.

It used to mean something when this nation felt itself at war. People were willing to sacrifice, to do without so that soldiers could have a little more.

Now, the same folks who salivated over their tax breaks try to justify the blood on their hands, because those tax cuts would have outfitted Humvees and provided body armour for the troops we sent in harm's way. People died because of greed.

Not to mention the fact that this is a war based on lies, waged to bring oil companies and no-bid defense contractors record profits. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with national defense, and the fools who spew this shit know it. Most of the time, they act as if there is no war going on.

So what the hell do any of them know about the military?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

15. As a matter of coincidence . . .

. . .last night my wife and I watched "1940's House" on DVD, where a family replicated British homefront life during WWII, from declaration of war through VE Day. The family lived through simulated food shortages, rationing, air raids, and even had simulated bomb damage to their "home." It was only 9 weeks, but you could see the strain on their faces. I can't conceive of bearing up for six years.

There were also interviews with actual homefront "veterans" showing how they made do. There was a universal recognition that every bite of food someone could do without there, was a bite of food that could be consumed by a soldier in Europe. And when the shortages got bad, it seemed the women gave themselves smaller portions so their children could at least have full bellies.

I'm trying to picture today's society doing anything remotely similar, and drawing a blank.

[Inland]

17. Bush makes sure we all know that no price will be paid at home.

That's the point of his vacation. Hey, if HE can take five weeks with the war going like shit, you folks at home know that nothing is going to upset your plans.

If Bush didn't assure the voters that they won't pay a price if they haven't already signed up---and that those already signed up are going to stay signed up in our places---the war would end today.

[Lars39]

19. Food rationing in Great Britain lasted from 1940-1954.

Food rationing in the US ended in 1946.

[Inland]

16. The right wing free market philosophy covering up a desire to abuse

The president and the countyr are in a position of trust. I think any officer understands that.

No officer would ever brush off dead men in their command as "what they signed up for", not without doing everything he could to protect and prepare them during the mission.

But the righties don't believe anyone owes anyone anything, except 1) what's in the contract and 2) obedience to Bush. Whether that's entirely a point of convenience or part of the protofascist mentality, I don't know.

But it's not America.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. It's unreal, isn't it?

[OrlandoGator]

8. They signed up to defend America, not to secure oil profits.

I often wonder if an asshole knows how much of an asshole they are, or if they just go through life thinking they are swell people.

[Stephanie]

9. Of course they knew the risks. But they didn't know the TRUTH.

They didn't know George Bush LIED us into war. They had no idea they were fighting for a LIE. Please explain THAT to the troops, George.

[Bluerthanblue]

10. up until the last 6mos. or so

the National Guard was STILL advertising the lie that 2weekends a month, 2 weeks a summer could 'buy' you all sorts of educational opportunities. NO mention of being sent to foreign countries to fight and die, without the benefits given those who 'enlist' with the 'real' military-

It made me scream LIAR LIAR LIAR every time i heard or saw it-
funny how that advertising has faded just lately.-

The guardsmen/women are REALLY getting screwed- they don't get the benefits, the help, that many other full time military vets do (which is pittiful itself).

Many guardsmen from around here (N.H.) have lost businesses, jobs, marriages, homes etc. because of extended deployments-
and the suicides offer sad testimony of the myth, that coming home physically whole, is being 'lucky'.

We have betrayed the 'trust' of every volunteer soldier- by throwing them into a series of BAD CHOICES.

[KarenS]

11. also the Bushites hate the troops' Mothers. n/t

[Miss Chybil]

12. The draft would solve this problem and the war.

The idea of a draft sickens me and, honestly, I'd probably be headed to Canada with the sons I have remaining who are not already in the service, that is if the war didn't end within a week, or two. You know, if these chickenhawk bastards HAD to go, it would be OVER and fast.

Yes, the rich and connected kids would get out of it, but there are a lot more Johnny Rednecks that would have to get on the bus. People would be in the streets! Republican mamas wouldn't be sitting in front of the t.v. cheering on Fox News and THEIR war, they'd be down at the enlistment office trying to keep their kids out of a sandstorm.

[Hubert Flottz]

13. What of those folks want to go to Alabama to work for Blount's

campaign?

[Coexist]

14. so because they want to serve their country,

they are disposable?!

What an ass.

[cquik18]

18. We ALL know this whole war would have NEVER come off...

if Bush's twin drunk daughters had signed up for the combat....and isn't it odd that Bush and Cheney could only make GIRLS!? Cheney, I think, does have A son (someone please correct or verify this for me)...but the fake cowboy only cranks out girls, LOL! This may be a BIG reason he has no problem sending our boys off to get killed!

P.S. Is it me, or does Cheney's lesbian daughter look like Peyton Manning?

[KharmaTrain]

20. My Flight Yesterday From LA

Flew back to Chicago and the flight was booked solid...seated next to me was a young man...who introduced himself as Octavio and said he was going to Chicago to join the Navy...he was to head to Great Lakes Training Center and begin a 4-year hitch.

He was young (found out he had just graduated High School), this wasn't just his first plane flight, but also his first day away from his family. The kid looked so scared and confused, and honestly, I was almost at a loss for things to say to him. In his lap was a "Delayed Entry Accelerator Group"...and he told me went in now rather than wait since he could get money faster that way. I just took in what he said...not knowing how to say.

Finally I said how much I appreciated what he was doing...and hopefully this will be a great experience to learn things, meet people, see interesting places and get the good benefits a military background can provide...I've known many that's happened to. Then I had to add, "I really admire the troops...it's the politicians who run the wars I don't like". He gave me a real warm smile. That made my day. I knew he had to keep his emotions inside.

After we landed, I handed him my address and email and asked him to write. I hope he does...and to find out more about his story. I told him I was a strong supporter of the Gold Star families, various Vietnam Veterans groups and that I'd be there to support not just while he was in, but to be here when he got back...and to do what I can to make it as safe as I can.

Cheers...

[Inland]

22. Nice story. I forget how young and alone these guys are,

at least at first.

And the navy's not a bad gig.

[KharmaTrain]

24. I Was Glad To See He Chose Navy...

He said he was off to mechanics training, so I hope that means he'll end up on a carrier and be far away from "the shit".

I told him I missed Nam by one year, and my plan had been to go into AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio & TV) and hope to get stationed in a shack in Adak, Alaska. That got a chuckle.

I just read the on Kos about the 31-year old just killed in Iraq who was nearing the end of a 6-year hitch and got sucked into extended stay. I don't know if it's disgust or anger that's the proper feeling.

Cheers...

[Obamanaut]

23. You just got a spot on my hero list. Thanks. n/t

[BedRock]

25. Heard this argument before from someone

that I got along with even though we disagreed. She said just that. She also said that when they volunteered they knew the risks, just as an electrician knows the risks involved that could get him electrocuted.

I was stunned over the callousness of that logic. It saddens me that our country has fallen this far.

[Inland]

26. One of my favorite lines from animal house is

"Hey, don't feel bad! You fucked up! You trusted us!" If you remember the scene, the line was delivered with a spritely bonhomie and a friendly arm around the shoulder of the sobbing frat brother whose car had been destroyed in a drunken adventure.

That's what Bush and his followers offer. Like the person who puts water on the electrician's feet and then tells him that electrocution was a risk he signed up for, or shoots the electrician and tells him that he always knew the job was dangerous.