trippin' march 7th

an early march against the war in ann arbor, michigan, proclaimed, "support our troops: send them home." in the leadup to war, and in campaign 2004, president bush and conservative hawks questioned the credibility and patriotism of war opponents. however, two recent articles strongly question the credibility and patriotism of the republican administration.

thomas friedman writes that the walter reed scandal highlights an irresponsible arrogance. friedman argues that war activism has remained largely absent because the administration has worked keep the american public distant from the sacrifice required by war.

dick cavett explains that asking soldiers to sacrifice their life is offensive. his uncle was a decorated veteran from the south pacific. his uncle explains:

“Your life isn’t given,” I remember him saying, “it’s brutally ripped away from you. You’re no good to your buddies dead, and when the bullets start pouring in you don’t give a goddamn about God, country, Yale, your loved ones, the last full measure of devotion or any other of that Legionnaire patriotic crapola. You just want you and your buddies to see at least one more sunrise.”