thanks to the troops
This website gives you the opportunity to send a free, printed post-card to US military personnel stationed overseas, showing your support and appreciation for their service.
Even though I don't think we're doing things right in our foreign policy right now, I think it's important to remember that it's not the fault of the troops. They are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, just like us. And as unwise as it might have been for John Kerry to point it out, a lot of them are there because they have no better opportunities to make a living in this country. They don't want to be there any more than the insurgents want them to be there. It's a rough situation all around.
So, I hope you will take a few minutes to send one of these postcards. You don't have to say "God bless" or even "I support what you're doing" if that's not what you believe. But it would be nice to recognize that they're just normal people who are away from their families during the holidays, and that you're thinking about them.
I think one of America's greatest injustices of the second half of the 20th century (and there were many, unfortunately) was treating the Vietnam veterans badly simply because we didn't like that war. The troops don't make foreign policy. They deserve our support even when the war is unpopular.
posted by Matt at 6:44 AM
7 Comments:
An open "can of worms"? Can't wait to see the comments!!!
Are you referring to Kerry's comment just before the election? You really think Kerry was talking about the troops?
I think he needs to realize that comedy -- and running for president -- ain't his game. But I really don't think he has it in him to call the troops stupid. He was talking about our dufus in chief.
I don't think anybody thinks Kerry said the troops are "stupid." Matt definitely didn't say that. Matt's implication is that Kerry was pointing out that if you don't have opportunities in this country (like because you don't get a good education) then you are more likely to end up in the military.
Anyway, whether or not Kerry actually meant it that way (or meant to make fun of the President) is irrelevant. Matt's point is that, whether or not Kerry said it, it is TRUE that people with less opportunities DO end up in the military. That's not to say the military is a bad place to end up. Certainly, some people choose the military for a lot of reasons. And even those without other opportunities might ALSO be there for patriotism, belief in the mission etc. But, as a veteran myself, I can tell you that there weren't a whole lot of Harvard grads in the military. It was a lot of high school fuckups who couldn't get a job.
Again, that doesn't mean the military is a bad place to be. But I agree with Matt's point that a lot of people are there despite the fact that they'd rather be sitting at home in comfort reading blogs. And we should express appreciation for what they are doing.
That's cool that you are linking to this. I work for Xerox and we started this site. Glad to see it appear on the web.
From Time Magazine's politics blog:
"a Heritage Foundation study last year, analyzing census data on income, race, region and education, found there that military recruits before and after 9/11 were more middle class than poor, more rural than urban, better educated than the general public, and that whites joined in higher proportions to the general population than all minority groups."
http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2006/11/only_the_poor_join_the_militar.html
Matt, thanks for this. I know a couple of kids who have served in Iraq. And they DO need to know that we still think of all of them who are over there. My company is sending DVDs to the soldiers.
I wouldn't put too much credence into the Heritage Foundation studies or that Major Garrett (Fox News - Major is his given name) reported on it. I read the Heritage Foundation studies. They are interesting, but what I think is more interesting is its criteria: 2000 census data and zip codes to measure median incomes; limiting its recruitment sampling to only populations that are one-fifth or greater classified as poor.
At first glance, the data seems to support better educated, more affluent, etc. But when you start to look at the numbers more closely, you see a different story: 56%+ perform poorly on the induction assessment test (below 64%); a greater percentage of minorities enlist than caucasions (when compared to overall population category); if you think $30 to $40K is affluent, I'll move there and live like a millionaire.
One thing I've learned about polls / studies is that you can make them always back up your theory.
Sending any form of support to soldiers in conflict zones is condoning the actions of the government that has sent them.
How about sending similar parcels to both sides? That would show solidarity with the people that are 'caught up' in the unacceptable international policy that the United States of America is currently undertaking 'on behalf of the free world'.
anonymous only due to the fact that I have not bothered with a blog
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