Okay, Bush leaves skidmarks on the honor of America, the veteran doesn’t care and likes him anyway and wants to give him a medal. The vet is taking heat for it, too. So, basically the shit has hit the fan.
Yes, it’s a rich tapestry.
Okay how about an analogy (that I’m sure everyone will rip to pieces) 
I’m 5’3"; 55 years old; and have multiple sclerosis (still ambulatory - work a fulltime job, etc but it is still debilitating).
Let’s suppose, despite all those deficiencies, I somehow think I could be a professional basketball player. I pester the shit out of the Boston Celtics or (if I were rich) I offer them a huge sum of money. Anyway, they take me on for whatever crazy reason.
Given my limitations, I’d be really rotten at basketball and so every time I’m on the court (or even on the bench) the crowd boos, calls me names, swears at me and generally treats me like shit. (and rightfully so).
Now for some other crazy reason, Bill Russell or Larry Bird decide to present me with one of their Most Valuable Player trophies for all the ad hominem attacks and abuse I have suffered concerning my basketball abilities. What would you think of me if I accepted it?
I’d rewrite, so that by a series of amazing coincidences, you are the only player left to go in in the last seconds of the Big Game, which you win with a three pointer.
Teen Wolf Meister? No. Wolf Meister of London? No…
One of the stipulations for receiving the Purple Heart is that individuals who are wounded as a result of their own negligence are not eligible. For that reason alone, the president does not qualify.
Further, if he accepts the Purple Heart, is that an admission that he considers himself at war with the majority of the citizens who now oppose him? After all, the wounds must be combat wounds.
I suggest that it is, instead, my countrymen who have been scarred and emotionally battered – not by Republicans or Democrats, Conservatives or Liberals as such, but by a comparatively small group of determined, arrogant and greedy men and their blindingly ignorant and maleable stooges.
I suspect that most of my countrymen would turn the award down out of respect for those who had legitimately earned it. Of course, if you are a child playing at being a soldier, you might borrow someone’s medals and pretend. You shouldn’t do that after you’ve grown up – although it’s natural to treasure family honors.
Cooked intelligence. War of aggression. Abu Ghraib. Guantanamo. Formerly secret torture camps. 3,333 American troops dead. A hundred thousand other human beings lost?
But, wolf_meister, you can’t expect Celtics fans to have much respect for your accepting the award when
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You actually have a controlling interest in the team.
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Every year for the last seven years – including this one – the award has been made by you and named after you. You would be presenting yourself with the “Wolf_Meister Award for Most Valuable Player.”
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Someone else on the team scored more points and had only one leg.
That’ll teach 'em for going walkabout without a GPS.
I think he’s worthy of at least three Purple Hearts. I mean, come on you bunch of Bush-bashers, take an unbiased look (as Scylla’s obviously and commendably doing) at some of his rather awesome accomplishments:
How any of you are able to argue agaisnt those facts, is really beyond me. 
PS-Forgot the all-important, “linky please”
One of the true joys of my life is watching you folks make fools of yourselves.
Nobody, including the veteran, is claiming that Bush is eligible for the official Purple Heart, anymore than you have to be eligible to keep a Purple Heart awarded to a relative as a keepsake. As you mention here -
OK, I am wrong, Diogenes and the other idiots are claiming this, but they are liars and dolts who would say that Bush is pretending to be a Ph.D. in meteorology if he said that the weather was nice in DC today.
It looks to me very like you are attributing this quote to me. Could you please provide a cite? Thanks.
Regards,
Shodan
How was my quote foolish? I gave my reasoning behind him being a moron. What was wrong with it?
PSS-I also forgot to mention the always unbiased, thoughtful and proper, Señor Shodan, as yet another example of proper perspective.
My only excuse is that it’s only slightly past 3:00 PM here in Madrid and as we all know, that’s about the time we Spaniards wake-up. Only to have breakfast and have a siesta immediately afterwards of course.
Thus I offer Señor Shodan, my deepest apologies for not mentioning him before along with that other paragon of objectivity, Señor Scylla.
Would we were all like them. On second thought, nope, not at all.
Pheeew! Scary thought there for a sec…
Sampiro’s statement was foolish. I offered yours as an example of someone doing exactly what the dear fellow had denied.
Yes, encountering thought for the first time, as you have done, is frightening.
But no apology is necessary. Reading the SDMB with folks like you taking time out from your busy schedule of trolling, embarassing yourself in public, dog masturbation, and golf, is entertainment rather in the spirit of a trip to Bedlam during Victorian England - a chance for a cheap laugh at those whose problems are worse than my own.
Regards,
Shodan
Many years ago I participated in a refit of a yacht, which ended up costing almost 3/4 of a million dollars. It was a frustrating experience for the owner, who patiently, almost on a daily basis reviewed the work to ensure that his desires were being met. Quite a few times, work had to be ripped out and done over, with a lot of grumbling amongst the crew. The owner did his best however to raise the morale with numerous pizzas and beer after each week. Finally, he organized an evening wrap up party with huge steaks and drink.
Never had I come across such a patient and generous person. I decided to show my appreciation by gifting him a $30 glossy book on all the interesting spots on the way of his planned Alaskan cruise. Had he refused, (he may have already owned the book) I would have been devastated.
So I understand this soldier. I understand that Bush feels gratitude for the empathy. No sane person can make a case that this episode means anything more than an appreciative connection between two people. Why the hell can’t some of you leave it at that?
If some people had to die in battle to qualify for their glossy book, I think you would understand.
Really? Red, this dog masturbation thingy…is that some Yurpeen thing like stinky cheese and bidets?
I’m sorry, but calling someone a moron is in no way equivalent “disputing [someone’s] right to do with his personal property whatever he pleases”.
Your inability to comprehend the difference only makes you look foolish.
Aw goddam contrary! As friend Jackelope points out above, the Bushiviks decided to bump this up a notch, publicity wise. Presumably to glean whatever advantage might be available. Did you miss that? Allow me.
And, BTW, Scylla, do you believe that Bush is meaningfully “injured” by verbal attacks?
(I warn you up front that I will interpret a “yes” answer as a stipulation that Bush is unfit for office. “If you can’t stand the heat…”)
The President has self-esteem issues. As well he might.