Actually I was thinking it missed a little. My translation would be more:
I just want to point out this Democrat hates America. I’m doing this for his own good because this Democrat might not realize that by hating America like he does, he might alienate voters who don’t like the way the Democrats hate America. So my repeatedly saying that Democrats hate America are in no way a partisan attack. I’m just pointing out how this Democrat hates America for his own good and I’m willing to help him, despite the fact that he’s a Democrat who hates America.
You can’t accuse Guiliani of not being willing to play dress-up. As Bill Maher noted, if you know your own bra size, something is wrong.
I don’t see anything wrong with what Edwards is up to. He isn’t dishonoring those that gave their lives for the nation. Those who are dying now aren’t dying for our freedom, but they would if needed, so they deserve our respect. Seeking to end a war does not invalidate their sacrifices, rather it will help to minimize future ones.
I’m with you. Memorial Day is supposed to be a day to remember the sacrifices made in the preservation of the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. I will wear my Army Commendation Medal and attend the local American Legion’s ceremony and think again about the contributions to society that might have been made by my childhood friends who died in Vietnam. I will thank them and their families for being willing to make the sacrifice. For that one day I will ignore the needless waste of their lives in support of failed foreign policy and just remember how they were willing to die for their country and thank them for it.
I think that Bush’s speech this year on Memorial Day ought to include a nod toward remembering all of the soldiers that are going to die on that day. I can see it now.
“And in remembrancing all of the soldiers who have given, or will give their lives on this day, including the brave members of the Texas Air National Guard who… wait a minute, this just in… does anybody know a Private Rodriguez? If so, you should probably start memorializing real hard…”
Where do people get this notion that some parts of war, or any part, is apolitical? Or that efforts to do something you think is worthwhile should be suspended? There are limits to decorum, folks. Likewise, I think comments about “politicizing” Memorial Day don’t mean anything.
You’d need someone older and better-versed in history than I am to say, but I think the pendulum has swung too far away from the Vietnam era, when soldiers (supposedly) got no respect because of the war they were fighting. Disrespecting veterans is one thing, but trying to do something about this war isn’t disrespectful to people who’ve died in Iraq or in other wars.
I’m pretty much against official memorial days, so I do not myself mind whether Edwards or Bush or whoever choose to make political remarks. OTOH, it’s clearly an attempt to associate those remarks with the event, and connect the two in a person’s mind - “If you want to support the troops, this is the way to do it in future” - and that, while pretty inevitable with politicians, rubs me the wrong way.
I think some politician should have the balls to offer a remembrance on Memorial Day to the hundreds of US soldiers who will lose their lives between the end of May and the end of the year because George W Bush is too fucking stubborn to admit to his colossal fuckup in Iraq.
I agree, and this is the line of thinking I imploy when responding to the “why do Democrats/Liberals hate the troops?” bunk. We care about our troops so much that we don’t want to see them put themselves in harm’s way for such a unreasoned, unwinnable cause. They deserve better than to be the G.I. Joe set for political bigwigs back here who perpetuate a war merely to try to save face.
I’ll also give props to NC governor Mike Easley who, with several other governors, recently called to attention the overstretching that the National Guard is going through. With so many Guard soldiers fighting abroad, how can they really protect and aid those at home when a natural disaster or terror attack occurs? What do Americans really need to be protected from?
And what about all those future Presidents who are in the National Guard who might have to get their fingers dirty, or who might have to get their teeth checked? Will nobody think of the politicians?
Incidentally, the national commander of the American Legion has criticized John Edwards this week for inviting protest on Memorial Day. These days the group has about 3 million members.
Your concern for the success of the Edwards campaign is deeply appreciated. I know you are dying to vote for him in Virginia’s primary next year, and will be crushed if he does anything to mar his chances.
Consider this post to incorporate by reference what Cervaise said @17.
Giuliani’s way ahead of the game, Cervaise. Some photos of the disturbingly frequent times he’s dressed in drag for public events, seemingly enjoying every moment.
As to the OP topic, I don’t really see a problem. ISTM memorializing those who’ve died, and who are going to for that matter, in the deepest sense, requires thought about the reasons for their deaths, what was gained and what was lost, what’s been learned and how to make the assessment in time to matter in the future. What “some other day” would be a better occasion to face the issue?
