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Home Front: Politix |
Defining Patriotism Down |
2007-05-14 |
Jeff Goldstein, "Protien Wisdom" Presidential wannabe John Edwards wants YOU to help “reclaim patriotism”. And just how do you do that? Well, the answer might seem counterintuitive to those of us in whichever of the two Americas it is where protesting the war on Memorial Day seems a bit loathsome and opportunistic. In the other America, though, here’s how you can reclaim patriotism from people who actually support the troops rather than condescend to them, support the Iraqi people rather than agitate for our country to abandon and betray them, and support the Commander in Chief and General Petraeus rather than work tirelessly to undermine US foreign policy for political gains—and doing so based on a husk of lies and collective amnesia that fancies itself a glittering beacon of freedom (approximately 24,000 sq. ft worth, if I’m remembering correctly...)! 10 Things You Can Do Over Memorial Weekend to Support the Troops and End the War Translation: We want to honor our troops by insuring that history views them as failures. Which is cool, because at least we’ll feel good about ourselves— and let’s face it: we could give two shits about those ridiculous jarheads. This Memorial Day weekend, John Edwards is asking that we all take responsibility for the country we love and the brave men and women who protect us. As citizens, let’s volunteer in support of our troops, and offer our service to honor theirs. As Americans, let’s take a moment to join in prayer for our troops. And as patriots, let’s gather together this weekend and make our voices heard. It’s up to us. If we are loud enough, and clear enough, we can end this war. Because it really is possible to stop a president who believes he can do no wrong—it just takes people with the courage to do what’s right. Do what’s right, eh? Here’s a reminder, Mr Edwards, in case you’re actually beginning to believe your own lies: MATTHEWS: Let me ask but the war, because I know these are all students and a lot of guys the age of these students are fighting over there and cleaning up over there, and they’re doing the occupation. What kind of cynical political beast would profess to all that—noting a direct threat, recognizing a Security Council that was acting out of its own financial interests, claiming that his own reading of the intelligence led him to believe Iraq that was attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, and saying categorically that no, he wasn’t misled in his vote to go to war—and then call for us to pull out, leaving the Iraq people hanging out to dry, and virtually insuring that the middle east becomes further destabilized? Or, to put it more bluntly, how craven and ego-driven does one have to be to sell out two entire countries for the remote opportunity he might pick off a few primary victories by pandering to the anti-war base and maybe secure himself a vice presidential nod? And yes, that was rhetorical. What else does Edwards want you to do for Memorial Day weekend in order to “reclaim patriotism” from actual patriots? Glad you asked: Get local, get active, and get outdoors. Walk the streets of your neighborhood. Get everyone you know to sign a petition to your local government body—for instance, your town or city council or neighborhood association—to pass a resolution requesting that Congress use its funding authority to support our troops and end the war. Bring the petition to the next meeting. [...] In other words, turn Memorial Day weekend into a sixties-style war protest, publicize it, photograph it, pat yourself on the back for presuming to speak for soldiers whom you don’t speak for, then have a couple of hot dogs and some cole slaw before emailing out links to John Edwards website, where you can point you pals to the photo of you essentially spitting in the face of the men and women fighting in Iraq. Of course, it’s a loving spit. Because you’ve prayed for them. And presumed to dictate their mission. For their own good. Because you care so much and all. Funny how Edwards didn’t believe any of this nonsense when he was last running for President, isn’t it? But then, everybody’s got to find his niche. And Edwards and his wife (incidentally, I wonder if she’ll say a prayer for the Republican across the street who so frightens her and brings down her property values with his icky guns and his poor landscaping choices) have chosen as their the very anti-war base who is willing to ignore all that came before just so long as “their candidate” is saying and doing the things they demand he say and do now. And Edwards is “their” candidate, inasmuch as they own his ass. He is, to put it frankly, a political whore. And those who support him are every bit as morally bankrupt as he is. Now if you’ll excuse me for a bit, I need to go bathe. |
Posted by:Mike |