From the Halls to the Shores

But it is the United States and instead this NBC report is just an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary - oops sorry, volunteer - force that thinks it is doing the dirty work.

Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder, the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command order.

So, we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every possible way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and responsibilities to speak up because they are above society?

America needs to ponder what it is we really owe those in uniform.

Well here’s your out, Billy. YOU don’t owe me a Goddamn thing. Take back the pay, the health care, and the “indulgence” and, instead, do this: SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT ME. Don’t insult me by pretending you give a rat’s ass about me or anything I do. You want to rip on DC policy, fine. Knock yourself out. Every American’s God-given right, and all that. But DO NOT try to sell me on the concept that I owe YOU anything, you tool. I gave at the office, and I’m not paying twice to make up for your share. I signed it on the line for America, and for society, and therefore for YOU. It wasn’t for cash, or benefits, or socialized health care (which is what military medicine really is). It was to protect the things that I hold dear from people that would like to destroy them. As a former soldier, I’d have thought you’d understood that. But then what the hell do I know?

…they are young and naïve and are frustrated with their own lack of progress and the never changing situation in Iraq. Cut off from society and constantly told that everyone supports them, no wonder the debate back home confuses them.