Recently, I received an email advocating that we all wear red on Fridays to show that there is a “silent majority” of God-fearing Americans who support our troops. If you haven’t heard about the recent fight in the House, check out CNN, which did an admirable job of making it sound like Democratic Rep. John Murtha, rather than GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter, proposed the moronic one-line nonbinding resolution that Republicans first voted for, then against. Ricockulous.
Anyway, here’s my response to that email:
First of all, who does NOT support our troops? Do I support our troops? Yes, I do. Does that mean I condone torture? No, it doesn’t. Does that mean I think the war in Iraq was the right thing to do? No, it doesn’t. Does that mean I want to see “our boys” (and girls) come home? Hell yes.
Second, what does my love (or choice) of God have to do with anything?
Third, do I love this country? Hell yeah. Do I blindly support any policy the President promulgates or supports? Hell no. That’s why we have a Constitution.
Fourth, being “liberal” simply means that you see both sides of an issue. Media SHOULD be liberal–at least, that’s how it’s always been in the US. If you don’t like it, perhaps you could move to France or England and read only the side of the story you want to hear.
Finally, why am I being asked to wear RED? Is it because red is (currently) the media-assigned color of the GOP? (The colors have actually switched–the Democrats used to be red & the Republicans, blue.) If so, in a country where 51% or so of the voting public voted Republican and the other 49% or so voted Democrat, it seems that this “silent majority” might just well be about the 1/2 the country that votes Republican.
If, in fact, it’s because soldiers’ blood runs red, I have a few suggestions:
Wear red, white, and blue. Red for courage. White for innocence and purity. Blue for justice, perseverance, and vigilance. These are the meanings of the colors of the Great Seal of the US. But, don’t just wear the colors, act the part.
Write a letter to a soldier. Tell him or her that you’re honored that they would serve to preserve your freedom. They can’t tell you’re wearing red on Fridays, but they can read. Or, go to Google and find another reputable way to support our troops that they’ll actually be able to appreciate.
Don’t worry so much about who’s side God is on: you can be pretty sure he’s generally against killing, no matter who’s doing it.
And, finally, if you really want to support our troops, I’m pretty sure that just about all soldiers would much rather be home with their families than sitting in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else. Tell the politicians that it’s time for the men and women of our armed forces to come home.
