About Troop Support

The following was written by a friend from Long Island to be recited today at a Memorial for the Fallen (that I'm sure none of the Bush Administration will attend). She hits on some very good points. Good show, Joan!


This quote from a friend who was at the Pentagon March yesterday:

"Hey Bush, What do ya say. How Many Kids Have You Killed Today? I will never ever understand how those pro war people think that we are anti-troop. What is more supportive of kids in Iraq-nam than wanting to bring them home alive ?? Just makes no sense.”

Alive, yes. But what makes even less sense, what is now more unconscionable and egregious than sending them there in the first place,is what wounded troops and their families face when they get back. It’s a different form of loss of life.

The best way we can “Support our Troops,” is to ensure they are well taken care of when they get back.

So. Here’s what you can personally do to actively “Support our Troops.”

The next time you find yourself around someone who proclaims that they are “Supporting the Troops” by virtue of the magnet on their car, or the pin on their lapel – take a deep breath, screw up your courage, be a soldier, and ask them the following:

“What actions have you personally taken to support our troops?”

“Called your Congresspersons lately? Written the President?”

Then ask them:

• Do you know that over 23 thousand soldiers have been wounded in this war?

• Do you know that the Bush Administration had NO planning or budgeting for the troops returning from Iraq?

• Do you know that the Veteran’s Administration does not have guaranteed permanent continuing mandatory funding?

• Do you know that the way the Bush Administration “supports our troops” is by continually cutting the budget for the Veterans Administration (the VA), and privatizing many services deliberately forcing thousands of veterans out of the VA health care system?

• Do you know that our soldiers – your neighbors, friends and relatives – are surviving injuries in this war, injuries not survived in previous wars?

• Do you know that severe brain trauma loss of arms and legs loss of faces loss of eyes loss of hearing, Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Divorce are the predominant life changing and society changing wounds of this now known to be unnecessary war?

• Do you know that because of lack of necessary funding for the VA, there is a backlog of more than one-half million pending benefits claims, and that processing times average six months for initial claims – and more than two years for appeals?

• Do you know that due to chronic funding shortfalls, VA hospitals are prevented from hiring additional nurses and other health care professionals to meet the growing demand for services and are forced to ration (ration!!!) care for our wounded.

Does building 18 at Walter Reed, the tip of the iceberg, ring a bell?”

Then ask them:

• “Now that you know the facts, what are you personally going to do to ‘Support our Troops’ –– besides slap a magnet on your car and go shopping...


When fascism comes to America, it will be bearing a cross and wrapped in the flag - Sinclair Lewis, 1935
What would Jesus do - about Bush?
Regime change begins at home. Keep at it. ( JT 2003)