My rhetoric was not aimed at any particular (Dis) Organized political party, but rather at the system that did, has, and continues to tolerate piss-ant international entities that would try to knock us off in a heartbeat! Take our money and other sundry aid they will, like most part time friends, but ?When the well runs dry, the projectiles fly!?
You may recall that back in mid twentieth century, we were not that far removed from the "Victory of Victories" (WWII), yet a Commie Upstart (North Korea) didn't hesitate for a moment to test our metal! But as far as this being a partisan political attack, like hell says I! Both parties have closed their eyes to what they don't want to see, hoping (like the ostrich) that it will just go away! (IT WON'T!!)
I am happy that after five years, Catman was able to attain the benefits that he fought for, but I have been seeking same for over 14 years, and I consider myself lucky as many an honorably discharged vet has been at it for a score of years or better, hurting every step of the way! My fight is not for me alone, but rather for every veteran who is being lambasted by a system that so quickly forgets! That system, the people's system, has to first realize that a problem exists before it can be addressed! And with war looming on the immediate horizon again, how often in the (not so distant) future will what I said be echoed anew by
Americans, many of whom are now but mere kids!
As for the "Political Forum" scenario, wars are started by political concerns, and they in turn create soldiers, and these translate into veterans and casualties (unfortunately). Yes, in my opinion, they are all inter-related, as one inevitably leads to the other. It is the nature of the beast! (Human Intercourse)
Is not a patriot, by definition, "ONE WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY AND ZEALOUSLY GUARDS IT'S WELFARE?" And what again was the handle of this site, Patriots Files perhaps? ?Remember, in a democracy, silence is never golden?, for if it were, this site could not exist!
And no again, this is not an attack against any particular political party, nor is it meant to initiate political paranoia. I will always praise the man (or woman) regardless of party, whom I feel is out for America (and her allies) First! And this with no thought of personal or (collective) political gain. After any election, we all remain ?Americans? and that is the quintessential title by which we have survived for over two centuries. ?Not Republican, Democrat, Whig, or even Bull Moose!?
Also, how many ?TRUE? international friends do you reckon we would possess were it not for massive foreign aid? Granted, we will always have those (friends) who would stick by us through thick and thin, as we have done with them. But political/financial blackmail (no matter who orchestrates the protection racket), is still just that!!!!
As for our deserving, and I do mean "DESERVING" veterans, your damned right I'll stand by them shoulder to shoulder, no matter who or what I have to do battle with. And yes again, I am aware of the several "Bonus Marches" that took place! The one in the 1930s in which unemployed workers (many of them hurting veterans) conducted hunger marches and demonstrations in many cities around our great nation! I also recall reading about the most famous of these marches, in which a "Bonus Expeditionary Force" - An ARMY OF WORLD WAR I VETERANS, all in possession (The Bonus Law of 1924) of a certificate of bonus payable in 1945, but with hard times afoot back then and whole families starving, the veterans wanted the bonus payable immediately!
In June of 1932, about 15000 of these World War I veterans, from many different states, peacefully marched upon DC to bring pressure upon the Senate to pass this bonus payment bill immediately - A Bill that had already been approved by the House! Although many in the Senate may have also been veterans, I seriously doubt if any of them were hungry or homeless as were those marching out in the streets, and they (Senate) in turn, defeated this meager stipend for these WWI vets!
The end result, after the Senate refused to go along with the House in paying some honor to these veterans, was that President Herbert (depression) Hoover sent in troops to drive the veterans out of Washington! The same veterans who just a few short years earlier had defended those who now sought to bury the issue, along with a few of those who utilized their lawful right to protest! Could a similar scenario ever again occur, you can bet your ass on it, just ask Frank Olson or Secretary Forestall, both convenient suicides who spoke their minds!!
Remember this, ?in a democracy, silence is not golden?, but can indeed often prove fatal to liberty and the First Amendment, not to mention one?s own ass!
"It is not un-American to speak one's mind, and to protest a perceived ill, but rather not to exercise that right is as un-American as it gets!" The meek may indeed inherit the world, but they will never retain liberty! And only in an oligarchy is it a crime to harbor different views, and we as a nation were not founded upon the demands, dictates, or viewpoints of the one!
You brought up some damned good points. however, and I will continue to ponder them in depth!
VERITAS
