Jonathan Powers and Rob Diamond: Why the Conservatives are Exploiting and Attacking our Military
Sandra Bullock is not the only person in the midst of an ugly break-up these days. For decades, conservatives have prided themselves for their devotion to the armed services. Yet, in recent months, the right has gotten mean in its attacks on our military leadership and is even exploiting our troops. And it is playing out on reality television right in front of us–except it’s on CSPAN and not MTV.
As veterans of America’s current wars, it is deeply disconcerting for us to watch conservatives hurl reckless vitriol at our military leadership and now the constitution which we swore to defend. While public servants such as Admiral Mike Mullen, General David Petraeus and Defense Secretary Bob Gates work to progress policy that will make our nation safer, conservatives have taken them to task, preferring sound-bites to sound policy.
But don’t take our word for it. Just look to conservatives themselves.
GREAT ARTICLE!! and I loved that it was written by MILITARY VETERANS. only thing missing is General Paul Eaton – a national security adviser vs. praise for Cheney and Rove, or as I call them, the Dynamic Draft Dodging Duo.
being on twitter I was shocked to hear directly that military is a conservative organization, and because of my twitter username/site (@ilovemytroops) for a YEAR STRAIGHT (I kid you not, over 500 people blocked + 350+ noted), hatriots have advised me POINT BLANK: I cannot support or love our military if I don’t hate Obama (screen shot & blogged it because I couldn’t believe it), don’t love Cheney or Rove (Dynamic Draft Dodging Duo), etc.
I was actually called SICK for not liking Cheney. THAT was a badge of honor. ALL of the military persons I know and have met have been from all walks of life and lifestyles, and they have inspired, motivated and kept me going when I wanted to give up many times.
I only wish I had followed through and joined, then maybe the tone wouldn’t be so oppressive in certain areas. Creating a one-way-or-no-way tone doesn’t allow a supportive environment for ALL troops and is probably one of the reasons for the high suicide rates – if persons can’t be accepted, how can they be supported OPENLY and with true concern for life.
hatriots are trying to keep the military in the tone of segregated 1940s and earlier, and truly believe white conservatives and those w/their “excluding values” are the only ones who have ever fought and died for this country.
history begs to differ: Leonard Matlovich, Harvey Milk, Medgar Evers, ALL of the Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Mary E. Walker (1st AND only woman to receive Congressional Medal of Honor, abolitionist, women’s suffrage movement, health care, and more), and so many others including family and friends who have recently died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
