Read more about Memorial Day from Huffington Post bloggers.
Yes, that's a harsh headline for this piece.
But I'll ask you to forgive me because, as a Veteran, there isn't a day on the calendar that causes my hatred -- and I do indeed mean hatred -- of George W. Bush to bubble over the top more than Memorial Day.
"On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who have laid down their lives in the cause of freedom, resolve that they will forever be remembered by a grateful Nation, and pray that our country may always prove worthy of the sacrifices they have made," reads Bush's official Memorial Day proclamation, issued by the White House on Thursday.
The Chickenhawk-in Chief says a lot of things that make this Vet's blood boil but stuff like saying that he prays "...that our country may always prove worthy of the sacrifices they have made" is almost vomit inducing.
This statement comes from the same man who himself began dishonoring the sacrifices of all Veterans in such huge ways in March of 2003, when he invaded Iraq behind a veil of lies and deceit and started spilling barrels of military and civilian blood to start a war with a country that posed no threat whatsoever to our national security. These stirring words of remembrance come from an administration that began with a stolen election in 2000, which goes entirely against what I was taught way back when I was in the U.S. Navy, which was that part of the "way of life" we were protecting was symbolized by the ability of all of our citizens to have their votes counted.
"These courageous and selfless warriors have stepped forward to protect the Nation they love, fight for America's highest ideals, and show millions that a future of liberty is possible," continues Bush's proclamation. "Americans are grateful to all those who have put on our Nation's uniform and to their families, and we will always remember their service and sacrifice for our freedoms."
The words Bush puts forth are true -- it's him being the one to say them that I find so sickening and personally offensive.
It is positively nauseating to have George W. Bush ever talk to us about "America's highest ideals" when his administration has started a bloody war for no reason, imprisoned those suspected of being "terrorists" without trial or benefit of legal counsel, tortured prisoners in America's name and done everything but grab the original U.S. Constitution from the National Archives and run it through a paper shredder.
I also don't believe for one minute that the majority of the planet now holds our country in such extreme contempt because we're right and they don't understand our "highest ideals." This Veteran will go to his grave believing that the years 2000 through 2008 were a dark time in our history when much of what I believed when I served in uniform was made invalid and debased.
According to the Defense Department, we have now lost 4,082 men and women in Bush's war of choice in Iraq and we should not allow the man who sent them needlessly to their deaths to lead our nation today in mourning their loss. Make no mistake about it, George W. Bush is as responsible for the deaths of those men and women as if he himself had fired the bullet or set the IEDs that ended their lives.
And before the right-wing hate mail starts flowing in my direct I'll admit that, yes, you are probably right that if Bush said nothing today I might notice that as well. But here's the thing with so many of us Vets: Memorial Day is not an abstraction to us. Too many of us knew personally and can remember the faces of a few whose untimely deaths we mark today. Some of us actually even saw them killed in battle.
So, we do indeed take Memorial Day very personally and I for one would rather that Bush say nothing at all than to issue hypocritical pronouncements and give an insincere, flowery speech in honor of our war dead when he is personally responsible for the most recent we mourn today.
Even a garden-variety murderer would be unlikely to make an appearance when the victim's family is observing the anniversary of a loved one's death.
The least Bush can do is stay in the White House today, keep his lying mouth shut and understand deep in his craven soul that the next day the Congress should declare a national holiday is January 20, 2009, the day he leaves office and his days of dishonoring our war dead are forever done.
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Most of us don't do hate, and do not respond positively to it.
This could end by Sept. if enough of us (200,000+) would show up the next timeCongre
The vast majority of Americans just don't care because they have no stake in this war. No draft, no rationing, few immediate relatives killed or wounded, and two many TV channels so they don't get a daily dose of the carnage.
However, most of these patriots have no time for writing a congressma
Everyone reading your post should print it, cut it out and paste it in every room of your house. Not until we get mad enough will we take care of this sick little prick we call a president.
Thank you so much for this post.
This kind of hatred must be viewed to be understood
So I say BRAVO!
Keep reminding us that you exist and want the White House!
Do we also hold accountabl
Do we also hold accountabl
Do we also hold accountabl
Geiger, you're a jack@$$. Adjustable morals is every bit as bad as having no morals at all. And if you're going to whine about the 2000 election, why not take Al Gore to task for his valiant efforts to exclude the military vote? Let me guess, excluding the military vote is okay, as long as the military vote continues to be strongly Republican
btw, loved the part about W being a chickenhaw
I do believe this article was one of the best pieces of leftist propaganda I've seen in a while though, and so my hat tips to you. After all, you hit every single Bush-is-Sa
-Bush caused Global Warming
-Bush deliberate
-and Bush fired people for political reasons (as if it's unique to his administra
note: I deliberate
Wake up and smell your propaganda Mr Geiger. You're a tool for a Party that does nothing but lie to get more political power, and they even admit it
http://www
Sounds like you need a dose of your own medicine, BRFC, wake up and smell your own propaganda
I have a cat who has seen more combat than Bush. Playing one game of football is more combat than bush has seen in his whole life.
For some right wingnut to parrot all the talking points emanating out of Karl Rove's wastepaper can is a bit much, don't you think?
Nowhere in your bio does it state when you served or whether it was during wartime, but have you stopped to consider this: that, following your logic, your headline could have applied to Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, or for that matter, any wartime president in US history?
Here's the real problem with it: Terrorists
Sorry, Mr. Geiger - you do NOT speak for all of us. Not by a long shot. I also take Memorial Day personally
Have a nice day.
As for the troops volunteeri
If Bush went into Iraq for personal profit or to steal the oil, then I might understand this article a little better. But that never happened, despite plenty of conspiracy theories to the contrary.
Additional
you don't have to agree with someone but you don't have to attack that person, who is particular
I am very uncomforta