If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
The Blog
I categorically reject the opinions of those who say that creating such a class or league of "heroes" would play down the brutalizing effects of war, would justify, even glorify war and would desensitize us to the cruelties and atrocities of war.
I love watching a child seeing his father's face for the first time in a year, rushing to daddy's arms, crying. I cry with him. I want to see this scene thousands of times over. I want them all home, unharmed. If that is what you mean by "support," then count me in.
We should use this Memorial Day as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that American soldiers of all social and political stripes have made in defense of our country.
It's not about carving out specialty justice for veterans, but rather about putting similar systems in place that help divert vulnerable populations who require services rather than incarceration.
We should respect each other's commitment to community and country. There is no reason why we cannot stand up for all the fallen, so that Memorial Day will honor all those who gave their lives in the service of their neighbors as well as their nation.
As we once again observe Memorial Day we remember and honor the more than one million American men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all our wars, including more than 6,800 from our two most recent wars -- and counting.
There has never been an investigation, ceremonial firings, media outrage, or congressional hearings as to "why" the nation has failed again to meet the mental health needs of the warrior class.
A day at Texas Stadium is more than enough time for 19-year-old, Silver Star-winning Billy Lynn to see all that's wonderful and troubling about America.
Two theater pieces reminded me that the perennial "crisis of theater" as no longer relevant for art audiences -- let alone politics -- is once again easily defied. Sometimes being a theater audience is the only way to get at the truth of the "real" thing.
NATO's founding purpose no longer exists, but NATO continues to circumvent the authority of the United Nations and to provoke other nations. Instead of trying to bolster the organization, we should begin serious discussions to dismantle it.
More than two million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. CNN and Fox can focus on what they want, but you can't hide the life experiences of two million people indefinitely.
The 14-month long spate of internal violence in Syria has friends and foes equally worried over the fate of the country's future, the stability of the region and the ever-present danger of the violence spreading from Syria to its neighbors.
There have been plenty of men -- from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush -- who were too stubborn to face facts, and sent more and more troops into a situation that called for fewer. We often confuse that bravado with leadership. It's not.
Wounded Warrior had asked some of us to come to Landstuhl to meet with the medical staff there. Some 3,000 strong, military and civilian, they work ceaselessly in what has become one of the busiest trauma centers in the world.
The evidence is overwhelming that Colin Powell knew much of what he said in front of the Security Council was false.
Four and a half months after his sudden deployment, Jeff was sent home. The girls and I made T-shirts with catchy slogans: Welcome Home Baghdaddy; Glad You're Back from Iraq.
