Character Assassination!

One of my oldest friends took issue with me when I spoke to him about the Presidents White Tie Dinner for the Queen of England.

First of course, doing what I do as a rule, a digression.

I am, for whatever reason, going to somehow discuss the "you are not supporting our troops" barrage" that comes from so many members of the Administration and the Congress when anyone dare comment on ANY aspect of the HORRID war that we are waging in Iraq.

I have wondered for a long time as to the meaning of "you are not supporting our troops" expression thrown about so cavalierly. I expect that is reasonable to state that everyone in government supports the troops be they from either political party. I do expect that a better expression to be quibbling about is "we do/or we do not support the war as it is and has been mismanaged by this administration. This is a simple statement that does not question either side's patriotism or machismo.

Harry Reid, said that that we had lost the war in Iraq and of course was vilified by the Republicans for SAYING OUT LOUD, what so many were saying secretly. He was, as we all are, free to express himself as he saw fit. Do not agree with him if you wish, but PLEASE do not denigrate him for expressing himself as to what he thinks about the war, and state that because of what he said that "he does not support the troops."

Now I will move along to the purpose of my writing this piece. It is apparent that a very very few are sacrificing for the many in fighting this war. Right or wrong, good or bad the war goes on. The sun comes up each morning and most Americans have "a good life." If people managed to stay away from cable news and the moments devoted to the war during the Networks prime time news, THIS WAR IS NOT HAPPENNING! Baseball, Movies, the NBA Playoffs, the Stanly Cup, American Idol and the rest of our glorious Television programming go on as though THERE IS NO WAR GOING ON! Paris Hilton will go to jail and Spiderman will gross 34 Billion Dollars.

I was once a "soldier" during the Korean War. Although I was in the Air Force for 4 years, no one ever tried to kill me during all of my service. There was a draft at the time, and except for Vice President Cheney during the War in Vietnam, almost all Americans have served their country during some sort of war one way or another.

I was proud to wear my Air Force uniform during the Korean War, and it appeared to me that the public supported what we were doing.

When I see the ultimate celebratory activity of a formal White Tie Dinner for a British Queen given by "a wartime President" I wonder if this when seen by our sons and daughters serving in Iraq and in harms way can be viewed as "supporting our troops."

To have this type of celebration while the flag draped coffins of our sons and daughters are being unloaded in secret somewhere is not what we as a nation need to do.

The President will NEVER say the following:

"My fellow Americans: This week we have the great honor of greeting Her Majesty, the Queen of England. Her country has joined us in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and we are proud to have their sons and daughters fighting shoulder to shoulder with our sons and daughters.

It is a time like this that both nations understand that as long as we are at war together against an insidious enemy, that we will reduce the celebratory nature of the Queens visit, and host a dinner in her honor that will be attended by men and women in the armed services of both countries as well as members of their families.

When this war is over, we will be proud to host Her Royal Highness in a manner consistent with the end of this war."

Mr. President, what exactly do you mean when you say "support our troops?" I am not sure that I know, but it would certainly not involve donning White Tie and Tails for dinner with the Queen!

Norman Horowitz
A/1C AF12394420