Above & Beyond

[NanceGreggs]

No soldier should have to die on the other side of the world because a bunch of traitorous neocons decided it was a good idea to send him there.

No soldier should be sent into combat under-equipped because the profits of war-profiteers are considered more important than his safety.

No soldier should return from battle in the field only to face a battle of red-tape in order to get his due after he has served.

No soldier should come home to the prospect of being homeless.

No soldier should have to beg on the street for quarters after fighting a war that cost billions.

No soldier should have to worry about how his family will survive financially, while they worry about whether he will survive at all.

No soldier should have to risk his life knowing his president will later refer to his ultimate sacrifice as just a number.

No soldier should be considered qualified to fight a war, if he can later be disqualified for access to the care he needs as a result of having done so.

No soldier should be told he is fighting for his countrymen’s rights and freedoms, if those rights and freedoms are being stripped away from himself and his fellow citizens as he fights.

No soldier should be told that he is free to fight, but not free to speak about what the fight is really all about.

No soldier should live in fear of being tortured knowing his own country has justified its use.

No soldier should be used as a political talking point, nor should his support be an empty slogan on a bumpersticker instead of the real thing.

No soldier should be used as background in a photo-op, especially by the people whose lies sent him into an unnecessary war in the first place.

No soldier should ever have to face death wondering if he is dying for his country, or for the corporate profits to be made after he is gone.

No soldier should ever have to wonder whether his fate is being determined by those reaching for a dream of future peace, or those hoping for the power and money that only the nightmare of endless war can ensure.

No soldier.

Anywhere.

At any time.

Ever.

[Mythsaje]

1. 1st Rec

All in the timing...

[saltpoint]

2. Their lot is a bitter one, made more bitter by having to obey people like

Rumsfeld, Bush, Cheney, et al.

This post is an elegant and passionate delination of the soldier's plight, and not because they wear a uniform but because they are human beings.

Another grand slam, Ms. Greggs.

Recommended.

[Blashyrkh]

3. No soldiering. Period. The concept is bullshit.

[Kurovski]

4. K&R.

A proper tribute on Veterans Day, to contemplate what we owe.

[blondie58]

5. well said, Nance

how do you do it? Time after time, you come up with these eloquent posts that come from your heart and mirrow what I feel in mine. Thank you.

[NanceGreggs]

6. Thank you for being one of the lights ...

... reflected in the mirror that inspires my words.

[JeffR]

7. K & R!

Damned right.

[WillyT]

8. Big K & R !!!

:patriot::kick::patriot:

[unhappycamper]

9. Smokin!

k&r

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

10. Very good.

Thank you.

[angstlessk]

11. a kick for today

:kick:

[babylonsister]

12. Amen. nt

[madamesilverspurs]

13. Above and beyond, indeed.

The service and sacrifice of our men and women in the military is most certainly above and beyond this president's ability to either comprehend it or care. They deserve a commander-in-chief who is worthy of them.

[The Wizard]

14. Bravo Nance

Every member of my veterans community, and then some, will be getting your astute observations.
And veterans shouldn't have to get bleeding knuckles from pounding on the VA doors to receive benefits.
It took me 22 years of fighting to receive what I earned.
To all veterans who see this: Never give up, never ever give up. One of PTSD's characteristics is to give up, and the VA knows it.

[NanceGreggs]

15. Thanks for passing this along, Wizard ...

... and for adding: "Never give up!"

They didn't give up on us - our country should never give up on them.

[Apollo11]

16. Another awesome rant

Nance - I have been catching up on some of your recent journal entries that I missed.

For some reason I thought it was once a week (like Top 10 Conservative Idiots).

So until now I did not realize just how prolific you are as a writer.

I know many of us appreciate your special talent for expressing your thoughts.

Sorry I am too late to recommend this post!