Michael Moore: I Do Not Support the Troops
I don't support the troops, America, and neither do you. I am tired of the ruse we are playing on these brave citizens in our armed forces. And guess what -- a lot of these soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines see right through the bull**** of those words, "I support the troops!," spoken by Americans with such false sincerity -- false because our actions don't match our words. These young men and women sign up to risk their very lives to protect us -- and this is what they get in return:
1. They get sent off to wars that have NOTHING to do with defending America or saving our lives. They are used as pawns so that the military-industrial complex can make billions of dollars and the rich here can expand their empire. By "supporting the troops," that means I'm supposed to shut up, don't ask questions, do nothing to stop the madness, and sit by and watch thousands of them die? Well, I've done an awful lot to try and end this. But the only way you can honestly say you support the troops is to work night and day to get them out of these hell holes they've been sent to. And what have I done this week to bring the troops home? Nothing. So if I say "I support the troops," don't believe me -- I clearly don't support the troops because I've got more important things to do today, like return an iPhone that doesn't work and take my car in for a tune up.
2. While the troops we claim to "support" are serving their country, bankers who say they too "support the troops," foreclose on the actual homes of these soldiers and evict their families while they are overseas! Have I gone and stood in front of the sheriff's deputy as he is throwing a military family out of their home? No. And there's your proof that I don't "support the troops," because if I did, I would organize mass sit-ins to block the doors of these homes. Instead, I'm having Chilean sea bass tonight.
.......
I don't "support the troops" or any of those other hollow and hypocritical platitudes uttered by Republicans and frightened Democrats. Here's what I do support: I support them coming home. I support them being treated well. I support peace, and I beg any young person reading this who's thinking of joining the armed forces to please reconsider. Our war department has done little to show you they won't recklessly put your young life in harm's way for a cause that has nothing to do with what you signed up for. They will not help you once they've used you and spit you back into society. If you're a woman, they will not protect you from rapists in their ranks. And because you have a conscience and you know right from wrong, you do not want yourself being used to kill civilians in other countries who never did anything to hurt us. We are currently involved in at least a half-dozen military actions around the world. Don't become the next statistic so that General Electric can post another record profit -- while paying no taxes -- taxes that otherwise would be paying for the artificial leg that they've kept you waiting for months to receive.
I support you, and will try to do more to be there for you. And the best way you can support me -- and the ideals our country says it believes in -- is to get out of the military as soon as you can and never look back.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/01/03-6
bulloney
(4,113 posts)RC
(25,592 posts)SunSeeker
(51,546 posts)loudsue
(14,087 posts)IMHO he is what keeps me going in the absence of Wellstone, the Kennedys, Molly Ivins, Ann Richards. The great voices who remain are becoming more important every day. Michael Moore, Rachel Maddow, Alan Greyson, Bernie Sanders...heroes all.
Am I getting old??
SunSeeker
(51,546 posts)loudsue
(14,087 posts)Skittles
(153,138 posts)I have sent care packages first to Iraq and then to Afghanistan for years - the last one the day after Christmas to the son of a coworker
SunSeeker
(51,546 posts)cbrer
(1,831 posts)I owe it to this nation to be more actively involved in the decision making process. And the means by which we expose the corruption, greed, and influence peddling that's tearing down what should be the beacon of hope to the rest of the world.
Thank you Michael Moore.
90-percent
(6,828 posts)It says:
BRING THEM HOME
-90% Jimmy
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)One day I was sitting at a stop light and an auxilliary member of SAMCRO rolled up alongside me on a Harley with a "Viet Nam Vet" sticker on it. He caught my eye, gave me a grimace and a , and headed on his way.
Someone stole my magnet.
90-percent
(6,828 posts)another one i learned about on DU, but never bought, was
MY STICKER SUPPORTS MORE TROOPS THAN YOUR STICKER
-JIM
ROBROX
(392 posts)Viet nam was the big war for WHAT??? Anything after that was the idea of GOP war mongering. I am glad my sons avoided military service. I am so glad my six years ended since I considered it legal slavery. The hours and the pay do not match what a person does in the military. I think officers are the big lazy slobs who should be mopping and doing more to earn their over paid wage.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)I remember hearing how if Mao & Giap won, the Chinese would within a couple months be setting up the People's Republic Of California. I will hand it to the PTB, though. This time around they set up the biggest propaganda apparatus in history to grease the wheels. There is a big intersection between the people who believe Obama is from Africa and those who "Support the troops"
loudsue
(14,087 posts)day. They've got a gold mine via our tax dollars. It's our troops that are getting the shaft. Don't tell me you support the troops if you ALSO support "privatized" military and government.
On edit: Not YOU....I mean if ANYONE....
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)and there's always one standing beside the dude who sings the Star Spangled Banner at the Blackhawks' games. That's support, right?
Seriously, one of the side effects of the nation's new "permanent 9% unemployment" is that it forces many young people into the military. But I am pretty sure the PTB knew that.