I guess I'm really an American now.

[Plaid Adder]

Last night I picked up a letter with my address on it and I looked at the corner and went, "What the hell is WRAMC and who in Georgia is sending me mail?" I opened it up and it turned out to be a thank you note from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

This November someone posted a message on DU about how Walter Reed was asking people to donate prepaid phone cards to the wounded soldiers so they could call home over the holidays. Knowing from my own experience how much it sucks not to be able to talk to your loved one(s) on the holidays, and also being kind of shocked that after you get one of your limbs blown off for the government they don't give you unlimited long-distance while you're recuperating, I went out and bought a bunch of phone cards and mailed each one off with a little note.

I am glad to know they did get the cards. I feel curiously ambivalent about the thank-you note. It is a very nice note. The last line reads, "It is you, the American people, who make this country what it is and makes us all proud to be Americans" (emphasis theirs).

I feel like at the same time I could say that I do actually believe that, and that I wish it was true. And also, looking at the italics and bold on "Americans," I feel a little queasy.

We say all the time that you can love the country and still not support the government, or that you can support the troops without supporting the war. And that is what most of us end up doing, but it's difficult, and there are these moments where you end up just staring at a piece of paper in your hand and thinking about how strange and sad things really are.

This is the problem with being an American and a citizen of the world at the same time. In every battle, your side loses, and your people get hurt. I donated to the International Red Cross last year. I'll probably do it again this year, but of course in most of the places where our army is operating, either the humanitarian organizations have pulled out, or we're not letting them in.

Peace on @#$! earth,

The Plaid Adder

[MarianJack]

1. I Agree with you, Adder,...

as usual. I have to say that agreeing with you on this one hurts. For the first time in my life, I'm embarassed by my country and the meanness that we've allowed to become dominant.

I am however, very happy to see you post. I, for one, don't think we can make it here without your occasional insights. While I respect your decision to no longer write your weekly article, I will miss your views. Sometimes the choir needs a little preaching. After all, the people in church on Sunday (or temple on Saturday) usually always already believe.

Let me repeat what I've said in response to several of your previous posts. There is NO individual who posts in DU whose opinions I (and my wife) respect more than yours. Keep in touch with us, keep the faith and please know that our side WILL eventually prevail.

One more thing, Adder, :yourock: !

All the best to You and Yours and Happy *&()^$% Holidays,
Maria and Jack
(the real pronunciation of my screen name)

[Not_Giving_Up]

2. I agree it's frightening

The way we are reminded more and more frequently about what a good American is and is not. I believe we crossed over into the Twilight Zone in 2000, and are just unable to escape.

You did what you did for the soldiers, good for you! You weren't looking for recognition from bushco, you just wanted the men and women to be able to call home. My brother is deployed, and calls when he can, and I can tell you that it means so much to be able to hear from him.

[flordehinojos]

3. you have a big and generous heart and i commend you for it.

me. i have such a crass and selfish heart as to refuse to enable the bush goons by giving to those in need what the government itself should be providing for those in need, servicemen or otherwise.

eons and years ago when william jefferson clinton was president and no one was asked (TOLD) to give to the less fortunate because the government saw to it that the less fortunate had a ham or turkey in every pot and a toy under every tree, i would, of my own accord, give to the SALVATION ARMY for food for the homeless, give to a homeless shelter, and give to the church food drive and the food drive in my primary care physician's office.

i refuse to do so this year. i refuse on principle. i refuse because while george w. bush makes a very emotional appeal to the people...he has no gumption (does not give a damn) about cutting aid to the programs and the people who SHOULD or HAVE EARNED the aid and need the programs to aid them that he is cutting from them.

As far as I am concerned BABS BUSH, POPPY BUSH, NEIL BUSH, JR. HIMSELF AND LAURA AND THE TWINS CAN FILL ALL THE POTS OF GOLD OUT OF THEIR OWN MONEY THAT THEY WANT, AND GIVE TO ALMS TO THE NEEDY... MAYBE THAT WILL EARN THEM PLENARY INDULGENCES IN HEAVEN AND MAYBE ST. PETER WILL LET THEM THROUGH DESPITE THEIR OTHER MULTIPLE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

me. i am a crass and selfish soul ... and i hope God has Mercy on me!