Seeking Common Ground: A Call to Service

[dgibby]

In the wake of President Obama's announcement last night that he would be sending more troops to Afghanistan, DU has, predictably, formed into two camps, pro and con, with much name calling and vitriol being hurled across "no man's land" by both camps.

Those supporting escalation are accusing those who don't of being Obama "haters", "teabagger enablers", etc, and some are suggestion that they should be posting on FR, not DU.

Those against escalation are accusing those who support it of being "warmongers", "keyboard commandos", etc, and suggesting they enlist and go fight.

The rift is large, but can, I believe, be bridged, if we want it to be. There is common ground we can share.

Instead of arguing and hurling insults at each other, I would respectfully suggest we back away from our keyboards and go volunteer at the nearest military/VA hospital.

Volunteer to write a letter for those who have lost their hands, read to someone blinded in battle, push a wheelchair for someone who's lost a leg, bake cookies, sponsor a pizza party, take the troops to local sporting events, plays, etc. Invite a vet to a home cooked meal. Spend time just listening, knit an afghan, donate cell phone minutes. If you don't live near a military/VA facility, become a pen pal, e-mail, send a thank you note.

The list of what we can do to help is endless, as are the rewards we receive in return.

So, how do I know this, you may ask? I was a Navy nurse for 22yrs. Joined in '69, retired in '91. My career spanned the Viet Nam era to the first Gulf War. We couldn't have done our jobs without the countless volunteers, both individuals and groups, who gave so tirelessly of their time and talents. They made a very big difference for the troops.

So think about it. Whether we're pro or con, the troops need us. We CAN make a difference, and we CAN reach common ground.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. How does one donate cell phone minutes?

I have plenty of those to give to someone.

[dgibby]

2. I'm not sure of how it's done,

but I know it can be done. I would suggest getting in touch with any Vets group or the Red Cross for details. It would be great if you did that!

On edit: You could also contact your cell phone provider.

[Tailormyst]

10. You buy the prepaid cards or:

Go here:

https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=1245

I suggest the latter if you want to send to soldiers not known to you.

[dgibby]

12. Great info. Thanks so much! n/t

[Tailormyst]

16. My pleasure

Every extra minute they get to spend talking to their families is more precious then gold to those men and women.

[walldude]

3. You know... sanity is a good thing,

too bad it's in short supply. My hobby is playing music and I have been working on a solo acoustic set for about a year now. As I near being ready to take it to the public I have been thinking about going out and playing places for free, retirement homes, homeless shelters stuff like that. For some reason I never even thought about the VA. I'll be looking up my local today and calling them, see if they want a bit of free entertainment. What a great idea. A big K&R.

And please don't hold it against me if I post an anti war screed at some future date ;)

[dgibby]

6. Thank you!

Don't worry about me. I've seen what war does up close and personal. I'd be the last person here to support a war, but supporting the troops is a completely different thing, imo.

[mike_c]

4. volunteer for antiwar organizing, and for primary replacement candidates, too....

Don't serve Obama's war machine-- volunteer for antiwar efforts instead.

[hfojvt]

5. accusing?

Considering that those against escalation are writing things like "I hate Obama" "I am never voting for a Democrat again." "Obama is just like Bush" - nobody really needs to accuse them of the things they already admit to.

[dgibby]

8. Just. Shoot. Me.

:banghead:

[OneGrassRoot]

11. lolol

:hug:


Forget Afghanistan being a losing battle, trying to inject something productive and positive into DU discussion these days is without a doubt a losing battle.


;)

[dgibby]

14. Note to self:

Don flak jacket and helmet before posting!:rofl: :rofl:

[hfojvt]

19. or you could check your work for accuracy n/t

[hfojvt]

18. well you should try to do it without including a false accusation

I suppose that is too much to ask though, and I should just overlook it.

[OneGrassRoot]

21. Maybe it all comes down to perspective...

I didn't take offense at what was written, as -- to me -- the OP equally pointed out what both sides were saying about the other. I just saw what was written as a statement of fact of what is transpiring here, and offering a compromise that can help others.

I didn't see the OP as putting anyone down -- on either side -- just stating what is glaringly obvious and using phrases bandied about here at DU repeatedly yesterday, and offering a helpful suggestion.

That's all. :)

[dgibby]

23. Thank you.

I was trying to be fair to both sides, mearly stating what I've been reading from both sides. It would appear the rift, for some, is much wider than for others. Sad.

[OneGrassRoot]

25. It just makes me sad when, for whatever reason, a good OP....

gets lost along the way due to an honest misunderstanding or infighting.


You're most welcome. :hug:

[hfojvt]

27. it is one thing to "point out what both sides are saying about the other"

But insofar as the OP tried to say that "both sides are hurling false accusations and vitriol at the other" I don't consider that to be an accurate assessment. The accusation is clearly not false.

[dgibby]

29. That's a matter of opinion, and you're welcome to yours.

There are those accusing the "pros" of being warmongers. Would it be accurate for me to state unequivocally that Pres. Obama or his supporters here on DU ARE, in fact, warmongers? That, I believe, would only increase the hostility. I intentionally used the word "accuse" judiciously, and I stand by my OP.

[hfojvt]

32. it's NOT a matter of opinion

If somebody writes "I hate Obama" is is clearly NOT a false accusation to call them an Obama hater. They just admitted it. However, on the other side, supporting the troop surge in Afghanistan does not make that person a warmonger, because a warmonger would, logically, support all wars and not just some. So claiming that 1 = infinity is hyperbole.

and clearly I am not welcome to my opinion, or my statement of facts, when you respond with "just. shoot. me." (because I cannot deal with these idiots and a$$holes?)

[dgibby]

33. Whatever!

Have a great day.

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. .

:crazy: :hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

7. What a wonderful post.

Great specific suggestions, great intention. Well done -- and MUCH appreciated! :)

K&R!

:hi:

[dgibby]

9. Thanks!

I think the troops get lost in all the hate and discontent.

[JVS]

13. How about a compromise. War supporters go enlist, and then peaceniks can take care of them...

when they're at the VA hospital.

[dgibby]

15. DUzy material! n/t

[hfojvt]

20. see, that's funny, apparently, because it is coming from one of your allies

but an accurate complaint from a critic is cause for despair and disgust.

[dgibby]

24. Feel free to hide this thread or put me on ignore.

It won't hurt my feelings at all, but when and/or if you're willing to seek common ground, you'll be welcome.

[hfojvt]

26. so you think post #13 was seeking common ground?

feel free to continue with a double standard. Does it hurt your feelings when I kick your thread?

Perhaps common ground requires an honest assessment rather than caricatures?

[dgibby]

28. No, it doesn't hurt a bit.

I don't know if your noticed or not, but this thread is about HELPING THE TROOPS. Nothing you can say or do is going to change that, but you get an A+ for effort.

BTW, have you done anything to help them? Volunteered lately? If not, you might want to give it a try, it's very uplifting and it's very much appreciated.

[hfojvt]

30. yes I worked 4 hours yesterday, four last Wednesday

one on Thursday and am scheduled for two on Friday, not counting the unpaid work I do for Kiwanis, or the waterboard, or the County Democratic Party.

None of that is troop-centered, but I sorta think I do enough already.

[dgibby]

31. Good for you!

Feels good, doesn't it?

[Bobbie Jo]

17. K&R!

Great post. Yes....volunteers are desperately needed. A little effort goes a long way. :patriot: