Saturday, April 30, 2005
In Praise Of Today’s Anti-War Americans
We disagree on many things. In this case we disagree about the war in Iraq. We've argued, squabbled, and occasionally debated. But on this 30th anniversary of America's withdrawal from South Viet Nam, I would like to point out something that distinguishes the vast majority of Americans against the Iraq war from those against our involvement in Viet Nam.
Sincere and thoughtful Americans were against our involvement in Iraq, but maintained their support and affection for our armed forces - those men and women in the field. Sure, there were people in the streets that were more radical - some even advocating the murder of officers. But that was the exception, not the rule. And I cannot help but think that upstanding Americans who opposed the war were embarrassed by, perhaps even disgusted with, that small minority.
During this current war, we've not seen many examples of people mistreating our returning troops. Sure, there is the odd (and disturbing) example, like the crowd response during that Bainbridge Island (Washington State) parade, but that was also the exception, not the rule.
This time we welcomed our returning troops back home with respect, warmth and love. And also with a mature understanding that these are young people who were put in harm's way for (what they understood to be) protecting us. And this time around we realized that.
Perhaps 9/11 influenced us, and caused us not to so casually mistreat other Americans. Especially servicemen and women.
During the late years of the Viet Nam era, American civilians did not treat our returning young soldiers well at all. Many of those young men, who had really been "out of the loop" with regard to media reporting on the war, were insulted, looked upon with distain, ostracized, even spat on. And this "welcome home" they got immediately followed 18 months or more of life-threatening situations that they had understood to be for the benefit of those people treating them so contemptuously upon their return.
So I want to take this opportunity, on this anniversary, to thank those good Americans opposed to the Iraq war for maintaining a far more mature and measured stance, and respecting those people who put their lives on the line for us. Whether you believed that they really were facing danger for our benefit or not, you seemed to understand that they believed they were. Or were, at least, willing to serve.
We disagree on many things. In this case we disagree about the war in Iraq. We've argued, squabbled, and occasionally debated. But on this 30th anniversary of America's withdrawal from South Viet Nam, I would like to point out something that distinguishes the vast majority of Americans against the Iraq war from those against our involvement in Viet Nam.
Sincere and thoughtful Americans were against our involvement in Iraq, but maintained their support and affection for our armed forces - those men and women in the field. Sure, there were people in the streets that were more radical - some even advocating the murder of officers. But that was the exception, not the rule. And I cannot help but think that upstanding Americans who opposed the war were embarrassed by, perhaps even disgusted with, that small minority.
During this current war, we've not seen many examples of people mistreating our returning troops. Sure, there is the odd (and disturbing) example, like the crowd response during that Bainbridge Island (Washington State) parade, but that was also the exception, not the rule.
This time we welcomed our returning troops back home with respect, warmth and love. And also with a mature understanding that these are young people who were put in harm's way for (what they understood to be) protecting us. And this time around we realized that.
Perhaps 9/11 influenced us, and caused us not to so casually mistreat other Americans. Especially servicemen and women.
During the late years of the Viet Nam era, American civilians did not treat our returning young soldiers well at all. Many of those young men, who had really been "out of the loop" with regard to media reporting on the war, were insulted, looked upon with distain, ostracized, even spat on. And this "welcome home" they got immediately followed 18 months or more of life-threatening situations that they had understood to be for the benefit of those people treating them so contemptuously upon their return.
So I want to take this opportunity, on this anniversary, to thank those good Americans opposed to the Iraq war for maintaining a far more mature and measured stance, and respecting those people who put their lives on the line for us. Whether you believed that they really were facing danger for our benefit or not, you seemed to understand that they believed they were. Or were, at least, willing to serve.
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