Don’t get me wrong…

I support our troops, in spite of the fact that I’m in diametric opposition to the Bush Administration.

These folks work hard day and night to protect our country.  A much higher percentage of our troops are reservists compared to the percentage of reservists called up during Desert Storm.  They’re average Joes and Janes who work and live amongst us until duty calls.

We have a family member in the service, as many of you do, too.  We’ve got flesh and blood out there.  I believe in what he’s doing, believe he’ll do the best he can by us.  We send letters and care packages to keep his spirits ups and let him know we're rooting for him.

Some of the folks on the front line don’t have flesh and blood cheering them on from the home front.  They may be single folks without spouses and children writing to them.  There’s a way to help keep their spirits high – check out this group, Adopt-A-Soldier.  You can adopt a deployed member of the armed forces, send them letters and care packages.  Or you can sponsor care packages through donations at Operation Military Pride.  Either way, show your support for those folks who are working hard for us on the front line.

7:25:39 PM    comment []

RantsCounterRants:  The Mexican

The Mexican vote on the U.N. Security Council, that is. 

Paul Krugman (one of my idols) points out in NYT that the U.S. is pissing off not only all of its allies but now another neighbor.  It’s not merely enough to annoy the Canadians, now we have to scare the snot out of Mexicans:

Last week The Economist quoted an American diplomat who warned that if Mexico didn't vote for a U.S. resolution it could "stir up feelings" against Mexicans in the United States. He compared the situation to that of Japanese-Americans who were interned after 1941, and wondered whether Mexico "wants to stir the fires of jingoism during a war."

Incredible stuff, but easy to dismiss as long as the diplomat was unidentified. Then came President Bush's Monday interview with Copley News Service. He alluded to the possibility of reprisals if Mexico didn't vote America's way, saying, "I don't expect there to be significant retribution from the government" — emphasizing the word "government."

FOR THE RECORD: I am mortified, embarrassed, revolted by this complete lack of tact and breeding, with this on-going stream of incredible idiocy.  I do not know how it is that any sane U.S. diplomat can go to work each day and support this kind of moronic behavior.  I am equally disgusted with my fellow citizenry who cannot demonstrate civility towards the citizens of other countries who disagree with American policy; they seem to have forgotten that this nation was built on disagreement with other countries, that disagreement can be an opportunity for creativity and innovation instead of destruction.  The press in the U.S. has also earned my enmity by failing the American people and the world; they have a moral duty to report objectively and openly, to inform the public, and instead they are nothing more than corporate and political pawns without spine.

TO THE WORLD:  I apologize for the inability of my government’s leadership to work nicely with others, as well as its failure to act as a world leader in the promotion of peace and prosperity around the world.  Mea culpa.

I had plenty of reasons NOT to vote for the current administration during the last Presidential election.  This Administration has proven all my fears about its competency and then some.  I was not alone; a majority of my fellow Americans did not vote for this Administration.  Please bear this in mind as you judge us.

It is my sincere hope that the U.S. will be able to make up to all its esteemed partners and potential partners at some time in the future.  I beg you to understand that this may not happen as long as this Administration is in office.  Further, I beg you to exercise as much patience as you can, for as long as you can.  Surely you can see we (you and I) will have an enormous mess to pick up once these cretins leave office.

It’s unfortunately like babysitting someone else’s horribly spoiled brat.  I cannot discipline and direct them as I see fit and I can only wait until they leave my care.  They cannot leave soon enough, before they break something else of value.  Put away anything precious and any sharp objects as best as you can in the mean time.

Perdónenos, por favor.

Veuillez nous pardonner.

Verzeihen Sie uns bitte. 

Please forgive us.

11:01:54 AM    comment []