"SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" is yet another buzz phrase for "SUPPORT OUR WAR"

I served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. When I returned from Okinawa where I had been stationed for 15 months, I had to travel in uniform. As I got off the plane in San Francisco, I was walking through the terminal and looking for the baggage claim area. I was tired and disoriented for, to me, it was the middle of the night.

A woman with child in tow caught my eye. As she approached, she looked straight into my eyes, leaning slightly as she herded her child along. It was evident to me she was trying to intercept me. The child was confused. As a result, the woman was partially dragging the poor girl. We got nearer and nearer.

I’m not sure, or at least, I don’t remember what went through my mind as she approached. Perhaps I was hoping to be greeted and welcomed. When the woman and child got within a few feet, the mother spoke these two words, "Baby Killer!"

I took perhaps two more steps as the words sunk in, then stopped, turned to watch her dragging her child away. The woman looked back and observed my reaction. Our eyes met and locked for an instant. She spat in my direction. I read such hatred and loathing in those eyes. Then a rush of emotions surged through me. Instantly, I understood all the things I had heard about the discontent back home and even though I had not killed anyone, for I was never in combat, I felt ashamed.

As soon as I could, I removed my uniform and put on civilian clothes.

Now, as a country, we are fighting another war. The street demonstrations are not like they were then. The protest against this war is civil, organized and takes to a new technology called the internet. Even as things change, they remain the same. War is killing, destruction and chaos. War is not the result of sane men talking through problems. War is an act of desperation, futility and in many cases, greed. War is profitable. This war in Iraq is a misdirection of what this country should have done; get Osama bin Laden!

The Vietnam War was to stop communism. The Iraq War is to stop terrorism. The real enemy during Vietnam was Communism and the North Vietnamese. The real enemy in Iraq is a tactic used by Islamic fundamentalists. Both were mistakes that the leader of this country refused to acknowledge.

Another significant difference between Vietnam and Iraq is the push to honor the soldiers. Magnetic ribbons on cars, posters, bumper stickers all proclaim the need to support our troops. To me, the people that failed to get the public’s support for the war in Vietnam learned a lesson. They learned that they must get public support in some way. And that way is to "support the troops." This administration, like the administration during Vietnam, keeps this war going because it is profitable. They do NOT THINK about the troops, although they say they do. They do NOT CARE about the troops, although they say they do. They use the troops to further their selfish goals of power and oil. Those who buy into the buzz phrases and talking points are not really supporting the troops. They are supporting the war. This administration has been successful in conflating the two.

With George’s veto of the supplemental bill, he is using the troops in a political battlefield. He is using the emotion they have been successful in building about the troops. He uses them to blackmail congress to give him what he wants. He believes public opinion will force the congress to give him the blank check he so desperately wants to continue his endless war.

There is legitimate emotion about the troops. Those who truly understand the horrors of war, the futility of endless service, the separation from loved ones and the impact to those who have seen what they have seen, want the troops to come home. They want to repay the troops for their service, ensure they receive proper medical and mental care and benefits when they come home. Walter Reed shows how this administration shows support.

Today, soldiers are welcomed home. Soldiers are greeted and showered with honors and parades. Before, they were insulted, spat on and disparaged. But the wars are the same. It is futile, wrong, wastes lives, gives wealth to the wealthy and power to the powerful.

We the people learned something from Vietnam, too. Do not misplace your anger. Direct it at the war mongers, not at the troops. Bring the troops home! That’s how you show support!

That’s as I see it. . .