CALL TO ACTION
As 2004 comes to a close, the following important issue should be given priority in public debate:
Our Soldiers in Iraq
Please take a moment to report to Frameshop to remember our fallen soldiers, to thank those who continue to serve on our behalf, and to send everyone in our millitary the clear message of respect they deserve.
Remember what Progressives believe:
- America leads by example
- Responsibility is the moral core of a strong military
- Respect is the foundation of an effective foreign policy
Take a moment.
Give a shout out to our soldiers.
IMMEDATE ACTION: Send a box of Girl Scout cookies to Iraq. Details below the fold.
Frameshop is open...
Update [2005-1-1 12:1:29 by Jeffrey Feldman]:
Per a suggestion in the comment thread from a soldier in Iraq, one excellent way to say "Happy New Year and Thanks!" is to send them Girl Scout cookies. It's a little tricky to do this on your own, since you'll need to know where to send them and you'll need to have contact with a Girl Scout.
As luck would have it...
Here is a link to an article about Girl Scouts in Riverland Wisconsin who have organized the shipment of thousands of boxes of cookies to soldiers in Iraq.
Follow the link to find out how to do this. Each box costs $3.50 and the shipping is covered by a sponsoring organization.
The boxes will be stamped with a general "Thank You" and the Girl Scoouts logo, but I also believe it's possible to include an additional message.
The cookies are sent first to hospitals and distributed to wounded soldiers and Iraqis, then to soldiers and Iraqis in the field.
All this organized by 11-17 year-old girls. Operation Thin Mint Diplomacy.
Happy New Year! And Thanks!
It's difficult to sit back amidst all that is happening and to choose one focus for an end of year message.
We must all choose what is at the top of our list. But for me, the situation of our soldiers is the most important.
Many have died trying their best to keep a clear purpose in a war clouded with uncertainty. They deserve our appreciation and admiration.
One of the core lessons from all our discussions of framing has been the importance of taking back strength as our issue--our issue. Progressives are the strength of this nation.
The best way to show that strength is to step up at the end of the year and claim our soldiers
For years, Conservatives have been telling us that we are against the troops. This is not true.
Let's show our strength. Let's start the year with a new, overhwelmingly positive tone towards our troops.
Support the troops, but oppose the war? For now, let's start by just thanking and appreciating our troops. "Support" is such a sterile term for this time of year. Tax dollars "support" the troops. People give thanks and express gratitude.
Don't worry. We'll get back to the policy issues soon. For now, let's reach out.
Draft a Soldier for the dKos Front Page
Our own blog leader has military experience and he deserves thanks for that service as well.
As we think about our goals and our projects for next year--about all the issues we are going to reframe, and all the districts we are going to win back--here's another project to put on our "To Do" list:
Let's "draft" a soldier (or five) in Iraq to write for the dKos front page.
I know there are soldiers who lurk, and even a few who participate in the threads. Let's get their views and their grounded perspective on the war into this discussion.
There is no issue more important to Progressive politics than the respect and dignity that our soldiers earn, but our President squanders. Let's reclaim that respect and let's play a part in strengthening our military.
Happy New Year everyone!
Now let's roll up our sleeves and give a shout out...
Update [2004-12-31 18:24:31 by Jeffrey Feldman]:
This diary follows on from an important effort by Paul Rosenberg to draft soldiers to run for office. In this thread, Paul suggested we think of ways to build a "bridge" between this community and the views of soldiers already out there.
As we express our gratitude, let's also use this diary as the first of many diaries where we provide links to as many places on the net as we can find where soldiers have expressed their views.
Update [2004-12-31 19:10:49 by Jeffrey Feldman]:
Please everyone go to Anysoldier.com: use the net to send a real letter or package to a soldier in Iraq. It's a fantastic way to get your thoughts to the people they're intended for. See more information in this comment from Pacific John and the follow up comments below.
Update [2004-12-31 22:17:58 by Jeffrey Feldman]:
For those not so good at packing boxes of treats to send off, try treatsfortroops.com, where you can "adopt" a soldier and send him/her different types of packages. For more info see the comment by Mary Julia in the thread.