Today Netroots For The Troops® is kicking off a week-long campaign to raise money to send care packages to our troops. I am honored to be part of the effort. What follows is adapted from my earlier diary for the Military Community Members of Daily Kos back on March 22, 2011.
I have never been in the military. I did not grow up in a military family, although my dad did serve a tour in WWII and my brother one in 'Nam. My closest connection to military life was my uncle, who was a career Army officer. On occasion, when his family was in transit, my two cousins would live with us for awhile. So what the heck am I doing writing a diary for Netroots For The Troops®?
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Well, I am a non-military, generally anti-war progressive, and I think we should support our brave men and women in the armed forces. Occasionally, I run into someone who doesn't understand how a progressive can oppose most wars and support our troops at the same time. I'd like to make that argument here.
First of all, let's examine the notion of what military service is in the United States and why I think citizens should respect and honor that service, even if one is personally a pacifist (which I am not).
People who decide to enter the service of our country do so knowing that their ultimate boss is not the Commander-in-Chief but the people of the United States. To me, when a person swears in to the military, he/she is saying, "I love my country so much that I am giving my service—and my life if necessary—to the American people to do with as they see fit."
There are a couple of long traditions in this country: One is that the military has always been subservient to civilians elected (directly or indirectly) by the people. Two is that the American military has never given its allegiance to a person or a party rather than to the country.
Sometimes we the people of the United States make poor decisions regarding our leaders, who in turn make poor decisions themselves about how to employ our troops. But, folks, it is with us, collectively, that the buck ultimately stops.
One reason we formed the United States was to provide for the common defense. The overwhelming consensus of the people is that we should provide for defense using the military. I understand that there are those who feel otherwise, but in a democracy, the people decide. Certainly there is much less of a consensus about the particulars of what the military should be and do, but most people, including a sizable number of liberals and progressives, believe it should exist. If one disagrees, one is free to try to change that politically.
If one accepts that the people of the United States want a military, then surely we want our military trained and disciplined. Since the military by definition operates in extreme life-threatening situations, obedience is necessary. You can't take a vote on whether to take out an enemy position. So the soldier must obey lawful commands. Sometimes those commands include killing—and being killed.
Our soldiers, remember, are here to serve us, so the chain of command ultimately leads to the people. To disobey an officer is, in essence, to disobey the people. We the people told that soldier to kill that enemy.
I want to have people defending me and my country. I do not hold our soldiers, sailors, and airmen responsible for the decisions our elected representatives make that I disagree with. I hold us, all of us, responsible. Our military is, in essence, a tool, not wielded by a dictator or a monarch, but by us, the people.
I strongly disagreed with our military intervention in Vietnam and in Iraq (among others). I hit the streets to protest those wars. I definitely want our military to adopt a defensive mode, and I want the Military-Industrial Complex chopped down to size. I want war to be an absolute last resort. I'm a leftist.
Let us also remember that there are many in the military who agree with my view. The notion that everyone in uniform is a Republican conservative is silly. That's not even true of the top brass, much less among the enlisted men and women. In fact, in my sixty years, it has mostly been civilian leaders, not members of the military, who fail to understand the price of killing paid by both the victim and the perpetrator.
Now, if one is a conscientious objector, one is not forced to serve in the US military. One can and should advocate for pacifism if that is one's belief. Even if one feels that those who enlist in the military are fundamentally wrong because they are not pacifists, too, part of living in a liberal democracy is allowing for differing personal belief. We try to persuade and reason with people. That is the definition of pluralism. And even if one feels that soldiers are misguided by not being pacifists, the notion that we should disrespect those who place themselves and their families in our hands is illogical. The military puts itself in your hands, too, Mr. and Ms. Pacifist. If your view prevails politically, the military will obey you, too.
So, to me, people who serve in our military are serving me. Their families make sacrifices to allow them to do that. And there is always the chance that the ultimate sacrifice will be required. I am humbled in the face of that service.
While many of us oppose all war and almost all of us oppose wars that are not absolutely required, most of us respect our men and women in uniform because we understand they are pledged to us. We are their boss. It is time to thank them for that service and sacrifice. It is time to let our soldiers know we haven't forgotten them. That is what a progressive boss does.
Please join us and support our troops with a donation if you can or with a rec if you can't. Thanks for your help.
Netroots For The Troops® is holding a blogathon this week, Feb. 20-24, to raise funds to send Care Packages to soldiers overseas and, this year for the first time, we are also sending Care Packages domestically to VA hospitals.
Please join Sen. Kerry, Gov. Dean, Elizabeth Warren and many kossacks as we blog to give our gift of support to our soldiers.
Soldiers have sent letters to express their appreciation for these care packages and posted thanks at Daily Kos:
when we receive this kind of support, it lets us know that we are not forgotten. That is possibly the strongest gift you could give us.
You can donate HERE.
Thanks.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Senator Kerry's office called with sincere apologies. They had to postpone their planned diary due to a scheduling conflict that arose today. Senator Kerry is hoping to post on Thursday. Time is TBD.