I guess I take a lot of things for granted.
My father is a Vietnam veteran. He is lucky he is not one of the many veterans who will go to sleep under a bridge tonight; he is lucky he doesn't have to receive sub-standard care at Walter Reed; and he is lucky he cannot be called back to Iraq to die for WMD national security oil democracy.
Right now, I ask you do to one thing: sign this VoteVets.org petition demanding hearings on why the Pentagon awarded a manufacturing contract to a company which was at the time under indictment for shoddy work.
I am not related in any way to VoteVets.org. But I received a call to action e-mail from Jon Soltz; I almost didn't sign the petition, but the e-mail got me thinking of everything I take for granted. I take for granted that my father is a veteran. I take for granted my trust in my government to do what is right for soldiers and veterans. And for the past eight years several decades, the government has taken advantage of that trust. I feel a responsibility, as I'm sure many of you do as well, to make things right.
Without major changes, the government is not going to stand up for our soldiers and veterans in more than words at least; and no matter how you feel about the war or Bush, we can all agree that caring for our soldiers and veterans is what defines us as Americans. It's not the soldiers' and veterans' fault megalomaniacs are controlling the government.
The best thing we can do, besides prod Congress to clean up this mess and end the war as quickly as possible, is to support our veterans and our troops. Not only make sure they receive proper care when returning home, but make sure they receive proper care while abroad.
Yes, even down to every helmet they wear.
So go and sign that petition!