Thanks for posting about www.gi-bracelet.org. I wasn't aware of it. I'm happy to see support for our troops that's independent of how you feel about their mission.
Tex, I am sad you had any doubts that people have compassion for our soldiers even if they think this war is bogus.
Thanks to Mary for sharing the info.
Posted by Sharon at April 7, 2005 07:18 AMMy older sister was in high school near the end of Vietnam. Many young people, including her were concerned that in the rush to end the war the government might leave the pow's behind. My sister and many other people bought bracelets with the namr of a pow on it to draw attention to the pows. Many of the teens of the early 70's had these bracelets. I an glad a good idea is being brought back for this war. Let us hope the number of bracelets sold far exceeds the number of names that will be on them.
If you really want to support the troops, don't buy a stupid car ribbon that only proves your a conformist, buy a bracelet that can really help families that need it.
Posted by rlprather at April 7, 2005 07:19 AMSorry - I will not contribute to this war effort. This is an illegal, immoral war. I will not support it and this braclet supports this war.
It's gonna take a whole lot of these bracelets to make up for not sending in enough troops and not arming them properly. The POW/MIA bracelets were not sold for basic necessities of war, rather, the extras, if I remember correctly.
I want to re-design the Support the Troops ribbons for SUV drivers:
Support Our Troops: I need Iraqi Oil to Fill My Tank!
Posted by ann at April 7, 2005 08:48 AMann, I like your bumper sticker!
for those with a religious bent, I think a good sticker would be.
"NO TO WAR!"
Pope John Paul II
Jan. 13, 2003
There is a difference between supporting the war and supporting the families of the injured or fallen.
Not all the troops nor the families support the war. But they are still making the sacrifices. And when they are injured or killed because of bad policies, we should not ignore them because they have to do their jobs.
This project is for those who serve. It's not about the policies.
Posted by James at April 7, 2005 09:18 AMJames, yes but unfortunately wearing that bracelet would be saying "I support this war"
Posted by ret at April 7, 2005 10:09 AMSharon,
I think you misunderstood me. I know there's people like Mary out there. I just think it's nice to see the effort. It doesn't surprise me.
Posted by Tex at April 7, 2005 10:31 AMRet,
I beg to differ. The Web site makes it clear that it's not about supporting the war.
Look at how many homes have been broken because the breadwinner of the family is deployed for extended period of time. These people are like you and me, leading everyday life. Unfortunately, they have to go when they're ordered to do so.
Imagine for a second if you're in the reserve for whatever crazy reason, and imagine if you are ordered to be deployed. Forget about the immediate financial impact, which is a given. What if you come back severely injured. What'll happen to your family. What if you never come back, and your kids have to grow up without a daddy or mommy.
This is reality for many of these families. And it's about telling them that we appreciate the sacrifices they make. It's all about them, not the war, not the bad policies.
My $0.02. :-)
Posted by James at April 7, 2005 10:33 AMTex, I guess I was a little knee-jerky in my response. Sorry.
Posted by Sharon at April 7, 2005 11:39 AMEveryone seems to be jumping to conclusions.
ret, When I see a metal ribbon on a car it is usually accompanied by either a 'W04' or a 'Bush-Cheney' bumper sticker. It doesn't take much to figure out the 'chickenhawkism' of the driver. As noted above those selling bracelets are for helping veterans families, not justifing W's war(s).
As for those who know me, if I chose to wear a bracelet no one is likely to confuse me with a chickenhawk. After 911, I (briefly) hoped that Bush would rise to the occasion and lead America to a better, safer and more unified future. The Afghan war was a no brainer for the Taliban was clearly in support of the 911 attack, they had to be dealt with. It didn't take long for me to see that the sense of national emergency was going to be (and still is being) manulated for narrow partisan,ideological and class purposes.
Bush had the chance after the Pearl Harbor-like 911 to give us another WWII, instead he gave us another Vietnam.