There might be some problems with the blog in relation to the USA Today article, but I think the concept is solid. The government and the media consider veterans potential domestic terrorists. One need only consult the Homeland Security publication the Obama Administration had to withdraw. The withdrawal was prompted by veteran groups getting attention for an implication that all vets were potentially a latter day Timothy McVeigh.
Political obfuscation accompanied withdrawal, and no verbal or written statement rejected the document in detail. I maintain this mythology has become part of the culture of the left. The excruciating title is “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment”, and here is the link.
This country has come full circle since Vietnam. I was popularly regarded as a deranged, drug addicted, baby killing, fascist, pig. It seems the truth was presented in a History Channel show that the helo pilots reference. Here is the link to that.
Statistics about the Vietnam War (scroll down and hit words beside History Channel logo)
http://www.vhfcn.org/
Now my son who became a Marine rifleman holds popular distinction as a despondent, mentally challenged, chemically dependent, cold blooded, killer. And if you find that characterization inaccurate consult, John Kerry, Jack Murtha, and the VA answering machine.
Sounds like we are birds of a feather. I was Navy aviation flying aboard P-3s and later working on EA-6Bs, 1967 - 1974. Like you, I am very familiar with how we were treated. It is the primary source of my PTSD.
Welcome home, my brother! Welcome home!
I think, with the exception of family members and close friends, the persistent stereotyping of veterans as you describe and as the article does, dulls the general public’s senses.
They become numb to the truth. That that vast majority of veterans are quite able to integrate back into society.
The left is quite adept at marginalizing groups of people through this type of stereotyping.
Only recently has the American people rejected their premise. DS/DS is an example of the majority of Americans rejecting the left’s agenda with that regard.
As you adeptly pointed out, it’s coming full circle. The media is now once again, stereotyping our troops. They’ve been doing so since the beginning of the Iraq War. Using anything to tear down the respect people have of our troops.
Korans in a toilet (patently false) to pissing on the taliban vermin in Afghanistan. It’s demoralizing, it’s exactly what they want.
Eff ‘em.
Welcome home.
FRegards,
SZ