Posted on 10/02/2001 9:37:52 PM PDT by oldvike
Dear Americans,
When I opened my e-mail this morning I had about twenty forwards of the article written by Gordon Sinclair, the Canadian who so eloquently praised the United States. What most of you do not realize is that this commentary was written many years ago. Those of us in the Military Service have known about it for a long time. Now, Americans are flooding the net with it as if it were new. It is not. When it was written most American! s didn't read it, because most Americans did not care.
The tragedy that befell all of us on September 11th shocked America. America no longer feels safe. Many of you have said, "The government should have known! 30 Billion Dollars is spent on intelligence! What about the Military!?" Just a reminder America, you voted our government into office. For years you allowed some dishonest politicians and twisted television media personalities to shape your ideas about the defense of our nation. Why?
Because most Americans were too lazy to look beyond the three minute sound-bites on the evening news. Here's a news flash not being broadcast much, "On September 11th, America had the exact level of protection, both militarily and intelligence, that it was willing to pay for". Only yesterday the Congress and the! Senate approved 40 BILLION dollars as a "Down Payment" to fight this War. A short time ago, our politicians said a 100 Million dollar increase for the Navy budget was substantial. In that same bill they ordered the Navy to conduct an 85 Million Dollar Study on...guess what America!? Missiles Defense?! No. Desperately needed parts for our fighter aircraft? Wrong again. Training for Navy Seals? Nah uh.
They wanted Breast Cancer research. Yes, America, your elected officials decided that the US Navy needed more mammograms and less missiles. Was this an under the table sneaky move? No, it was right out in the open. The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy both opposed it. A New York Senatorial Candidate (Yes, she's the one) was enraged that the Military would be so sexist and irresponsible to the needs of civilians and wan! ted the Navy to give the money back immediately! But the media paid it little mind. So, America paid little attention.
Did any one ever watch CSPAN? Particularly when the Heads of our Armed Services essentially begged OUR representatives to give the Military more money to fight terrorism and maintain a strong defense?
Did you see the debates by the Heads of the Intelligence Services that terrorism was the new threat? They told the committees of Congress that the CIA, the FBI, and the Service did not have the money to build the necessary intelligence networks in the areas where terrorists were being harbored. They warned again and again that there was clear and present danger within America's borders.
America must have been watching one of the other 114 satellite channels. The Military said: "We need more ! money to maintain military readiness and Combat Training."
America Answered : "What the Military needs is Sensitivity Training! You're all sexist homophobes! I saw it on 60 Minutes!"
The Military said: "We need money to build ships, planes, tanks, and improve our technology. America still has credible threats throughout the world. Terrorism will come to America's doorstep."
America Answered: "You're all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy. There is no more Soviet Threat! My Senator told me so! He/She says we do not need such a big military! You're dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold War! We need Social Programs!"
The Military said: "We need to recruit more Americans into the military. We need to increase our force."
America Answered: "You're not taking my kids! We're goin! g to shut down the ROTC programs at our high schools and universities, because you discriminate against alternative lifestyles! ROTC teaches CHILDREN (under 21) how to shoot guns! You just want another Columbine! Rosie and Oprah say so!"
The Military said: "We can't keep interfering in the civil wars of small insignificant countries. It wastes our time, expends our resources, decreases training, and demoralizes our troops. The men and women of the United States are Warriors trying to defend OUR nation, we are not the third world's police force."
America Answered: "You heartless bastards! Can't you see the tear in the eye of that starving child!! There are flies on her face for Christ's Sake!? Get Moving! Jesse Jackson on CNN said that is what we pay you for!"
The Military Asked: "Why isn't America enraged over the terrorist attack on the USS COLE that killed seventeen AMERICAN Sailors? How about the Air Force barracks bombed in Saudi Arabia? The embassy staffs in Africa? The Soldiers mutilated and dragged through the streets in Somalia?"
America Answered: "We don't have time right now! We're busy defending Animal Rights! Our schools are handing out automatic weapons! The federal government is discriminating against cross-dressing Bolivian hermaphrodites! The police are all members of the Ku Klux Klan! The lack of Ozone is ruining my tan! If they cut deeper into Food Stamps those poor women will have to move down to Size 18/20 Channel dresses! AND THE WORST! Corporations are raising the prices of there products sooo high I might not be able to afford the multi-disc DVD Player for my 36'" digital ready TV! Besides! , YOU GUYS ARE PAID TO DIE!
So, America, while you sit on your couch or around your office coffee pots and ask, "Why did those terrorists kill innocent civilians? Why didn't they go after the Military?"
Remember this America:
They already had but America didn't care. These Terrorists realized that they needed to kill American Civilians, and lots of them, before they could have their desired reaction from the people of this country. Well, now they have it.
I'm pretty sure Ted Nugent wrote it.
I have seen the same "let's make a deal" mentality in state and local politics. Today one of "our" democrat state reps voted against an important security bill because it didn't include some add on work safety junk. (partisan poop probably)
The American people may be asleep at the wheel, but our politicians are awake and running wild in the hen house. Both are to blame. But people who pretend to "represent us" then screw us when our backs are turned seem to me MORE reprehensible.
Sorry to rant but this one really struck a chord with me. I'm glad to see all the "patriotism" on display now. I just wonder where it was when the military was under attack and when Bubba was sending troops to get slaughtered in Somalia. I just hope and pray the unity I see today will last at least one major election cycle. I also hope the vast majority of Americans really think about the sacrifices our brave military members make - all the time - and how dispicably the military was abused and misused during the Clinton years. Hey all you damn soccer moms: don't you DARE ever elect another President like that again! We Americans who have actually GIVEN to this great country deserve better than that. Far better.
Yeah, and where was that "patriotism" when this country elected a draft dodger to the presidency? Face it, these people just hate the military and will only beat the war drums when they actually can see for themselves that their way of life is threatened.
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