CJ:

Part of being a patriot, which is these days a rather useless term, is that we who wear a uniform for our country have the sacred responsibility to call our country on her bullshit. Her leaders for their corruption. I could go on. As a Vietnam Era veteran, I have that right. You have that right. In ways that those who have not taken an oath neither understand nor are comfortable, especially when we are damaged in the line of duty, have a hard time embracing what it takes to make that commitment. It is unpatriotic NOT to speak up. That is what free speech is, that is the purpose of a democracy, which we wore/wear uniforms to protect. It is not “unpatriotic” to call bullshit on evil. It’s unpatriotic not to. It’s so very difficult for people who do not belly up to the bar of putting our bodies and lives on the line for others to understand the immense responsibility that a democracy truly demands of her people.

Thanks for your comments.