Here's my letter to Ms. Chapman
Ms. Chapman:
I have a very different perception of reality than you.
You compare the war in Iraq to World War II.
During WWII, Americans lined up around the block at recruiting stations, enlisted, and volunteered to fight the war. Women went to work in munitions and aircraft factories. Everyone sacrificed to win a war that we had no choice but to win.
In the Iraq war, no one is lining up around the block to enlist. Most of the military age supporters of this war are sitting safe at home while others fight and die for them. I don't see any supporters of this war counseling their military age family members to enlist and fight to save our country from sure destruction.
They may not be enlisting, but they impugn the character, courage, and patriotism of those of us who believe the war to be ill-advised and poorly executed by an incompetent president who won't even provide all of our troops with body armor and up-armored hum-vees because tax cuts for his wealthy friends are a higher priority than the lives of our troops. They attacked Senator Max Cleland, who lost three limbs in Vietnam, by claiming him to be soft on defense and running television ads morphing him into Saddam Hussein in order to get Saxby Chambless - who never served a day in his life - elected to the senate.
These people claim the Iraq war is necessary, expect others to fight in their place, and then attack the patriotism of "liberal, tree-hugging, Birkenstock wearing, hippie, tie-dyed liberals". Sadly, these attacks are a juvenive and futile attempt to cover up the truth: They are hypocritical cowards.
Where did you get all of the hate you spew at other American citizens, simply because we disagree with you? Is this what they teach you at Lakeside Baptist Church? Are you angry and hateful because you husband beats you up? Or, have you simply abandoned Jesus Christ and his lessons on compassion and loving one's neighbor? Are you, like our president, someone who will say anything, do anything, and stop at nothing, no matter how evil, in the pursuit of raw power and greed?
You didn't ask, but, I will tell you anyway: I have a brother in the Air Force who did tours in both Iraq wars. Even though I never served in the armed forces and protested the Vietnam war, I have worked over the years for proper respect, benefits, and medical care for Vietnam era veterans and now work to fight back George Bush' cuts in the medical benefits due to Iraq war veterans and advocate for veterans of our president's war that he has so callously allowed to live homeless on the streets.
You, Ms. Chapman, defile every drop of blood shed on every battlefield by our brave soldiers defending your right to attack and disparage those with whom you disagree.
In my country, we defend the right of every person to live in freedom and liberty, with respect and dignity. In my America, we defend the right of every person to engage in political dissent. In my America, I will defend your right to spew hate on anyone you choose. In your America, you claim the right to ridicule and attack those with whom you disagree. In your America, you claim the right to use your religion as a weapon to attack others and deny them their rights. In your America, you stoop to the level of terrorists to exact bloody-thirsty revenge.
Which America, mine or yours, is the one for which our ancestors fought and died? Which America, mine or yours, more resembles Iraq under Saddam Hussein or Nazi Germany?
If you are a person of character and integrity, you know the answers and are deeply ashamed. If you are just one more hypocritical demagogue, you will ignore all facts and attack me for daring to point out the truth.
Geoff Staples
