SPOILS OF WAR

Lately there has been a wave of celebratory sentiment in the US. Osama Bin Laden Killed, the end of the Iraqi war, Libya liberated, and The NY Giants won the Superbowl. In St. Louis there was even a Celebratory Parade for the returned Iraqi War Vets. No one will deny that the true heroes of this time in our history, are the men and women who serve in the U.S. Military. They have well earned our respect and admiration, and deserve to be celebrated. Mayor Bloomberg in standing tradition, held a Ticker Tape Parade in honor of the World Champion Giants after their Superbowl Victory and came under attack by many for not having held a welcome home parade for the returned Iraq War Vets. He concisely explained that he had been in conference with representatives of the U.S. Defense Dept., and that they have decided that a parade for Iraqi War Vets would be premature and possibly harmful; given the fact that many of the U.S. Soldiers that have left Iraq were redeployed to Afghanistan; where we are still actively in combat with the Taliban. Some talking heads of Liberal and Conservative Media have had the arrogance to believe that they are better suited to decide whats good for U.S. war vets than the Pentagon or the Defense Department. They site some Veterans and Veterans Groups and use their opinions as cover for their own arrogance. Mayor Michael Bloomberg rightly (in my opinion) followed the Defense Departments recommendation, and should be praised for not seeking to gain temporary favor of the press and the public by haphazardly throwing an impromptu parade. Im not indicting the many fair minded and Patriotic Americans who agree that a parade should be held or even those who disagree with the Defense Dept. on when it should be held. My fight is with those who choose to crusade against The Defense Dept. and Mayor Bloomberg with pseudo patriotic rhetoric, those who use parades and flag waving to soothe their own conscience for never sacrificing anything for the betterment of their Country. They yell U.S.A!, America Love it or Leave it!, and other empty phrases; while leaving the fighting and dying to someone else. I know that the opinions of others have as much validity as my own despite the fact that I have served My Country, My State, My City, and My Community. No one opinion is greater than another. I recently asked the opinion of a few of my Friends and acquaintances about this subject, and the best response That I have received was from a former Marine and Twitter Buddy. T. Moriarty



Have the parade only after all combat troops are back on American soil to include all who fought, like a National Pride Day. When having this parade, the place of highest honor is usually the front. This spot should not be for the highest ranking officers, but rather reserved for the Soldiers whom have made the highest sacrifice; their lives . The surviving spouses with a picture of the fallen soldier in hand, or otherwise prominently displayed will hold the place of highest honor along with their children. This will help show to the American people the true cost of war. I think that if people start seeing the faces of the small children who have lost their mother and or father, they just might start to see the everlasting hidden effect that war has on families and the Nation. Next in the parade line will be those who have been wounded, lost limbs, and who have been permanently disfigured, marching along with their families. all other Soldiers will bring up the rear. This will show the American People that there are lasting effects of war on the Soldiers and the Soldiers families (whom have served in their own way) long after the last remnants of confetti are cleaned from the streets, and the public is safely tucked back into their usual routines. Any local or National Politicians in need of a photo opportunity are welcome to follow along. Hopefully then, the war hungry Conservatives who profess to be the vanguards of family values, will see the effects of war first hand, and will be less Gung Ho about entering into another war like Iraq. Then we will see their true family values.