Unspeakable Irony

All weekend, "counter-protesters" have been driving by Camp Casey, expressing their disapproval of the message that Cindy Sheehan and the rest of us are trying to carry to President Bush. The slogans some of them have on signs or windshields or banners are astonishing for their irony, hubris, and utter disconnection from reality. The common ones include "Support Our Troops!" (as if we don't), "We Support the Bush Plan for a Strong, Safe America!" (I would, too, if he had one), and my favorite, "Freedom Isn't Free!"

I didn't personally witness this specific incident, but it is in keeping with what I have seen. One of the counter-protesters got into a shouting match with one of the veterans who's here to oppose the war. The counter-protester, a man who clearly has never known military service in his pampered little life, was screaming "Freedom Isn't Free!," to which the Vietnam veteran replied, "Man, you don't know. You weren't there!"

It never ceases to amaze me how many of the chickenhawks — just like their leaders, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and company — know so much better than the people who have actually "been there and done that" what war is all about and what principles are worth the sacrifice of human life and limb.

I know for absolute certain that I would not be willing to risk my life for one millisecond for the benefit of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. It seems that a lot of Americans agree with me, which might be why the military is falling short of its recruiting goals. It also goes a long way towards explaining why President Bush's approval rating (outside of McLennan County) is plummeting.