Patriot. Patriotism.
I have no need to define these words, the dictionary does it for us.
From Dictionary.com:
Patriot: a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
Patriotism: devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty.
The definitions are clear but they still do not make the visual statement I feel is needed.
Perhaps this will.
Are these Patriots?
Or are these the true patriots?
The answer should be a no brainer.
Some ask, why do I feel I can judge who is and isn't a patriot, well look at the pictures yourself, it is called basic common sense.
I mentioned earlier that approval ratings for congress are below the presidents, according to Gallup, and I supplied my theory as to why that is, the Democrats in Congress and the Senate do not denounce people like those above holding a sign that says Fuck the Troops, therefore they are associated with it.
Sometimes sitting on the fence doesn't help and the Dems would do well to remember that. Holding our troops funding up isn't helping public opinion either.
I think there is another aspect at play here though, a set of voices that generally haven't been heard in the past are speaking up loud and clear now.
Our Veterans, their families, their friends and their supporters.
I saw something today that echoed what I heard HCdl say here on this blog as well as having seen it elsewhere.
We, the patriots, of this country have sat on our back sides and watched.
We've tried to ignore. We've excused our complancency with remarks like
"They're just excercising their free speech. " -
"What can I do? I'm just one person".
When a million or more "one persons" stand up, and decide they will
be silent no more - we wont have to defend our soldiers from our citizens.
I hope you just decided to take a stand. Come see these soldiers on May 18.
Thank you.
Ross McDowell
Our Veterans are rising up and making their voices heard, determined to protect their younger brothers and sisters in arms and by God they are being heard.
The American Legion is standing up to be heard.
Supplemental Deadlines Unacceptable, Blueprint for Disaster in Iraq
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 16, 2007 - The National Commander of The American Legion Paul A. Morin voiced his organization's strong recommendation that Congress consider the President’s FY 2007 Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations request, minus any additional amendments.
Yesterday, the Appropriations Committee marked up and passed, as amended, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act. The funding requested in this bill is now some $23 billion more than the President’s initial Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations request.
However, even more disturbing is the fact this proposed legislation contains specific provisions that attempt to direct the conduct of military operations in Iraq, a task The American Legion unalterably believes rests with the Commander in Chief and the military leadership.
“This is an attempt to implement a congressional strategy by imposing timelines for the withdrawal of military personnel from combat zones through a “slow bleed” process by eventually reducing military funding,” Morin said. “Rather than the President's and General Petraeus's reinforcement policy that is making progress in securing Baghdad.”
The American Legion is supportive of many of the other provisions contained in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, but we strongly believe the President’s initial request is not the vehicle for these provisions, especially the specific language that sets congressional deadlines and mandatory troops movements. The other emergency funding recommendations to the FY 2007 budget should be openly addressed in a subsequent appropriations package in a timely manner.
“The men and women of the armed forces in the theater of operation are dependent on this emergency funding to sustain and achieve their military missions,” Morin explained. “Members of Congress should not be armchair generals.”
“Recognizing our history as a Nation, The American Legion supports the Commander in Chief, the commanders on the front lines, and the men and women serving in harms' way," Morin said. "We entrust Congress to do the right thing in supporting our military men and women who are fighting to protect our values and way of life.
Thank God there was no mandated timetable after the Battle of the Bulge or Iwo Jima. Thank God, there was no mandated withdrawal or imposed exit strategy at Valley Forge or our Country would have lost the American Revolution.”
Absent the removal of the restrictive language designed to influence military operations, The American Legion calls on all Members to defeat the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act.
To see the letter that the National Commander sent to the Speaker of The House, please click here for MS Word or here for PDF.
Our Active Military (Appeal for Courage) are standing up to be heard, they are Americans and have every right to speak to the American people and to Congress.
As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.
Families United for our Troops and their Mission are standing up to be heard.
Families United is a grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families including some with loved ones in harm's way, Veterans, and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their efforts to make America safer by allowing them to complete their mission.
Gathering of Eagles are standing up to be heard and are countering the anti-war crowd by holding their flags high while members of left stand opposite them burning those American Flags.
1. Gathering of Eagles is non-partisan. While each member has his or her own political beliefs, our common love and respect for America and her heroes is what brings us together.
2. We are a non-violent, non-confrontational group. We look to defend, not attack. Our focus is guarding our memorials and their grounds.
3. We believe that the war memorials are sacred ground; as such, we will not allow them to be desecrated, used as props for political statements, or treated with anything less than the solemn and heartfelt respect they–and the heroes they honor–deserve.
4. We are wholly and forever committed to our brothers and sisters in uniform. As veterans, we understand their incredible and noble sacrifices, made of their own accord for a nation they love more than life itself. As family members, we stand by them, and as Americans, we thank God for them.
5. We believe in and would give our lives for the precious freedoms found in our Constitution. We believe that our freedom of speech is one of the greatest things our country espouses, and we absolutely hold that any American citizen has the right to express his or her approval or disapproval with any policy, law, or action of our nation and her government in a peaceful manner as afforded by the laws of our land.
6. However, we are adamantly opposed to the use of violence, vandalism, physical or verbal assaults on our veterans, and the destruction or desecration of our memorials. By defending and honoring these sacred places, we defend and honor those whose blood gave all of us the right to speak as freely as our minds think.
7. We vehemently oppose the notion that it is possible to “support the troops but not the war.” We are opposed to those groups who would claim support for the troops yet engage in behavior that is demeaning and abusive to the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform.
8. We believe in freedom at all costs, including our own lives. We served to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy, and we agree with Thomas Jefferson’s assertion that “From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
9. We will accept nothing less than total, unqualified victory in the current conflict. Surrender is not an option, nor is defeat.
10. We stand to challenge any group that seeks the destruction of our nation, its founding precepts of liberty and freedom, or those who have given of themselves to secure those things for another generation. We will be silent no more.
Rolling Thunder joins in with GOE to make their voices heard.
Move America Forward is standing up to be heard. [Update] I have just been informed via email that this effort below from MoveAmerica Forward is being done in conjunction with oppose Reid at www.opposereid.com)[End Update]
On Thursday, May 17th at 10:30 AM Pacific Time, we will be conducting “Surrender is Not an Option” protest rallies outside of Speaker Pelosi’s San Francisco office ( 450 Golden Gate Ave. 14th Floor - San Francisco) and Senator Reid’s Las Vegas office (CLICK HERE for LOCATION). We have just added a 3rd protest location - outside of Senator Harry Reid's Carson City office located at: 600 East William St., Carson City, NV 89701).
We're sick and tired of watching Congressional leaders like Pelosi and Reid deliberately undermining support for the missions of our troops serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
We are asking all of our members and supporters and the general public to show up for these mass rallies. Please bring a “white flag” as a symbol to show our disgust with the “Surrender” policies being advocated by Congress against our troops.
If you cannot make it to San Francisco or Las Vegas on May 17th for these giant rallies, then please send a protest “surrender” feather and post card package to the offices of Pelosi & Reid. CLICK HERE to SEND “NO SURRENDER” PACKAGE.
We’re proud to support Michelle Malkin and many other bloggers in the “White Feather” campaign – MORE INFO HERE.
Vets For Victory is standing up to be heard.
This is just a partial list of those standing up and being heard now.
These are our patriots, those that served and fought for our country and even after leaving the service they are once again fighting for it.
It is a pity that they must fight those enemies within now after all they have already done for us.
So yes, I will question their patriotism because when the Democrats in Congress and the Senate are looked at, side by side with these fine men and women that have risked life and limb for our country, it is easy to see who is a patriot and who IS the enemy within.
I will leave you with this from a songwriter in Arizona.(Hat Tip to Lew from Right in a Left World)
[Update] Just received this in an email: Good News From Iraq.
Iraqi Soldiers prove their worth
RAMADI — Iraqi Soldiers patrolled the Nazer Canal for weapons caches independent of Coalition support Monday.
According to Iraqi Army Maj. Ani, an intelligence officer of 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, the mission to find weapons caches was a demonstration of the Iraqi Army’s capability of hunting down the weapons caches of insurgents attacking Ramadi.
While most operations are conducted in a joint effort between Iraqi and Coalition forces, the Iraqi Soldiers operated independently in this mission after months learning from their Coalition counterparts.
“We’re here today to sweep the banks for caches,” Ani said. “There have been mortars, improvised explosive devices and small-arms weapons found here in the past because insurgents use this area a lot.”
Patrolling on their own, Iraqi Army Soldiers arrived after dawn to explore the shores of the Euphrates River for anything suspicious.
The Iraqi Soldiers assessed the area and decided to divide into two teams, who each went separate directions to cover more ground while searching the banks of the river.
“You find lots of munitions during searches like this,” said Ani. “We find something almost daily. Earlier today, we found a rocket wired with some detonation cord, which could have killed many people.”
While ongoing operations are expected to give the Iraqi democracy an opportunity to fully establish itself, Iraqi forces are beginning to need less Coalition support due to training, experience and combat readiness.
“This is all their show,” said Military Transition Team U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clifton Terry, who monitored their progress from a distance. “The only thing we’re doing here is getting an eye on things [just in case] we need to call in for air support, or if we run into Coalition forces, to act as the mediators.”
According to Terry, the Iraqi troops he works with are doing a good job.
“Everything they do here today is a reflection of their training,” he said. “All the things they recover and stop today are [because of] them. We’re just here to watch.”
While only a few munitions were recovered during the operation, both Iraqi and Coalition leaders consider any find a victory in their quest to secure Ramadi from insurgent forces.
Much more can be found daily over at Centcom, just go to press releases.
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