J's Cafe Nette

There was a day when an election to public office meant something. It highlighted honesty, integrity and humility in an individual. Men and women were humbled by the fact that their fellow Americans had entrusted them with not only their well being but that of the country.

Those elected to the highest office of our land understood they may be called to defend her and in doing so would be responsible for the lives of those in harms way as well as her citizens. They also had pride in those who wore the uniform and their admiration and support carried over to our citizens.

Some believe the transformation of politics began in the sixties and to some degree I concur. Vietnam highlighted the best and worst of our society. Washington was not committed to winning a war which our military was commissioned to fight.

In their push for political cover they abandoned those on the battlefield and allowed the protests and draft dodgers to become the face of war. They hid behind media coverage who each night made the effort to not show the hardships endured by our troops at the hand of our government, but rather the carnage, both ours and that of the enemy, that painted our military as inept and floundering.

Think back no further than the coverage of the My Lai massacre. While there is no question that those who commit a crime in a time of war should be prosecuted just as a civilian would be, the coverage of this incident moved an already angry America (in many sectors) to hatred of those who wore the uniform of this country.

There was no “thanks for your service” or “welcome home” for the men and women who came home war weary. They now had many who viewed them as failures, incapable of completing their mission. The scorn of many fellow Americans was at times unbearable for many of our finest, and far too many bear the scars long after. What exactly did Washington do to correct this misconception?

Vietnam had touched nearly every family in the United States on some level or another be it a family member or friend who was called to serve and yet those in power were content to allow their reputations to be tarnished in exchange for political cover.

What was the price paid by those elected to serve? Not running for another term?

That is a far cry from the ridicule of being called a baby killer or feeling warm spit hit your skin or tarnish your uniform. There is no comparison in a cushy Washington job and that of standing at attention to honor another of your fellow soldiers who has paid the ultimate price in a war Washington was determined never to win.

The stakes were high in the sixties. America, when called to action, believed in victory.

Today, the stakes have been raised. Victory may just define not only our but the existence of other nations, however, we are again witnessing a Washington which has put our troops on the back burner in lieu of reshaping this country. While Washington talks, men and women are dying and being maimed. Have you heard the wordvictory uttered by this administration?

There is one major difference today versus the sixties.

This time, if our troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan prior to victory the majority of our people will not see them as having gone down to defeat. They will be applauded for their efforts and enduring conditions which most of us will never face. The onus will sit squarely on the shoulders of those who make calculated moves based on political power and that is precisely where it belongs.

Perhaps I am hoping for too much. For the sake of our country and those who wear her uniform, I hope not.

Written by Sue

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