Thanks Veterans!

Today is Veteran's Day.  Thanks to all our vets, either serving or retired from the military.  Although it's true that "freedom isn't free," I have grave doubts about the utility of our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I do not believe that any Islamic nation is compatible with representative democracy.  In short, our efforts to transform barbarians into democrats is a fool's errand.

The lives of our military personnel should not be expended on dubious missions, nor used to "nation build."  I resent the death of every soldier, sailor, airman or marine who is shipped home in a box.

We Were Soldiers Once, and Young (Patriotic Image)

Our aging veterans cast a long shadow.

Veterans Day 11/11/11

Today is Veterans Day and all vets deserve a great "Thank You" from all of us.  It's easy to make gloriously patriotic graphics and wave the flag, but war is a lot nastier than all that.  Most of us can't begin to imagine the hell our veterans had to live through.

I think this picture shows some of the reality.  We should never put our military in harms way for light or frivolous reasons.  However, when we are attacked, then it's time to commit the troops to punish the aggressors, to kill them and destroy their ability to make war.  We should not waste the lives of our military trying to make democrats out of barbarians.  Just my opinion.

Today's date is also interesting in itself:  11/11/11.

Veterans Day 2009

With appreciation to all our current and former soldiers, sailors and marines.