Fie on jingoism

[jan_andrea]

Just got this entry (anonymous, of course) in my guestbook:

"The cost of war=the price of freedom. I'd rather pay for my children's future now then know they'd not have a safe one to look forward to. I've removed your link after getting what I needed from your patterns. I can not support someone who doesn't support our country, our troops, and our world. God bless you."

My reply:

I'm sorry you feel that way. Of course, in using my patterns, you're not actually giving me any "support" as such, since I receive no benefit from people downloading stuff from my site... it's actually somewhat the opposite. If you want to use me and then remove my link, that's entirely your perogative.

I hope none of your kids die in this war, btw. The current war in Iraq had *nothing* to do with terrorism. If that had been Bush's agenda, he should have invaded Saudi Arabia (where 19 of the 20 hijackers came from), but that wasn't the motive. I'm sorry you can't seem to grasp the difference.

And, of course, you're entirely wrong about my not supporting "our world". I am not "my country, right or wrong," but feel that war is not the answer, especially when the provocation isn't from a nation, but a terrorist organization, which cannot (as we have seen in the last 5 years) be stopped in a military operation that targets innocent civilians. Bush is making far more terrorists in his little war than he will ever kill.

Fie, I say. Grammar aside, she's clueless, or at least, completely misled by Bush & Co's erroneous assertions that Iraq had anything to do with Al Qaeda or terrorism. Second, she's failing in her own object lesson -- she doesn't want to "support" me, but she doesn't mind *using* me. Very Christian of her, I'm sure. I just wish I knew where she'd come from (probably a link on The Babywearer) so that I could figure out who she was and suspend any of *my* business with her, should I happen to have any. I'd prefer not to support jingoist idiots who think "support our troops" = sending them to die in a pointless war.

ETA: The only thing on my site that would lead her to the conclusion that I don't "support our country, our troops, and our world", by the way, is my "Cost of the War in Iraq" ticker. Oh, and I have an essay or two from right after 9/11, but there's nothing particularly damning about those, either. So her entire bitch seems to be that I have a link that says the war has cost about $306 billion US. Which isn't even a political statement. Just a fact. So, whatever. She's a twit.

Comments

[joy-disaster.livejournal.com]

TWIT, indeed. That would really drive me nuts. The email root wasn't mom4life or similar, was it?

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

Alas, no email or anything given -- my guestbook provides the IP, but nothing more than that.

[joy-disaster.livejournal.com]

does it end in 159.122? I only ask because she may have gotten your link from my site, which she was looking at for a while a week or 2 ago. Very religious person, but it could have been anyone, I guess - I am amazed at how many people fully believe the whole Fox news hogwash hook, line and sinker.

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

No, it was 69.154.243.101

Sad, really.

[alabamadragon.livejournal.com]

Things like that just make me want to scream...spit fire, nails...beat the senseless heads of the morons who actually THINK that way, who believe that all of this is rational, and good.

What is WRONG with them?


Sorry you got trolled.

[nice-heart.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
:)
Just came across your journal via your website when I was googling Nemo fabric. Would love to have a new LJ friend with such a similar political standpoint as well as parenting style.
Take care either way!
Truly,
Denise

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

I'll friend you now :)

Hi

[(Anonymous)]

Just wanted to drop in and say hello. Also, I wanted to tell you that I think you have a wonderful site. I am also a mom of a Navy Sailor who is on a submarine. My son has been in the Navy since 2001 and plans to make it his career choice. While I may not agree with everything going on right now the only thing I do support is our Military in all ways. Our Military are in a tough situation doing a tough job. Most of them do not want to be there for they would rather be home with family. They deserve our love and respect for all they do regardless whether we agree with it or not. They are doing the job that Bush sent them to do for they are U.S. Military. It doesn't matter if it is to help during a major world crisis or a war somewhere they go where they are sent and do what they are told. I just hope that they are treated with the respect that they deserve when they return. I am also very glad Bush cannot run again. I pray everyday for this wonderful country we live in and this world. God Bless you all and I'll check back if you want to leave me a message. I thought about putting my email but then was afraid someone would spam me...you never know. hugs, Teresa Proud mom of a US Navy Submarine Sailor

Re: Hi

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

Kudos to your son for serving his country :) Honestly, I have nothing at all against our citizens who are serving in the military -- my grandfathers both did, and to be against people in the military, I'd have to be against them as well. My problem is really with those in charge... well, pretty much Bush :) I really feel he made the wrong choices, and is putting young men and women in harm's way, not necessarily for nothing (because it was good to get the Taliban out of Afghanistan, although it is usually forgotten that "we" put them in there in the first place; and Saddam Hussein was certainly not a benevolent force), but personally, I feel both actions should have gone through the UN, legally and lawfully. I would honestly have less of a problem with our actions in Iraq had they been truly justified (no WMD...) or had the rest of the world agreed with us. We are not sole rulers of the planet, last time I checked ;)

Anyway, all this to say that my issue is with those at the top, not those who have been unfairly put in harm's way by the actions of their "superiors" who really ought to know better.

Your son will be in my thoughts :) My father's father was a Navy man, himself.

Re: Hi

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for your good thoughts on my son and the others in the military for they all need them. God Bless your dad and grandfathers for serving too. I know Saddam did a lot of things wrong in his country but there are so many other leaders doing the same and worse all over the world and nothing is being done. (Oil being the main consideration in my opinion) Bush is our president and like I said before I am glad he is not able to run again. I just am not sure who I will be voting for this next election. I really don't know who to trust our country to for all the ones I have checked out so far say one thing when its convenient then change spots the next. I live in southeast Texas now but the town I call home is no longer there. I grew up in Chalmette Louisiana which has been virtually wiped away by Katrina, greed, and corruption of government. They knew long ago before Hurricane Betsy that the levee's wouldn't hold and nothing was ever done. So who do we vote for? Anyway, Thank you for all you do and have done with this site. take care, Teresa Proud Navy Mom of A Submariner

I joined live journal to post this to you X

[polfearn.livejournal.com]

I am an ex member of the QARANC in the Army of Britain and I actively campaigned against the war, until the day the troops were sent in. Now? Well I am still a political foe of the war and all it represents about imperialism and the West is best attitude. I will not criticise troops for doing what they took an oath to do, but I will criticise loudly the waste of life on all sides, and the waste of money better used in humanitarian aid. DaddyBush lacked the guts and political will to finish the job, and Baby Bush has just made it all so much worse. Unfortunately the "twits" on both sides of the Atlantic do not bother to vote and do not bother to read with a critical eye what even our own troops are saying. More strength to your elbow my ear, and I will be praying for peace to my gods as hard as I believe you are X Meg (Scotland)