A soldier’s coming home

James, I also hate the way we fetishize our military and conflate patriotism with Nationalism, blind obedience, Republican NRA armed-to-the-teeth Jesus®, and all things ‘Murica.

On the other hand, I appreciate folks who do a good job helping other folks — whatever that job is — and this INCLUDES those who make the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us.

I think about both of my grandfathers, each of whom gladly volunteered to go kick some ass in a war where the stakes and moral grounds were clearer than most. My mom’s dad (a real hottie) was not even legally old enough to enlist — what can I say? I come from a family of rule-breakers when it comes to gettin’ shit done.

So . . . to Trump and those who support him — FUCK YOU!

To folks who help other folks, and do a good job at it (particularly on this day when we remember so many who did not have the choice whether to serve or not) — Thank You!

To everybody who feels a little ambivalent on days like today, welcome to the club.

There are plenty of folks we should remember and be thankful for. Let’s not let the bigoted rabble drown them out.

And let’s try to do better by them.

A man said folks would you bow your heads
For a listed local Vietnam dead
Crying all alone under the stands
Was a piccolo player in the marching band
And one name read and nobody really cared
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair

— Travelin’ Soldier, The Dixie Chicks