MOsanthrope

Posted by Chris on November 20, 2005 at 11:05 pm.

Number one on my current pet peeves list is this: For far too many Americans, “support the troops” means nothing more than an arduous journey to Wal-Mart and $1.99 for one of those asinine yellow ribbon magnets.

Perhaps I’ve grown too cynical to appreciate the generosity and profound sacrifice behind that gesture. I don’t think so. Now that I’ve taken a few English composition classes, I’m beginning to wrap my fingers around the whole “irony” thing.

The perverse reality is that the segment of our society that most loudly proclaims its support for our soldiers is the same lot that consistently screws the troops on policy matters.

This week’s case in point: Senate Republicans killed two amendments to the Tax Relief Act of 2005 designed to ease the troops’ burden. The Yellow Dog Blog has the details.

You shouldn’t feel bad about this. You’re a good person and there’s a four-inch section on the lower left side of your Durango’s rear bumper just begging for another magnet. Now get shopping, you patriot!

Filed under: Politics, Culture, U.S.