I'm so *%&@^! mad right now, I feel like I need to cry! [View All]

I just had a very upsetting exchange with someone who claims that anyone that opposes Bush's war isn't truly an American and doesn't support the war.

Now I don't know what it was today, but this time it really got to me. Not because I'm sick and tired of being called anti-American or told over and over I don't support the troops. I've gotten use to hearing that since the war began...and it really doesn't bother me any more. I know that I still love America -- even with its flaws -- and I'll always support the troops...because I come from a family of military vets.

And that's what upsets me the post.

First let me start with my grandfather. I've talked about him many times on DU and in fact you guys helped me cope with his death back in 2002.

My grandfather, like MOST grandfathers today, fought in World War II. He also LOVED America. He was in World War II during the Normandy Invasion, where he linked up with Soviet troops.

He also did not like Bush. Up until his death he couldn't stand President Bush or his policies. Now he died in March of 2002, so he never did live to see the Iraq War. But I know, I KNOW he wouldn't have supported it. My grandfather was NOT a pro-war hawk that felt it was needed for every problem. He opposed the Vietnam War and he would have done the same during this war.

To think that people actually believe HE'S unpatriotic because he wouldn't have supported the war turns my stomach. My grandfather was probably the greatest man I ever knew. He was a teacher with the Salt Lake School District for many, many years. He was active in the Salt Lake community also one that wasn't afraid to show his love for his country -- even before 9-11 made it "cool".

It makes me SO mad that they would attack him, call him unpatriotic and say he never would have supported the troops....when he too was a troop. My grandfather wasn't drafted into WWII, he volunteered (which is more than these people can say they've done)....and so I don't understand how they can say he would have been unpatriotic?

It makes me so freaking mad to hear that crap.

In the more current world, some of you know about my father. He's a Vietnam Vet that came back from Vietnam pretty messed up. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and also Agent Orange.

I don't get along with my father precisely because of this. He was also another one that volunteered for the war -- at the age of 16! -- and when he came back was never the same. It was difficult for him to cope, and like so many Vietnam Vets, he became an alcoholic. Sober, he's a pretty cool guy...drunk, he's a dick.

But that's not why I'm here. As much as I never thought I did, I love my dad. And so it pains me again when people claim that all anti-war protesters hate America and don't support the troops.

My dad is still alive, for how long we don't know. He also doesn't support this war because he fought in a war a lot like it. One with no exit strategy. One built on false pretenses. One that had no end in sight.

So by their own words, he hates America and is unpatriotic. Forgetting that this man JOINED the army because he trusted his government and wanted to PROTECT his country. Please tell me how that makes someone unpatriotic? How can he hate the troops, when he -- like my grandfather -- was a troop himself?

It disgusts me to hear people throw that term around, without EVER looking at the people that are protesting this war.

I don't hate America, but I hate how some of its citizens treat those that have fought for it in the past. When I protest the war, I'm not protesting the troops -- never have and never will. I protest the reason they're there, because I've seen what war can do first hand.

If some of these people could just understand that the war doesn't end for these troops when they come home. They have to battle it their entire lives and if they have families, they bring the battle home to them.

I've watched my entire life as my dad's health has deteriorated right in front of me. That's hard and I don't care what anyone says.

I don't want some kid, 21 years from now, to go through what I am going through today. Not for something so questionable, like the Iraq war is.

I protest this war more on a personal level. Because I can see what an unjust war does to someone. My dad left this country to fight for his country, believing that his country needed HIS help.

He returned not knowing what to feel about his country. He returned not understanding how a nation could so openly deceive its people.

He opposes this war because of that.

But listening to people, you'd think he hated his country...and the troops. When in reality, he's doing it FOR his country and FOR the troops.

Because he doesn't want to see them go through what he's had to go through.

I don't either.

And I hate being told that my grandfather and father hate America and hate the troops because of it!

:(