"When the media FAILS us, it is time for us to BE the media - and that's what we do." - Nicole
 
Updated March 2007





This is an ARCHIVE Letter for the Library -

Going Back to the Start of the Iraq War - Mar. 2003

Original Webpage as follows:



November 11, 2003

Veterans Day 2003 and the Rancid Meat in the White House

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Sean Lewis, Disabled American Veteran

Contemporary observance of Veterans Day started as "Armistice Day," November 11, 1918, in celebration of the end of World War I, "the war to end all wars," as it was known at the time. After the second "war to end all wars," the U. S. Congress changed this annual recognition of World War I veterans, and tribute to the Peace they secured, to "Veterans Day." In its present form, Veterans Day is intended to honor and show respect for all American veterans, from all wars, as well as from times of peace, though we have seen too few of those.  In short, it is a day of Thanks.

This Veterans Day, 2003, is to be a most solemn observance; perhaps the most solemn in the memories of many young people.  Certainly for me it is the saddest Veterans Day since I was discharged from the Army in 1993.

As has been the tradition since the days of Harry S. Truman, the President is scheduled to visit Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknowns.  Undoubtedly, he will make some remarks from a prepared statement, serving up platitudes to the country, to veterans, to those presently serving, and to the honored dead. the words "service," "sacrifice," and "patriotism" are sure to pepper his speech; seasoning for the palate of a nation at war and hungry for leadership.

But for many, this seasoning shall be like too much salt on already rancid meat, unable to cover up the sour, acrid taste that lies beneath.

Under this conjured spice of rhetoric and platitude, a personal and political history of contempt for this nation and her military belie the true taste of this putrid meal being served to the American People.

To sample this spoiled meat, dear reader, one need but continue on.

This President is the ONLY President to have NEVER attended the funeral of a fallen soldier, NOR personally met with the family to provide comfort and encouragement.

This President is the FIRST to PROHIBIT the Press Corps from Dover Air Force Base, where those who have given their lives for his cause make their return to American soil,
thus depriving the populace from the privilege of honoring the sacrifice of these brave young men and women.

This President is the first to present a budget to Congress that provides LESS money to the Veterans' Administration than the previous year.

This President is the only President to have been Absent Without Leave (AWOL) from his own military service -- a DESERTER in a time of war. (Vietnam)

This President is the only American President to have appeared publicly -- in official capacity -- wearing a military uniform, MOCKING those who actually serve.

This President is the first President to ROLL BACK benefits to active duty military personnel and veterans alike.

This President is the ONLY ONE to have sent American troops off to war, then CUT their
hazardous duty pay.

This President has ordered that the Veterans' Administration is NOT TO INFORM VETERANS
of the benefits legally due them.

This President has RESCINDED military medical benefits for all retired military personnel, BREAKING A PROMISE made to people who have decided
to spend their lives in service since before the Korean War.

This President has pressed into active duty more National Guard troops than at any time since World War II, leaving states' militias ILL-PREPARED to deal with
normal duties, such as natural disaster response.

This President has instituted "PROCESSING FEES" of $250 for veterans trying to claim their LEGALLY-DUE benefits, and INCREASED co-pay at VA Medical Centers.

This President has sent our young loved ones off to war under FALSE pretenses.

IN ADDITION to these atrocious, cynical SLAPS at the military and veterans,
he has gone after their Families.

Money has been CUT for military housing, military dependent medical benefits,
and hardship pay,
all of which help military families to deal with the harsh realities of day to day life.

But it DOESN'T STOP THERE.
With self-righteous mockery, this President signed into law the USA PATRIOT Act,
DILUTING the Bill of Rights and COMPROMISING the very Constitution that he and
every U. S. troop is sworn to uphold and defend.

Ostensibly, this was to strengthen the investigative powers of our law enforcement agencies
and prevent terrorism.

If that is the case, the USA PATRIOT Act should be the perfect tool to find the
TRAITOR in the White House.

For the first time in American history, an unknown person in the current administration
has committed TREASON.

By publicly revealing the name of an operative of the Central Intelligence Agency, the
most TREASONIST ACT committed during the current war,
someone in the White House has killed dozens, if not scores, of American intelligence agents abroad.

Yet this President does NOT seem concerned with finding the traitor.
In fact, he doesn't even call him that.

The official word calls this despicable act of TREASON "a leak," as though it were some simple matter of a staffer revealing to Geraldo Rivera that the President naps in the Oval Office.

As with any slab of fetid meat one might accidentally discover in the refrigerator months
too late, the only appropriate action is to THROW IT OUT.

Do not even open the container.  It is rotten, and no amount of seasoning, grilling, boiling or searing heat will be able to make it safe.  
Just throw it out.

Yesterday, a friend let me know that she was thinking of me this Veterans Day, and wondered how she can show her thanks to veterans like me.  

A simple "THANK YOU" is always appreciated.  When you think of the freedoms that you have,  Thank a vet.
When you hear a civilian speak ill of the military, keep in mind that this person is exercising a right that he is not willing to defend.

When you hear the voice of anyone in power trying to feed you salted meat,
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS,
and DON'T ACCEPT "Free Speech Zones".

After all of this, the greatest honor given any of us would be to write letters
to Senators and Representatives, telling them that
America needs to support her troops and our veterans
better than she is now and
END THIS UNCONSCIONABLE DIS-RESPECT BEING
SHOWN TO THEM NOW.

Above all, REMEMBER.

Sean Lewis
Disabled American Veteran
Persian Gulf War I
AIRBORNE!
© 2003  Nicole Communications