Sunday, September 23, 2007

The Reflex

What's more common:

1. True examples of left-wing activists who dislike the military?

2. Claims that supposed left-wing activists dislike the military made without a shred of objective evidence to back it up?

Vietnam was a long, long time ago, people (the stories were exaggerated even then for the same war-making reasons they are today). The animus, created largely by the Vietnam draft that pulled in unprofessional soldiers unprepared for duty, simply doesn't exist anymore in any substantial way. Leftward activists long ago separated the noble instrument from the wingnut policy.

70% of Americans hate this war, and 75% want out within two years (including huge majorities of Democrats and progressives). Meanwhile large majorities of Americans continue to respect and support our military and say they would do a better job of resolving this conflict than our politicians.

The claim that left-wing activists don't support our troops is unsubstantiated and belied by the facts. It's a right-wing bogeyman that deserves to be sent to the retirement home.

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