I have mentioned some of the anti-war celebrities before, Garofalo, Sheen etc., and even complimented them on the soundness of their position. I might not agree, but I do compliment them on being rational about it and in a democracy everyone has the right to spout off, including me.
There are a few web sites that are now popping up decrying celebrity punditry, generally badmouthing these folks for sounding off, as well well as pissing all over France or some other country for not being onside in the Gulf thang. Please remember that vigorous dissent of the government position is a keystone of democracy. People with a different opinion are allowed to have their say as long as they want to, no matter how wrong-headed it might be.
If you strongly disagree with the celebrity anti-war position, you have the choice not to watch, buy or attend anything that these celebrities are involved in. This is your right too. I have no opinion here, except to say that people are allowed to speak out against something, just as you are allowed to not buy something. It comes down to choices.
The people we should be caring about, wasting brain cycles on, or generally fretting over, are the various military people in the Gulf. Canada has a couple of our ships over there, with two more on the way and I’m fairly certain that some of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry with specialized skills are doing their thing in Kuwait with the US. The US, of course, as this is their show, have somewhere around a half-million troops overseas. A good percentage are weekend warriors, national guard, Reserve troops, or in Canadian-speak, militia.
These are ordinary people who signed up for two weeks a year and one weekend a month of service. They have given up their homes, jobs, families, beds and remote controls to the TV in exchange for a smelly uniform, sand in their food and endless hours of boredom while waiting to go to war.
Yes, some signed up just for the medical benefits and were quite astonished when their units were called up for a long-term posting in the sandbox. Yes, there were many tears shed when they left, but they still did their duty and are doing what they do.
We’re in a fairly soft position here, plinking away on our computers, sleeping in our own beds and carrying on a basically normal life. At the end of the day, we go home, having had a ‘cutthroat day’ of whatever we work at.
Soldiers, on the other hand, have a job description that concludes with “By the way, you might get your whole body blown to bits by an enemy shell, that doesn’t leave a whole lot for your family to bury. We might find the chin strap to your helmet and an eyebrow, but we’ll send that home, at our expense. And a medal. Sign here…” This is not the cuddliest job description I’ve ever read.
Anyone who signed on that dotted line, deserves our support even if you don’t agree with the reasons for the war. Getting bitter and twisted about various famous people is perhaps not the best use of mental resources.
If you want something to worry about, dedicate brain power to Gravity. If that stops working we’re all in a world of hurt.
RoadDave 