[Milsurplus] Flag salute by veterans okayed!

[Mark Richards]

D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:
> 
> "The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in
> one's military service," Senator Inhofe said.  "Veterans and service
> members continue representing the military services even when
> not in uniform.

> "Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether
> veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute
> the flag.  My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans
> and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform
> or not.
> 
> "I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly
> at baseball games, parades and formal events.  I believe this is an
> appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in
> the United States who have served in the military and remain as
> role models to others citizens.  Those who are currently serving
> or have served in the military have earned this right, and their
> recognition will be an inspiration to others."

"I look forward".  Isn't that one of Bush's favorite openers?

Inhofe, a prime enabler of the current IRAQ mess, is a rather deranged 
individual whose voting (and speaking) record is abhorrent to American 
values.  This salute thing is yet another.  It further militarizes 
American culture and covers up the fact that Inhofe and the other 
enablers and Constitution-shredders could give a hoot for the troops.

Saluting is cheap.  Reducing the extension of duty tours isn't, so 
Inhofe voted no.  He voted against raising the minimum wage from its 
paltry $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour, which doesn't say much about his 
care of the poor.  If folks go broke, bankruptcy will not be an option 
thanks to his vote to curb protections.  He also reduced by about $40 
billion funding for welfare, child support and student lending programs. 
Rather than go to college and raise a family, apparently Inhofe feels 
that it's better to sign up and tote a gun or go sleep under a bridge.

While I'm at it, he voted no on a bill that would have banned cruel and 
inhuman treatment of prisoners by US personnel and of course voted to 
remove the doctrine of Habeus Corpus from the law as it relates to the 
"war on terror".  The ban on cruel and inhuman treatment should extend 
to him.

Saluting calls attention to yourself, not the ideals of our country. 
Support for our current and former troops does not mean supporting their 
mission.  (The current mission sucks).  It means caring for them when 
they're fighting (proper equipment; mission plan; proper rest; humane 
scheduling) and giving them everything we can when they return (best 
hospitals; best health care).

Rather than saluting, living out the ideals, enshrined in our 
Constitution, would be a better way.  That would be tough for Inhofe who 
has demonstrated his total disregard for, in Bush's own words, that 
"goddam piece of paper".


/mark richards