Haven't We Forgotten Something?

Today, millions of Americans are off of work to officially observe Veterans' Day.  Therefore, I want to wish all of our brave men and women fighting for America overseas a wonderful Veterans' Day today and tomorrow--and I ask the liberal blogosphere to join me.

As we give thanks to our Democratic candidates and volunteers for their sacrifices, let us not forget that these sacrifices pale in contrast to those made by our veterans in uniform.  They're sacrificing their lives for America--each and every one of them, and we owe them the deepest debt of gratitude.  

For it is not their fault that the America they are giving their lives to defend, sent them to die, be wounded, or watch their buddies do likewise for a needless war of aggression against an impotent enemy.  Nor it is ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the Commander in Chief that they swore to give their lives to serve is an incompetent fool and a sociopath.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that their Vice-President betrayed their trust by ruining what little chance there was of securing a peaceful and lasting Iraqi Government by denying Iraqi citizens basic services to enrich Halliburton.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that their civilian Secretary of Defense, who has not seen or tasted combat in his miserable life, tried to run the military like a greedy CEO runs a corporation: downsizing the employees on the ground and cutting staff, while enriching the upper crust.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the one-party government at whose behest they have served, denied them the body armor and other equipment that their lives depend on.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the Republican Party in whose trust they were placed, was allowed to subvert their patriotic and necessary mission in Afghanistan to engage in the misadventure in Iraq.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the civilian leadership that dictates their actions, prevented them from capturing or killing Bin Laden when they could have.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the Opposition Party they should have been able to count on to ensure that they were not taken advantage of, failed spectacularly to do ITS duty when it really mattered.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the country they serve has seen fit to cut their benefits and their medical coverage, as thanks for their service.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

It is not their fault that the American citizens they have sworn to protect only woke up recently to the horrors of their experiences overseas and voted to do something about it when the problem has become beyond the ken of almost anyone to fix.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

And finally, it is not their fault that the media upon which they should have been able to rely to accurately report the facts currently on the ground and even save them from this mess in the first place, failed perhaps most spectacularly of all.  Nor is it ours, as Progressives.

Indeed, our brave men and women in uniform have attempted to accomplish their ever-changing missions IN SPITE of all these obstacles.

So today, let us STAND WITH THE TROOPS.  As we ought--and as we always have.

And let us do it by continuing to stand up to all those who have undermined them at every opportunity: the Commander-in-Chief, the Vice President, the former Secretary of Defense, the Republican Party in the Legislative, the DLC Democrats, the apathy of much of the American Public, and the craven corporate media.

And let us NEVER forget them.  If you wish, please consider joining Operation USO Care Package to give these heroes a small piece of holiday cheer.

And let's keep fighting for them here at home at every level.  It's the least we can do to thank our Veterans.  They deserve it.