I've gotten some reader feedback regarding the Matt Entenza post from yesterday. Mostly people wanting to know where they can go to purchase the chic Matt Entenza "look," that is Foster Gant sunglasses and a Members Only windbreaker. Sorry folks, but as a man who picks his sunglasses out from Walgreens' revolving cylinder of cheap shades and his clothes out of the discount barrel at Mills Fleet Farm, I can't help you in matters of high fashion. I suggest you call his office directly for sartorial advice.
Other readers have attempted to defend Mr. Entenza on free speech grounds, saying, in essence, that he has every right to express his opinion that the war is wrong. Furthermore, they contend that it is not incongruous or hypocritical for him to state that he supports the troops, yet still participates in rallies that erode public support for the war effort, since protesting might ultimately lead to a quicker end to the conflict (via a US retreat and pull out).
Leaving aside the dire long term consequences of such a move by the United States, this position--that ridiculing, shrill, politically motivated protestation actually helps the troops, is absurd. The country has committed itself to this war effort. Both Congress (in bi-partisan fashion) and the President have approved it, and now we've ordered our fighting men and women to accomplish the task at hand. Standing on the sidelines, mocking the decision makers as incompetent or diabolically motivated, and gleefully parading out the nightmarish worst-case scenarios of this war can only serve to demoralize our troops and to embolden the enemy.
Yesterday's Pioneer Press contained a thoughtful essay by DJ Tice, who explored the knee jerk inclinations of both the "anti-war" and "support the troops" movements. His criticisms of the former were more persuasive, including the following:
Troops enduring the horrors of war, and their loved ones, who must share those horrors through fears and imaginings, are sustained in their ordeals by one idea. They are sustained by the belief that the cause for which they suffer is a worthy cause.
Even if one is convinced that America's leaders have unjust motives in this war -- "blood for oil," say -- no sane person can suppose that even a single soldier lays down his life for lower gasoline prices. Soldiers risk everything they have, or ever will have, because they believe they are serving their country in a mission that is necessary and right.
So inevitably the troops -- and, more especially, just now, their families -- are wounded by the peace movement's public insistence that the war they are fighting is foolhardy or wicked or both. It is cold comfort to say the troops are merely hapless pawns serving the venal purposes of others. Open dissent at home also doubtless encourages America's enemies and aids their propaganda efforts.
It's bad enough when the average citizen participates in these troop demoralizing, enemy encouraging efforts. It's worse when our political leaders do so. Of course Matt Entenza has the right to speak, protest, and support any causes he wishes. But this right does not mean he is above criticism, or immune to being confronted with the real life consequences of his actions.
