Memorial Day and Politics

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"
-Samuel Johnson

"It is unpleasing to represent our affairs to our own
disadvantage; yet it is necessary to shew the evils which we
desire to be removed."
-Samuel Johnson

Men who disdained military service themselves asked American soldiers to die for a mission that shifts like the sand, but which objectively results in massive profits for a small number of politically-connected corporations.

Those who note this very salient fact on this day to honor those fallen are charged with politicizing a solemn day. But what honor is there without truth?

But it would be hypocrisy itself to commemorate the sacrifice of our service men and women, and not consider the profiteering and basely political purposes that cut short their lives.

Silence serves only the desire of the powerful that the people might not to notice that their sons and daughters are dying to line the pockets of a few. Those who complain of politicizing the inherently political act of warfare would surely want the people to remain respectfully silent about the politics that took our countrymen’s lives. For what defense to such perfidies is there, except to attempt to shame those with the temerity to speak of the crimes of the powerful?

Indeed, such feigned umbrage at the mere mention of politics on this solemn day reeks of hypocrisy and stinks of the fear of discovery. Only those who wish us to ignore the scandalous profiteering that lies behind the occupation of Iraq would complain so loudly when one who has himself experienced the loss of a family member to this travesty points out that it was not duty solely his loved one died for, but also for Haliburton’s quarterly profits.

It is those who stand by respectfully mute as this Administration defiles the sacrifice of so many who are failing to properly honor the dead. It is those who rush to silence the dissenters with cries of "For shame!" who dishonor those who sacrificed everything for that very freedom.

We will not be silent about crimes as base as these. Those who have given their all no longer have voices to protest. It is the duty of those left behind in this veil of tears to demand justice, and tell their truth. For the truth is the finest memorial we could give these honored dead.