Yes, There are Progressive Veterans

I've always laughed at the idea that all troops are republicans (4.00 / 1)

The military is a cross-section of America.  Look at any barracks and you will see a representation of soldiers from pretty much every state, and from numerous other countries.  If anyone has paid attention to the election results over the last four years, they've probably noticed that there are a lot of democrats in America.  Hence, there are a lot of democrats in the military.

Personally, however, I consider myself a moderate.  I was raised by a religious family and married into a devout Mormon family. I live in the reddest of the red states - Utah.  I served in the military including a tour in Iraq.  I am a strong supporter of second amendment rights.  But in our current political climate, anyone to the left of Newt Gingrich is considered a die-hard communist/fascist/Marxist/socialist who wants to make Jesus illegal and is rooting for the enemy.  And I do support the public option, S.1733, the repeal of DADT, and marriage equality.  I don't think this makes me a "progressive", but it would definitely get me kicked out of a tea party.  

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

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by: Chris LeJeune @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 08:34:33 AM CST

Same here (4.00 / 1)

Albeit there are those on the far-Left whom think everyone that doesn't buy into their vision is a bigoted, closet-racist Rushlican. So I'd say the political climate goes both ways there.

But in all fairness, the majority of the far-Right and far-Left are anything but principled individuals. Limbaugh, Bush and Cheney were hardly principled Republicans and about the only principled Leftists I can think of are Pat Condell and Christopher Hitchens. I know, there are probably a few more principled Leftists than that, but those are the two that come to mind.

Granted,  I am against any public health option that relies on taxpayer dollars, save the VA. But at the same end, I could care less what gay people do, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others, which they usually don't. If gays want to get married, why not? If the military thinks gays can serve in the military, why not?

Although the one that really separates me from the current Right are my views on the current drug laws.  

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by: FredUSMC @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 15:11:46 PM CST

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Just like you..... (0.00 / 0)

... I think there is too much "branding" going on insofar as "right" versus "left" and it serves little purpose.  There's a lot to say for both sides, but many have blinders on and see only what they want.

Anyway.....

I may be breaking my own point here, but I had to laugh when Smith (sorta) made Markos Moulitsas sound like a mainstream veteran.  Yeeesh!  My opinion: I don't feel that most vets would subscribe to "hate politics" if they had the reach of Kos.  Nevertheless, I respect his service to the U.S. during his active duty.

But I have to disagree with your putting Bush and Cheney in the same sentence with R. Limbaugh.  Those are not Birds of a Feather, IMHO.

E.R.

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by: E. Redding @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 16:33:05 PM CST

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Well I wasn't (0.00 / 0)

intending to insinuate that Limbaugh, Cheney, and Bush were of the same feather. But at the same end, they are alike in not being principled Republicans.

Historically, Republicans have been about small government, low taxes, individual liberty, and generally against the Globocop biz and nation building. I can't say Bush and Cheney lived up to those principles.  

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by: FredUSMC @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 16:43:23 PM CST

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