From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Think about the Seattle area -- Bainbridge Island to be exact -- and you think scenic views and liberal-minded tolerance.
At least the killer views are still there.
That's when Jason Gilson, a 23-year-old military veteran who served in Iraq, marched in the local event. He wore his medals with pride and carried a sign that said "Veterans for Bush."
Walking the parade route with his mom, younger siblings and politically conservative friends, Jason heard words from the crowd that felt like a thousand daggers to the heart.
"Baby killer!"
"Murderer!"
"Boooo!"
Mark's Remarks
These idiots in Washington State get on my nerves. Read about their riot in Misunderestimated by Sammon. The left out there is downright hateful and mean and vengeful. What did this poor 23 year old young man do besides go fight for his country and get disabled, and come home and express his civil liberties? This is a disgrace, and I welcome this young man to relocate to Ohio, where most of us care about our vets.This is more proof that the Left really DOESN'T care about our troops. Especially when they exercise their rights to voice support and it is not for John Kerry/Edwards, you know, those guys who voted against the money for veterans families, against the money for vests, etc.
The author of the article made great points:
It really shouldn't have happened for two principal reasons.The announcer claims she was merely asking what war he was a veteran of (puh-lease!!!!) so she could honor him...More liberal smoke and mirrors. Disgraceful behavior shown to a hero....But of course, the Left is good at this, look how they emasculated a whole generation of brave men after Vietnam....
Reason No. 1? History.
The past informs us that the men and women who fight our wars are not just following orders.
They are risking life and limb.
When they return from the battlefield they should be embraced regardless of the public popularity about the conflict, regardless of the politics.
Have we so quickly forgotten the painful lessons of Vietnam?
Frederick Scheffler, whose daughter and son-in-law marched with Jason on Sunday, hasn't.
Scheffler -- an Army veteran of two tours in Southeast Asia -- was shot in the leg during that long-ago conflict.
He came home with a cane, only to discover the American public was either indifferent to his sacrifice or downright hostile.
"I didn't think in this day and age combat veterans would be treated in this manner," Scheffler, 60, tells me, reflecting on Jason. "I saw it happen to veterans in Vietnam. I'm not going to let it happen today, not to these kids."
Reason No. 2? The rules.
The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, which put on the community celebration, permits freedom of expression at the event but asks that parade announcers not act in a manner that is partisan or prejudicial.
Jason's mother, Tamar, says a female parade announcer locked eyes on her son who was walking behind a pro-Republican group called Women in Red, White and Blue. The group supports President Bush and the troops in the fight against terrorism.
According to Tamar, the female announcer sarcastically asked Jason: "And what exactly are you a veteran of?"
The Left: hating American soldiers since 1965, hating America since whenever....
This is shameful, but it is endemic of what the Left is representing today.
