[VeteransRights] Question posed

From: "AmericanAngel1957"
[VeteransRights] Question posed

Tom, I too have been rather rudely accused of the same thing. I agree with
you, right now the Federal Government as a whole, of this United States of
America, seems to stink to high heaven. Does that mean I no longer love or
honor my country? HELL NO! I love, honor, served, continue to serve, all
with true dignity, honor, pride and love for this nation and all it's
people, and I will forever stand with, alongSIDE our military men/women in
country and on foreign soil along with each person that also loves them. I
feel that I can totally disagree with how this nation is being run, by who
it is being run (down) by, and state my worries, concerns, praises, as well
as my reprimands etc. If I cannot do this, then where IS Freedom of Speech?
Isn't that what our troops are fighting to preserve? What so many before
them, and yes after them, will continue to do and have done? So many lives
lost over just this, freedom of thought and speech, yet if we do speak that
which we feel, we are open to condemnation. NO NO NO. If everyone of us
thought, looked, said, did everything that the others did, what a
B-O-R-I-N-G world this would be. I LOVE a great debate, an argument even,
without childish name-calling, I mean true and honest, open debates of real
feelings, rights, opinions, differences, views..........its eye opening and
heart searchingly good for the soul and spirit. But does that mean that I
am not a supporter of America the Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave,
HELL NO. If it did, then America would not be what it is.....or is it? Is
it all just a figment of our individual minds and fantasies? Time?
Essence? Rights? Freedoms? What of war? What of LIFE? What of DEATH?
What is Honor, Pride, Courage, Commitment? etc. etc. Too many Americans
afraid to speak up and out because of ridicule? NOT CORRECT!!! Don't
PERMIT those that haven't the maturity or common sence God gave a bug to
stop YOU Americans, from voicing what you think, feel! If you do that, then
you are as guilty as those who try to take your rights/freedoms from you.
If you permit it, then why are our men/women dieing for it? If you permit
it, it's not WORTH dieing for, now is it? SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT, OR SHUT THE
HELL UP FOR EVERMORE!
From: "Thomas D. Segel"
Question posed

Here is something for veterans and military personnel to think about and
possibly respond.
I was recently chastised for being unpatriotic because I have such an
anti-government attitude. My argument is, I love my country and served
it faithfully all of my life. However, love of country and love of
government are not the same thing. I care not what party is in
power...I hold our government to blame for countless broken promises,
cover-ups, double speaks and out-n-out lies it has perpetrated upon
members of the armed forces. I am so angered by this that I am about to
write another column which focuses on the broken promises and lies our
government has uttered, which were hurtful to those who wore the uniform.
I invite any and all of you to let me know your feelings about
government lies and broken promises...and let me know which of them you
feel were the most harmful to the veteran or active duty military
personnel. If you have some thoughts on this issue, please include your
name, rank or former rank, branch of service and home town. I know
there will be a lot of input, but I hope to use as many of your thoughts
as possible. Please be concise.
Semper Fidelis,
Tom Segel