Support the Troops
I'd ask, "Why?" but what would be the point. Everytime I hear or see the damned phrase I'm reminded of Putty on Seinfeld, his face painted like a devil (as in, New Jersey), chanting, "Support the Team!"
So rather than ask, "Why?", or even better - "How?", I want to ask - Who benefits when we don't speak up and say, "No." Who doesn't benefit when we DO speak up and say, "No."?
"Support the Troops" - Why? How? What do YOU care if I say I support the troops or not. Because whether I actually do or not isn't what you're asking - is it. You just want me to SAY I do.
I don't support the troops.
I don't support any of this political, partisan, oil grabbing, trumped up War on Terror bullshit. It makes me mad that we're involved in it. I think it's a waste. I feel sad for families who have lost kids in this - whatever it is. Mission, war. Thing nobody seems able to define.
Yes. I get it. The Liberals started it. The New Conservatives are continuing it. But the Liberals started Kyoto and the New Conservatives aren't continuing THAT. The Liberals didn't act on Income Trusts, the New Conservatives said they wouldn't either. But NOW they are.
No. The New Conservatives are thrilled we're in Afghanistan. And they want all of us to be thrilled, too.
But I'll tell you something. I'm an adult, in an independent workplace. I'm free to speak my mind. So I can say, "No. I don't support the troops." Not that I ever have said it to someone who has asked, "Don't you support the troops?" And believe me - people have asked. But I can tell by the question that they don't want the answer.
"Of course I support the troops", I say. And they go away all happy and shiny eyed that they've got another person to downgrade their personal politics a little with a lie that makes them feel superiour for having supported the troops first. And louder. And without having to be harassed and bullied into saying it.
Meanwhile, what's going on in our schools, I wonder. Does anybody reading this blog have any kids in school who are noticing a certain conformity when it comes to the "Support the Troops" campaign? Or are students free to speak their minds and say what they really think? Are students free to say in class, "No. I don't support the troops. And here's why."
Well, I can tell you - it depends on the class. So, chances are - no. It'd have to be a real teacher in this climate who allows a student to speak his or her mind - honestly - on this subject. Because Stephen Harper's quest to make our nation a nation of jackboot patriots like our good friends to the south has worked. It's a scary thing in Canada to "Just Say No" to the "Support the Troopers". Because that's what they are. Troopers. Their work is Boosterism.
And they've taken it into the schools.
But I'm not just guessing at this stuff. I know of an actual incident in a bonafide government workplace of an real live employee being centered out by his Trooper boss for refusing to wear red on Fridays. He's from Iran, too. And the Iranians I've known wear red like every day is "I only have red shirts" day. So he REALLY wasn't wearing red. Yes, indeed. A memo went around advising everyone to "Support the Troops" and wear red on Fridays and he didn't say anything. He just didn't wear red on Friday. Which was saying a lot since he wore red every other day.
If that were me, I'd have said something, too. I'd have said, "No. I'm not wearing red on Friday. I don't support the troops." Just to see what the little workplace fascists who dream this crap up would have done.
I'd be wondering - how far will these people go? How far can I take this? Who is this about - really? The troops? Or the Troopers. Knowing of course that it's about the Troopers. All patriot fever is about the Troopers. It's a Republican thing.
Because here it is: Am I actually NOT supporting the troops by not wearing red on Fridays? Am I actually NOT supporting the troops by saying, "No. I don't support the troops."
How? What difference does it make to the troops if I say to the Troopers "I support the troops" and wear red on Fridays.
None.
But it makes a difference to the Troopers. Anyway, I'm not a mind reader, but I'm guessing a lot of students these days are feeling obliged to say they support the troops to please a lot of Troopers. And I'm guessing, too, the odd student who says, "No. I don't support the troops." is really up against it.
And no - I'm not just guessing.
That's not free speech, by the way. That's terrorism. Not being allowed to say what you think, something that doesn't hurt anybody, something that isn't hateful, or fear mongering, or anything except honest. You're not being allowed to say it because the Troopers don't like it.
The Troopers, by the way, are everywhere.
Check under the bed.
