It's true: I am indeed a lefty. I smudge my words when writing, I don't have the greatest penmanship and using scissors can be a hassle. It's a burden, but one that I must bear.
Now, on to what Mr. Guard got wrong (the long list):
Mr. Guard claims that "slavery had nothing to do with the civil war."
But MSN Encarta says, "The chief and immediate cause of the war was slavery."
And the Library of Congress declares "Conflict over issues ... especially slavery ... increased tension between Northern and Southern states."
And, just for fun, this from South Carolina Congressman Laurence Keitt in 1860: " ... We of the South contend that slavery is right, and that this is a confederate Republic of sovereign States." (Congressional Globe)
Now, I wasn't there during the Civil War - perhaps Mr. Guard was, who knows - so I don't know the exact details. But the smart money is that Mr. Guard has no clue what he's ranting about.
In regards to supporting our troops: Mr. Guard implied that he does ... and I don't. Ridiculous. I support them now, just as I always have. But really, what is the best way to support our troops? By not putting them in harm's way - unless absolutely necessary - in the first place. The Bush administration lied its way into this pre-emptive war-turned-occupation, so the only thing we can do - must do - is to question its future decisions and hopefully avoid as many additional casualties as possible.
Some other ways to show support:
1. No more illegal, immoral wars of choice;
2. No more deployment without proper training, armor and equipment;
3. In the event of injury, no more negligent veterans' hospital rehabilitation (see: Walter Reed);
4. In the event of death, no more cover-ups and political spin (see: Pat Tillman).
The list could go on, but I'm limited to 500 words and a natural life expectancy of about 74 years.
Bonus scenario: A Military Times survey reported that only about one-third of troops support Bush's handling of the war, and more than half say we should have never gone into Iraq to begin with. Does Mr. Guard support the dissenters? Or just those who back Bush?
As Theodore Roosevelt once said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
That, from a Republican. But Roosevelt was also against monopolistic corporate corruption, won the Nobel Peace Prize, respected the environment and graduated near the top of his Harvard class, so it's understandable if Mr. Guard and his type view our 26th president with suspicion.
I'll close with a quote from Stephen Colbert: "(Bush) believes Wednesday what he believed Monday, despite what happened Tuesday."
It appears that Mr. Guard falls into that exclusive category of deep thinkers as well.
