War veteran accused of defacing pro-Bush cars

[friesianrider]

Sorry if this is a dupe...

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/16/bush.vandalism.ap/index.html

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- The Air Force Reserve plans to discharge a lieutenant colonel accused of defacing cars that had pro-Bush bumper stickers, the military said Friday.

Lt. Col. Alexis Fecteau, a pilot with 500 combat hours in the first Persian Gulf war and the Balkans, is charged with criminal mischief for allegedly using paint stripper to write a profanity about President Bush in 18-inch-high letters on cars at Denver International Airport.

The cars had bumper stickers supporting President Bush and conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh.

[chknltl]

1. Well freedom of speech only goes so far!

Too bad "thinking" was not one of this brave American's better talents.


Tiny rant: I know that it feels good to potty mouth our fellow Americans who are exercising their freedom of speech in a way contrary to our own beliefs. Be that as it may, the words "A House Divided" might be worthy of consideration when we go about bashing those guys on the other side of the fence. Many of these folks are fighting hard for our country also, just not for the same side that we are.

It is correct to say that they lack understanding of our point of view but getting that point of view across by calling them derogatory names, or shouting at them or spitting on them or as in this case by damaging their property is likely only going to have a reverse effect. I have this little notion of acceptance and defending their rights to Free Speech. It may not get all of them to switch their views but it COULD make a few of them stop and listen. Many Republicans actually share our American values that: "Pride" in our country is important, that Americans do NOT support torture, that we Americans actually value our fellow countrymen enough to be disturbed by the handling of New Orleans and etc. These folks are part of the American electorate, we could use their help in the next election...we may get that help from some of them but it won't happen if we are in their faces with "I told ya so's" on our lips.

Olive branches can sway some votes and we need EVERY vote we can get. I suggest that we could consider actively supporting their right to free speech. What do you suppose would happen if we Dems got in the habit of going up to folks we see who are obviously showing support for bushco* and shaking their hand. When asked why, tell them that although you disagree strongly with who they support you equally strongly support OUR right to free speech! You might add that you are pleased to be in the presence of a fellow American who feels strongly enough about OUR country to actually show this kind of support! If that little speech done thousands of times over by thousands of my fellow Dems and Progs doesn't give folks from the other side of the fence a moments pause and some much needed warm and fuzzy feelings back our way then Democracy is likely lost.

In this polarized country with neither side willing to budge, winning and losing will continue to be measured in statistical polls as opposed to actual deeds. The loosing side will always feel the need to "take back THEIR country". That is not an America to look forward to, it is what we have right now, are you happy with it? Do you suppose if "we" win in the next election that our counterparts are gonna feel any different? The time to heal this divisiveness is long overdue! America needs a mandate, one which says "We The People" want our Democracy back! This can ONLY happen with an enlightened electorate. That kind of enlightenment can only happen through calm transmission of facts and notions and feelings, not through what we have right now. What that moran did by vandalizing those vehicles only drives the wedge deeper...these things MUST stop!

:patriot:

off rant and thank you for reading it.
chknltl


* no I will never be able to capitalize the "b" in bush and forgive my transgression to my rant by calling his admin: "bushco". This lack of respect on my part is accepted here and I confess to being comfortable with it. If that makes me a hypocrit...well sobeit, it is my hope that this does not detract from the overall thrust of my little speech.
c

[Doctor_J]

5. But 1/2 of the country believes the lies and hate and propaganda

that spew forth from Limpballs and Robertson and the rest of the ultra-wingers who control the media in this country. If those people don't condone torture, they shouldn't have voted for an administration that encourages it. I'm sorry, but anyone who voted for * a year ago voted knowingly for torture, unending pre-emptive wars, lying to "sell" such wars to the electorate, bloated military budgets, gutted infrastructure and social programs, regressive taxes, and ruined international relations. Exactly what will olive branches proferred to such people accomplish?

[friesianrider]

6. You make excellent points...

I'm trying to think of a reason to disagree with what you said...and just can't. I have to agree I'm not sure extending the olive branch would be very helpful when dealing with people who think the way they do.

[chknltl]

7. Those folks you speak of will prosper in no way from olive branches....

Not everyone who voted that way are THOSE people. Many are feeling the same as we do right now in that the things WE hold dear about America are being taken away. THOSE are the votes I am after. Yes they voted for bush. You make the call: Push their vote back on the red side or try a little diplomacy and get as many of them as possible to vote blue this time around. We are humans, it is a human tradition to resist those who use forceful ways to get us to change our views even when we know our view may NOT be in our own best interest. It is equally a human tradition to respond more favorably toward a given kindness.

I feel your pain and anger and frustration here, we have been betrayed by our government! bushco needs to maintain this divisiveness, they thrive on demonizing us. You are either with us or you are with the terrorists is a bushco tactic to keep us divided. I am suggesting that we STOP playing by their rules! When we act like them we only play right into their hands and help keep that wedge firmly in place! Democracy may teeter on a brink here, do you suppose ALL those folks who call themselves conservatives want to see it fall? I would argue that very few Americans want to see America fail. This is our common ground then.

I keep asking myself this: "Who would benefit the most out of a little healing here?" My answer is that we all would. With that as a foundation I further ask how we can bring that about, my answer is through enlightenment. It is a well known fact that real Democracy REQUIRES an enlightened electorate. Enlightenment rarely comes at the end of a sword, it comes through calm discussion and debate. Getting as many of my fellow Americans as possible to THAT table is what I think is important. I feel there are many willing to make the journey this time. I am pointing out that we can either help or hinder that journey. They are the ones who shall prosper from my suggested olive branches and in the end we all may prosper.
c

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. It got his ass out of the military...

during a dangerous time and an unjust war.

If I wanted to get discharged, I couldn't think of a better way to do it.

Free speech is great, but I can't help but think of all my liberal friends who had our property defaced during the last election.

Now that things have shifted, conservatives are actually seeing that liberals can get pissed too. I'm not saying I condone it, but I smile to myself when I hear it's being done.

fsc

[Doctor_J]

3. Hey, fr, is that yer guy?

I remember during NFL training camp you told us you'd struck up a romance with an Eagle. Was it LJ Smith? Is it still going?

[friesianrider]

4. :)

I'm going to keep my lips zipped on that one! ;):blush:

But yes, the relationship is still going very, very well. I'm blissfully happy, thank you so much for asking :) (funny I'm writing that and sitting at home on DU on a Friday night, lol - ah, the joys of handing in a late paper that was due 3 days ago!)