VETERANS ARE COOL

Hug a veteran today.

Or in a greater show of respect, respectfully listen to someone you disagree with.

Lots of current – and past presidential campaign – calls to “Turn down the rhetoric”, which would be a great idea after the both-sides election recriminations, which turned the rhetoric to high.

Thankfully the election is past, because regardless of your affiliation it was brutal: The name calling, the misinformation about the opponent’s plans, the commercials.

We’ve earned a collective cocktail!

But it’s worth it, because free speech – the ability to say whatever you want, as long as it’s not violence inciting – makes America unique.

And it’s a right that rankles all governments – ours included, no matter who’s in charge – as evidenced by Tim Walz’s quote “There’s no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech, especially around our democracy”.

He later added “You can’t yell fire in a crowded movie theatre – that’s the Supreme Court test”.

Which is actually the opposite of the supreme court test.

The ‘Stop Misinformation’ craze reached a boiling point during COVID, when the government ‘worked with’ the social media companies to stop misleading or incorrect factoids about the vaccines, virus origins, and Uncle Frank’s actual cause of death.

And got muddied with disinformation, which is misinformation intended to mislead, which seems like the same thing, but can be blamed on the Russians, NY state government, or Uncle Frank’s family.

It becomes difficult to know what to believe – which is why I don’t believe anything I hear, read, write or say -but it’s not up to our government to tell us what’s right or wrong.

Because mis/dis information is in the eye of the beholder.  

Imagine what’s been misinformation historically:

The earth is round! Suppressed by the flatlanders.

That’s fake news! Suppressed by those who are reporters of ‘real’ news.

That’s real news! Suppressed by those who report ‘fake’ news.

But the suppression effort broader than our government – the ‘PC Police’ an earlier version of “Turn down the rhetoric!” leading to the suppression of language – for better or worse. Because everyone believes their version of events the true version.

There was a period – which may still be ongoing – where any bit of language that ‘felt’ offensive fell into disfavor. Making life tough for comedians, but easier for those who were monitoring conversations, comments and posts.

And there’s a litany of public and private players who were fired for posting ‘offensive’ comments on their personal social media accounts – – offensive defined as contrary to ‘popular’ thinking.

The thought police were on duty, and seemingly in charge… but hopefully the tide is turning.

Why does all this matter today?

Because our freedoms, including the right to speak our opinions freely, were what my Father, and millions of other American veterans, risked their lives for.

And fortunately, my Father’s service is honored today, not in May.

He’d be sickened by the hateful election rhetoric, knowing “He’s Hitler” or “She’s a Socialist” didn’t turn down the heat, but made things more polarized.

But would recognize their right to spew it.

As we head into the ‘Post Results hysteria’ phase of the election, today a good time for a national ‘deep breath’, reminding ourselves that words are words – not violence – and today’s dis/misinformation might be tomorrow’s truth.

And I disagree with what you’re saying, but go on…ideally, in a civil fashion.    

If Dad were here today, he’d attend a ceremony honoring Veterans, reminding us why he served:

Because his country asked,

To protect our freedoms,  

Service to others the ultimate human calling.

Thank you for your service!         

For 257 more posts like this –each with a wish for a hint on achieving world peace– go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.

TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS:

Being a charged subject – much like my law breaking cousin – there are plenty of great war songs. Check out And the band played Waltzing Matilda  by The Pogues, one of the great all time anti-war songs. Or Masters of War by Dylan.

And nothing captures the Vietnam conflict better than “Nineteen” by Paul Hardcastle.

But today’s offering is from Stan Ridgway, late of Wall of Voodoo – “Mexican Radio” their FM radio hit – and now a solo artist. Check out his “The Big Heat” a timeless album and “Walking Home Alone” a beautiful song. I’ve added ‘And the band played Waltzing Matilda’ ‘Masters of War’ ‘Nineteen’ ‘Mexican Radio’ ‘The Big Heat’ ‘Walking Home Alone’ and Camouflage to BATN playlist.

But today:

Camouflage Stan Ridgway

I was a PFC on a search patrol, hunting Charlie down
It was in the jungle wars of ’65
My weapon jammed and I got stuck way out and all alone
And I could hear the enemy moving in close outside
Just then I heard a twig snap, and I grabbed my empty gun
And I dug in scared while I counted down my fate
And then a big marine, a giant with a pair of friendly eyes
Appeared there at my shoulder and said: “Wait”
When he came in close beside me, he said: “Don’t worry son, I’m here
If Charlie wants to tangle, now he’ll have two to dodge
I said: “Well, thanks a lot”. I told him my name and asked him his
And he said “The boys just call me Camouflage”

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage
I was awfully glad to see this big marine

Well I was gonna ask him where he came from
When we heard the bullets fly
Coming through the brush and all around our ears
It was then I saw this big marine, a lotta fire in his eyes
And it was strange, but suddenly I forgot my fears

Well we fought all night, side by side, we took our battlestands
And I wondered how the bullets missed this man
Cus they seemed to go right through him, just as if he wasn’t there
And the morning we both took a chance and ran
And it was near the riverbank when the ambush came on top of us
And I thought it was the end, we were had
Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzing through a bush
And that big marine, he just swat it, with his hand
Just like it was a fly

And I knew there was something weird about him
Cus when I turned around he was pulling a big palmtree
Right up out of the ground and swatting those Charlie’s with it
From here to Kingdom come

When he led me out the danger, I saw my camp and waved goodbye
He just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone
And when I got back to my H.Q. I told them about my night
And the battle I’d spent with a big marine named Camouflage
When I said his name, a soldier gulped, and a medic took my arm
And led me to a green tent on the right
He said: “You may be telling true boy, but this here is Camouflage
And he’s been right here since he passed away last night
In fact he’s been here all week long
But before he went he said: “Semper Fi”, and said his only wish
Was to save a young marine caught in a barrage
So here, take his dogtag, son. I know he’d want you to have it now”
And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage

So next time you’re in a junglefight, and you feel a presence near
Or hear a voice that in your mind will lie
Just be thankful that you’re not alone and you’ve got some company
From a big marine, the boys called Camouflage