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January 23, 2007

Broad Brushes

If this is true, you've really got to wonder about their hiring practices. It is an amusing reminder, however, of one of the reasons those of us in the military tend to look askance at claims by those on the left that they're really the preferred solution for the troops.

That's not really fair, of course. I think the vast majority of Democrats are decent people who want nothing but the best for our troops. I think that's true of Republicans as well. The problem, as it usually does, comes from the fringes, where a few knuckleheads can ruin things for everyone. When it comes to the military, the Democrats suffer because their fringers (or, many times, people well to the left of the Democrats) tend to like to denigrate the military. This attitude isn't common among Democrats (although I'd wager that it is more common than the Democrats like to admit), but it is the kind of thing that draws attention, and contrary to what advertisers will tell you, there is such a thing as bad publicity.

I imagine that this will get a bit of play in the blogosphere as the prowar side attempts to tar the antiwar side with claims of not supporting the troops and so on, but I do hope not. One of the more basic freedoms we're supposed to enjoy in this country, and one the right used to stand for, is the right to be judged for who we are, not for who someone who is in some way affiliated with us is. Yep, the person who wrote that email was an insensitive boob who deserves whatever censure he or she gets. But trying to use that stupidity as a means to tar an entire side of the argument is puerile and worthless.

Look at it this way: no matter where you stand politically, I'll wager I can find someone who agrees with you who is also an idiot. Do you really want to be judged by the lowest common denominator?