As I'm sure most people who follow the news are aware of by now an LA Times writer, Joel Stein, wrote a controversial piece insulting my career titled, Warriors and wusses. Mr. Stein is entitled to his opinion and he's been a pretty good sport about the criticism he's received due to his editorial that bashes the troops. However, I think as an American, a blogger and a service member I'm entitled to address Joel Stein directly.

Warriors and wusses is an interesting title. But I don't believe that Joel Stein intended it to be an insult to service members directly. I believe that Mr. Stein thinks that is you support the troops but not the war then you're a wuss with a misguided sense of direction. Joel Stein probably believes that most people that have a yellow ribbon of some sort displayed some where hate the President, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Conservatives but still want to support the troops. I honestly don't think it occurs to Mr. Stein that there are people out there that actually support the troops and our wishes on a grander scale than he imagines (he might now since he's written his editorial).

The fact that Joel Stein says that he thinks he would like the troops and admits he knows not a single US service member doesn't surprise me. Mr. Stein, you should seriously consider meeting some of us before you say you don't support us. We're just like you in almost every way the only thing that separates us from you, sir, is the fact we work for the Department of Defense and have probably been to more countries than you without spending nearly as much money. To help Mr. Stein along in meeting some of us I'd like to extend an open invitation to Joel Stein to come and spend some time with my daughter and me in our home in Colorado. I could invite some friends over and he could meet people from every branch of the Department of Defense if he so wanted.

I honestly don't think there is anyone left out there that supports the troops and not the war. Joel Stein's piece certainly indicates that support for Operation Iraqi Freedom has certainly started to dry up on the left side of the aisle. That dwindling support is even more apparent when you read left-wing blogs and listen to Democrats. However, when you step over to the right side of the aisle and the right-wing blogs support for me and my fellow service members couldn't be stronger. For the moment, we're the majority of America and it will probably stay that way due to articles like Mr. Stein's.

Joel Stein also points out that "people who pull triggers are ultimately responsible" for what the left considers the wrongs of the war. Mr. Stein stops short of saying that we should all be hauled in front of a war crimes tribunal but he certainly implies that we should be. He's more than welcome to think that. However, I'm not sure how his home would look after the world realized that there was no way the United States could defend itself and the Pentagon was now the Penta-gone. Mr. Stein states, "An army of people making individual moral choices may be inefficient, but an army of people ignoring their morality is horrifying." I think that Joel Stein's lack of knowledge about military service shines through on this one. I go to work every morning because I'm ordered to. I take courses because I'm ordered to. I better myself because it's expected of me. I live by a set of rules that makes the US Code look like a children's book and follow everyone of them to the letter because I made the moral choice to do so. I took my Oath of Enlistment very seriously and I'm very proud to continue to serve my nation and defend Joel Stein's right to write bad things about me and my second family.

All-in-all, I respect Joel Stein's opinion. I think it's a very misguided opinion and I'm more than willing to help him meet a few of his protectors and their families, however, I don't respect Joel Stein the person because of what he's written. Just like how he doesn't respect me even though he's never known or met someone even like me. If Mr. Stein reads this then we'll be on the exact same playing field. He's more than welcome to discuss morals with me at the time of his choosing.

UPDATE: Joel Stein Responds

Technorati Tags: joel stein, LA Times, military, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Department of Defense

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Posted by: Chris Short at 09:05 PM | Comments (17) | Add Comment
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