Momma Gets Mad

Let me just start by saying it's probably a good thing our Internet connection went out for most of the day Friday, because if I had the ability to post this right after I wrote it, extensive cursing would have been involved. (Full disclosure: Some, um, harsh language, did make it through. So much for being a sweet little blog. We'll return to that next week.) I sat with my cursor on the "publish" key for a while on this one. It's not my usual edited to death-ness and I composed it while feeling quite ticked. Enjoy.

Hubby and I on one of our first dates . . . at the Navy Ball

It takes a lot to really irk me. I do not offend easily. One of my biggest peeves is when folks claim they are offended by something when what they really mean is they disagree with something. It's not the same.

I read plenty of things I don't agree with. People have different views. I get it. I have friends/relatives I've either deleted or hidden from my personal Facebook account because they constantly post crap about politics and it makes me batty. But I'm not offended, just annoyed. On my blog's Facebook page, I follow a lot of other parenting bloggers, so on any given day fellow writers post about vaccinating vs. not vaccinating, circumcising vs. not circumcising, co-sleeping vs. cry it out. If you've read my blog before, you probably know where I stand on these issues (among others) but I don't make a huge deal out of it (usually). I don't post every little article and snippet I come across just to make a point. I try to be nice and remain positive, and stay clear of conspiracy theories. As strongly as I feel about these particular issues, not one of them is a hill I'm willing to die on. As a matter of fact, up until yesterday I didn't even think I had such a mountain.

I found my mountain.

Our wedding day in 2003

Friday morning a status came through my Facebook newsfeed that I had to look at a few times to make sure I understood: A cartoonish picture of Hitler's army, with two bystanders having a conversation about not supporting Hitler but supporting what his troops were doing. Clearly aimed at those who say they do not support our country's policies but still support our troops. Implying that this is the same as supporting war crimes and other horrors. No I won't link to it. No I won't tell you who posted it.

But it completely pissed me off.

Now I know what you're thinking . . . it was meant to be a joke. Lots of folks disagree with our involvement in the Middle East. Many Americans openly despise the war, the president, our comings and goings in the region, etc. That may be the opinion of some people, of many people, of a lot of people. I don't particularly care. That's not the only thing this picture and quote implied.

Three-year-old Agent E watching Daddy's ship pull in
after a 7-month deployment

This pathetic attempt at humor purposely disparaged and belittled not only our military personnel, but also their supporters, their friends, their parents, their spouses, their children. Saying that people who stand behind our armed forces, whether or not they agree with their actions, are akin to Nazis? Really? This is not okay.

I know what you see in the news; I see it, too. I also know there are some who are naive enough to believe the only time our military is necessary is when we are fighting someone. That is simply not true. Our soldiers and sailors are deployed all over the world 365 days a year. They are helping people improve their lives. They are building homes and schools. They are protecting civil rights. They are kicking pirates' asses. It's not just about war. It's not just about terrorists. It has nothing to do with your jackhole "I don't think we should be involved in xyz" opinion. I don't give a rat's ass how you feel about the president (current or past) or our government.

Our armed forces help all of you. Every day. You don't have to support the ideas of our military leaders and politicians to support our troops. They are out there daily serving you. Every single one of you benefits from the sacrifices our military personnel (and their loved ones) make. Young men and women leave their own families for months (or years) at a time to protect and defend your freedoms.

My Sweet Baboo with Captain Phillips
(Yes, that Captain Phillips)

Including the freedom to post ridiculous shit on your Facebook page.

So, the next time you see a man or woman in uniform, please take the time to thank them. Trust me, they will appreciate it. Thank their families, too. They will appreciate it even more.

Thank you for reading, thank you for stopping by my mountain, thank you for supporting our troops, and have a blessed day.