Seen this bumper sticker today? What does it signify to you? That the person driving in front to you has felt it necessary, or at least in good taste, to publicly state that they support the U.S. military.
At least to the tune of purchasing a “Made in China” bumper sticker and pasting it on their car. My guess is that by pasting this symbol on their vehicle, many people feel that they actually are doing something for their country via a show of solidarity. Well, it is a show, nothing more. Here’s a somewhat more reflective take on he “Support our Troops” topic that has been on my mind for as long as I can remember seeing these mindless and meaningless symbols .
PERHAPS the most insidious byproduct of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has been a reflexive sanctification of the military. To put this in bumper stickerese: Support the Troops.
Well, I have an ugly confession to make: I don’t support the troops - at least not unconditionally. When somebody tells me they serve in the military, my first impulse isn’t to say, “Thank you for your service!” like those insufferable chickenhawks on talk radio.
My first impulse is to say, “I’m sorry to hear that.” Because I am. I’m sorry to know that the person I’m talking to might someday be maimed or killed on the job, or might someday kill someone else. Or refuel a plane that drops bombs on buildings.
I can’t see how anyone who calls himself or herself Christian - or human, for that matter - wouldn’t be sorry.
