what is wrong with our country

Well said, Some how there was not much said this year about Veterans Day around here. People don't want to think about it. Lady J

You are good at bringing these types of issues to the surface.

Chrissy

Well done, dear friend

ED... and all readers herein...

I watched an old Tom Selleck Western tonite - a line spoken by Keith Carradine got my attention. I backed up and listened again. If this isn't POIGNANT, then I don't know what is. Although he was talking about The Civil War, it rings true today:

"WAR IS MURDER, WRAPPED IN A FLAG!" Just think about it. In days of old, when knights were bold, a SOLITARY CHAMPION went out on the field of battle. Whichever SINGLE contestant won, decided the outcome fot the KING! Not Tens, not Hundreds, not Thousands, nor Ten Thousands, nor Hundred Thousands, nor Half Millions - ONE!

Next, consider Senator John Kane - a former POW - who else could possibly EMPATHIZE?
BUT --- IF YOU ARE IN THE CLIQUE - IN THE KNOW - SWAYED BY MONEY AND POWER - PERHAPS EVEN A PUPPET OF THE "GUYS BEHIND THE THRONE" - WOULD HE REALLY DO A BETTER JOB? I THINK NOT! GREED RUNS D.C. CROOKED APATHY IS WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT DOES BEST!

VETERANS have historically been THROWN OUT WITH THE WASH! If anyone has watched any of the KEN BURNS' SPECIALS ON "WAR" on PBS, you understand what I'm saying here.
GREEDY CORPORATIONS MAKE SURE THAT GREEDY POLITICIANS ARE PUT INTO OFFICE - PERIOD! OVER AND OVER AND OVER - NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN 50 + YEARS, NO MATTER WHICH OF THE TWO PARTIES IS IN THE MAJORITY!

If I had to pick one individual that I truly believe has done more for the AMERICAN CONSUMER, and might do more for VETERANS, because he CARES - it would be RALPH NADER! But, guess what, even if he ran, and even if he WON, he would have a tremendous uphill battle to achieve ANYTHING!

FACE IT - THE CROOKS ARE IN POWER, AND HAVE THE POWER AND MONEY TO KEEP IT THAT WAY! WHOSE FAULT IS IT? O-U-R-S! THE APATHY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC MAKES ME SICK!

FAT - DUMB - AND LAZY - THAT IS OUR EPITAPH!

Sorry, ED - I get a little PISSED when: Parents, Grand-Parents, Wives, Husbands, and Children, Brothers and Sisters, Aunts and Uncles, and even Cousins and Neighbors -
are TOO FRIGGING BUSY TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

OH - WHAT CAN I DO? I'M ONLY ONE PERSON! THE POWER OF ONE IS FORMIDABLE - WHEN IT IS UNITED!

GOD BLESS ALL VETERANS... BLOOD - SWEAT - TEARS - LIMBS - MINDS - SOULS - ALL GIVEN FOR NAUGHT! RAT-BASTARD POLITICIANS DO NOT CARE - NEVER DID - NEVER WILL!

Peace - Tom.

This is the one thing about our government I DON"T understand. Our Vets fought for all of us and our government still uses them as scapegoats for a war no one won. This saddens me and also embarasses me that our government shuns our patriots.
Thank you Ed!
Love,
Susan

Ed, there's truth in every line in this poem and it hurt the hearts of us who can't help this situation, but maybe, just maybe, someone will read this and take the necessary actions required to help the Veterans. A great write.

This is a most timely and appropriate write, Ed. Thank you for sharing this. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Oh my, and we are fed stuff like Black Hawk Down....
Has American govt lost its soul. Enought to make washingtons hair go gray.

From an outsiders point, I think Bills wife looks the best tus far, nomatter what side shes on Labour or Tory..... Though over here we do like Billy boy as we did Ronald...

A heartbreaking reminder to all of us of what is really happening, My daughter spent years visiting the Vets at the hospital to read to them or just take them for a walk, or just to be a friend every Thursday. Too bad more don't think like her. she started at the age of 13 years old. Thank you Ed.

Newfie Hugs, Rose

Your words fill my heart with sadness. What you say is full of truth. Yet, veterans continue to be treated badly. They gave of themselves, knowing that their life would be forever altered. As a nation we should hang our heads in shame for treating them like yesterday's news. I could go on.

Know that each of you veterans who have sacrified so much for so many are truly deserving of what this country owes you. I hope and pray that those who have the power to make changes, will remove their blinders and help us help you.

Kathy

Bless you ED for always being there for our vets! It astounds me how our leaders can keep ignoring their needs, while wanting to spend billions on their "sacred cows" and idiotic studies of how somw unknown barely visible fish mates.I wouldn't vote for one person now in office. Thanks Ed!

TL

Very well said in your country and mine veterans are dying at home because they fought for us abroad...this is just not right.

Fee

Ed,

Last November a close friend committed suicide. In our hearts we all knew he was a casualty of the Vietnam War. It only took longer.

Thanks once more for standing as the voice that needs to be heard.

Cynthia

A sad a truthful write Ed
shame how this country treats our returning vets
Perace be with you

William

Rufuz loves going to the VA hospital in Philly...he finds many new friends there...Ed (USN '72-75')

It seems that a government of, by, and for the poeple doesn't have the same ring anymore.
I know how many vets will feel in 40 years as well.
Walt

*tears* Amen. We owe our Veterans nothing less than the best. Thank YOU for serving. I make it a point to (((HUG))) every Veteran I meet, to say "Thank you, welcome home, soldier, welcome home." Consider YOURSELF (((HUG)))ged and thanked!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. USAF '83-'85

Sad but true... PTSD will haunt these vets for a generation. I know how many of them will feel in 40 years.

Heartbreaking; this should NOT be!! Our vets deserve the BEST POSSIBLE CARE!! Period.

God help us! God help our vets!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <

Send this to Washington, our congressmen: this NEEDS to be shouted from the rooftops!!!!

wounded indeed,,,it Pains!!!!!
Christine

Great write, my Father was a Vet. An honorable and intense poem indeed.

Amen brother.

SEMPER FI

Ed, this is a wonderful write--a reminder that needs to be said more often. My dear friend from childhood has a son who served in the Gulf War and was afflicted by agent orange. He's a tall handsome young man whose life was destroyed. He can't talk and he's crippled, but can still get around with braces and a cane. He has nothing to look forward to except each minute in each day.
BRAVO for your throughtful write.

How many politicians ever talk about our suffering vets or what they will do for them if elected? None

a poignant write, beginning with the opening quote-a deplorable situation i do hope things improve as well