by Queen Earth

Created on: May 11, 2009

The major problem is not the vociferous shouting from one camp to the other; rather it is that many have given up even being heard. We are losing the very value of dialogue-especially respectful communication-in the name of sheer force of naked power. (West, Cornel: Democracy Matters 2004: Winning the Fight against Imperialism)

We have witnessed similar developments in our schools and universitiesincreasing monitoring of viewpoints, disrespecting of those with whom one disagrees, and foreclosing of the common ground upon which we can listen and learn. The major culprit here is not political correctness, a term coined by those who tend to trivialize the scars of others and minimize the suffering of victims while highlighting their own wounds. Rather the challenge is mustering the courage to scrutinize all forms of dogmatic policing of dialogue and to shatter all authoritarian strategies of silencing voices. (West, Cornel: Democracy Matters 2004: Winning the Fight against Imperialism)

As a strong topic of debate I will attempt to expose the government for its disregard for soldiers that serve under the United States of America in wars that are waged mostly for monetary and selfish gains.

Who then dare I ask do we hold responsible for the millions of Men and Women who fought and died courageously, some returning home suffering from the effects of war? Who do we hold responsible for the millions of soldiers who suffer daily with visions of horror and the recurring nightmares that hunt their once peaceful time of rest? Who do we hold responsible for the millions of families that ask what happened or please help us from the same government that caused irreversible damage to young men and women that have become unrecognizable to family and friends? Feel free to answer these questions however you see fit.

It would be hard for me to answer my question had it not been for the government's verbal and half hearted written (MGIB) agreement to protect those individuals who choose the arm forces as a means to a stable career. While I understand there are countless success stories of how the U.S. Army, Air force, and the Marines changed lives for the better, there are just as many that would disagree.

As I sit and write, congress has the audacity to debate whether or not Soldiers deserve something better. Damn right they do. Fortunately the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the veteran's education benefit as a part of the war funding supplemental.

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