If our troops in Afghanistan “lose”; if they were pushed out of the entire country and “lost” the war, would we here at home suddenly not be “free”? Would our lives change? Would we lose our rights? Would we have to speak another language or adopt a scary religion?

None of that would happen. That’s how you know that none of our soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq are fighting/were fighting for our freedom, or our rights.

I don’t say that to discredit them, their service, or those who’ve died serving. I served. I say it because I’m still hopeful that a day will come where people will learn to think for themselves, and learn to see truth.

But, I realize it’s unpleasant to think down that road, that if our troops aren’t defending our freedom or our right to be ignorant chauvinists, then what are they dying for? What are they killing people for?

It’s much easier, on a day like today, to post videos of “God Bless the USA” playing over scenes of troops medevac-ing one another, welcome home scenes, bald eagles shitting out laser guided bombs, or whatever else makes you feel proud simply because you were born here, and everybody else was not. Because our war technology is so big, and fast, and loud, and it kills brown people at a rate you wouldn’t believe, and we’re better because of it.

At any rate, do a bit of thinking for yourself today, no matter how much you might hate what I just said.

— G .Miller ,IVAW