Didn’t like
Acorn’s editorial

The editorial "Veterans Day: More relevant than ever" is stunning.

With infantile sentimentality you superficially state, "It’s now fashionable to proudly display the flag and express your patriotism." Is love of country only a fad?

Forgetting that America is deeply divided, and apparently unaware of the scandalous manipulations of the flag’s symbolic value, you cheerfully assert disagreement with the scoundrel theory of patriotism.

Misquoting Tennyson’s "Charge of the Light Brigade," you advise uncritical acceptance of authority.

Don’t worry, be happy. "If the commander in chief and Congress deem it necessary for the good of the nation . . ." (yeah, I remember that debate: "Tell me about the weapons George"), no need to wonder "Why?"

Armistice Day commemorated the cessation of hostilities, the peace at the end of "the Great War," the 20th Century’s first wholesale trade show of industrial carnage. The U.S. War Department stated casualties at over 38 million people. Military deaths were over 13 million from all 29 patriotic countries involved. In 1954, it was changed to Veterans Day, obscuring and corrupting the original meaning for this day of remembrance.

Costly in retrospect, at the time, Gulf War I was a surprisingly easy win. Since then over 8,000 deaths, 80,000 vets diagnosed with Gulf War syndrome and 160,000 others with war related disabilities.

Declared a "done deal" last May, the current invasion and occupation is experiencing 30 attacks a day, with one or more deaths and numerous wounded. Although we don’t keep score of the Iraqi statistics, you can be certain that the locals will. I feel so much safer. Yes, I support and appreciate our troops. It is time to bring them home for their safety and the defense of our nation rather than cynically continuing to use them for corporate war profiteering and the "five-fingered" liberation of the cradle of civilization.

With great appreciation for all their sacrifices––

Thomas Scott Nelson
Moorpark