thank you for the thoughtful and passionate engagement. you have every right to your freedom of thought and expression and I thank you for engaging me.

my criticism is of the idea, and it is not exclusively yours, that just because someone serves in the military or because they are a veteran of the military that their opinion or position is considered automatically to be patriotic or superior to my fellow American civilians. who work thousands of hours, day in and day out to keep this country thriving. I know many great soldiers, I've worked with veterans who've seen their best friends killed in battle, and I have also met horrible violent savages who wore our country's uniform.

I reject the notion, completely, that a man in uniform is superior to a mother or a daughter or a janitor who work and contribute to this great nation of ours.

blind patriotism is dangerous, and I have no tolerance for it. appeal to authority and ad hominem have no place in my mind.

thank you for your contribution.
I have nothing but admiration and respect for your voice,
you have my vote.

may you live long and prosper.