It's a question of humility.... Contributed by antimedia
....I was reading through my rss feed yesterday when I came to
at Andi's world. It seems some supposed retired Col. didn't like the
blogger Milo Freeman's liberal attitude, and so he threatened to have
his blog shut down. Rather silly, if you ask me, but the "Colonel" also
said that he wished Milo would die. That's not silly. That's
despicable. I don't care what your views are, wishing someone dead
because you disagree with their ideas is as childish as it gets.
Out of curiousity, I dropped by Milo's blog and read a little. Of course, recent posts revolve around the controversy, but caught my eye.
Milo writes about a Sergeant with whom he has a tense relationship,
partly because they are polls apart in their political views. He closes
his post with these thoughts.
Needless to say, I'm used to all sorts of pseudo-political bluster from the good Sergeant.
That being said, though, I can't help but take some offense at his last
comment. Being labeled "gifted" from an early age, I tend to be
defensive, rather than proud, about my education and intellect, and so
I get a bit angry when people try to hold those attributes against me
as a character flaw. Ever since September 11th--and especially since
arriving at this unit--I've had to deal with a steady flow of
anti-intellectual sentiment, and frankly it's a large part of why I
have difficulty fitting in among the other soldiers.
I
haven't read enough of Milo's blog to know what sort of
"anti-intellectual sentiment" he's had to deal with, but the next two
paragraphs might tip one off to what's going on.
I don't
have time to follow up on his statements. Morales shows up, back from
breakfast, and grabs the keys to the Humvee. I follow him with my gear
out the door. The morning is mild, and the sun is out--the first wave
of blistering heat isn't due for a couple of hours yet--but still I
something about Sgt. Schultheiss' attitude worrisome. It takes me a
while to identify it. Questions blur through my head.
Why is it always the intelligentsia who take the blame? Why is it the
educated who are viewed as dishonest? Why is it that, in times of
social crisis, the cooler heads and voices of reason are always the
ones put against the wall--viewed as "threats to the state" or to
"family values (as if they can be neither patriots nor a loving spouses
and parents)?" Why is it that the way I speak has to make people so
uncomfortable, so quick to point out my other numerous failings? Why
can't I open my mouth sometimes without feeling like my personal safety
is threatened?
Milo,
I thank you for your service, and I hold you in the highest regard
because, despite your political views, you serve in combat with honor
and distinction. You are what America is all about.
Read the rest at .
Contributed by antimedia on June 3, 2007 at 05:44 PM in |