Sunday, January 24, 2016

Nothing Shows Support Like Frostbitten Ears

Seriously -- what the hell IS this crap? Since that big winter storm hit the East Coast I've been seeing a lot of posts and links and memes celebrating the fact that young men are being made to stand in the cold and snow to "guard" the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with a lot of the usual "Support Our Troops" prattle. Of course the babble comes mostly from people who are eager to start another pointless war so they can send more young men and women to kill and be killed and maim and be maimed; and who vote for legislators who block veterans' benefits. But even if you aren't one of those people, I don't see any reason to keep these kids standing outside in that weather for nothing. Will the Unknown Soldier get away if his tomb isn't guarded constantly?  And please don't talk to me about 'honor' -- this is the kind of thing that gives 'honor' a bad name.