Forgive my language but I'm a bit ticked! My husband is due to deploy soon, and though it is not our first deployment, it's our first overseas deployment and it's a bit overwhelming. Normally, I would protest. I would protest the Shrub insisting that the American people don't know what they're talking about. A man who has the intelligence of a goat, but the stubborness of our new puppy (yeah, new puppy not a great idea for deployment - in addition to everything else I'm being trained- not the other way around - what the hell was I thinking?) is insisting he's right, the American people are wrong and if we don't like it that's just tough - We have no exit straegy - we never did, - but that doesn't matter - And oh by the way if your husband comes back a vegetable or not at all, Laura and I feel your pain.
Let's see you and Laura send one of your twins (who used to revel in their underage boozing at the DC watering holes) off to war - the toughest thing the Olsen twins deal with is the backup from your motorcade on the Beltway for God's Sake!
As a military wife, I can't protest. I can't go to a rally or get quoted in the press because that would reflect negatively on my husband. I can't call in a talk show or sign a petition. If you notice, when family members of active duty military (Regular, Guard or Reserve) speak, they are usually parents. Seldom spouses. When you see spouses, they are gushing about how proud they are of their military man because he's saving the world, and how they get a funny feeling when he puts on his uniform -
I get a funny feeling too - like I want to kidnap him and speed off to Canada.
My husband hasn't told me what to do - i think he quietly admires my Liberal pilot light - but I know it is frowned upon by the powers that be and I don't want to take the chance that I would end up making it tougher on my husband - I've heard the stories and they are not pretty -
Shut up and swallow - he volunteered, and oh by the way, deepest condolences if he dies - you get to go the commissary - lucky you!
You have the right to free speech - unless you're married to a soldier - Then you get to shut up and swallow -
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3 comments:
you got it in a nutshell. As for Shrub and Twinkie... personally I find their claims of "suffering" to be quite insulting. Her biggest problem is which hideous suit she will wear today. His.... not to mispronounce some of the simplest words... or fall down the stairs. The arrogant smirk, I would like to see that gone gone gone.
This is why blogging is a very liberating thing for you and I, the ones who don't fit into that little box. BUT I will admit to being very careful when speaking to the press. We don't have that much more time in the service, and if I have to swallow, bite my tongue a bit, to make it through that, I will. My husband doesn't ask it of me (I was once asked if he had asked me to shut up about my feelings about the war, I told the questioner I didn't need to be asked.) But I do it, he knows I do it and appreciates it.
Since you and I are National Guard, the Active Army folks expect us to be a bit wierd. Works for me!
LAW
Here I am again, the active duty spouse. We aren't all gung-ho; some of us think this illegal war sucks, too.
My understanding is that your obligation to your service member husband is to stay out of jail. Beyond that, do what you like. That's my understanding, anyway. I realize that there are unofficial ways of holding your actions against him, but objecting to the war is pretty above board (most spouses I know are against the war, and many service members are as well).
I agree, it is frustrating to see the spouses the press finds to talk to just smiling and talking about sacrifice and how proud they are - but you know what? They look for those spouses. The press in this country wouldn't air your opinion anyway - it doesn't fit into the unquestioning patriotic blather they want to air.
Being a military spouse is hard, and people make awful assumptions about you - you'll see. But here's my (unsolicited) advice: don't make it harder than it has to be. You are doing enough. Be yourself and stay out of jail ;-) - and you'll be fine.
My best wishes for your husband's safety. You'll get through this!
I just realized that I have commented on every one of your posts. I need to shut up now...sorry :-)! I am so not cool.
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