Presidential Speech

Most of the time, when the President gives a prime time speech, I channel surf trying to find one that his face isn't on! It's not that I don't like the guy (I voted for him, I admit it!) or that I don't want to hear what he has to say, I do. However, when you live in a household that has opposing political parties, many speeches turn into debates and then full out arguments. It's happened more then once!

Tonight, however, we both actually listened to the President's speech about Iraq. For the first five minutes, the President thanked the troops and praised their performance in Iraq. I have mixed emotions about speeches like this from anyway, let alone the President. I guarantee more then half the country doesn't appreciate the fact that more then 100,000 families are without a loved one tonight. Or that they go about their business worrying about trivial things, while families worry about whether they will see their loved one again. I've posted this before, but I think it's worth posting again.

"The US Military is at war. America is at the mall."

It's true. Sadly. I was also not surprised when he announced he was sending more troops to Afghanistan. It was only a matter of time. I don't think that anyone, unless they have someone in the military, fully appreciates what the troops and their families go through, or the burden they bear. Even when the President says it in a speech, I don't know if people in America, non-military appreciate it. Meanwhile, when I hear that 44 members of a brigade gave their lives, my heart sinks and I get tears in my eyes because I was one of the lucky ones.

Even though I know it doens't happen, I hope that at least one person tonight actually LISTENED and maybe had a clearer understanding and appreciation for our military. Just one.