"Patriotism Lite"

Is America at war -- or just the American military? That's the question in the back of the minds of a growing number of troops.

Troops fresh from the fight are beginning to question why there is no sign on the homefront of a war overseas.

• No serious talk about a draft
• No tax hikes to raise the $5 billion a month to cover war costs
• No war bond drives or rationing or other efforts from past wars to unify the people

In short, there is no sacrifice.

Over the 4th of July weekend, I left up a post asking readers to post their sacrifices in the War on Terror -- of the "Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism" as it's now called.

I got only one example.

The International Herald Tribune quotes a recently returned US officer:

"Nobody in America

is asked to

sacrifice,

except us."

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines spoke to the paper only with the promise of anonimity -- lest they sacrifice their military career on top of their other sacrifices.

President Bush has only called for symbolic support for the troops, most recently in his June 28th speech at Fort Bragg:

"Find a way to thank the men and women defending our freedom by flying the flag, sending a letter to our troops in the field or helping the military family down the street."

--President Bush, June 28

Retired MAJ GEN Robert Scales -- former commandant of the Army War College says he's hearing from a lot of current officers who feel the military is increasingly isolated from the rest of Americans. He sees politicians as wanting to declare war abroad and maintain normalacy at home.

This attitude -- having their cake and eating it too -- is an indication that politicians themselves don't want to make sacrifices in the War on Terror -- or the Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism or whatever name the politicians have decided to use this week. (IHT) [Photo Credit: US Govt]

Crossposted at