Katie Miller Tried Policing U.S. Olympians' Patriotism, And It Backfired Fast

[ShazzieB]

41. Yes, I remember this one, AND "America, love it or leave it" all too well.

I am part of the generation that was getting drafted to go fight that war and protesting against it. As a woman, I didn't have to worry about being drafted myself, but I was dismayed to see guys my age being scooped up to go fight in a country that had never attacked or even threatened us. I didn't fully understand all the issues surrounding the opposition to the war, but the situation didn't make any sense to me. Too many people whose opinions I respected were saying it was wrong, and I just couldn't ignore that.

After making the effort to become better informed, I came away convinced that my instincts were right. I respect all those who enlisted or were drafted and served honorably in that war, but I also believe that they should never have been required to do so.

Since then, I have looked askance at anyone who tries to push the idea that loving a country (or a person, or any entity, for that matter) means having to support every decision they ever make, to the point of laying doen your life. That's a recipe for an abusive relationship, no matter who the other party is/are.