My response to an op-ed by Ed Tubbs on lapel pin-wearing "patriots."

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This article began as a response to an article written by Ed Tubbs, entitled "Lipstick On A Pig."  I realized when I had finished it, that I had contributed many thoughts and ideas that those of us who haven't served in the military (but loathe those who have nothing to contribute to our democracy except criticism and political skullduggery) also feel and object to-very strongly.

 Dear Mr. Tubbs,

I've never served in the military, I'm 55 and a woman, so there wasn't much I could have done.  Couple that with the fact that I was an ignorant, self-centered, ego-driven pseudo-hippy with mental problems...  You get the picture.

Anyway, I believe I've made up for lost time since I'm now absolutely obsessed with working for liberal (notice, I didn't say "Progressive") causes.  The dawn came as I began to realize that these, so-called "Christian" moralists, wanted to take away my reproductive rights.  That awakening became a full-on revulsion toward all things right wing.

So we come to the same place from totally different experiences, but I agree with you and could not have said it better---I HATE, LOATH AND DESPISE "Armchair Warriors."  They always have "other priorities, but they never forget to put on their little lapel pins and proclaim to all and sundry that THEY are the moral ones; the good Christians who aim to make 'Merica a Christian country with good, Christian (meaning, put on your chastity belts-but keep the key handy in case you see a man in your local airport lavatory who interests you) "Family Values."

Doesn't that sound like a product you could buy at your local WalMart?  "Family Values!  Come and get 'em, folks!

Well, I'm sick to DEATH of symbols and demagoguery masquarading as patriotism!  "My country, wrong or right!"  HELL NO!!!  If my country is wrong, MAKE it better!  These lipstick-wearing pigs expect others to do the fighting and dying for their corporate bottom lines and/or their dreams of empire.  They are the most loathsome, spineless, avaricious pond scum pretending to be homo sapiens that infect our hapless planet.  They seem to center around Dick Cheney and the neocons for many (and all the wrong) reasons.

Keep writing Ed and I'll keep reading!

Thanks!

Eileen Flanagan       

Authors Bio:
Eileen Flanagan is a dedicated liberal-secular humanist-animal lover.