Make a Choice to Support the Troops

If you had money and power, what would do with it? Would you give back? How?

If I was a celebrity, I would go entertain the troops. It’s that simple. Right now, even though I’m not a celebrity (yet!), I have adopted some soldiers through Soldiers’ Angels – a wonderful nonprofit – and am part of the letter writing team as well for the same group. I do this because I want to support our troops, especially when the media and many outspoken people do not.

But today I’m not going to rant about those folks who don’t support our troops. I do have a “touching” story about a woman who cut me off in traffic in Bethesda (where I work), slammed on the brakes in front of me and yelled out her window, “Soldiers are murderers!” My response, “They are protecting your right  to spew such hatred!” fell on deaf ears.

Unfortunately, this is the norm where I live. I do what I can to make sure at least two soldiers know how much I appreciate and support what they are doing, but it wears on you.

I am no longer supporting ANY form of entertainment who does not support the troops. You don’t have to support the war or agree with it, but you’ve GOT to support our troops. We owe EVERYTHING to them.

So starting this week I am going to create two compilations – one list of people who do support the troops and one list of people and organizations that don’t. Perhaps when you are faced with a choice, you’ll be inclined to support people who support the brave men and women in our armed forces. I know I am.

This means telling Hollywood we’re sick of their Anti-American and anti-military movies such as Redacted. This means thinking beyond the usual and going out of your way, maybe, to buy a product or watch a show or view a special or movie that shows the troops in a positive light – and supports them. Because our troops are doing wonderful things overseas. The surge has helped, casualities are low. This is not the Vietnam War. Regardless, the troops are preserving our freedom. You owe them your support.

 So far my list for those who SUPPORT the troops includes:

• Robin Williams: joined the USO for a comedy special in Afghanistan
• Kid Rock: joined Robin Williams and USO to entertain
• Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007: USO tour to meet and greet with soldiers
• Lance Armstrong: meet with troops in Afghanistan to meet and greet
• Jessica Simpson: USO tour (with Justin Timberlake)
• Toby Keith: has been on over USO tours for the past five years, typically in May
• Tom Arnold: traveling overseas for entertainment soon (or he might have just returned, I’m seeking more info)
• Bill O’Reilly: headed to Afghanistan to offer support
• Ann Coulter: just google her, you’ll see her comments in favor of our troops

And for those who DON’T support our troops (and don’t support them by purchasing their products or giving them mindshare)

• Sean Penn
• Brian DePalma (this pains me, because I was a huge fan, but because of Redacted and his comments about the troops, he is dead to me)
• George Clooney
• Cindy Sheehan (her story is very sad, but that doesn’t give her any right to call the men and women who served with her son killers)
• Rosie McDonnell
• Charize Theron
• Jon Kerry “Halp us Jon Carry We R Stuck Hear N Iraq” is one of my favorite pictures
• Many of the liberal candidates including Hillary Clinton
• Al Gore

That’s  good for now.

I’d like to say that Bush and the rest of the administration doesn’t support our troops as well – because they don’t give the military whatever they need (a blank check) and they don’t know how to manage money. Before I say that though I want more facts to back that up.

So what about you? Do you support our brave heroes? Or do you prefer the Hollywood Dream that the military means nothing to you? Those Hollywood folks are cowards, as O’Reilly says. It’s time we stand up for our troops back home and support them – by only buying products, services and entertainment from those who do support them.

And if any entertainer wants to stay out of the political debate, more power to him or her. I don’t watch entertainers to hear their political diatribes (except maybe Dennis Miller). I want to be entertained. So leave the hatred of Bush, ignorance of freedom, and disrespect for our troops at home.

God Bless Our Troops!