Tolerance; or I do so, so love the sinner.
My Uncle Jerry looks so sharp in his uniform. I was startled at how much my handsome young cousin Jeremy looks like him in his own Marine portrait, twenty years later. Jeremy’s brother, my cousin closest to me in age, is right now in the grit and the heat of Afghanistan. I think about you every day, Josh.
It’s no secret that I marched against this endless war. I am decided that I do not and cannot support it, and so actively resist it in my own way. I bring the baffling costumes of frivolity to the streets to protest with laughter and music what I cannot abide. I also understand that this war is the same as every war; people have been fighting for resources as long as there have been resources to fight over. Though the reasons sicken me I understand why there is a fight, and I try very hard to understand why you choose to join it. Though I disagree with what you have to say, I will defend to the death your right to say it*, as you have for me. And I am so proud of you and your hard work. All of you.
My Grandfather, may he rest in peace, looking dashing in his Air Force pilot’s uniform before he left for Korea; J. Sid and Thom that took their They Might Be Giants tapes and particular brand of hilarity with them to Iraq; Eric C., the hottest Anarchist to ever grace the deck of a naval vessel; Eric A. and his Triumph Taco; PFC Tim; Kevin C.; Blayke H., you old sheep-lovin' maniac; my beloved Uncle and cousins; of course Zach, without whom there would be a gaping Zach-sized hole in my world; and everyone else I care about that I didn’t name who serves in the military-- you know who you are.
You know I hate the sin. Today I honor the military men and women that are important to me, and your fellow soldiers. Thank you for your service.
Please know that I love you, and I am proud of you, and I am so grateful for you.
*Paraphrase from Evelyn Beatrice Hall
It’s no secret that I marched against this endless war. I am decided that I do not and cannot support it, and so actively resist it in my own way. I bring the baffling costumes of frivolity to the streets to protest with laughter and music what I cannot abide. I also understand that this war is the same as every war; people have been fighting for resources as long as there have been resources to fight over. Though the reasons sicken me I understand why there is a fight, and I try very hard to understand why you choose to join it. Though I disagree with what you have to say, I will defend to the death your right to say it*, as you have for me. And I am so proud of you and your hard work. All of you.
My Grandfather, may he rest in peace, looking dashing in his Air Force pilot’s uniform before he left for Korea; J. Sid and Thom that took their They Might Be Giants tapes and particular brand of hilarity with them to Iraq; Eric C., the hottest Anarchist to ever grace the deck of a naval vessel; Eric A. and his Triumph Taco; PFC Tim; Kevin C.; Blayke H., you old sheep-lovin' maniac; my beloved Uncle and cousins; of course Zach, without whom there would be a gaping Zach-sized hole in my world; and everyone else I care about that I didn’t name who serves in the military-- you know who you are.
You know I hate the sin. Today I honor the military men and women that are important to me, and your fellow soldiers. Thank you for your service.
Please know that I love you, and I am proud of you, and I am so grateful for you.
*Paraphrase from Evelyn Beatrice Hall