I'll make this short and sweet, I passed a couple of our troops that were here in the NYC area on leave. When I passed them I heard a group of ignorant teenagers start calling them baby killers and rapists. Now obviously this just pissed me off to hell and back. If it was me I would have beat the crap out of them but I stood and watched to see how our troops would handle it. First and foremost I have to say that they really kept their cool (and yes I was more than just a little impressed by this) Thy then asked this group of kids why on earth would they call them that, the kids just kept silent (probably having thought that they would be ignored) and not a little surprised. I honestly don't think that they new how to respond.
Now let me tell you, each one of these guys had their decorations and what not. They were all paratroopers, so you know that they were aggressive when the situation called for it. But when it did not they weren't. They showed amazing restraint in my opinion (better than I would have). Obviously a credit to our nation.
Now getting back to these kids, IMHO I feel that the reason that they acted this way was due to a lack of respect for our troops but even more importantly for themselves. I really do not care what your opinion is about the president or the war or any such thing. These guys and girls fathers and mothers sons and daughters are over there risking their lives for us, they are guarding our rights and freedoms. If for nothing else respect them for that and don't dare say anything that is derogatory about them and certanly not to them. It's just a crying shame that kids are not taught to respect other people.
If you disagree with me that is your right. Just remember who is making sure that you have that right....