There is greatness in courage

[GabysPoppy]

This is a column I never thought I'd need to write, on an issue I never thought I'd need to address.

In a society so desperate for genuine heroes I had always believed we would rally around our troops and unanimously applaud the brave soldiers of the IDF. These courageous men and women – kids, really, forced to grow up too quickly – represent the best this country has to offer.

snip

And yet, for all the love this country so rightly showers on our servicemen and women, the IDF sure takes a lot of abuse. From both sides of the national divide.

The Left too often brands our soldiers as "trigger-happy cowboys" who are unconcerned about the rights of the Palestinians, who act abusively at border crossings and on patrol in the territories. If the far Left has heroes, they are are tiny, holier-than-thou band of officers and non-coms who flout army discipline by refusing to serve beyond the Green Line.

And on the Right? Too many taunts of "traitor" and even "Nazi" are spewed at soldiers who follow orders to take down illegal settlements or break up unauthorized demonstrations. Too much blame is heaped upon the army for duly implementing the decisions made in the cabinet or Knesset.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1075535026835&p=1006953079865

[bemildred]

1. Dupe.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=124&topic_id=50587