Those damn yellow ribbons

You've seen them too. Slapped on the backs of gas guzzling SUVs driven by security moms. Magnetic yellow ribbons emblazened with the oh so clever phrase, "support our troops." Yes, support them by reinforcing the reason they are there: using up all the fucking oil. I am tired of these false gestures. These pitiful attempts at patriotism by the right, by the middle Americans, by the common masses. I've had it with them. I want them to stop wallowing in their ignorance and wake up. Ribbons do not support our troops. Paying them supports them. But we don't pay them. We talk about how much we support them, over and over and over again. Yet we do nothing to actually help them. Critizing the war is seen as bad form, as if questioning why they are there, why they are being wasted will someone destroy that person's soul. No, speaking out will help them. I give up. Real patriotism, real support need not slogans and buttons. It needs actions and buying a ribbon at Wal-Mart does not put money into a soldier's pocket or support his little baby or him when he returns from Iraq one arm shy. It just puts cash in the pockets of big people when it should go to little people. I am a patriot. I am also a person who doesn't like soldiers. I've seen enough over the years to know they are not always the best representatives of our country. I don't believe they all sign up with a noble goal. I know many do, but just as many have no other choice. They are like anyone else, only they have to go and money their money where there mouth is. They actually have to fight. I respect that. But I also know that it is something not to be used lightly. I'll support our troops. Not because they are paragons of virtue or something more than anyone else, but because they are people stuck with a shit job and I don't want it to be a job that ever needs to be done.
And those yellow ribbons are just kinda gay.