Live from a white spot in a purple nation on a blue planet...

Does it matter anymore?

And this is where it gets awkward.  Yes, he's absolutely right. To get honorably discharged, then get recalled for a legacy-building war is a bit rich.  Not only that, but it is an undeclared "war," so, technically, he's not AWOL any more than Congress has been since World War 2.

Further, I get tired of hearing the chickenhawks calling for him to be shot and strung up.  If you want to take his place, DO IT.  You've been talking about it since 9/11.  You've been talking about it since we invaded Iraq in 2003.  Do it, already.  If you have something to contribute to the national sacrifice, do so.  Until then, shut the hell up.

And, yeah, I signed on that dotted line.  I knew what I was doing, and so did he. Even so, how exactly does one negotiate a fair contract with the all-powerful federal government?  You tell me.  I support this guy, but I know they'll destroy him.  The bigger question to me out of this is how 435 Representatives and 100 Senators neglect to declare war, but this one man who served honorably will be counted as a deserter?

When we answer that riddle, we'll have discovered the true depth of our collapse as a society.