David Broder Thinks “Sympathy for the Military” Means Cheering the Death and Casualty of

Brian Zick

Oliver Willis catches Broder's sneering falsehood: One of the losers in the weekend oratorical marathon was retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who repeatedly invoked the West Point motto of "Duty, Honor, Country," forgetting that few in this particular audience have much experience with, or sympathy for, the military. In Broderland, Democratic support for proper armor, decent veteran benefits and health care, and opposition to Bush's warlust deathwish for the troops is an absence of sympathy. By implication conversely, the presence of sympathy is demonstrated by the Republicans, who have refused to provide adequate armor to combat troops, who have treated veterans like shit, and who are intent on sending more soldiers to die for George Bush's vanity.

The text is from the poem “QUADRENNIAL” by Golden, reprinted with permission. It was first published in the Poetry Project. Inside front cover photo by Golden.
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