"Ask Me If I Care"

That pretty much sums up LtCol Rutledge's reply to UAW President Ron Gettlefinger's back down yesterday.

Yeah, the entire situation is petty, but I think it shows the Marines can teach the UAW a whole shitload when it comes to the meaning of the word "Solidarity". You screw with us once, you will never get a second chance.

It seems Gettlefinger suffers from the Stalinist version of "short man" disease. His union has gotten to the point that Ford Crown Victoria's are not allowed to park in their sacred grounds, along with such "foreign" makes as the Nissan Titan and the Honda Accord - both vehicles being wholly made in the United States.

Don't get me wrong - the members of the UAW Veterans Committees do yeomans work to help our Nation's vets - they support homes and help vet's in VA hospitals, as well as holding "Stand Down" get togethers across the country where they give free assistance to veterans down on their luck - and in all of this, they don't ask and they don't really care what the vet's politics are.

They also disseminate tons of information on such things as PTSD, Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome. One group set up a Round Table for spouses of veterans to help them understand what their vet is going through.

All of this is laudable and I hope they not only keep it going but can expand it - but, as a wise old First Shirt once told me,

"One 'Aw Shit' wipes out 50 'Attaboys'".

Once again, this Marine has to thank the Sailor for the link.