Why is it that you apparently feel the need to make extra sure everyone knows you served whenever you're in an anonymous discussion venue?
Not to diminish your service, but seriously ollie...big ******* deal. You served. So did millions before and after you. It really doesn't command your political opinions any more respect than anyone else's.
Pauiie,
I think anyone who has given this nation twenty or thirty years service in uniform has earned the right to be proud of that fact. As a matter of fact, I think any of the steadily decreasing percentage of Americans who have served in the armed forces has earned the right to be proud of that fact.
Beyond that, I don't know if a veteran's opinion on matters affecting the well-being of America has any more "cred" than anyone else's; but I do know, that a veteran, by his/her service, has at least established the fact that he/she actually gives a damn about this nation, in a way few permanent civilians ever have. You are free to resent that all you like, but when you do, perhaps you could tell us what YOU have done for our country (besides run your mouth, or your keyboard).