Few Medals of Honor Given

One thing that has been consistent during most of the last five years is that Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are good at waving the flag and talking about supporting the American soldier, but when it comes to doing things, those three always seem to be the last to notice there are things not being done. And the Republican Congress is also slow to catch on unless somebody makes some noise and they start getting embarrassed. Here's a story by Lisa Hoffman of Scripps Howard News Service (on ABC15, Phoenix) about the lack of Medals of Honors for those putting their lives on the line:

Gripes are growing in the ranks of some U.S. troops and veterans about the virtual absence of Medals of Honor bestowed upon a growing list of those who have performed extraordinary acts of combat valor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So far, just one of the nation's top decorations has been awarded, and that was posthumously to Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who died in the early days of the war while protecting fellow soldiers from enemy attack near the Baghdad airport.

Critics are especially ticked that no living hero has been selected for the award, and note that - if the medal were awarded at the same rate at which it was during the Vietnam War - at least 30 would have been presented so far.

Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are too busy doing campaign fundraising, photo ops, interviews and spin (besides vacations) to do their jobs. And Hastert and Frist are too busy making sure the suspicious activities of Congress and the White House aren't investigated. Service in the military is not necessary for doing a job in Washinton (though it should always be honored) but it should be noted that only Rumsfeld served but none of these five, including Rumsfeld, served in time of war. Something is out of whack in America and it begins with a lack of leadership at the very top.