They love veterans as the idea of heroic crusaders in shining armor. They love the veterans who can maintain that image and will gladly believe lies to maintain the heroism. But war is hell, and veterans who come back in a way where they won’t let you pretend otherwise are hated for that. Whether that’s because of disabilities, trauma, left wing radicalism, or even just befriending the locals and learning to love the culture
I think that actually paints it too simple. They love the idea of veterans. Many of them are veterans even. But the US military is a massive logistical organization. A lot of people who joined the military wound up in desk jobs far away from combat, and many of those people have some insecurities over that. Or they were ineligible to serve. Or they hung out at or around a military base somewhere far away and never saw action. Or maybe they saw plenty in Abu Ghraib or guantanimo or through a sniper’s scope and were part of why the American military is seen as evil by their nature or their training. Or maybe they had a relative serve.
For the American right wing they love veterans, but they love the narrative more, and part of why they love the narrative so much is because they see it as tied to their love of veterans.
They love veterans as the idea of heroic crusaders in shining armor. They love the veterans who can maintain that image and will gladly believe lies to maintain the heroism. But war is hell, and veterans who come back in a way where they won’t let you pretend otherwise are hated for that. Whether that’s because of disabilities, trauma, left wing radicalism, or even just befriending the locals and learning to love the culture
Yes, I see your point. They like them for their political usefulness, but not as human beings.
I think that actually paints it too simple. They love the idea of veterans. Many of them are veterans even. But the US military is a massive logistical organization. A lot of people who joined the military wound up in desk jobs far away from combat, and many of those people have some insecurities over that. Or they were ineligible to serve. Or they hung out at or around a military base somewhere far away and never saw action. Or maybe they saw plenty in Abu Ghraib or guantanimo or through a sniper’s scope and were part of why the American military is seen as evil by their nature or their training. Or maybe they had a relative serve.
For the American right wing they love veterans, but they love the narrative more, and part of why they love the narrative so much is because they see it as tied to their love of veterans.