Informed Speculation

I tell you, this thing called life is full of surprises. I would have never guessed this in a million years…Garry Trudeau of Doonesbury fame is helping rally support for our troops with both money and attention to their sacrifices:

During visits to Walter Reed, Trudeau said, he’s been “astounded” by the wounded troops’ lack of bitterness or self-pity and impressed by what he calls their “indomitable spirit.” So many express hope of getting better so they can return to their units, even when that likelihood seems impossible. “It takes your breath away,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau said he considers it “quite a privilege and an honor” to be able to sit at wounded troops’ bedsides and have them so openly share their experiences, as well as their hopes and fears, with a total stranger.

Army Spc. Joey Kashnow, a 4th Infantry Division soldier who lost his leg after being wounded in Taji, Iraq, in September 2003, was among the troops Trudeau met with today at the Pentagon.

“I think it’s fantastic what he’s doing,” Kashnow said of Trudeau’s support for wounded troops. Sitting with the cartoonist and chatting about his injury and the long healing process he’s undergoing, Kashnow said he’s glad to see people put politics aside as they focus on the troops.

Trudeau admitted that it’s no secret he’s not a strong advocate of the war in Iraq, but said B.D. is not about politics, but rather, about American support for its men and women in uniform. “We’re asking a great deal of our servicemembers,” he said.

Kudos to Trudeau, both for his good deeds, and for the reminder that political differences don’t override basic humanity (hat tip to Sister Toldjah)…