Sadly, that’s exactly the kind of comment I often got when I returned from two years in Africa with the Peace Corps—and I usually got it before I’d even said anything. Thanks for your service to our great country, and all that, but God forbid you say anything that might make somebody uncomfortable.
“Veterans and Peace Corps volunteers make people feel guilty that they themselves do nothing to save the world.”
Really?
The US military is being used to “save the world”? I don’t see how the world is better off due to the US invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, and I certainly don’t feel guilty that I am not participating in that allegedly world-saving activity.
I hope that jerk is not referring to her sexual assault. Cause father or not, I would feel perfectly fine if she reached over right now and shoved him right out of her moving car.
I think today’s strip hits two key points. First is the perception on the part of others – or parents, friends etc. – that while they recognize that you went through hell, they don’t want to hear the gory details for fear of being uncomfortable. The second point really addresses, through Mel’s angst, just how long and difficult a process it is to work through PTSD. It is an ongoing journey that many can’t complete.
“that woman’s face” in panel 2 is the face of Roz, who has had Mel’s back for a while during deployment. There is another “uncomfortable” notion here that I think most miss. Women Service Members have traditionally been “known” for two traits, their homosexuality and their promiscuity. If the lady in question was not modelishly pretty, then obviously whe was a “dyke,” or a “butch.” If she were modelishly pretty, than just as obviously, the “lady is a tramp.” (Thanks Frank!) The steriotype continues to exist today in some of the WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vets. It was the reality af the world during their service. I’m surprised Mel’s Dad hasn’t questioned her as to whether she walks on both sides of the street.
@SwimsWithSharks, Mel’s dad doesn’t care about Mel—at least not in the way most of us would like to be cared about. He has prejudices and he doesn’t want anything or anyone—least of all his daughter—to get in the way of them. I doubt that Mel had ever told her father many truths about her life, including (and especially) the bad stuff. Why bother?
Americans have been far too ‘comfortable’ for far too long. We’re long, long past the time of not discussing “uncomfortable” things. Reality is knocking.
My folks and family (right wingers) did NOT want to hear anything about my ‘Nam experiences, or what “Army life” was actually like. It was "send ’em, don’t blend ’em, into society".
When we had an exchange student from Brazil, in "W’s first year, “Rotary International” told them specifically NOT to ask any Viet Nam vets about our “experiences” or attitude toward that war. I wonder what they’re told today.
My mom didn’t want to hear any “war stories” of my experience. My wife doesn’t really want to hear any of my son’s. But then, that’s a “moms” thing. Sadly, our nation-at-large today doesn’t WANT to know what we send them to. (I know, it’s all about “sexuality” and DADT, not killing.)
Wow, what a lot of great discussion! Briefly, I had a lot of PTSD after Vietnam, and the way I got over it was through (well-considered, well-versed) antiwar protest. My family told everyone not to bring the war up around me; I did so myself. All the time.
Yeah, better to have the kids believe that they can all be sports stars making millions…or celebrities, worshipped, having done nothing…or that Captain Whizbang is real, wears Spandex and fights crime…like the Lone Ranger used to shoot the bad guys’ guns out of their hands without hurting them…no, girls…DWELL, DWELL,DWELL! and figure how we can make it all better for everybody…except maybe the top 20% across the board in this country…guillotines, I say.Any seconds?
The US military isn’t coming close to “saving the world” but it is very good at mapping out strategy to take and control places with strategic, resource and military advantage.
That would be the strategy of building permanent bases wherever the US has last bombed the crap out of, yes?
BE THIS GUY almost 12 years ago
Mel’s Dad will have her back in counseling in a New York minute.
The Nihilist almost 12 years ago
Just give ’em the ’ol John Wayne pep talk pilgrim…
Buzza Wuzza almost 12 years ago
Just don’t you know.
GTphile almost 12 years ago
Tiptoe……through the tulips…
thesnowleopard Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Sadly, that’s exactly the kind of comment I often got when I returned from two years in Africa with the Peace Corps—and I usually got it before I’d even said anything. Thanks for your service to our great country, and all that, but God forbid you say anything that might make somebody uncomfortable.
Gator007 almost 12 years ago
We need to get uncomfortable every now and then.
Coyoty Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Veterans and Peace Corps volunteers make people feel guilty that they themselves do nothing to save the world.
Astolat almost 12 years ago
Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable…
goulo almost 12 years ago
“Veterans and Peace Corps volunteers make people feel guilty that they themselves do nothing to save the world.”
Really?
The US military is being used to “save the world”? I don’t see how the world is better off due to the US invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, and I certainly don’t feel guilty that I am not participating in that allegedly world-saving activity.
Jaymi Cee Premium Member almost 12 years ago
I hope that jerk is not referring to her sexual assault. Cause father or not, I would feel perfectly fine if she reached over right now and shoved him right out of her moving car.
Linguist almost 12 years ago
I think today’s strip hits two key points. First is the perception on the part of others – or parents, friends etc. – that while they recognize that you went through hell, they don’t want to hear the gory details for fear of being uncomfortable. The second point really addresses, through Mel’s angst, just how long and difficult a process it is to work through PTSD. It is an ongoing journey that many can’t complete.
yuggib almost 12 years ago
“that woman’s face” in panel 2 is the face of Roz, who has had Mel’s back for a while during deployment. There is another “uncomfortable” notion here that I think most miss. Women Service Members have traditionally been “known” for two traits, their homosexuality and their promiscuity. If the lady in question was not modelishly pretty, then obviously whe was a “dyke,” or a “butch.” If she were modelishly pretty, than just as obviously, the “lady is a tramp.” (Thanks Frank!) The steriotype continues to exist today in some of the WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vets. It was the reality af the world during their service. I’m surprised Mel’s Dad hasn’t questioned her as to whether she walks on both sides of the street.
diggitt almost 12 years ago
@SwimsWithSharks, Mel’s dad doesn’t care about Mel—at least not in the way most of us would like to be cared about. He has prejudices and he doesn’t want anything or anyone—least of all his daughter—to get in the way of them. I doubt that Mel had ever told her father many truths about her life, including (and especially) the bad stuff. Why bother?
babka Premium Member almost 12 years ago
tell them what they want to hear, be all that you can be and don’t think about the rape. be UP. we love you when you’re UP. don’t dwell. think pink.
corzak almost 12 years ago
Americans have been far too ‘comfortable’ for far too long. We’re long, long past the time of not discussing “uncomfortable” things. Reality is knocking.
summerdog86 almost 12 years ago
Why does Mel’s dad look like my brother-in-law?
ramonesfan almost 12 years ago
Is anyone in that car wearing a seatbelt? Is GT implying that it’s OK to flout the law?
Dtroutma almost 12 years ago
My folks and family (right wingers) did NOT want to hear anything about my ‘Nam experiences, or what “Army life” was actually like. It was "send ’em, don’t blend ’em, into society".
When we had an exchange student from Brazil, in "W’s first year, “Rotary International” told them specifically NOT to ask any Viet Nam vets about our “experiences” or attitude toward that war. I wonder what they’re told today.
My mom didn’t want to hear any “war stories” of my experience. My wife doesn’t really want to hear any of my son’s. But then, that’s a “moms” thing. Sadly, our nation-at-large today doesn’t WANT to know what we send them to. (I know, it’s all about “sexuality” and DADT, not killing.)
Spyderred almost 12 years ago
“a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” Paul Simon in The Boxer but true IRL.
Potrzebie almost 12 years ago
I know a few lesbians and none are lookers. I’m not prejudiced, but come on! Why don’t they look like the ones in the xxx movies?!
krisjackson01 almost 12 years ago
Wow, what a lot of great discussion! Briefly, I had a lot of PTSD after Vietnam, and the way I got over it was through (well-considered, well-versed) antiwar protest. My family told everyone not to bring the war up around me; I did so myself. All the time.
tigre1 almost 12 years ago
Yeah, better to have the kids believe that they can all be sports stars making millions…or celebrities, worshipped, having done nothing…or that Captain Whizbang is real, wears Spandex and fights crime…like the Lone Ranger used to shoot the bad guys’ guns out of their hands without hurting them…no, girls…DWELL, DWELL,DWELL! and figure how we can make it all better for everybody…except maybe the top 20% across the board in this country…guillotines, I say.Any seconds?
Spamgaard almost 12 years ago
That would be the strategy of building permanent bases wherever the US has last bombed the crap out of, yes?