The other side of voluntary service is the taxes that you are forced to pay(IRS agents carry guns).

I'm not sure if your abortion analogy is any good though. I think the situation is more like people that say "I want free healthcare, but I would never volunteer in a hospital, or give one any of my paycheck", or Al Gore promoting global warming while creating like 50X more carbon dioxide than the average person.

But if you're not serving in the military, but you are donating time and money to support the Iraq effort(not just simple effortless advocacy), then this dosen't apply to you.

BTW, I served, and because of the Iraq war, I think I serve the defense of the country far better by just staying at home and owning a rifle. I could be misinformed, but fortunately we are a mostly and individualistic country(well federal, state and local taxes add up to about 50%, so 50% individualistic), so I can do whatever I feel best serves me and my community, with the remaining 50% of my unapropriated efforts.

Mark,

The point of course is to hit back at you hypocrites who label anyone who is opposed to the war or wants the troops out of Iraq as "cowards" or "traitors" when you and Matt have demonstrated no more courage or patriotism than anyone else who blogs here.

If Matt wants to call someone a coward, I would just ask him to ask himself what he has done lately that is so heroic....besides going to see rock concerts.

BTW, I served, and because of the Iraq war, I think I serve the defense of the country far better by just staying at home and owning a rifle.

Jeez, I hope you don't have any bullets.

What brand is your rifle? Daisy? Crossman?