Stephen Colbert Headed Toward Honorary Membership in IAVA

Having lived abroad until 2007, I was out of the loop when it came to US politics except for the headlines that made international news. My 13 year old son was taking a political science class and watching a program on TV that he said was recommended by the teacher. When I heard him howling with laughter, my curiosity got the better of me. Nothing to do with American politics could possibly be that funny.

With hands on hips, I stood and watched, then relaxed and sat down to finish watching the show with him. The Colbert Report, with Stephen Colbert, had just put the right spin on the political scene. There were facts and real politicians being presented in a way that drew the inquisitive mind in. My son and I were introduced to Nancy Pelosi and other California politicians who were being discussed in the news and in his class. Although this wasn't a source to take too seriously, it did get us both interested in looking deeper into what was happening in our state and the rest of the country.

Stephen Colbert has enlightened quite a few people through his satires and is now involved in a media campaign staged by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the troops and veterans of those wars. Colbert was recently in Iraq doing shows to entertain the Troops. He was ordered by President Obama to shave his head after Stephen adamantly refused to take the order from a 4-star General. He went through basic training, his humor intact, an iPod attached to his helmet and making cracks that were not amusing to his personal drill sergeant.

Through his inside look at what our Troops go through in order to be prepared to serve our great country, Stephen Colbert made a start in shaking off the attitudes of indifference and apathy across the nation. In an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff on Monday, July 13, 2009, Rieckhoff declared that Stephen Colbert will be made an honorary member of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America if he can get 25,000 votes on the internet.

There are many reasons that this would be good for American's veterans of war. Stephen Colbert pointed out how veterans are coming home from war only to find their homes have been foreclosed on. He attempted to get medical treatment at the Veteran's Hospital, only to find out there was an unreasonably long waiting list. The day Michael Jackson died, 7 troops were killed. Other difficulties encountered by our veterans are being brought to the forefront in a humorous way, but they are real dilemmas for many military families. Having Stephen Colbert as an honorary member of any organization is a sure way to alert the public to issues that might not make the headlines because they were, in someone's eyes, less important.

In just 24 hours, Stephen Colbert has collected over 6,000 votes on his way to 25,000 and honorary membership in IAVA. If you believe that more focus on our military veterans is important, click HERE to cast your vote. Votes can be cast anonymously.

Sources:
Colbert Nation: http://www.colbertnation.com/home
IAVA: http://iava.org/about