Randi Rhodes famously rants to her listeners that when people show you who they are, believe them. Not who they say they are, but who they show themselves to be.
Republicans love to wrap themselves in the jingoistic mantle of "supporting the troops". They bravely stick yellow ribbon magnets on their cars and courageously serve multiple tours of duty as armchair warriors, furiously typing up comments on the intertoobz accusing liberals of siding with the terrorists.
But what do they show us? When a servicemember filmed a video question for the Fox News GOP Debate in September, he identified himself as a gay soldier, asking Rick "Please Don't Google My Name" Santorum if he had to worry about losing his job, what was the audience's reaction to this revelation?
They booed him.
A man--unlike them--who faced the very real dangers of death and dismemberment in Iraq constantly, who simply wanted to be treated without regard for his sexuality was not honored for his sacrifices and bravery. He was booed because he flew in the face of their prejudices.
When they show you who they are, believe them.
