August 13

As I write this my son is 24 hours back to Bragg after a too-short leave granted on too-short notice. In a couple of weeks he'll be in Baghdad.

In July 2001 he was a kid who just graduated from high school without much thought about what he wanted to be or do (other than play computer games and download music), and–with our encouragement and urging–he thought it would be cool to serve his country, put in some hard work, get experience and experiences, maybe get some direction and discipline, and a lot of help with going to college.

One month and eleven days after he went to boot camp the world changed. Though it was very scary, we were proud that he went to Afghanistan to try to find and capture the people that inarguably planned or aided in the execution of the attacks on America. That was a noble and brave effort, with (at the outset, at least) specific purpose and objectives. He and his squad made it through, came home, continued to serve by training infantry maneuvers to officers-in-training.

That was then, though. This is now.

Nobody's convinced us there is a role for our military – for our son – to play in Iraq other than "target." We've buried way too many of our children in the past nine months. Lord, we had to bury one here while my son was home, and feel the emptiness of a young widow who could only be in her husband's arms for a few months of the two years they were married. Too much of OUR sons' and daughters' blood has been shed for what seems to be a son's vengeful retaliation for a father's failure of resolve and purpose twelve years ago. Every headline in the paper, every morning – relentlessly, it seems – are cutting huge painful pieces out of our hearts.

And so, the pride and positives from what seemed to be a great idea for a son's future have now turned to guilt and anguish and torment over the possibility of a limited or absent future. No parent in their right mind purposely puts their child in the direct path of danger. No human in their right mind can accept, can simply resign themselves to sending their family member to a place or situation where death occurs at such a rapid, random pace. So I had to write this, I had to use this as an outlet, I had to thank you for the establishment of this site, and I just hope to our good God that it works, that it really, really, works. Bring him home. Bring them ALL home.

Neal
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August 13

After September 11th my husband, a reservist in the Army was activated and stationed in El Paso, Texas for almost a year. After several months home from this first mission he was activated again and fought in Iraq with British troops. After Bush declared the War was over my husband was sent to Camp Airfjan, Kuwait. A few days ago he was sent back to Iraq and is in Baghdad.

My husband chose to join the reserves and was paid to do so – and prepared to protect his country. I remember him asking me if it would be OK if he joined the reserves and how he told me if anything ever happen against the United States he would go anyway - so I proudly said Yes, and felt my heart break with worry all at the same time. My husband is a true patriot – more than I could ever be and I Love This Country. I support my husband 100%, but I feel his life is being taken for granted as he sits in Baghdad with less then adequate protection. I can not help but feel this way as I hear how our servicemen are dying. I wonder if Bush would have said "Bring Them On !!" if his daughters were in the middle of Baghdad?

I want to know if my husband's year long duty now starts in July 2003 as he has returned to Iraq this month or does it start when he was activated in February 2003? I am frustrated by the Army's Family Readiness Unit as they can not provide answers to these questions. I am also frustrated that I requested a Army Chaplin to talk to my husband in June and was told that one would be provided for both of us and as of this date the Army as not provided this necessary service. I was told that a Chaplin was not attached to his unit and unavailable when there should have been one. Recent news stories of Army Chaplin's comforting Iraqis in Baghdad does not comfort me as I know the services are not there for US servicemen.

I want my husband home. I want the Iraqi people to put there lives on the line to build a better future for themselves. It is easy to take something for granted when one does not have to sacrifice to get it. My husband has been there three times now, once in Desert Storm 1 and now twice in Desert Storm 2.

I am a women born and raised in America, I am not afraid to say how I feel, I am not afraid to worship as I please, I am not afraid to work or educate myself in any field I desire, and this right was given to me by those who put their lives on the line to do so. American men and women who came from all over this earth to celebrate life as it should be... FREE.

It is time we leave Iraq to the people of Iraq – let them hunt down Sadam themselves and do with him as they please.

Tara Selheim
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August 19

I am a Vietnam Vet. That war was a "bullshit war." Iraq is a "bullshit war" How in the hell did we manage to do it again? Might as well spit on the Black Wall. Kids being wounded and killed over bullshit lies and bullshit patriotism. Many will suffer psychological trauma for years to come. They are becoming hardened in ways most cannot imagine. Many will be bitter and full of contempt for authority.

I keep asking, "Why in God's name is this happening again"? Get their asses out before more get maimed or killed!!!! Vietnam did not cause this much disillusionment over my country. This time there's no excuse. I hope all the pro-war cheerleading sons-of-bitches experience a combat moment. As for me, I'm moving to Mexico. I've lost almost all faith in my country.

May God protect yours,
Vietnam Vet (67-67)
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August 13

I just wanted you to know that you have my full support. I was in the first Gulf War and it was not pretty at all. You will never forget the things you saw, heard or smelled. Please stop this now!!! Bring the troops home.

Ingram
Los Angeles, California
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August 13

As a former US Army Infantry Sergeant, I was strongly AGAINST the war and I despise Bush more than any politician in my life. I am so happy to see military families speak out against this needless, corrupt war of occupation !!

Thank you for having the courage to speak out. I will continue to protest every week with my friends on our street corner here in Los Angeles for our troops to be brought home NOW.

And don't let these "support the troops" brain-washed hypocrites tell you that you are bringing down "morale". That is NON-SENSE!!! Bush has done that all by himself, trust me. War destroys morale, not anti-war activists.

PEACE !!!

Alex Hadady
Ex-US Army Infantry Sergeant
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August 19

As a VietNam vet 69-70, I can see it starting all over again.

Ed
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August 13

One year? We are going to leave our troops in Iraq for one year?, and we MIGHT give them a couple of weeks mid-tour (no firm plans other then they stay for one year). The powers that be are destroying our military from the inside, especially our Army.

How many of these people that are "stranded" (for lack of a better term) in Iraq are going to re-enlist? How many that haven't deployed are going to re-enlist? (after all the "NEXT" sign is hung around there necks)

How many families are going to be destroyed? What about the children in these families, especially those old enough to be aware of the dangers their mother, father (or even both) are facing?

Yes, yes, I've heard it all... They volunteered... They knew what they were signing up for... The wife/husband knew they were marrying a military person.... , etc., etc. This is true, but they did not think they were going to be placed in the terrible position they are in now. They thought the military would do right by them and take care of them. This is not the case. They did not think they would be sent into a shooting gallery and later be told, "You'll go home, don't know when, but if you survive, you'll go home.". They didn't know the military would break the hearts of their loved ones repeatedly. They didn't know that their military and civilian leadership would essentially lock them up for an undetermined amount of time and throw away the key.

We have cut our military so much it is causing suffering to those that remain in uniform. Our troops are reeling from the backlash of the budget cutter's axe. What if North Korea or Taiwan go up now? We say we need all of the troops in Iraq and we have none to spare for replacing them. Where is the back-up for our 37,000 troops in South Korea?

Our current stance in Iraq and Afghanistan is insane. The United States military is a tool to implement US foreign policy where no other means will work. It is there to break things and kill people to achieve our foreign policy goals when lesser means will not work. Their job is not to rebuild countries. Their job is done, our anti-Saddam regime, anti-Taliban foreign policies have been implemented. Bring them home, they deserve it. They have worked hard and sufferd much. I wish our prisons doled out the suffering and austere life our troops have been subjected to in the last 6 plus months.

My 16 year old daughter asked me about joining the military. She is interested in the travel and college benefits. My answer is no, stay away. 5, 10, 15 years ago, this would not have been my answer, I would have thought she was making a sound choice and given her my full support.

I have had "Take care of your troops" preached to me for over 23 years. This message needs to travel back up the chain of command, all the way to the Commander in Chief's abode.

23+ year Air Force active duty member......
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I am a seventeen year old senior in high school in central Florida. Honestly I can say the last thing on my mind is to be up on current events and therefore have not been watching the news. I do listen well and have heard the oh-so-righteous stands of our very own president and have heard of his absence in the Vietnam War. As an adolescent moving towards the "bright" future as an independent citizen of the great United States of America, I can say this has disgusted me in many ways.

Our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers and so many more of the people we would give our own lives to protect are caught in a world of lies and secrecy. I have been witness to the travails of the family members of our soldiers worlds away from us.

Making an impression on the views of so many people is out of my own reach but already tight in the grasp of us all. I hope that we may all be heard in saying "Bring 'em on home," give back our families and give us the chance to redeem ourselves.

Signed a child in a world of lies,
Gina
Clermont, Florida
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August 13

Mr. Bush:

I find it hard to believe that you are continuing this worthless war for your own benefit. I often wonder if our sons and daughters, husbands and wives or our friends and neighbors would still be there if your daughters were in Iraq serving. I really doubt it. If we must stay there, then show your true support by putting your family in harms way, as those who serve this country have.

It should be law that any child, grandchild, brother or sister of a congressperson, the Vice President, the President or any other politician who makes the decision to go to war should serve in the front lines of that war. I believe that if this were the case, you would be a lot less reluctant to go to war.

From someone who has had an Uncle KIA in Vietnam, a friend KIA in Somalia and has seen the affects of war on others: I say to you "Bring our soldiers home NOW!!!!"

Doug
Veteran of Gulf War I
Perry, Iowa
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August 13

Thank you for the website. As a soldier facing deployment to Iraq in the near future, it is great to know that there are folks in a position to speak out publicly who feel the same way that many of us do. Our political leaders have failed us by not giving us a clearly defined mission or exit plan. Many of us only know the reason for the deployment is to relieve those who have already been there for many months and this is reason enough for many of us. Our leaders say that we are fighting a war of attrition. If the OPTEMPO does not quickly slow down then attrition is exactly what they will have. I'm with the troops on a daily basis and can see that many mid-career officers and enlisted are considering leaving military service altogether due to the many deployments and rumors of deployments. Most of America only seems mildly interested in the plight of the men and women who defend the freedoms that we all enjoy in this great nation. I can only hope that through this site, the national news media will ignite America and ensure that our elected leaders can feel our pain. As a soldier I am in a position only to serve and feel that I am not allowed to question how long and why. I sincerely hope that I will be able to vote in the 2004 election. Thank you for what you are doing for us and our families.

[Name withheld by request]
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July 30

My son, Gary, has been in Iraq since March, 2003, and I just want him to come home. He has lost over 40 pounds of weight in less than 4 months but never complains about why he is there and his/our purpose for being there. He has no battlefield experience...he has a wife and a 3 year old son who miss him tremendously and only want him to come home. As a mother, every time I talk with my son on the phone maybe once a month (at most), I hear in his voice how tired he is and how depressed he is. He would never, ever admit to that and would be so upset with his mom if he knew I had even mentioned that to anyone else. He has always been so gung-ho for the Army and so patriotic for his country that it is very depressing to me to hear his tone of voice. You worry about them when they don't call, but worry about them more when they do call because you hear their true feelings in their voice. I just want my son to come home to us safely. We send him "care packages" every month with items that should be supplied by the military (at the minimum) but do so because we love him and want him to have enough food and items of sustenance to keep him going, so as not to worry about missing any "meals" while on a mission. My husband and I were both in favor of the war and of WMD being found and eliminated but now fear that maybe they were never in existance or, if so, may never be found. We pray that our son will come home to us and his wife and son.

Sincerely,
Gary and Vicki Bonkowski
Liberty, MO
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July 30

My son is in Iraq, whereabouts I cannot say, but I have heard from him. He and his platoon were so hungry and thirsty by the time they got back to Kuwait, they 'stole' a crate of MRE's. They were caught of course, but when the Lt. found out how long they had been on one MRE a day and one bottle of water, he did not punish them. The thing is, why was this unit left to fend for itself? Who was furnishing them with a hot meal a day, and all they wanted to drink? Nobody! They slept in, on, and around their trucks because they had no tents. Their socks are worn out, they are getting athlete's foot from the conditions. I have sent cans and cans of foot spray to them, and socks. Where's the army supplies? Did they think 6 pairs of socks was going to last 6 months in those conditions? Oh yes they have px's in some places over there. A can of foot spray there cost the soldiers $6.00 a can, I can get it at Wal-mart for $4!!!! Who's taking care of who? I say, BRING OUR MEN AND WOMEN HOME! They toppled the regime, now let the Iraqi people fend for themselves.

Marilyn Sealey
Madison, Florida
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July 30

I just saw your website for the first time today, and I just have to say, "THANK YOU!"

While I am not affiliated with the military, I happen to have two friends who are over in Iraq with their reserve units. Every day I cringe when I look on the Internet, because I know that we will have suffered casualties. This invasion has been a tragedy since Day One, and I am so happy to see people affiliated with the Service taking a stand like you have.

I "Support Our Troops" proudly. I don't want our troops fighting a war on behalf of people who have never served, all for greed and empire, while we slash veterans' benefits and services here at home. "Support Our Troops - Bring Them Home," indeed!

Thank you again!

Lisa
Seattle, Washington
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July 30

My Daughter is in Baghdad in the MP's and we are told they are only allowed 2 bottles of water and one cooked meal aday. Great site, I want my child home. I have called and written and e-mailed my congressmen but never get a response.

Be well,
Lawrence Milhoan
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Letter to the Missoulian Newspaper, printed Sunday July 20, 2003:

July 20

May 1 is long over and our kids are still being picked off in Iraq. Do you remember watching the footage of our President landing on the U.S.S. Lincoln and listening to the speech about major combat being over? While his political theatrics are being launched in hopes of getting the Popularity polls up, our sons and daughters are still in danger in Baghdad.

Let us be reminded that our President had a year-plus absence from the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. In those days, George W. wasn't challenging Ho Chi Minh to "bring 'em on." He was hiding in some redneck bar in Alabama, working on the congressional campaign of one of his daddy's pals.

Some veterans have called that absence from duty "desertion." When our children come back, some as young as 20 years old, as combat veterans, the President cannot even pretend to have any regard for what they have been through – the sights, the smells, the sounds they will have etched forever in their memories.

Our President continues to slash health care and benefits for veterans, while painting himself the champion of the armed forces. Yet our President reaps the 'back door benefits' of all the corporations making millions off the war. Our children will most likely see images of mangled bodies, wounded children and major destruction. But what are our Presidents priorities? Bechtel, Carlyle and Halliburton – I guess there is profit in humanitarian relief.

Patriotism is not blindly wrapping yourself in the flag and saying the commander in chief can do no wrong. I am an American, proudly supporting the men and women who are serving and have served this country, but I will no longer cower to the fallacy that I must support my president, right or wrong, as he blatantly lies to us again and again.

Rebecca Holman
Missoula, Montana
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This letter was written to Stan Goff in response to his "Bring 'Em on Home" article:

July 28

Dear Mr. Goff, I read your article with sympathy and increasing concern for our troops in Iraq...two more killed today...and I believe that it's time I somehow got involved.

My son will be in his junior year in high school, and for as long as I can remember,he has wanted to attend the Naval Academy...his grades are good enough, his father knows a congressman, and I'm fairly frightened to death. His intentions were always, "I want to defend my country," but he also has doubts about our latest military endeavor. But once one joins the military, one's opinion counts very little when one is called to serve. I will be proud of my son if he does attend Annapolis, but I will worry...and not just for my son, but for all those who see in the military a way to elevate themselves financially, a way to break the cycle of poverty, a way to get a decent education without bankrupting the family.

Let the special forces do their job..we don't need 18 and 20 year old foot soldiers being ambushed daily...bring them home. Thank you.

C. Marre
California
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This letter was written to Stan Goff in response to his "Bring 'Em on Home" article:

July 28

Your article was excellent. I have two grown sons (ages 31 and 28) and can imagine what you, your wife, and the other parents, siblings, children, and friends of those deployed or about to be deployed are going through.

I'm one of those people who always gets choked up during the Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner, or God Bless America. But now I weep for another reason. When I see our so-called "Commander In Chief" using our beautiful flag, or Mt. Rushmore, or the deck of an aircraft carrier as a backdrop for his lies and propaganda it turns my stomach. And how dare Bush and his cronies dare call anyone who dissents unpatriotic?

Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rove, Ashcroft, Rice and, I'm sorry to say, Powell are guilty of treason and crimes against humanity. Every time another one of our young people is killed or injured, every time another innocent Iraqi falls, Bush et al's guilt is multiplied. And in their pride and stupidity they aren't even asking the United Nations for help. But then how can they,after thumbing their nose at the entire rest of the planet?

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor. We need to get our guys home now.

Georgia Kraff
Raleigh, North Carolina
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This letter was written to Stan Goff in response to his "Bring 'Em on Home" article:

July 28

Salaam Alaikum Stan and Sherry,

My name is Lisa and I am an American Muslim living in the Middle East these past 4 years. I am also the mother of a young National Guard serviceman who has been deployed since last December; first in Guantanamo Bay and now awaiting orders for Iraq. My son's name is Jesse and he is only 21 years old. You can imagine how your appeal in CounterPunch touched my heart.

I have many Iraqi friends, as well as Muslim friends from all over the Middle East. They (and I) would want you to know that Islam should not be defined by the desperate measures of extremists. Rather it is a religion that can bridge many cultures in demonstrations of goodness, love and morality regarding human life. Everyone I talk to emphasizes how much they like and admire Americans – except for the megalomaniac politicians who have made us persona non grata in the international arena. What they love about America are the ideals we were founded on and the freedoms we had for so long. Unfortunately, since 9/11, those freedoms have eroded drastically and "America" is coming to mean something else. And one of the most disturbing things to me is the fact that constitutional "freedom of religion" doesn't extend to Muslims – unless we consider living under a cloud of suspicion, mistrust and disrespect of our practices and beliefs, freedom. My (anti-Taliban) Afghani husband is unable to even get a visa to visit my family in the States; he is a Muslim male, between the ages of 18 and 45 whose country of origin happens to be from Afghanistan. The State Department has determined that is too big a risk. We must meet in a neutral country so that my parents can get to know him. How sad....

That said, I praise your efforts to raise awareness to get our sons and daughters out of this horrible and dangerous occupation in Iraq. I will be praying for your Jessie, as well as my own, in the hopes that Allah, in his infinite wisdom, will see that they return home safely (both emotionally and physically) and soon, insha'Allah.

Bismi'Allah-i rahman-i rahim, Salaam Alaikum (In the name of Allah, the most merciful and mighty, Peace be unto you),

This letter was written to Stan Goff in response to his "Bring 'Em on Home" article:

July 28

I too come from a military family - also one that lived under Nazi occupation and resisted - they were what you now call 'terrorists'. I am very angry that people resisting an illegal occupation should be called 'terrorists'. Or anyone fighting back they only way they can against immeasurably superior forces. Or that our soldiers don't know anything about Nuremberg, or the Geneva Conventions, or illegal orders, or the immorality of invading a poor country that never was our enemy. Americans don't seem to have learned much from history - WW II and Vietnam, for starters. Especially Nazi Germany.

I know more than I care to know about how the US treats its veterans - I've been in the trenches fighting for their healthcare - and I am sickened by the devastation from Vietnam, Gulf I, and other illegal brush wars initiated by lies and propaganda. It's hard to feel sorry for Americans who have never had their own homeland bombed into rubble - even your own brain-washed, testosterone-poisoned kids. They should be home in school, not killing other people's kids.

It was bound to escalate - especially when there's no draft and rich kids are exempt. Either everybody goes, or nobody goes - the only fair way to run a war. We're not supposed to even have a standing army - Eisenhower warned us about that - he knew about all the lies. (As did my father - he served under Bradley and was regular army before WW II.)

Being a conservative, I really resent the dirty name they're giving my philosophy - and the way they've dragged the flag through the mud. Might as well have swastikas on it now instead of stars - symbol of the Fourth Reich. Hitler lasted 12 years - I don't think we'll have much of a country left by then.

I keep on top of things, write letters to my congressmen, and talk to anyone who'll listen. Thank you ever so much for speaking out - it's what true patriots have to do, no matter how bad it gets. The Nazis called German dissenters 'traitors' too - and persecuted anyone who spoke out against fascism or their plan for world domination. They do hate the truth - it's of no benefit to them. Lies make money.

S. Lambrecht
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This letter was written to Stan Goff in response to his "Bring 'Em on Home" article:

July 28

I have an uncharacterized autoimmune condition which includes as symptoms: servere atopic dermatitis, multiple sensitivities, severe asthma, arthritis, giant cell arteritis, and systemic necrotizing vasculitis. My lab work includes IgE, eosinophil, and t-suppressor levels (among other things) so high they are outside the range of standard tests and require dilution series be preformed for an accurate result.

I used to run at least 8 miles a day and at least one full marathon a week which I could routinely do in under 2hr 45min. Now it kicks my ass to mow my lawn and I live in Germany so my lawn is the size of a postage stamp. I have probably gone through 50 ampules of epinephrine for anaphylaxis in the last eight years and am doomed to a lifetime of immunosuppressive amounts of prednisone.

There is no mystery as to what caused my condition. In 1993 as my Special Forces team was getting ready to deploy to Incirlik, Turkey for PCII (CSAR support for the northern no-fly zone) my medic came back from the Troop Medical Clinic with news my medical records had been lost. He said because of this I would need a new panorex and all of my immunizations again to be deployable. You of course know how many immunizations are required in SF but I bet you wouldn't have given them all at once (including live viruses) to a guy who was already sick with a bad flu. Even then I'll bet you wouldn't confuse the decimal point on one of them and accidentally pump 10X the required dose. But my medic...well let's just say he was special.

In comic books major screw ups like this produce spidermen and hulks. In real life they just make you really sick and your life hell.

I was just an extreme case though. I have seen others from that same deployment showing clear signs of vasculitis. I have heard of even more who are turning up strange immune disorders. Interestingly all of those vaccinations were left over from the Gulf War.

I now believe imunizations are second only to boarding a rotary wing aircraft on list of most dangerous things SF guys do.

Tell your son to aviod vaccinations when he is sick or under stress if he can. Tell him to maintain a second personal copy of his immunization records and to request titers rather than superfluous reimmunizations. Tell him to relax as much as possible the day of and for several days after the shot.

Recent research indicates stress has a huge impact on how the immune system reacts to antigens. I hate to harp on what must seem like a minor point but I know from experience it is a real danger and it is a danger the Army will not inform him about. Indeed the US Government will do everything they can to keep it quiet.

Oh and tell your son just one more time to make sure he's got his kevlar and body armor on every time he leaves the perimeter.

Steven
Germany
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This letter was written to Stan Goff in response to his "Bring 'Em on Home" article:

July 28

Today, coming home from seeing parents in FL, sitting in the Charlotte airport, I was next to a thin young woman who was talking to a young stranger next to her. I could not help but overhear their conversation. Both were soldiers, Army, both in jeans, incognito. She was a communications officer headed to Iraq as one of the replacement troops for the Div. 1, isn't it, which is there? She called Bush a "fucking idiot." The discussion was about her cynicism about service after 3 years in, her wish to get out ASAP, and his positive attitude. He kept telling her to "be safe." I wished I had memorized the web site for the GI update to tell her, but I did not, and did not talk with her, as they were in their world.

One snapshot from the real world.

Barbara
Raleigh, NC
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July 27

I am 70 + yrs old and never have I ever seen such corruption of our country in such a short time. Thanks to all who are working hard to bring us some truth (I hope) about this mess to bring our troops home. I have a son in the air force. I have lived through 5 wars in my life time. Never have I seen such lies and secrecy. Here is a partial quote: "It is easy to get people to follow you into a war, all you have to do is tell them they are being attacked" from Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials after WW2. Hum-m ?? Cheney must have read the trials report.

Please read David Korten's book 'When Corporations Rule the World'. You will not sleep well but here we are. Halliburton Oil is at the front. This all has been coming on for years while we were concerned over who would win the Super Bowl and which new computer game were you going to get. WE have not DEMANDED HONEST, FACTUAL NEWS. WE have become an ignorant brainless fat society. WE have lost our civility, questioning minds and the ability to reason, introspect, discernment and engage in honest open discussions.

WE are at a fork in the road, YOU decide which way we are to go.

Lynn
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I'm a former Army Nurse – served stateside after college from 1977-1980. Also, my eldest brother was a Vietnam KIA, an Army helicopter pilot shot down in '69 near Pleiku. I only began finding out about Bush's AWOL/desertion from the Internet after this war started & am outraged our major news organizations have deliberately kept Americans in the dark concerning the truth about Bush's military service record. It's unconscionable to me and my family that this nation has the abomination of a military deserter in the position of Commander In Chief and as such, this shameless liar and hypocrite so enthusiastically sends other Americans into harm's way, then has the astounding gall to exploit the military with these galling propaganda "photo ops" and lofty speeches about duty, honor, commitment, and sacrifice. This is the biggest sham I've seen yet from a politician and our media, especially broadcast, are his greatest shills. The Watergate scandal pales in comparison – at least Watergate didn't kill anyone nor did it exploit those serving in the military.

Maureen
San Jose
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We ARE losing this war....It was lost before we ever started because we went there for oil and the whole world knows it. Instead of the opinions of "We the people" counting anymore, its "We the Pentagon" or "We the Corporations of America" carrying all the weight with government.

As a rifle platoon sergeant with Delta Company 1- 7th Cav 1st Air Cav Div in Vietnam I understand clearly how those who have never been in combat can be so cavalier with other people lives.

Donald
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I was in the Cav at LZ Dog, across from English in '67. Got shot down in the An Loa, and other adventures! 157 of my friends are on that black wall. I'm 60% officially screwed up.

My son is in the Seabees and several of his friends have been killed in Iraq.

When I saw Bush make that ["Bring 'em on"] comment I wanted to wring his fucking neck with my bare hands.

Doug
Lakeview, Oregon
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Those who send others to fight, kill and die, aren't going, and neither are their kids. We need to support our troops by bringing them home now. This is not our war.

All this tough talk by a man who never saw one day of combat, a security advisor who knows absolutely nothing about kill or be killed, and destroy the environment in the process, is in front of the TV cameras doing what she does best/talking about things she obviously only has head knowledge about. In fact this entire administration is a dangerous bunch of people, who are out for the money and power. By any means necessary, and if that means more of our young people die so be it.

We continue our protest in Missouri, and we would like to begin a support our troops, bring them home movement. Not sure how to go about doing that. If you or someone you know have any ideas I would appreciate hearing them. I have a son with the army, and another one leaving for boot on the 23rd. Lost a brother to agent orange, (US government never admitted it), and a uncle to the after-effects of WWII and Korea. Ages 38 and 47.

I am sick of war.

God Bless,

Ester
Grandview, Missouri
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