I'm not so sure about that Amy. I know your heart is in the right place, but as a solider who was, and still is opposed to the war in Iraq, nothing pissed me off more than people wandering up to me to thank me for what I was doing.

I wanted nothing more than to yell at them and ask them what exactly they thought it was I was doing for them and what they were thanking me for, whether it was for invading country that posed no threat, other than economically because Saddam wanted to trade oil in euros, or being forced to let bin laden escape.

Odd how it was too dangerous and would have cost to many lives to kill him before he fled to Pakistan(still considered an ally), but apparently thousands of IED’s don’t warrant and armor upgrade that would have saved far more lives.

Let me tell you the night that the invasion of Iraq was announced EVERYONE on the base was pissed because they knew the truth behind it.

And for anyone who thinks “Well I see soldiers on the TV supporting the war” guess what morons - soldiers are given orders as to what they can and can not say and what they can and can not ask. You want to know how a soldier really feels about a war ask them once they are out, not returned or on leave but out, and see what they say then.

But then again that’s me, maybe some guys do appreciate it - at least they aren’t being spit on when they come home

This Memorial day, I was at a party with a bunch of new recruit Marines.

They got drunk as fuck. At one point, one of them said to me something like "Guess it ain't so comforting knowing I'm out there protecting you, huh?"

I told him if he could take that kind of beating from booze and still stand, I trusted him to protect me.

He said that he didn't agree with Bush, but it didn't matter -- he signed on to fight for God, country, and Marines.

I wished him safe return. I'd like to have a leader who valued his service, but I don't think we have one now.

> whether it was for invading country
> that posed no threat, other than
> economically

As if that meant it were tolerable. "It's only economics...." Slavery was like that.

My son is stationed at Rawah, Iraq. He says it's rather embarassing to come home on leave and get thanked profusely for doing what he is commanded to do, (but doesn't believe in). Still, he says it's better than what the vietnam vets got when they got home, and for that, he's thankful.

He says he's going to tell me the absolute truth about this war when he comes home in September. I hope he makes it... because I really want to know his take on the whole thing.

You're right, LYT... This President seems most excited at the prospect of wearing socks with fashionable logos: http://urltea.com/rn3

Crid, that picture is most disturbing!

One of my younger brother's friends just came back from Afghanistan, he looked like hell, way thinner than I had ever seen him. I thanked him for doing what he had to do, and he just kind of shrugged it off. He won't (and can't, really) talk about what went on ovet there, other than to say that it will be a long time before he's comfortable in a crowd or at a fireworks show.

That is quite common for anyone living in the M.E. for a period of time. Over the years, I've warned my friends and family to never sneak up on me, unless they want a free trip to the nearest E.R. I still get jumpy when walking on a sidewalk and cars will slow down to park.

Amy,

Recently this point was driven home by the blog post of a dear friend who works in the medical community on Ohio. You have only touched on the damage done to these men and women, She has seen it first hand. (note: graphic descriptions of injuries exist at that link - not for the squeamish)

Damn- that was a powerful essay.

Via "she has seen it first hand".

Here’s a novel idea for protecting our troops in Iraq. Get them the hell out of there.

Good morning Roger. What do you want to do about the Kurds?

Crid,

That’s the shortest and most civil comment I’ve ever seen you post. So…

The Kurds aren’t our responsibility, let the Turks have ‘em. It’s a civil war that we should not be participating in. Do you really think the US can solve a religious war that has been waging for hundreds if not thousands of years already?

Bring our troops home.

Crid,

Read Hitch's latest Slate column?

Yes, Joe, and Roger should too. It's hard to imagine what meaning the word "responsibility" could have to him.

Take Chicago and add Los Angeles, then throw in a Phoenix... That's how many people's democracy we've been defending for the last 16 years, and that after reneging on our promises time and time again in the past.

People who insist our soldiers lives are being squandered aren't just short sighted, and aren't just cowardly. They're something far worse.

To be clear about this, Roger, your measure of "civility" doesn't mean that much.

Personally, I don't have to read it, but can guess the contents. Also, I've been a long time supporter of Kurdish independence. (For the newcomers to Amy's site)

Right now, I am getting a flurry of emails from my DC friends on congratulating me over predicting the Hamas and Fatah civil war within the P.A. Right after Hamas election victory, my friends predicted a war between the Islamists and Israel. Yes, a war would happen, but with different opponents. It would always be between Hamas and Fatah with Israel feeding both sides waiting for both sides to lose the war. Then enter the IDF to clean up the remnants within Gaza.

A policy that DC should look into when handling the Iraqi Shias and Sunnis. Also, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are creating a united Sunni front against Shia expansion in the M.E. with USA’s approval. This Sunni united front is being used as a rival against A.Q. too.

That's more like it Crid. It depends on what the meaning of is is.

Roger, what's your point?

I live in a Marine town. This weekend we have a bunch of guys finally coming home, and more being shipped out. It's heartbreaking to see these kids coming back with missing limbs, broken spirits, and know much of it could have been prevented with better equipment.

Recently my husband was at work when he saw a young man standing in the middle of the highway, nude, screaming and crying. My husband got him to safety, and the young man begged for the police, for medical help. He was a Marine, newly returned, and had gotten stoned - just stoned - with friends. That triggered...something in him, and he just tripped. He didn't even know what he was doing in the road. Some Marines were nearby, and they and my husband stayed with the young man until police arrived.

The police were kind, asked him if he needed medical attention. He said yes, please. When they opened the door to put him in the police truck, he tripped again, fighting and screaming for help. He fell and cracked his skull, knocking himself out. My husband was still shaking when he got home.

I bring up this incident not because it's unique, but because things of this nature happen here a LOT. I don't know what the answer is, but I know these kids need more care when they get home. The older Marines, vetereans of the Gulf War, have learned to deal, somehow, but the young ones are so lost when they get home.

And believe me, support for the war, and for Bush, among the troops who come home, is far less than is usually portrayed in the media.

Link posted above (to the very moving piece) was taken down. It seems the writer doesn't quite understand blogging or how the Internet works, and writes the following:

Warrior2 Apologies to those of you who looked in here earlier and see that the original version of this post is missing. I was hotlinked without my knowledge and got some comments that bothered me from people I've never heard from. Sorry if you had a legit comment on the earlier post. I saved them away.

The reposted piece is here:

http://beaniegrrl.blogspot.com/2007/06/warrior2.html

Also, she doesn't understand the difference between linking -- sending her traffic -- and stealing from her -- which is what hotlink is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotlinking

Hey...it took me a couple of days to catch up with your blog, because I was busy welcoming my husband home from a tour in Afghanistan.I'm really against this war as well, but it REALLY means a lot to me (us) that people like you are willing to support the troops even while not supporting the war. Thanks, Amy. Seriously.

My husband is in Iraq on his second tour. He'll be there until january of 2007 and might be extended another 3 months. I know there are people who are against our troops. But I heard a some one say, " don't hate our Soldiers, hate the people that send them there. I am a military wife and I support our troops with all of my heart. Hell, half of my heart is in Iraq. I am against the war but I definatly stand behind our troops. And for the people who aren't standing behind our troops, please, feel free to stand in front of them. Land of the free because of the brave!! We won't have this counrty (that's falling apart thanks to Bush) if it weren't for Soldiers. So, I do think we need to say thank you to our hero's. My Husband is a hero. He told me once that he fights not for our Government, but for his family and the country that once was. I just want all of the soldiers to know that they are in our hearts and prayers. Let's get our Soldiers home. Enough is enough!! No more bloodshed.

I went with a good friend to see her husband off from Fort Hood. He'll be gone until April 2008. I watched 150 soldiers leave their loved ones. It was the saddest thing I've ever had to see. My friend couldn't let her husband go. I had to peel her off of him. Some other wives came over and helped me support her in a hard moment. The sad thing is that these two people really love eachother. And he had to go far away to a dangerous and unneeded war. I visited her a lot and about a month after her Husband was gone, she got a knock at the door. I remember the two men were dressed in uniform and one of them was a chaplin. My friend didn't want to believe it. She kept telling them that they had the wrong house because she just talked to him last night. That was the hardest thing to watch as to people who really loved eachother were now never going to get the family they dreamed of or their lives together. I just think this war is so stupid and that people who don't want to support our troops, come live the life of a military spouse before passing judgment. These men and women are very noble and brave. Most of them don't support the war either. But when you're sworen into the military, you have orders. I think it's time to stop all of the killings and let families be together.

here's a letter from a soldier.

My dearest, I have a feeling we'll be moving out very soon so I may not get a chance to write again for some time. First let me thank you for all of your letters. I can't tell you how much they cheer me up and make me think of home. I'm not trying to frighten you but please know that I'm going into this having excepting the fact that I may not be coming back. If that should happen, you must promise me that you will not morn my passing. But move on and live your life to the fullest in order to give mine meaning. And to honor the cause we are over here fighting to achieve. When bullies rise up the rest of us have to beat them back down, whatever the cost. That's a simple invatation to death I suppose, but one worth giving everything for. The only thought that saddens me,aside from failing at our task is, the thought of never seeing you again. Not holding you, not seeing our children grow, not spending the passing years with you. But if I should not come back, know that I will never truly leave you. Should you be walking some years from now on a beautiful spring day and feel the warm breeze graze your cheek. That warm breeze will be me giving you a kiss. Remember finally, above all, that I love you.

I think that's enough reason to support our troops. Don't you?