My view as a Soldier on Iraq

I am a "retired" soldier and your words are certainly NOT those of any soldier I have known or trained.

Try again.

Hints:

Mistake #1: "I love how people who have never been to Iraq, never had a son or daughter go to Iraq, never lost a loved one in Iraq, are so against pulling our soldiers out of Iraq."

You would get more respect if you just went ahead and used the term chickenhawk.

Mistake #2: "I also love how the media is so far up our soldiers butts that the enemy in Iraq pretty much has to shoot and kill an American soldier before we can take the appropriate action..."

The reporters are in the Green Zone or somewhere else safe. 90% of the embedded press is on the military side.

Mistake #3: "...I love how there are civilians, employed by the government, earning around $120,000 tax free in a year for sitting inside a secure base..."

The first $70,000 is tax free. The rest is not. Civilians cannot be in a combat zone without escort and they cannot possess weapons. I guess you were asleep when this was explained to you.

Mistake #4: Claiming you are a soldier.

Just a quick comment on this, when I was in the military many moons ago, I don't remember that any senator was in the chain of command.

Just thought I'ld remind you and those who think we need to "abide" by what a senator says.

"Im not saying lets pull out, im not saying lets stay there, Im no general, Im no senator, and Im not the President. But everone who reads this, think about it"

I must admit I have trouble following just what you are saying. You don't desire a pull out, but you don't desire staying either.

Many of us advocating your mission aren't as clueless as the left makes us out to be. We have been there and seen what will happen once the abandonment occurs.

No one ever said fighting a war was easy and yes, it can get very confusing, especially with a non-uniformed enemy.

Perhaps some thinking about things is in order for all. Think about radical Jihadists desire to dominate the world. Think about 15 terrorist attacks against our interests, two within our own borders, since 1979. Think about how failure in Iraq will bring about failure in Afghanistan and anywhere else terrorism rears its ugly head. Think about the message being telegraphed to our enemies and even to our allies as the Democrat leaders broadcast we have already lost and thee is no sense in fighting.

But, most of all, think about the small children that this war is going to be passed on to should we 'cut and run.'

Think about how we have shown the world we cannot be counted on to assist a struggling ally, as has been done before in the Bay of Pigs, Viet Nam, Lebanon, First Gulf War, Somalia and now, Iraq as well. What respect can we gain from the rest of the globe when we, the lone super power with the mightiest Military, cuts and runs every time the going gets a bit tough.

It isn't our Military or President failing, it is those of both parties telegaphing to terrorists our intention to flee the battle because the Jihadists aren't playing nice.

But, you are right, I haven't been to Iraq. I received my education in C Troop 7/17th Air Cav, Central Highlands, South Viet Nam, 1969 to 1971, MOS 67V20, with follow up in Germany in time for the 1972 Munich Olympics and the outbreak of the Baider Meinhoff gang.

Military life isn't for everyone, even those who always dreamt of how romantic it could be by watching the movies.

Don't sweat the others' comments too much. Some people prattle on unencumbered by the thought process. They say they listen to the concerns of the enlisted service members; but, that is only if they agree with what is being said. Opposing viewpoints seem to rock their world as if their houses of ideas are built on sand. Their reactions reveal the fear that shapes their world view.

I understand your joining up after 9/11 to take it to the enemy, but if you weren't in Afghanistan in '02, '06 or later then they sent you to the wrong country. Saddam was a bad apple (even when he was our SOB) but he had nothing to do with 9/11.

Freedom Toast writes: Saturday, April, 28, 2007 12:02 PM
"thinking about it...They say they listen to the concerns of the enlisted service members; but, that is only if they agree with what is being said."

I can say I disagree with the import, not actual facts, of the posting. I can say this only because I have read it. I guess I can say I did listen to his arguement.

Snooper writes: Thursday, April, 26, 2007 10:50 PM
"You are suspect"

"I'm not saying lets pull out, im not saying lets stay there, Im no general, Im no senator, and Im not the President. But everone who reads this, think about it." soldiers view

For Snooper; The failure in is his arguement is fatal because every American lives in a war zone. I was in this country when it was attacked. I'm a verteran of the jihadist's war in the American theater of operation. If his point is that he has been in more war zones than most Americans and he just wants us to consider consolidating our war effort to U.S. soil, then I would strongly disagree.