Conservatives across our great nation continue to ask "how can you support the troops, but not support the war?" Or they will say things like "this country is at war right now and it's not good for American citizens to criticize the current administrations handling of the war in Iraq because it might upset the families of the troops." I'm sorry, but maybe I missed the news report about how Iraq attacked our country thus forcing us to invade them. Oh, that's right, they didn't. They supposedly had weapons of mass destruction and that's why we invaded them. It was Al-queda that attacked America on September 11, 2001. A group comprised of mostly Saudi Arabians. That is why we went to Afghanistan. We removed the Taliban from power and kicked the crap out of Al-queda there. But because we are fighting a war on terror, the President decided to turn his attention to Iraq and Saddam Hussein. The same man who had attempted to kill his father during a visit to Kuwait. Hmmm. I wonder. Anyway, we decided to bring democracy to Iraq by deposing a tyrant. And he was a tyrant, there is no disputing that. However, in doing so, we also opened the floodgates for the Islamic groups in Iraq to begin waging war on us and each other. It also allowed countries like Iran and Syria to start funding these insurgent groups, as well as give Al-queda a foothold in Iraq that they never would have gained had we left it alone. Now combine that with trying to fight this war in a politically correct way and you have a recipe for disaster. Now let's get back to my earlier subject of criticizing the war, but supporting the troops. Ladies and gentlemen, the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees the right to freedom of speech. The men and women of our military have fought and died to protect that right. So why now, while we are at war, are we not supposed to exercise that right? Why are we labeling the people who question the war as un-American and unpatriotic? It is our duty as American citizens to let the people elected to represent us know how we feel. Why is it so hard for certain news channels and this administration to understand that the American people stand behind our men and women in uniform while at the same time disagreeing with the reasons for why we are in Iraq? It is my opinion that it's because this administration and all of its supporters do not want to admit that they are wrong. It's that simple. But more to the point, I respect the decision that each military member has made to serve this country in whatever capacity they are called to do so. I respect their families' decision to support their loved ones in their choice. But I will not be called unpatriotic because I question what some politician has decided is best for the American people. The men and women of the military serve this country, which means they serve at the behest of the commander in chief. They are doing what they are ordered to do. That politician is answerable to us, the American people. Ultimately I would like to see our troops come home after a successful mission, but unless someone pulls their head out of their fourth point of contact, that's not gonna happen. The American people are concerned for the troops and their families. What we are not behind is some personal agenda of this administration. Am I making sense yet? Am I making my point? Do you understand with crystal clarity what I am saying? The news media and the politicians in Washington need to understand what being un-American and unpatriotic is. It's sitting on an anti-aircraft gun with North Vietnamese soldiers while there are American servicemen sitting in a POW camp in Hanoi. Remember, Vietnam vets ain't fonda Jane. It's collaborating with the enemy or switching sides and serving with them. John Walker Lindh anyone? Using your right to freedom of speech is about as American and patriotic as you can get. And the troops and their families know this.
