Some soldiers think we don't distinguish B*sh from them.

[Joe for Clark]

I had a long talk with my kid over there, and it is true. There are some "Yahoo" threads in particular he was talking about. It upset me.

Best liberals I ever met were old combat vets - cause they know exactly what it costs those kids -"armchair warriors" playing with their lives makes me sick.

So if you might reassure the kids that we KNOW the difference between B*sh's idiotic polices and the poor dumb GI's that get stuck in the middle please add on here.

I'll wait a little, then I will send this on to my boy for the reading benefit of his unit.

Thanks,

Joe

[cali]

1. Please, please, please

tell your son that most of us absolutely don't blur his service with Bush's policies, and thank him for me. I oppose the war, not those serving.

[angstlessk]

6. Do not forget to reccomend..more attention with rec threads n/t

[Vincardog]

2. We support the troops by resisting the idiot bush

WE realize that the solders sailors airmen and marines have to believe in their mission;
It is our job o ensure that the mission is just.

[ribrepin]

94. You expressed it perfectly

WE realize that the solders sailors airmen and marines have to believe in their mission;
It is our job to ensure that the mission is just.

[wtmusic]

3. There couldn't be more difference

Even those who come back are casualties--of being lied to, of thinking they were defending freedom when they were defending something altogether different, of thinking their purpose was noble when it was anything but, of being USED.

We, as a country, have a lot of work to do to regain their trust.

[angstlessk]

4. Let's see...brave, honorable warrior...chickenhawk Bush/Cheney...

brave, honorable warrior...chickenhawk Bush/Cheney... I am NOT confused. The young men and women we have in Iraq are following orders and are doing their duty. If only Bush/Cheney would do what they swore to do, their duty, America would be a safer place today.

No confusion here!

[cally]

5. I have never heard anyone confuse the two

I hang with many who are very much anti-war folks and none have ever been anti-troops. I've attended many anti-war protests where very creative anti-Bush signs abound but none have criticized the troops. Instead, all just want our troops home and feel compassion for those in this horrible war.

[Ian David]

7. They put their lives in Bush's hands and be betrayed them.

They offered up their very lives in defense of their country, and Bush betrayed them.

They signed-up to defend our freedom. And now Bush has abused their trust to consolidate his party's power, and to make a handful of his closest friends disgustingly wealthy.

[SeattleGirl]

8. There is a great distinction between our military personnel and

the Bush/Cheney regime. Please let your boy know that this woman is very, very much against the war in Iraq, and very angry about it, as well as how our military is treated by the regime. It angers me deeply that they don't have the equipment they need in many cases, especially the armor they need for their helmets and vests and humvees. I believe it is the duty of our government to make sure that, if they are going to send our military to war, whether that war is justified or not, that the troops are given everything they need in order to do their jobs, and to stay as safe as possible. I am NOT against the troops. They are doing what they were ordered to do, and they did it out of a sense of honor and duty. Like many others, I support the troops, but do not support the war, and do not confuse their actions with those of Bush/Cheney. Bless your son, and all the men and women who are in the middle of this war. May he and they come home safe, and come home soon.

[roguevalley]

9. please tell your son he is loved by a dem in ALaska and we know

who the traitor and criminal is. Hug your boy for me when he comes home. Bless him, bless his buddies, bless the military that Bush hurt so much.

[immoderate]

10. We honor your service and we know you don't make the decisions.

:patriot: Nothing would please us more than to welcome you home immediately with the honors and benefits you deserve for serving the United States. :patriot:

If justice is done, the people who sent you to Iraq will be in jail.

--IMM

[Monkeyman]

11. Joe this old vet will say this

I will fight for everyone who returns I will never give up on them. Bush war policy is based on lies. These men and women joined to fight those who killed 3000 of our brothers ans sisters on 9/11. Did not not ask to go to Iraq over an over again. 600 of them have now stood tall and said leave now. These troops face article 15;s and maybe worse they showed us the way. They are not being taken care of when they come home this is outrage is unforgivable. SUPPORT THE TROOPS NOT BUSH

[Change has come]

12. Please thank your son and his fellow soldiers for their service.

I will always consider this (Iraq) an illegal war of choice but fully support the troops who are serving with honor and fulfilling their commitment to our country. :patriot:

[Brundle_Fly]

13. Some soldiers are wrong

They wouldn't stop fighting or think twice to defend the USA, and as this war is unjust, there's no stopping fighting to bring them home.

The US Military is one of the most honored in the world, Bush and the ChickenHawks are the only ones who doesn't care about them...

beyond democrats, I imagine even other countries know this...

FYI, I am am Canadian! I support the US troops. They are somebody's kids for gods sake.


I know the difference.

[MADem]

14. That's because BushCo PAINTS IT that way--us agin' them, with us or agin us

All I can say about YAHOO threads is, well...yahoo...!

There are plenty of career military personnel here on the intelligent side of the debate, who have no problem whatsoever distinguishing a servicemember sacrificing honorably from an assclown in high heeled cowboy boots.

[Jacobin]

15. Anyone who thinks that needs to have his head examined

Our soldiers signed up to defend this country and they do their jobs, among the most difficult in the world, in horrible conditions.

THEY didn't ask to go invade Iraq. They were told by Bush and the idiots in Congress who authorized it, to do so.

[tabatha]

16. my heart has always gone out to the troops

for having to do what they have been asked to do, despite the fact that I am opposed to the war.
In any situation, there are always people of different opinions, and amongst the GIs, I guess there are those that support Bush and those (probably many more) that don't.

This video should put any doubts to rest - democrats care about them - and separate them from the policy.
http://www.takebackthemedia.com/flash/onearmy.swf

[DearAbby]

17. Supporting the troops....

how the GOP has blured this. Most Americans know those in Iraq, are not to blame for being there. You are serving your country. Bush is destroying it...big difference.

Come home safe, all of you!

[malmapus]

18. Don't worry, vet here and I never confuse the two

For me it's hard, being so against something but having buddies still involved in it. Because I still support them 110% but I don't support the policy that put them there at all and hate the man that put them there.

[Swamp Rat]

19. I do not know a single person who confuses US soldiers with Bushler.

US soldiers = Good

George W. Bushler = Evil

[rosesaylavee]

20. Please tell your son that

we have had a yellow ribbon on our tree since March 2003, my family and I have participated in every anti-war protest that we could attend, we have signed petitions, written letters to our senators and congressman to get this over with so they can come home and we have voted for individuals we thought would end this nightmare soonest. We wish we could do more but don't know what that is right now.

We are grateful for their sacrifice and pray for them daily to come home soon and for them to be well until that happens.

*co doesn't represent ANY of us.

[Bluzmann57]

21. My oldest son is a veteran

As is my dad and two of my uncles. So I know damn good and well the difference between the men and women who put their lives on the line every day and those who want others to do so. Thank you to all the service people who chose to serve their country for what they thought was a noble cause, and in some respects, still is. But curse those who want others to serve without serving themselves. In other words, the hell with the chickenhawk leaders who put our service people in this precarious position.

[MGKrebs]

22. Posting just to get my sig line in this thread.

[AnneD]

23. I spent my fair share of time

in Uncle Sam clothes. Our family has always proudly served. Bush and his kind are arm chair patriots at best/chicken hawks at worst. They are quick to encourage every kid into the military but their own. They wrap themselves up in the flag and put magnetic ribbons on they cars like that is all the sacrifice that is required. They'll even spring for a nice funeral for you if you don't make it.

But then they try to supply you on the cheap, make demands on you and stop loss you and continue to send you into hell. And while you're busy fighting, Bush and his friends cut funding to the VA hospitals, cut benefits, and cut other programs that would so desperately needed, over the Democrats objections. They cut taxes for their friends and cut your benefits to make up the difference.

I protest the war, I disrespect Bush and despise for what he has done to our/my beloved military. But never, ever think that we don't support you. I send packages, donate to the USO, and do everything I can to get you home sooner, including hit the streets for you. And when you come home, even though I don't know you, I'll hug and kiss you and cry tears of joy.

After the war is over, I'll continue to fight to get you what you need. It is the least I can do for my brother and sisters in arms.

[Joe for Clark]

24. Thank you - I know we have the same mind on this.

The link is now forwarded.

I don't know who these "Yahoo" people are - but I know they really piss me off and do NOT represent us at all.

Troy - remember, try not to come home with any more holes in you then you started with!!
I forwarded the last parent newsletter - R's sending the one with you in it and older ones.



Joe

[ms liberty]

25. Message to our brave soldiers:

I appreciate your service, and I thank you for your sacrifice. I hate this war, and I hate this president - but my gratitude to you all is undimmed by those emotions. I care about you coming home as quickly as possible, and as safely as possible. I want you home with your families and your children and your friends. I want you out of that hellhole you never should have been sent into in the first place.
There might be some who don't feel that way, but those people are a vast minority. Ignore them. They have the right to say and feel however they choose, no matter how ignorant and hurtful they may be. You don't have to listen to them, though. To take notice of them only gives their words power over you.
You have more important things to do. Like taking care of each other, watching each others backs, and coming home safe.

I pray every day that we can end this war and bring you home.

Love,

ms liberty

[MGKrebs]

62. Nice scooter!

[ms liberty]

92. Thanks! It's a BMWK1200LT - and it's paid for thank God! n/t

[I Have A Dream]

26. The abuse of our troops is one of the big reasons that I've been so...

upset about this war. (There are LOTs of other reasons as well, including the terrible toll on innocent Iraqi civilians and the waste of our children's futures because of the money that's being stolen over there.) The Bush Administration has gotten people to support this war by calling on them to support our troops when they don't give a flying f*** about them. They're using them and abusing them for political gain. These men and women are real people with real lives and real families. They're not political pawns.

Oh, karma is going to be a b*tch for the people who have thrown these brave citizens into the fire when it didn't need to happen, and on top of that, the administration has NOT done even close to everything that they could do to protect their lives either before being injured or after.

To the troops: Thank you for your service. :patriot: I hope that you come home soon!

[Stinky The Clown]

27. The War, the Warriors, and the Wussies

The War - wrong at the start and wrong today.

The Warriors are doing what they said they would. I hold them in the highest esteem. Having been one of them in a life long ago, It has always been thus for me.

The Wussies, would also be known as the Whistle Asses. That would be the civilian leadership who put these brave people in the circumstances in which they now find themselves.

Reassure your son that I know NO ONE - on either side of the War issue - who equates the military to the civilian leadership.

[pacalo]

28. I wasn't aware of this attitude, but I don't go to Yahoo chatsites, either.

I thought the "armchair warriors" were all gathered at freerepublic.com. And one of the Republican tactics is to pose as Democrats at opinion sites, too.

I've never read anything here about blaming the troops for the mess we're in; they are following orders. We don't even put the blame on the bad apples who were scapegoated in the Abu Ghraib -- we know the orders came from the top.

The blame strictly goes to the neocons in the White House & their rubber-stampers in Congress. If we can get a Democratic majority in at least one branch of Congress (ideally, both), checks & balances will be restored & this monstrous administration will have Congress' oversight over anything it does. There will be no more free hand for this president to trample over the Constitution.

Thanks to all the troops & my heart goes out to each of you who are placed in this position & to your families. I do wonder how many troops know that the neocons who put you in this situation are those who never served in their own generation's war.

[Joe for Clark]

31. No - we get it. Thats why I want those kids coming here.

Apparently there are some groups that don't "get it" - and I do not want those kids reading that garbage.

I figure - this link will go around the loop in about 24 hours at least in the 18th it will.

I particularly like your last paragraph. Who are these SOB's that send our kids to die in that rat hole??

They did this to my brothers once. Ain't happening this time - not if we have anything to say about it. We are all a little older and wiser now.

JOe

[pacalo]

79. Oh, Joe...

These kids are on my mind constantly. I've got two sons who were lucky to have been in high school when 9/11 happened. I'm thankful they weren't old enough to sign up for the military during the immediate frenzy to answer to those attacks. Like many other recruits who wanted to protect their country, my sons would have intended to go to Afghanistan but would have been sent to Iraq for the sake of acquiring riches for Halliburton & for the sake of oil, not to mention Bush's "Saddam tried to kill my daddy" personal agenda.

I think of those young men & women serving as victims of this administration. When the generals speak out & turn to Rep. John Murtha for help, even they see their troops as needing an intervention. Bush shows his true evil by not listening to them.

[Jackpine Radical]

29. I'm an infantry vet, 1st Cav Vietnam '67-68.

The details of our war were different, but the broad comparisons between then and now are amazingly close. American kids half way around the world, lied and coerced into fighting a war they had no business in, supposedly to defend American freedom but actually for the greater glory of the empire, the corporations, and the egomanaiacal politicians. I saw people die, saw strewn body parts hanging on the concertina wire, saw what was left after a little microbus full of Viet civilians ran over a land mine. Acquired three bullet holes of my own.

Then I came back, let my beard & hair grow as soon as I got out of the Army, & joined the antiwar movement.

Eventually the nightmares subsided.

I just want to say that there are effective treatments for PTSD, even if you have to go to a civilian therapist to get them. If you're having problems, don't let them just drug you.

[Joe for Clark]

33. I am glad you posted this.

I tried my best to tell the boy to speak up if there were issues. I am worried he doesn't. That macho crap really does worry me. I told the kid - about the suicides from Dad's squadron survivors, and he can can listen to my brothers til he's blue in the face - this kind of thing has to come from others outside the family -

Thanks for saying this - maybe some kids will see this that it will help.

There are so few that can talk about it and can make an impact.

Joe

[Joanne98]

30. We know it's not them. We went thru the same thing when we were young.

We are fighting for them everyday. To bring them home and to make sure the government doesn't get out of paying them for their service. Do they know how hard we're working? Tell them to demand the removal of the "Rush Limbaugh program" from the military radio. HE LIES EVERYDAY! Do they know he got out of the draft due to ANAL CYSTS? Tell them we care and we are trying to help them. Tell them we have our hands full and can only do so much. We are not forgetting them.

[babylonsister]

32. We hate the war but we love you; that's why we're fighting so hard

to get you all home. Don't believe anything else you read. Just as there are warmongers, there are hatemongers, too. And you notice where they're spouting from? Here, in the comfort of their homes. They're the 101st keyboard brigade. Don't let them get you down; we are here, in great numbers, and we want you home. Hugs to every last one of you, and thank you for your service and sacrifice.
:grouphug:

[DireStrike]

34. Hah! If I didn't differentiate, I wouldn't care nearly as much that they get home.

They're the citizens of the damn country! You can't blame them for wanting to help, and even if they were motivated by less than exceptional political reasoning, they're willing to put their lives on the line for it. That's already infinitely better than Commander Kookoobananas who ran from Vietnam.

[madokie]

35. No way would I compare the bushilter with our brave Soldiers

haven't and ain't going to. I know for where he is, not physically but mentally

[Quantess]

36. That's too bad.

Only a few idiots think that way. Yahoo discussions are THE WORST. Most Yahoo posters aren't sincere about anything, except trolling.

I'm proud of our troops, and I know they are doing their best. I hope they all come home soon!:patriot:

[Cha]

37. bush went awol when

he was in the military..I don't care how many times cbs fired Dan Rather!

bush is lyin', cheatin', screw up and he sent our Soldiers to be maimed and die for the neocon's lust for oil and geopolitical land grab.

[noamnety]

38. The strongest anti-war activists I know

are veterans or have families serving.

(His unit knows about the appeal for redress, and that they can join the IVAW while still serving, right?)

[stepnw1f]

39. We Are Fight to Get You Home

You are just doing your job.... our beef is with the Chickenhawk Chief, not you guys and gals! Bush does not equal America or the troops dying for it.

[bunkerbuster1]

40. Son, I love the decent men and women in the service.

I worry about all of you and I want you back home, safe. Millions of us Americans feel the same way.

We're working to elect men and women who'll never again send you overseas to do Corporate America's bidding.

[Joe for Clark]

41. Troy is my kid. He is in the 18th company, 3rd brigade of the

2nd division. Like I said - this link has been forwarded.

Those kids will be reading this - and I knew and am so proud of the responses. And I am equally proud of those kids. They are good kids, our kids. They should NEVER have been used like this.

They are depending on us "adults" to do the right thing now and get them the hell out of there.

What they don't need are wanna be "B*sh supporter" officers trying to get promoted on their blood.
You know - people who will do anything, say anything to get promoted. My parent's, my family were officers and they would NEVER tolerate this crap.

I think a lot of those kids have a lot to say - and they are not too happy about this situation.

Joe

[glitch]

42. Never in a million years would we mistake soldiers for Bush. K & R

:hug: Take care of yourselves while we'll keep trying as hard as we can to bring you home as soon as we can.

[pa28]

43. I think about them all the time.

They are in hell courtesy of W and then he has the nerve to call their sacrifices a comma. You bet I see the difference.

I hope their training and perseverance gets them home safely. I also hope they don't lose the will to help the Iraqi people despite the danger and hostility they face.

[Joe for Clark]

45. It is kinda wierd to me -

They are drawn to the Iraqi kids - well, they are kids, too I suppose.

Kids are drawn to other kids. Not surprising I guess.

Joe

[pa28]

55. The sake of the kids really seems to keep them going.

I watch everything I can about Iraq and the same thing comes through to me.

I hope your son does his best and gets home soon. I have a great deal of faith in our troops; they press on in outrageous circumstances. Makes us proud.

[Joe for Clark]

56. I am very proud of all of them.

They are good kids - I know they are.

It is very outrageous the conditions they are forced into. They are not stupid.

Joe

[Pacifist Patriot]

82. Same here.

[proud patriot]

44. On my front porch for 3 years I've had

my "support our troops" along side my "bushoccio" doll

[Joe for Clark]

46. I should say

I gave Troy my password info - He can, if he wants - use my login and say what he wants, within the limits set by the army. Just no "Geraldo" moments. He wouldn't be dumb enough to do that anyway.

Troy understands. In fact my newly commissioned NCO, you can let anybody in the 18th use it as long as you supervise - ok kid??

Oh, they have so much to say!!!

Joe

[SeattleGirl]

49. I hope he and the others in his unit take advantage of this, Joe.

We know there are things they absolutely cannot talk about, like locations, missions, etc. But it would be great to hear directly from them what they think, and what they feel.

[Joe for Clark]

53. I think they will.

I am so tired of hearing reporters who do not leave the safety zones tell me what is going on on CNN - so sick.

I do not want to know troop dispositions - they are not going to tell you - they are not Fox news. And something else, Fox ain't too high on their lists right now. Especially not since what happened at Falcon.

I'll tell you one thing - they are building walls around the cities - very 13th century, and the kids know that.

Another thing - do you know they will not issue hand grenades to anyone without stripes on their shoulder - above specialist?? You know why?? Every vet here knows why. They know what fragging means.

This is NOT going well - and those kids are at the breaking point - god knows, they did well to get this far!!

Joe

[SeattleGirl]

68. This whole thing breaks my heart.

If these kids can get even the tiniest bit of strength, or comfort, or whatever from reading this thread, and hopefully, from posting here, that would be so wonderful. So many of us do what we can, but unfortunately, we have not yet been able to do what we really want to do -- to bring them home.

[roamer65]

47. Probably the extreme RW military folks think this...

even though it is absolutely incorrect thinking. Hopefully they break through the Rethug propoganda haze soon. The military is like a gun. They didn't pull the trigger, Raisinbrain did.

[mdmc]

48. They are all heros

God bless them, each and every one of them.

[AZBlue]

50. Nooooooooooooooo

I'm so sad to read this. What else can we do besides post here??

Because there's no one who can't tell the difference between Bush and the men and women who are so bravely over there. And, there's no one who blames them for anything or holds them accountable for his lies and crimes. No one.

[Joe for Clark]

61. Email the kids.

[porphyrian]

51. It's because they're being lied to about nearly everything.

We may be the only people who actually support the troops.

[Joe for Clark]

60. That is exactly right.

[Doctor_J]

52. They should stop listening to hate radio then

if they acually got the truth instead of Roveaganda 24/7, they would know better.

[Joe for Clark]

59. Dude - they know a lot better.

The problem is they are about 19 and stuck in the middle of nowhere, Iraq. Nobody speaks for them.

They don't know about Roveaganda - you know what they know?? - They know the weapons killing them either: were paid for by american taxes or were smuggled in across borders that by all means needed to be closed BEFORE they ever set foot in country.

Even these dumb kids know that.

And they know - where the hell were the officers that needed to speak up for them??

Why did they take this laying down??

These are the type of things they KNOW.

Joe

[boolean]

54. Tell them to STAY THE FUCK AWAY from the Yahoo boards

Those people are brain damaged. More so than the freepers, even.

[TheBaldyMan]

57. check out the threads that report the casualties on DU, then try and claim that

nobody can tell the difference between the privileged, frat-boy, draft-dodging chickenhawk and the real men and women that live through that hell day in day out.

The death toll for US troops is 100+ for this month, the threads shouldn't be hard to find.

[Joe for Clark]

58. I read the death threads -

They update the casualties on friday - I don't like fridays anymore.

They lie, you know - really.

It is amazing the lengths they go to to claim "non combat" deaths - actually, unbelievable.

And thats just the army -

Joe

[Catherine Vincent]

63. Liberals love the troops!!

:woohoo: :patriot: :woohoo: :patriot: :woohoo: :patriot: :woohoo: :patriot: :woohoo:

[ScreamingMeemie]

64. I cannot imagine the fear and hell they must be going through.

My thoughts go with them, my heart goes out to them, that not one more is lost and that all are soon home.

Take care and Thank You,

Laura

[Kali]

65. Stay safe. Try to stay sane. We know it's not your fault.

We are trying to get you all back home.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

66. I've got a friend over there right now and a couple more who were over

there.

They've got my full-support. I protest the war because I support the troops. By supporting them I mean I want them home SAFE, not fighting in some bullshit war.

[wildhorses]

67. Hey Joe's Kid--

not much for words so I will say :hug::hi:

[MrScorpio]

69. GI, take care of yourself

Come home safe.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

70. Please tell your son, Joe, that we do know the difference!

I support the troops fully!

I want them home, alive, and NOW!

My heart goes out to all of those folks over there.....

They are in a terribly dangerous place, and for what? A freaking lie!

Hopefully they all can come home very soon.......... :patriot:

[msedano]

71. the day Nixon announced the Cambodia invasion

I was on radio op duty atop Mae Bong along the Korean DMZ. The priest, a CPT, rushed into my hootch breathless, anxious to learn what his president had said. I told him, "Sir (I never called him Father)now we've invaded another country and thousands more of us are going to die for this bullshit."

Dang tootin' I know the difference between the Prickident of the United States and a soldier.

Your kid will probably get a laugh out of this, I hope so....

http://readraza.com/hawk/index.htm


recommended, btw.

mvs

[Lilith Velkor]

72. Yahoo: featuring the dumbest motherfuckers on the planet!

:party:

[philly_bob]

73. Civilians blew the election, leaving soldiers with a lousy C-in-C ...

but soldiers did what soldiers are supposed to do...

[Oeditpus Rex]

74. Hey, gang

I had a friend over there in 2003-04, Sgt. Jerry Jimenez with the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Mosul. He was a newspaper reporter IRL, and while he was there he wrote a "from the front lines" column for his paper. I clipped one and taped it to my office door, and I re-read it now and then to remind me.

The headline on it is "In Iraq, mortality is always on your mind."

There's not much I can say that'll stand up to that.

Thanks to every single one of you. Come home soon, and come home well.

:patriot:

[Kerrytravelers]

75. Many of us come from big military families.

My father was a career military man and Vietnam vet.

His father, his two brothers and his three uncles were all military men.

My mother's father, his four brothers, their father- all military men.

My mother's half-brother, along with his two boys, were all military men.

Everyone served, and all but two in a time of war.


And all those who are still living are against what Bush is doing.



So, there is a huge difference between disliking what the Bush Administration is doing and being against the military itself.



Reading threads on a yahoo! page isn't evidence that all liberals and anti-war people are against the troops. It's only evidence that someone wrote that. It could just as easily be a war and Bush supporter who wants to cause more ill-will between anti-war believers and our American soldiers.

Stay safe and get home.

[ContraBass Black]

76. The only people I know who can't tell the difference

Are Republicans.

[OnionPatch]

77. In no way

did I ever feel one speck of disapproval or anything negative toward our troops because I thought the war was a bad idea. They are heroes for being willing to put their lives on the line for the safety of our country and it really angers me to see them misused and put in such a lousy situation.
To our troops: May this occupation end and they come home safely. :toast:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

78. Please tell your son I thank him for doing his job; and I'm sorry

that his deployment is the result of gross abuse of power by the current misadministration.

Please assure him that I intend to do everything in my power (however insignificant) to see to it that he and his compatriots are brought back home safely and given the hero's welcome they deserve. I promise to write and call my reps in Congress to ensure that they live up to the promises the government made to them...especially those who have been wounded or suffer mental anguish as a result of this illegal use of our troops.

Please send them my hugs. :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[Oilwellian]

80. To our dear troops....stay safe

I hope you get to read this thread...news of the day was Rumsfeld plans to clamp down on your internet freedoms. Such irony that you're supposedly in Iraq to secure their freedom, all of the while seeing American freedoms continually erode. If you want to know what the Bush crime family is up to, then may I suggest you bookmark this website and read to your hearts content.

You'll see nary a word against our troops and total outrage over this criminal administration in power now. In all of my 50 years, I've never seen a government more corrupt than it is right now. One of the more popular republican misconceptions is their supposed love affair with the military. That is where the difference lies between Democrats & Republicans. Republicans have a love affair with military CONTRACTORS...it's the Democrats who have always been more supportive of the troops...it is they who fought hard for the little bit of military benefits that you do have. It is they who fought in the House and the Senate to purchase better body armor for you guys & gals, and it was the Republicans who voted it down. I could go on.

Please know the internet has been our enlightenment and the word is spreading. We won't let this war linger like they allowed in Viet Nam. We love you, we pray for you, and will support you when you come home. It is the republicans who will NOT do this...all you need to do is look at how they've smeared so many military veterans running for public office. One lady returned from Iraq without her legs, is running for Congress, and her republican opponent accused her of "cutting and running" because of her opposition to the war. That's the kind of shit we're seeing over here.

Our frustrations are stifling and the coming election is a must win for the Democrats if we're going to see ANY accountability for these thugs in office. Know we're fighting hard to keep our country and determined to see you come home soon.

Much love and support to each and every one of you. Feel free to become a part of this community. We'd welcome you with open arms. :hug:

[upi402]

81. Troops are heroes, and Republicans are

zeros.

[Justice]

83. Actually, when we criticize Bush's policies, republicans interpret that

criticism as bashing our armed forces.

Those opposed to Bush have put the blame exactly where it belongs - with the people making the policy - not with the people obliged to carry out the policy. Bush supporters try to turn the criticism of Bush policies into something else rather than accept the criticism or respond to it - like always, they try to change the subject.

I try to show my support of our troops by participating in care packages being sent, or sending cards or buying drinks for GIs I see when out in our area.

[RangerOne]

84. Nothing could be further from the truth

[Just-plain-Kathy]

85. Please forgive me if I protest the war,

it's not the soldier I hate,
it's the dieing.

Viet Nam taught us not to blame our military for our government’s policies. Please know our thoughts and prayers are always with you. Thank you for fighting in the name of our freedom. I hope we get the scumbags who put you there behind bars. Peace.

[lazyriver]

86. My father is a Vietnam Vet and felt the same thing

He joined the Army right out of HS and volunteered for Vietnam due to his strong sense of duty and honor. He thought he was doing the right thing until he got there. For many years afterward he believed that any war protest during the 60's & 70's were in some way protests against him. Gradually he began to understand that although there were some exceptions, most people protesting the war were doing so with his best interests in mind. They wanted him home and safe and out of the madness that was that war.

To all the troops in Iraq today, my buddy Skeeter included: We want you home because you are loved and we want you to be safe. I hold Bush and his cabal responsible for the mess they created and know that you are there doing what you can to try to help out in an impossible situation. Keep your heads up and know that we are proud of you and grateful for your service. Peace is in all of our best interests and I wish it for you much sooner than later.

[Carni]

87. I don't know anyone against the soldiers

I detest the admin who put them where they are...but I certainly don't fault people doing their jobs (esp a job that they can't quit!)

Not ONLY are they stuck in a hell hole doing what they are ordered to do...they can't even complain about it if they want to!

I feel that our soldiers are owed more than lies and a sort of imprisonment because of policies they have no say in.

I certainly am not against the people who signed up to protect us -- it is not their fault that this admin has lied and thumbed their noses at our constitution and I hope our military people understand that when people speak out against the war it's because they object to the lying (and thieving) of bush and this admin!

I have nothing but respect for the people serving -- this mess isn't their doing!

[cui bono]

88. You might not want to call them dumb while reassuring them we know

the difference between them and Bush. Just sayin'. :)

[Maraya1969]

89. How can we do that on the net? Can we go to those threads and

assure those soldiers? Maybe a bunch of Veterans here should go over.

[Bushwick Bill]

90. Tell him to read Stan Goff.

Stan is a former Special Forces guy who knows what fighting for the Empire can do to you.
http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/200601003_white_supremacism_sexism_militarism/
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/the_tillman_files.shtml

[tk2kewl]

91. Come home safe guys and gals.

Thank you for your service, and my I am sincerely sorry that you have been put into such desperate situations by a cabal of fools.

:patriot:

[Norrin Radd]

93. Direct him here! Yahoo! message boards is just a troll free-for-all.

There are no serious discussions over there, as it isn't moderated.