A soldier's mother urges an end to Iraq war

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http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/OPINION02/803260730

As my husband and I were returning from Ft. Bragg, N.C., Monday, after a joyous reunion with our son, who returned from his first tour of duty in Iraq last Thursday, we heard the sad news that we have now lost 4,000 of our U.S. military. We also heard a caller on a radio program who lost his son in Iraq two years ago expressing his understandable and justifiable anger over losing his son due to the lies and deception of the Bush administration.

The key players (Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld) should be brought up on war crimes. Their arrogance and lack of respect for our troops is deplorable. Cheney's response to the 4,000 lost to date is "They volunteered," the implication being, of course, that their lives are expendable.

As we traveled closer to our home Monday, I noticed a car prominently displaying several bumper stickers proclaiming "Support President Bush & Our Troops." We soon realized that we knew the driver of the car personally and also know that he has three able-bodied sons, none of whom has joined any branch of the service.

Interesting, isn't it, that most who support Bush's policies regarding this war don't have a vested interest? So few are touched by any sacrifice, human or otherwise (SUVs still dominate the highways), that we fear most Americans rarely even think about it.

After talking to my son this weekend and having him reflect on what he has learned and experienced first-hand in Iraq, I can confidently say that if one supports President Bush, they are not supporting our troops. The way to support our troops is to get them out of Iraq ASAP.


BEVERLY EDWARDS

Louisville 40242