"Bring 'em on"

[Mairead]

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. A Soldier's Response

Got this in an email from my neighbor, a Viet Nam vet active in Viet Nam Vets Against War:

received from a reliable source---

Letter from son to father..................

"Get us out of here now! There is nothing we can do to pacify the Iraqi
people except get out of their country and allow them to restore order in
whatever way THEY wish."

And, allow me to give you his remarks when he was informed of President
Bush's brash remarks saying "Bring them on."

He said: "Myself and every last man in my unit are deeply offended that our
President would make such a statement inviting us to be attacked. President
Bush has lost the respect of every soldier I have spoken to because of his
speaking those irresponsible words. Those words spread like wild-fire among
the troops. We are here because he ordered us to be here and now for him to
make such a ridiculous statement inviting violence towards us causes us to
lose respect for him and his judgement.

We are learning that we never should have come here in the first place.
Believe me Dad, there is a completely different attitude now.

The fact that the President gave rich people a tax cut and didn't do
anything for military families is hurtful.

Where there was once pride and satisfaction in defeating an enemy there is
now regret and shame


God Bless America

Your loving Son,
Donny

[Jivenwail]

2. May I add to this

That a friend's husband (Marine, 8 months in Iraq) just returned home. He told my friend how horrible the conditions are over there, and she has told me and other because he doesn't want to talk to us about it. It's "unsavory", to use his words. He went on to say that people are starving. There's no power, no water, no jobs - it's total chaos. He said that whenever they received rations, that he would keep small portions for himself, one bottle of water, and give the rest away to the children. He said he, and his fellow Marines, were completely distressed by what they had to do, what they saw and what they left behind, including their fellow soldiers. He said no one wants to be there.

What your friend's son has written here is of no surprise to those of us who have husbands, sons, fathers and brothers on active duty right now. It's a shame that they can't speak louder these words against smirk. As more of their brethern continue to die in Iraq, perhaps more in uniform will speak out, either through their families or friends. But their words of distress, anger, frustration and disillusionment must be heard. Those who supported this illegal invasion, those who chastise the peacemakers for being "unpatriotic" and the chickenhawks need to take heed - - their lives were not, and are not being sacrificed. Others are paying the ulitmate price for their cowardice and it must stop. And Bush and his cabal must pay for their lies. It's something we must all work toward.