Reply #2: Stars and Stripes had a letter yesterday on this issue

[lebkuchen]

Spend more for protection

On March 20 there was a large “Bring the Troops Home” rally in my neighborhood. I did not expect to be moved so greatly by one group of speakers. The group consisted of mothers of servicemembers stationed in Iraq. One woman spoke eloquently. She said that her son, who she supported completely in his decision/commitment to serve in Iraq for more than one year, brought home unbelievable news of conditions for American soldiers fighting there.

She said he described soldiers who were lacking the most basic equipment, such as helmets and two-way radios, to do their jobs. She further explained that her son had spent nearly $4,000 out of his own pocket to buy badly needed equipment for himself and for members of his division. Furthermore, he felt completely unable to speak out about this problem. The family members were very upset and thought it imperative to tell others.

This information, if it can be verified, was truly shocking to me. I didn’t write today to oppose or support in any debate. I am only writing to express my deepest concern for the men and women who are doing their jobs in Iraq. I am also writing to ask a few very important questions:

1. Why aren’t the troops being supported better?

2. Where are the trillions spent for this war going?

To the soldiers and their families: Thank you, God bless you and we love and support you every day, every way.

Noel Terrell
San Francisco


Stripes printed the following letter under the one above it. :)

Terrorists amused by protests

As I watched the recent anti-war (anti-Bush/America) rallies throughout the world, I could not help but think that the terrorists must be laughing their butts off. They must be saying among themselves, “We kill thousands of their civilians and they still blame America and Bush. Ha, ha, ha.”

Jerry Komar
Collingswood, N.J.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=21232