Top Story
Vegetarians and the Challenge of Thanksgiving
My Journey to the Top
 
 
Latest News
US: Financial woes no excuse in funding Afghan war
 
 
expand
IRAQ

‘Anything Not to Go Back’

By Tony Dokoupil | NEWSWEEK
From the magazine issue dated Jun 16, 2008

« Return to Article

 
Discuss
 
Member Comments
  • Posted By: PEACEFOREVER @ 11/02/2008 10:34:49 AM

    Comment: My brothers son has been home from camp liberty.He is trying to work out his marriage troubles.His wife was whith a 30 year old man and my nephew has two choildren beteew them,He has to go back to camp liberty in 5 days and thee is no acoplishment with marriage.He is ver distraught and I fear a suicidebecause of this.Please e-mail me on who I can contact for help for him.I am his uncle and he is only 22.My e-mail is DEPUTY409@AOL.COM.i LOVE HIM VERY MUCH.

  • Posted By: rif2422 @ 07/08/2008 7:25:03 PM

    Comment: My point is never and never was that it made any Americans' life safer, thats ridiculous. My point is that 60 something percent of the US wanted to take out Saddam. You send our military somewhere don't start crying when things get tough. You send the military let them defeat the enemy. I personally never saw a reason for invading Iraq whether or not there were WMD's. Seriously whats the difference (and for all the fruits that believe Bush lied why not just plant them?) But we're there, we've broken a lot of stuff it's our job and duty to clean up the mess. Why run when things are getting better? Furthermore if we did pull out all our troops immediately the real murderer would be the citizens and politicians of the U.S. You can say whatever about Bush getting us into Iraq, but every single man, women and child demanding immediate withdrawal of our troops would have the blood of every Iraqi that died in the ensuing chaos on their hands. If and when we succeed it doesnt hurt to have a chance to bring some light to a dark region in the world. These people still live like it's the 1200's still in some regards. But like every other sane person in the world I want peace, just one that will last. With the successes we've witnessed in the last 6 mos. it would be foolish to pull our troops home so soon. (Just ask Obama : P) Bet you loved to hear that huh????

  • Posted By: apolitical one @ 06/13/2008 1:03:58 AM

    Comment: Can you honestly blame them! Today a soldier was discharged for throwing a dog over a cliff. I am not condoning this type of behavior, but seeing your comrads get blown up may tend to distort your judgement. Why are these kids being held to a higher standard than the deginerates in Washington that rig a presidential election, a President who sat out Viet Nam in the Texas National guard, who lied to get us in a war that doesnt benefit our national interests , a war he said would cost 100 billion that is actually going to cost an estimated 3 trilion dollars, and still not solve our national security issues. Who in their right mind would want to serve multiple tours while Bush prepares to fade into the Texas sunlight! Are you kidding Me !!!!!

  • Posted By: iravet07 @ 06/12/2008 11:59:18 PM

    Comment: To rif2422 - my friend, you are brainwashed. Keep on believing your "truths", but this 25 year veteran doesn't fall for your BS.

    Anyone that joins the military "signs up" for whatever they get, HOWEVER our elected officials should have the wisdom and judgement to not so easily put our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in harms way so readily. Invading Iraq was NOT necessary and as others have pointed out Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. For all the lives lost in Iraq it has not made the US safer, instead it provided a breeding and training ground for future operations against the US. The only good news for you rif2422 is that McCain will let you stay in Iraq for 100 years........write to us and let us know when you are on your 10th tour over there. Stay safe and please do not tell me that you are making it safer for me by being in Iraq, because you are NOT!

  • Posted By: gone2idaho @ 06/12/2008 8:16:19 PM

    Comment: This war just makes me sad. I think about the lives of those young men and women all the time. All this over oil? All this to finish the fight of Bush Sr.? Such a waste of mankind. One thing is for certain if your looking for President Bush to say he was wrong, that my friend, will never happen.

  • Posted By: maxbianco @ 06/12/2008 1:07:30 AM

    Comment: Hey!! dont worry about it, according to John mcCain its "Not Too Important!

  • Posted By: rif2422 @ 06/11/2008 5:30:41 AM

    Comment: There are no troops that do not re-enlist that will see the iraq theatre more than twice in their service. They don't whine about it obviously, so um don't feel bad. The funniest thing about this war is that the ones that have never served whine the most. Of course they don't have the pride the U.S. Military does, it's an all volunteer force folks, and we refuse to lose. 4,000 americans lost in Iraq? We lost 3,000 to a sucker punch in Manhattan in one day. Let us finish and win!!!! You cowards will be all of our downfall. You cry out that 4,000 soldiers have died, do not.... I repeat DO NOT LET A SINGLE ONE OF THEIR LIVES GO IN VAIN! THEY HAD A BELIEF AND AN IDEAL. DO NOT ROB THESE YOUNG MEN OF A VICTORY BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THEY DIED FOR. YOU FLAUNT NUMBERS. THESE MEN DIED FOR A CAUSE. YOU'RE SITTING THERE 8,000 MILES AWAY AT YOUR DESK. OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM FEEL STRONGLY THAT WE HAVE A REASON TO BE HERE AND A CHANCE TO WIN. TO CALL THEM AWAY FROM THIS IS COWARDLY AND IGNOBLE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!

    Iraq Vet

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/11/2008 2:16:08 PM

      Comment: Ok, honestly not everyone is in the military for a noble purpose. Some probably truly do believe that they are doing something good in Iraq. But a lot of them only join for the stable pay, paid education, travel opportunities (only a fraction of our troops are in Iraq...many are stateside, in Europe, and Asia), and free medical care and housing. I know there are those troops that say the benefits suck, housing sucks, they can barely subsist...but I know 11 different military families (young families) and they are all doing just fine.

      Anyway, I digress. My point is that a lot, if not most, people join the military for practical, not romantic, purposes.

    • Posted By: joe_mama @ 06/11/2008 11:47:37 AM

      Comment: "THESE MEN DIED FOR A CAUSE"
      yeah, they died 'cause our stupied President (one of people you ridicule....he never served oversease or in any combat role) JUST NOW realized that he could have "used a different tone" instead of saber rattling and forcing himself into a corner before the war.

      Don't believe me? He admitted it himself
      http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25089978/

      That's what you fought for and these young men (and women) died for.....a dumb@$$ President.

      • Posted By: joe_mama @ 06/11/2008 11:49:30 AM

        Comment: BTW--

        Don't believe the Republicans....we ALL value your service, sacrifices and commitment, and none of us (especially those of us who have lost family in Iraq) takes it lightly or for granted.

  • Posted By: georgeb @ 06/10/2008 12:58:33 PM

    Comment: AS A KOREAN WAR VET WHO CAME TO KOREA AT THE VERY START AND WENT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PLACE , I CAN EMPATHIZE WITH SOLDIERS THAT DO NOT WANT TO RETURN TO A WAR ZONE .
    WHEN THE CHINESE CAME OVER THE YALU RIVER BY THE THOUSANDS AND WE HAD TO " RETREAT " 80 MILES SOUTH , I HAD HAD ENOUGH .
    I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT GOING UP ONE HILL , DOWN AND GOING UP ANOTHER , THAT EVENTUALLY THE TIME WOULD COME WHEN I WOULD NOT MAKE IT UP ANOTHER HILL , THE NEXT , BEING MY DEMISE .
    WAR IS SO STUPID , STUPID THAT AN EGOCENTRIC PRESIDENT WOULD SUBJECT YOUNG MEN TO .
    I KNOW WHAT OUR YOUNG MEN ARE THINKING WHEN THEY DO NOT WISH TO RETURN .... WOWWWW , I GOT OUT ALIVE ...... ONLY TO HAVE TO RETURN . ...." NO WAY JOSE " .

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/11/2008 2:17:48 PM

      Comment: Exactly. War is stupid and something that should only be used when ABSOLUTELY, unequivocally necessary. Anyone that has been in a war would probably try to avoid creating one if possible. Sadly, we elected a president that has never experienced war or hardship. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and his contempt and lack of caring for the American public shows.

  • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 06/10/2008 9:58:07 AM

    Comment: Yes, especially those who find themselves deploying four or more times. Iran and Iraq fought for more than a decade. I believe now together they'll fight the United States for decades to come ie., if the United States does not withdraw. The new elected President of the United States will have to be a man with wisdom and intelligence this time around to in order to conquer evil. A President who will not just look to technology and science but one who is willing to follow the old path of life and walk therein.

  • Posted By: melley19 @ 06/10/2008 2:25:42 AM

    Comment: Democrazy pls. don't be so harsh. A lot of these soldiers are being asked to do more than one tour of duty, they did not sign up for that!

  • Posted By: Democrazy @ 06/09/2008 9:06:39 PM

    Comment: These so call soldiers were all gung-ho for the free money for education and such but when it came time to heed the call they showed that they are nothing more than COWARDS! Wrong war,wrong time BUT you do your duty,you swore an oath!

  • Posted By: hjack5555 @ 06/09/2008 5:10:24 PM

    Comment: Mr John H.. Jackman 1335 S.W CENTURY COURT McMinnville OR 97128 503-435-2369 E-Mail: hjack5555@comcast.net and I am the one who sent information about we service connected veterans to see if anyone out there even cared. for my book I have found no one who even gives a *****about the 18 vets per day who comit suicide are the many that are homeless I FOUGHT IN 3 WARS

  • Posted By: hjack5555 @ 06/09/2008 5:01:01 PM

    Comment: 25yrs svc ret May 70 8yrs college 100%svc con disabled. I have fought a lonely battle for disabled veterans rights for 38 yrs. and not one elected official even cares to listen to our cry for help. I have all the evidence needed to investigate this disgrace. Records are direct from VA files on me. Proof they lied to President, Vice President and they did not even care. We fought and many died for our country.They don't Care ABOUT US

  • Posted By: hjack5555 @ 06/09/2008 4:52:21 PM

    Comment: 25 yrs svc ret May 70 8yrs college 100% svc con disabled. Now why does all news media not have the courage to investigate why 6,500 veterans take their own life each year(18 per day) 1/4th all homeles are vets and all driven there by the disgraceful way they are treated by the VA regional offices I have 38 years of proof direct from VA own records. They knowingly lied to President,Vice President DOES ANYONE CARE

  • Posted By: hjack5555 @ 06/09/2008 4:42:55 PM

    Comment: WHY DOES ALL NEWS MEDIA AVOID WRITING ABOUT THE 6,500 VETERANS WHO ARE DRIVEN TO SUICIDE BY THE DISGRACEFUL TREATMENT BY THE VA REGIONAL OFFICES. I RETIRED MAY 70 WITH 8 YEARS OF COLLEGE HAVE BATTLED FOR 38 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN THAT LINE MANY TIMES. WHEN WILL ANY NEWS MEDIA HAVE THE COURAGE TO INVESTIGATE OR EVEN HEAR OUR CRY

  • Posted By: gmac32794 @ 06/09/2008 3:54:36 PM

    Comment: I have to laugh when I hear comments about Saddam's WMD program and how it was a threat to America. How would he have launched a nuclear attack on the US? He had no submarines, missles, or bombers with nuclear capabilities. How was he going to launch this attack? Strap the nukes onto a camel and swim them over here?

  • Posted By: cnn357 @ 06/09/2008 2:49:42 PM

    Comment: I would think that if you joined the Armed forces that you are prepared to go to war.
    I guess I cant judge them, I wouldnt want to go there in the first place let alone go back

    What Ireally dont get is why a 20 yr old soilder would join the army in time of war, then pay someone to shoot him...he knew we were fighting wars

    • Posted By: rif2422 @ 06/11/2008 5:49:20 AM

      Comment: As a vet i can easily tell you why he did so. He did it because he believed in freedom. Easily spoken, hard to make a reality. You question his choice? Of course you do, just like every other citizen so quick to pull our troops home. The reality is, you're weakening our country, freedom, and the things that make our country great. Believe it or not folks we're very very close to turning the corner in Iraq. Bend your backs and get behind the cause and I promise you we will win this war and win freedom and security for the Iraqi people despite what the rest of the world tries to tell you.
      The same people who watched millions die in Darfur. You, yes YOU have the opportunity to help someone 8'000 miles away live, succeed, and thrive. YOU also have the oportunity to give up, doubt, and flee. It's your choice.
      Oh yah and hey, for you guys still washing Bill Clintons balls with your mouth on a daily basis, just remember, he allowed the weapon inpectors to get pulled out of Iraq. True story. Yah Bush was wrong, no wmd's. If he wanted to lie about it he could have planted them, ha i wouldve. But the bottom line is If we had INSPECTORS THERE 'BILL CLINTON !!!!!!!!!! '4,000 MEN WOULD STILL BE ALIVE!!!!!!!!! OH YAH AND MAYBE WE COULD HAVE HAD A PREZ THAT WOULDNT HAVE ALLOWED TERRORIST TO ATTACK OUR EMBASSIES, NAVAL WARSHIPS, AND WORLD FINANCIAL CENTERS. (THATS THE WORLD TRADE CENTERS FOR YOU CONSPIRACY THEORISTS OUT THERE) It took yrs to complete 9/11 and Bill Clinton that was on your watch......

      • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/11/2008 2:28:32 PM

        Comment: Wow. Do you really believe all that poisonous propaganda that was fed to you? Honestly?? Every last person I know in the military firmly believes Iraq is a big mistake. They've been on multiple tours there, and some are still there. They have great pride in the military, just not the missions they are sent on. You can love the military and be proud of your service without gushing on and on about how invading Iraq was such a wonderful idea.
        Do you realize how many MILLIONS of people are suffering all over the world? Yet we never took action against them. Most of the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia or Egypt, and based out of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Where in the HECK did Iraq come into it? Saddam was a terrible leader, yes. But he was also a DICTATOR i.e. he didn't want anyone else to have power over his country. Why would he fund an organization that would overthrow him?
        If your basis for invading Iraq is that Saddam was a tyrant and had to be taken out for the good of his people...what about North Korea? They DO have nukes, not just flimsy smoke and mirrors excuses as in Iraq, and their leader is about as nutso as they come. But I guess they aren't close enough to all the oil fields.

  • Posted By: Krallski @ 06/09/2008 2:30:31 PM

    Comment: Can't Mr. Dokoupil do a small amount of fact checking before he writes an article. Why doesn't Newsweek have higher standards for their reporters? There is not a single factual statistic on soldier's self inflicted wounds in the entire article. Only vague references such as "few doubt the Korean and Vietnam Wars were different", or "The current war MAY be the worst"? Don't you know if it is or not? What a lame, vague opinion piece designed to make us think even more negatively about the war written by a person who apparently "May" know nothing./

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/11/2008 2:34:34 PM

      Comment: Well it's kind of hard to say definitively whether this is the worst war or not, because it hasn't ended. There's also that pesky thing called 'the future' that makes it hard to determine if the worst war is still to come. So 'may' is appropriate. If he said 'this current war is the worst war' then you'd be up in arms, stating that the Civil War was the worst, or perhaps WWII. Geez. Leave the grammar nazism to those who have a clue.

  • Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 06/09/2008 12:54:21 PM

    Comment: if you buy into the obama thing then you will have buyers remorse in 2010

    • Posted By: maryctaurus @ 06/09/2008 3:24:39 PM

      Comment: I thought this was supposed to be about our soldiers? You've got plenty of other places to discuss Obama.

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 06/09/2008 1:25:48 PM

      Comment: We're not 'buying' into anything. We make the right choice. No remorse.

  • Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 06/09/2008 12:52:55 PM

    Comment: if you buy into the obama thing then you will have buyers remorse in 2010

    • Posted By: apolitical one @ 06/13/2008 1:29:25 AM

      Comment: I am so happy this Repubican rhetoric will be ending later this year !!!

    • Posted By: maryctaurus @ 06/09/2008 3:26:06 PM

      Comment: Uh, this article is about our soldiers, not Barack Obama. You've got plenty of other places to discuss him. How about making our politicians in Congress do their jobs for a change -- both sides of the aisle?

      • Posted By: apolitical one @ 06/13/2008 1:30:48 AM

        Comment: A men !!!

  • Posted By: emtyn1 @ 06/09/2008 4:45:08 AM

    Comment: To yourcountry, if there is a job to be done in Iraq, let the Iraqis do it. It's their country...at least, I thought it was.

    • Posted By: joe_mama @ 06/09/2008 6:05:55 AM

      Comment: You need to check up on international law...

      ...the invading army/country is responsible for the well-being of the citizens in the country it invades.

      Not to mention the whole idea of inviting yourself to somebody's house, trashing it, and then calling them slobs.

      While I am an Obama supporter, I do not support a complete withdrawal, and, frankly, do not see how he'll be able to keep this campaign promise (too many variables....and once the violence picks back up, he'll be forced to delay his plan).

      I think we should stay in Iraq--not because it is a "just" war, or because the terrorists will follow us home (you think they're not trying to get us now?)--but rather that we've created a power vaccuum in the middle east, and I'm not too keen on seeing Iran move in and fill it. Furthermore, a quick withdrawal could be dangerous for Israel. WIthout Iraq to keep them in check, Iran could turn its full attention to the war of attrition against Israel.

      • Posted By: apolitical one @ 06/13/2008 1:47:38 AM

        Comment: I agree wholeheartedly ! I believe Obama is a pragmatist, and will surround himself with pragmatic advisors. The void was created when Bush took out Saddam, because unfortunately, it appears that Arabs only respect force, and he was good at that. The real threat is Iran and Pakistan. Obama will do what is neccessary to insure Israel's national securiry, while rebuilding our forces in an orderly fashion. Unlike Bush, there is no ego involved. The Iraq's will not step up to the plate, unless forced to do so.

      • Posted By: mouselion @ 06/09/2008 6:49:36 AM

        Comment: BUsh's Out On A LImb Doctrine:
        Put us in a false situation in which it is morally reprehensible to walk away from. I don't mention the "K" word -- but somebody's got some heayduty hell to pay.

        • Posted By: CEPHALUS @ 06/09/2008 9:38:36 AM

          Comment: Nic comment ,but check this out there will only be one solution to this problem and is withdrawing the troops.
          We can stay there twenty years and get more casualties and spent billions and the result will still be the same,iran will always has more influence.it is shia and shia.
          If we should attack iran what do you think would happen to iraq?we can leave now and give up iraq on two buns or we can spend five more years and add lettuce and tomato,anyway we do it ,same result.

          • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:14:14 PM

            Comment: Or we can stay and win! by win I mean support the people of Iraq until a Government is in place that can look out for its own citizens. If we abandon these people now they will suffer great attrocities brought on by Islamo facscists. I was angered by our government standing by while Genocide took place in Rawanda it causes me great pain that the people of Burma/myrnamar are left in the clutches of a cruel military that allows them to die because of fear of losing their power. I believe we can and should do more in the world. Not because I am a war mongering republican but because people need our help! Remember how desperate it got after Katrina after only a week. The people of Burma are looking at months before help will arrive if ever.

        • Posted By: joe_mama @ 06/09/2008 7:01:28 AM

          Comment: ha! good one.

  • Posted By: mikez @ 06/09/2008 4:14:02 AM

    Comment: Posted By: zades @ 06/08/2008 17:18:49
    Comment: Thank you. You're a real soldier. I doubt that some of the people on here who perpetrate as having had the military experience during war time are being genuine.

    Who wants to die for Iraq? That's the question... Especially when Bin Laden is still running around, making videos, and ensuring threats.


    Maybe its because your so afraid to come back, thats why all these people are still running around. Im retired from the military and i am now back in Baghdad working. You should try it sometime instead of complaining about Osama still being alive.

    • Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 06/09/2008 12:49:23 PM

      Comment: nobody in the U.S. Military goes to die for thier country but they damn sure will kill for it and just so you know only 1.1/2 % are not wanting to go back to iraq and thier probably democrates........ most of our troops want to finish the job and then come home and not have to go back and do it over if they are pulled out before the job is done

  • Posted By: AltEnergy @ 06/09/2008 2:00:11 AM

    Comment: Honorable Member of Congress,
    Please vote to block Iraq war funding until Congress implements the following changes to any Iraq war funding bill:

    1. Cut Iraq war funding to HALF of the requested amount and continue to dial it down in successive funding cycles. This will send a message that we don???t intend to occupy Iraq indefinitely. It would also be a fair compromise between pro-war and anti-war factions.

    2. Finance the Iraq and Afghanistan wars on a PAY-AS-YOU-GO basis. If we can stop increasing the deficit with war spending, that will be one less factor to weaken the dollar and raise the cost of oil.

    3. Fund the CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ONLY so that there is less latitude and less money available to continue the war in Iraq.

    68% of the public oppose the war in Iraq (CNN poll 4/28/08.) I hope that Congress??? actions on Iraq war funding will reflect this supermajority of public opinion.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:20:17 PM

      Comment: Dear honorable member of congress - Please double the budget for the war so we can win it quicker. Give our men and women air conditioning in their fighting vehicles. Provide them the best weaponry and armor available. Please Put the funds in place so General Petreaus can build a lasting infrastructure in Iraq listen to your Generals who are on the ground working with the Iraqi people and ignore the ignorant cowards who would abandon our friends the Iraqis to Cruel and inhumane Islamo fascists.

  • Posted By: descendfromgrace @ 06/09/2008 1:48:08 AM

    Comment: robert, people who voluntarily join the military don't tend to be liberals--so what exactly are you saying really?

  • Posted By: robertkjjj @ 06/09/2008 1:06:59 AM

    Comment: Just WHAT did these people think they were signing up for when they voluntarily joined the military? Starbucks barista? Target cashier? Head waiter? Parking cars? Computer programmer? Mail room sorter? Nordstrom stockroom boy? Sorry, but I have zilch sympathy for people who join the military and then whine and complain because it's hard and dangerous. It's no secret this is a intense job, and nobody put a gun to their head to make them join. Why not instead do an article on the 99% who willingly and honorably serve and do as they are told, rather on the handful of slackers and traitors and criminals that refuse to go back? Oh, and it's pathetic and obvious that the liberals on this forum only seem to agree with the 1% who break their vows and contract with the government, and not
    only dishonor themselves but the entire USA. The libs can't help showing their true colors: they hate the military, and anyone who works or leads in it.

    • Posted By: joe_mama @ 06/09/2008 5:56:20 AM

      Comment: Robert,

      It appears as though you are talking out of your right cheek. People did not "volunteer" full multiple, extended tours....especially not those in the reserve. My good friend was injured in Iraq; not from enemy fire, but from lugging around an 80 pound gear bag in 120 degree weather (blew out his knee and his shoulder). Did I mention he was 47 year old reservist on his FIRST tour in Iraq. And, no, he did not shoot himself before returning to Iraq the SECOND time, he did as he was told and now has a degenerative shoulder and knee condition (for which he is still drawing compensation) to prove it.

      By comparison, nobody served more than one tour in Vietnam....unless they volunteered.

      The reality, my dear friend, is that, without the draft, it's really easy to be cavalier and say, "just deal with it". You know you won't have to, so you can just rip on anybody who cannot "deal with it."

      BTW, I'm a liberal, and I love our military and our military leaders. I just hate people like you (and our President), who never had to deal with the realities of war and are so quick to push our brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, and unlces into harms way.

      • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/09/2008 8:28:21 AM

        Comment: I understand that there are soldiers and families that are upset about multiple tours. But when you sign up for the military, you essentially become property of the Federal government. You don't get to pick and choose where you go, or when. Multiple tours are unfortunate, but are part of the deal. And reservists DID sign up for that. Maybe they didn't expect to be sent to war, and definitely not so many times, but when you willingly sign up for the military in ANY form, be it full-time or reserve, you are agreeing at will to their terms. If you don't want to be sent to a combat zone, don't sign up.
        As an aside, I don't think we should be in Iraq. I didn't support us going there in the first place, and I find it funny that many of the supporters from 2003 have turned tail and cried foul now that they realize what being in Iraq means. Now that it's hit home, many people say it's unfair. Where were you back then? People like me were shunned as 'liberals' (like it's a dirty word) for not wanting Americans sent to a pointless death. We had the foresight to realize it wasn't going to be a month-long thing.

        • Posted By: joe_mama @ 06/09/2008 10:17:57 AM

          Comment: Summer,

          I hear you, but I must respectfully disagree with you regarding the reservists.

          First off, my friend was active duty for 15 years before the "peace dividend" downsized him. He took the "early-retirement-go-to-the-reserves" option. Others left the military all together. He spent the last 10 years as a recruiter in the reserves. He didn't just volunteer for extra cash or to learn computers, he did it because he felt loyalty to the services.

          Secondly: if you are in the reserves and you're due out in May, but your unit is deployed until September, guess what? You're staying until September, and possibly longer if there are no replacements available.

          In short, I do not doubt that they have to go, I'm just very concerned that we have nobody but 40-somethings left. It's an indication that our military is overtaxed, over stretched, and as thin as it's ever been in American history.

          Oh, and, for the record, I was one of the liberals who said the fall of the Soviets meant we didn't need a large Army. The so-called "peace dividend". I know now that was a mistake, and freely admit we were wrong.

          • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/09/2008 11:27:55 AM

            Comment: First of all, thanks for the respectful reply!
            I understand your friend's frustration. My brother was in the Navy for 6 years during peace time: 1994-2000. Upon his discharge, he went into the reserves. He would have went to Iraq had he not held the position he still holds as a civilian working on an Air Force base in OK. He's one of the upper level guys that works on the planes electrical and computer systems, so I guess they felt he was more needed there.
            Point being, had he not held that job he would have went to Iraq. Our family was pretty bitter about that and happy for the near miss, but we accepted the fact that it's part of the military life. It's not always fair. Heck, most of the time it probably isn't fair, or at least it doesn't seem like it to the civilians. But that's the military. You willingly sign up to serve your country and abide by all the terms that come with it.

            That said, I commend your friend for his service to our country. He has served bravely and done his job, whether he agreed with it or not. But regarding the guys in this story, I can't neccessarily respect those that sign up without carefully considering the repercussions, then harm themselves to not go back. My dad was drafted in the Vietnam war...he went, served his time, and came home. My friend's dad, however, took the coward's way out and intentionally injured himself to avoid going. I just can't respect that. Never will. If I am ever drafted (which, as a woman, will probably not happen in the years I'll be young enough to serve) I will go. I won't jump off a roof, or shoot my foot, or whatever the case may be. I'll go, just like every male in my family has done.

  • Posted By: Karenn1 @ 06/09/2008 1:03:30 AM

    Comment: Get real in Iraq we have no american troops,corporation soldier is what they now are.They have become what they thought they were their to fight.Sad and all in vain.So Anything Not to Go Back is just the ones who do not want to continue the genocide.

  • Posted By: mfenwick @ 06/09/2008 12:09:26 AM

    Comment: There is no such thing as "fighting for your country," "fighting for America," "fighting for freedom," etc. ad nauseum. Those are just a bunch of buzzwords that all politicians from all countries throughout history have used to persuade their subjects to go to war. And of course there are enough fools who, with the blessing of religion, march willingly to their deaths despite the fact that there is no god or gods who are going to reward them for dying for the politicians. The American soldiers who have died in Iraq are just as dead as the Iraqi soldiers. The Christian god is not handing out medals to slain Americans any more than Allah is handing out 72 virgins to the slain Muslim soldiers. Every one of those soldiers dead or alive in Iraq and in Afghanistan have been lied to by their governments. I don't feel a damn bit sorry for them though. If they are that stupid let them go. Do you think McCain or Obama give a damn? You're a fool if you do. The best way to end this whole mess is for every soldier to tell Bush where he can stick it, lay down their weapons, and walk away. Enough of this God-Country-Mom-And-Apple Pie nonsense. All you John Waynes and Sergeant Yorks need to give up your foolishness.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:32:36 PM

      Comment: without those John Waynes you miy friend wouldn't have the freedom to spew your crap. There really are bad guys out there that want to take everythng you have and if it wasnt for the military im fairly sure you wouldn't last a minute against them. If you feel safe in your neighborhood thank a cop. If you feel safe in your country thank a soldier. God Bless America! Thank you Army, Navy, AIrforce, Marines reservists, national guard and any other person that wakes up everyday knowing they could die but goes to work anyway because they believe in something greater than themselves, that is courage!

      • Posted By: mfenwick @ 06/09/2008 10:08:45 PM

        Comment: No, that's why the world is in the shape it is in.

    • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/09/2008 12:17:14 AM

      Comment: Ditto

  • Posted By: yourcountry @ 06/09/2008 12:03:04 AM

    Comment: A 14 year old kid was working at a Forward Operating Base near the Tigris River(1st Armored Division ,2003 Active Duty), I asked him why he was working instead at the new school? He said I have to provide for my family since my father was killed. I asked him how he was killed. He said that he was dragged out of his house and shot by the Iraqi Military, (during Hussein reign) because he was suspected of 'conspiring against the government??? that is sure some tasty Kool-aid. I guess that kid was part of the great conspiracy for the government to get the oil, hmm why then do we get the majority of the oil from Canada. http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/company_level_imports/current/import.html
    I guess you are right it is all a big lie.
    As far as the soldiers that are harming themselves, there are other ways of getting out of overseas duty; of course, one has to relinquish their benefits in the process.
    What it boils down to is that no one wants to go to war, and if one does, that individual has bigger problems. However, if one signs contracts then they are obligated to fulfill that contract with integrity. That is one of its main purposes, looking for an 'out' because they are faced with an obligation to do another tour is a breach of that contract. Being in a first tour and not able to deal with it, they should have not signed on again. I have reenlisted (Guard) with the knowledge that I will be going back overseas in the next year no matter who is president (not that I am a gung-ho soldier) but with open eyes, but I have signed a contract which I am bound too.
    To R.R was stationed in 1/37 Armored Division Frieburg, Germany Jan 2002-Nov.2004 OIF 1
    To those that do not want to deploy, there are easier ways to get out of the military; of course, you will have to give up your benefits???.
    One can believe anything they wish, at the end of the day I sleep well. Plus, I am finished with speaking about things while thier are people with less than nothing. And those with more judge others.
    Peace

    • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/09/2008 12:16:01 AM

      Comment: I could only imagine what it may have been like under Saddams reign, but that is not enough of a good reason to invade a country... with that logic we would would have to invade a good half of the world to get all the bad guys. Who's next, North Korea with one million in uniform? They kill there own people just for speaking there minds... so why don't we invade them? Could it be that they have nukes already and some how we managed not to go to war with them for decades by some miracle? look at the people who planned this Iraq war: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vandenbergforcongress.com/images/RumsfeldHussein.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.vandenbergforcongress.com/iraq.htm&h=468&w=667&sz=31&hl=en&start=3&sig2=AVyJlJpbYzVbKdsg1qTkvw&um=1&tbnid=rQdItaXEz9WOoM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=138&ei=o69MSPWwNoTGesLPvfME&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drumsfeld%2Bhussein%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

      A nice pic of the former secretary of defense Donnald Rumsfeld shaking hands with the very man we took down. I want our boys back home and enough of the B***** reasons of why to stay!

      • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/09/2008 8:38:54 AM

        Comment: Exactly. Why Iraq? Why not N. Korea, China, Russia, Cuba, or any of the other countries that treat their citizens terribly? Because we know they'd give us a run for our money. They DO have WMDs, but we haven't invaded them, because we know they'd USE them on us! Bushy knew full well that Iraq didn't have squat, that's why he invaded.
        Bush Sr. had Saddam cornered in the Persian Gulf war, yet he let him go. Why? Because he knew taking him out would destabilize the entire region. Too bad Dubya didn't listen to his daddy.

        • Posted By: LC972 @ 06/09/2008 11:58:52 AM

          Comment: Ever wonder why North Korea has nukes? Your beloved lib Clinton gave them the technology.

          • Posted By: gmac32794 @ 06/09/2008 1:59:12 PM

            Comment: Please substantiate your claim that Clinton gave the North Koreans nuclear technology. I seem to recall that they got it from the Chinese.

            • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/09/2008 2:16:31 PM

              Comment: I can tell you that Clinton did NOT give them that technology. My brother was in the US Navy during Clinton's years, on a nuclear submarine. One of their frequent missions was to patrol around N. Korea and gain intelligence about their nuke program (which is now wide knowledge that it exists). If Clinton were funding that and giving it to them, why would the military be looking for info??

          • Posted By: gmac32794 @ 06/09/2008 1:57:58 PM

            Comment: Please substantiate your comment that Clinton gave the North Koreans nuclear technology. I thought they got it from the Chinese.

  • Posted By: B.B. Wolf @ 06/09/2008 12:01:49 AM

    Comment: Think things are bad now? wait until we China and Russia establish themselves as the dominant forces in the middle east. I truly sympathize with our soldiers but this fight is necessary, I don't care what Barack Obama says. McCain is right on this one.

  • Posted By: lnlrothx3 @ 06/08/2008 11:21:10 PM

    Comment: I will be deploying again in april. The soldiers harming them selves are idiots who don't need to be on the battle field. All you people who want the draft back are of two camps, First are the ones that want the draft back so that others besides themselves will be sent ( Cowards) and next are those that what the draft to help turn the American people againest the military ( Traitors). I do not want any of you on my battlefield!!!! Both kinds are the worst *** this country has to offer.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:38:31 PM

      Comment: Thank you for your service! Most americans are with you and you will win this war. by the way there is a great book out by a guy named Michael Yon called the moment of Truth in Iraq I highly recommend reading it as it has great insight into just how we can win this war.

    • Posted By: B.B. Wolf @ 06/09/2008 12:04:41 AM

      Comment: The draft will be a fine idea when things really start to get bad. American draftees have a long and glorious history of kicking ass. Vietnam is not the war by which all wars are judged; likewise, Vietnam era draftees are not the draftees by which all draftees should be judged. The draft works.

      • Posted By: gmac32794 @ 06/09/2008 2:08:41 PM

        Comment: I must respectfully disagree with your comments. While there are certainly Americans who do not like the military, it is just plain wrong to categorize those of us in favor of the draft as either traitors or cowards. The draft would restore reason to this country. It is much easier to send someone else's kid off to die in an unjust war than to send your own. Common sense dictates that If every American had something at stake in the Bush-Cheney-Republican War then there wouldn't have been such a rush to start one. We only have two ways to prevent some other not-so-bright Prez to start a war like this one in the future: 1.Elect a non-Republican, or 2: Bring back the draft and eliminate deferments, making all men and women of draft age eligible to go to war on the President's whim.

        One more thing, I am a Viet Nam era veteran and my son is currently in the Army. Every generation of my family has served in the military since the Civil War. There are no traitors and no cowards in my family.

    • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/08/2008 11:38:13 PM

      Comment: Also, it's not to be against the military, but against bad decision making. Look at GW, the bulb is dim there and with the draft in place with no exceptions will force a fool like him to make sure he is doing the right thing. Getting the country involved in a war should have have a damn good reason to make people die!

    • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/08/2008 11:31:08 PM

      Comment: I am no Traitor, the whole country should share the pain, not just you... If I get drafted so be it as long os the decision makers kids get drafted too. Then i would be at peace with this... I question you on how you call people cowards and traitors just because we speak our minds... this is America and this is what your fighting for correct, freedom of speech? The draft with no exceptions, if there is a good reason to go to war and all other options are exhausted, then war it is... but no cowards will evade the draft with College differments like the coward Dick Cheney.

      • Posted By: summer4077 @ 06/09/2008 8:52:52 AM

        Comment: Don't you love how that's the only argument they have? Name calling? Opponents of the 'war' aka occupation can give many factual supporting evidence to their argument, but all supporters of it can do is resort to childish name calling.
        I want American lives saved. If they absolutely must lose their lives, I want it done over a damn good reason. This whole supposed evidence of WMDs that didn't pan out is infuriating. It's a sham that Bushy and his cronies used for their own personal gain. Did they care that 4,000+ are dead and thousands more wounded? No. It's not their son/daughter/mother/father.
        So I want lives saved. How does that make me a coward or unpatriotic (another insult flung at opponents)?

        • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:46:19 PM

          Comment: weenie! Just kidding couldnt resist.

          Wmd- how about the fact that Saddam had used Gas weapons on his own people for evidence. He wiped out an entire kurd village women and children murdered. Bush made his decision based on Evidence that Saddam may have been interested in transfering weapons of mass destruction to Terrorists for profit. This evidence turned out to be false but He didnt want to see a gas attack in Los Angeles So I can hardly fault him for being aggressive.

          The war never was about oil despite the perception don't you think Bushes oil buddies would of profited more from a lack of supply of oil than from exploiting the oil of a conquered country. We have no interest in stealing Iraqs oil. Did we steal the resources from Japan after wwII? Did we steal the resources from Germany or Italy? No we stabilized the countries rebuilt their economies and now veiw them as our great allies.

          Being a republican im too dumb to remember what else you talked about but im sure it was wrong also! :)

          • Posted By: gmac32794 @ 06/09/2008 3:48:31 PM

            Comment: I have to laugh when I hear comments about Saddam's WMD program and how it was a threat to America. How would he have launched a nuclear attack on the US? He had no submarines or bombers with nuclear capabilities. How was he going to launch this attack? Strap the nukes onto a camel and swim them over here?

  • Posted By: Nins @ 06/08/2008 10:30:56 PM

    Comment: Sorry, ArmyRanger, but I think you are misinformed about Obama's military stance. I'm a Republican and I was relieved to hear Obama say that while he wants a slow (18 month or more) withdrawal from Iraq, he wants to increase our presence in Afganistan and aggressively go after Al Queda. He also states that we need to put more money into the military budget in the near future, and increase the number of men and women in uniform, as well as provide important services to returning veterans. Obama comes across as rather hard nosed and pro-military, he just thinks that the war in Iraq was ill-conceived, since it was based on false intelligence (the weapons of mass destruction that never materialized) and was started without the support of the international community. It so happens that 69% of Americans agree with him about this, and since we are a majority rule democracy, a well-planned withdrawal from Iraq is THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

    As to your assertion that oil prices are at an all-time high because Muslims want Obama to be president, I'm not sure I follow you reasoning at all. Yes, much of the world's oil belongs to Muslim countries, who can set whatever prices they want. However, US based corporations like ExxonMobile also collude in this price fixing which is draining America and making us weaker economically. Both Clinton and Obama have faced this head on, saying that we need energy independence from oil, something I heartily agree with. So even though I haven't voted Democrat since Nixon was impeached, I'm breaking my 30 year GOP streak and voting for Obama this year, because our country is in DIRE STRAITS financially, and I want a President who realizes that we need to take action on our oil dependence, rather than Bush/McCain who obviously are in the oil industry up to their necks.

    However, Army, I do have to commend you on your obvious patriotism. I just think that maybe you have been mis-informed about Obama's stance on the military, and about his supposed Muslim affiliations. There is a lot of nonsense floating around in the media. I'm sorry if it has effected your views, and I hope that you will go to the trouble of looking up Obama's real views, especially since he is likely to be our next President.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:48:54 PM

      Comment: The good thing about Obama is because he hasn't articulated any of his plans his followers can make them up to suit any argument they encounter.

  • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/08/2008 10:16:40 PM

    Comment: One thing I strongly believe in is to bring back the draft and the war tax and no exceptions like College deferment. If you are able with two arms and two legs then your shipped off. I also would make sure each politicians kids go too so we all share the pain and this I know in my heart will make war truly the last resort. Men like Cheney when differed his way out of Vietnam or GW in the national guard during Nam (thanks to Dad) with such ease send an volunteer army out to war. Makes me sick!

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/09/2008 2:50:22 PM

      Comment: Mccains son is serving now!

  • Posted By: Bdwyre @ 06/08/2008 10:07:36 PM

    Comment: I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I read about someone so desperate that they would jump off their roof with tools strapped on their back.....

    What a toll this war has taken on this nation. It's unbelievable that we have sunk so low in eight short years and have lost so much.

    My heart goes out to all US soldiers and their families.

  • Posted By: B.C. @ 06/08/2008 10:01:43 PM

    Comment: 40 years ago my ex-husband was 20 years old and one day away from leaving for basic training. Having second thoughts, he decided that he wouldn't have to go if his leg was broken. He put me in the car and drove to a loading dock behind a local store, looked around to find the largest rock he could find. Then he had me stand on the dock, handed me the rock, placed his leg on the dock and told me to throw it at his leg.
    I raised the rock, closed my eyes and WHAM, it hit his shin and bounced around He grabbed his leg and bounced around, took some long hard breaths and then said "do it again". Since I couldn't stand to watch I
    hit the shin again, and again, and again. He could take no more and we went home. No broken bones,
    just scrapes, bruises and swelling in his foot. Nothing to keep him from his fateful trip the next morning, just
    a sore foot to be placed in combat boots for the first days of basic. NO ONE WANTS TO GO TO WAR!!! BRING THEM HOME!!!

  • Posted By: yourcountry @ 06/08/2008 9:56:12 PM

    Comment: Perhaps you should visit Iraq and see for yourself if there is a job to be done

  • Posted By: emtyn1 @ 06/08/2008 9:51:36 PM

    Comment: To Yourcountry: There is no job to 'get done' in Iraq. 9/11 was never about Iraq in the first place. It may have been about Afghanistan, but Afghanistran is now getting bad again. We got distracted in Iraq from Afghanistan, so now it's getting cranked up again with the Taliban harrassing women that want to be free to walk around without burkas and get a job and blowing up girls that try to go to school. We never got the job done there and now we've veered off into a sinkhole in Iraq.

  • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/08/2008 9:49:32 PM

    Comment: Also forgot to note, I support the troops by wanting all of them home in one piece, not scared mentally and especially not in body bags and home soon than later... Our country is going bankrupt by borrowing billions upon billions for the Iraq war. Our dollar is almost worthless and we are paying for this by paying more for oil and now food. This is the first war of this magnitude that our government did not use the war tax... Afghanistan was one month and still far less than Iraq is occupying it and nato is there. The previous Iraq war was one month long and most of our allies helped pay for it and there was 500k troops then occupying a fraction of the country. Now we are printing and borrowing our way to oblivion and this is exacting how Osama Bin Ladin wanted to beat us... by spending us to death, that is how the USSR eventually fell because Afghanistan caused there currency to fail and there was no longer a way to pay for it. What a crappy situation we are in good going.

  • Posted By: emtyn1 @ 06/08/2008 9:34:51 PM

    Comment: Like Obama, I thought the war was a bad decision from the very beginning. What had Iraq done to us that was so wrong. I thought we were supposed to to fighting the terrorists from 9/11 that were training in Afghanistan. As others have said before, I'd like to see the U.S. take care of more of its own problems at home, and we have many. We don't have the manpower or the resources to be fighting all these skirmishes all over the world. I think the current administration has put our country in serious peril by fighting an unnecessary war and depleting our military manpower and equipment. Economists talk about having guns or butter. We're getting to where we're gonna have neither. Our military is crumbling. Our roads and bridges are falling down. Our food prices are soaring. Family structure is crumbling. I've never seen so many Americans killing their wives and children. Mothers killing themselves and their children. People are losing their homes and children can't afford to attend college. Great!

  • Posted By: Daves3 @ 06/08/2008 9:29:12 PM

    Comment: One tour is more than enough to serve, anymore than that for a person too burden for the rest of there life is too much. Let the rich old men and there kids go to the battlefield if it was so right to go war in the first place. I do not believe in preemptive war, war should be the last resort and only if you were attacked first... Iraq did not attack us on 911, so I am still baffled on all the changed reasoning since 2003 on why we went there... who would be surprised when our troops do these things to avoid going back. I don't blame them. By the way, I support the troops, but I am against bad civilian leadership that sends them to war such as Iraq... and to see the "Troops" used as political shields when our leadership made terrible mistakes is embarrassing to me to watch.

  • Posted By: yourcountry @ 06/08/2008 9:15:43 PM

    Comment: Men and Women that voluteer know the risks for themselves and their families, unlike those that served in Vietnam which were forced into combat and really needed the support of the people were turned away. So, when you say you support the troops, not the war, then you are contradicting yourself. It is volunteer, and yes believe it or not 18 year old knows that he or she may go do a tour in Iraq. So, with that said then one would have to deduce that by supporting the troops that are volunteers, that by very act of volunteering for the military must accept and support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If this is true, by supporting the volunteer troops, you support the war. One cannot have it both ways.
    If you want to support someone, support Veitnam Vets, because they were drafted because they could not afford to go to college. Ironically, the college students that were calling them baby killers and other vile stuff. Now, the same generation is ???supporting the troops??? in a war recruits volunteer to fight in. The people of this country including myself, have to focus on one thing, getting the job done in Iraq and Afghanistan. I do not want a repeat of September 11, 2001.Do you?

    • Posted By: Virginia64 @ 06/08/2008 11:25:22 PM

      Comment: Regarding "yourcountry" comment that the men and woman in the military volunteered. You are correct, they did volunteer because they felt an obligation to their country, it is just a shame that their country does not feel any obligation to them. Every citizen of the United States should be required to help when their country needs them. It should not be voluntary, but mandatory. We have a voluntary military for the purpose of ensuring that we can respond quickly, for defense purposes only, not offense. We have always criticized this action in other nations, yet here we are doing it.
      If this war is just, there should be a draft. By the very fact that you support the war, I have to assume you have already gone to your local recruiting station to enlist and have encouraged your friends and family to do the same. If you haven???t done this I must deduce that you feel no obligation to your country or the men and women that are fighting for your right to make insulting comments like you have.
      I do not support this war. I do not support the president. I do, however, support and have great admiration for our men and women in the military. Yes, this is possible, just as it is possible to continue to love your child when they have done something wrong.

    • Posted By: Virginia64 @ 06/08/2008 11:20:02 PM

      Comment: Regarding "yourcountry" comment that the men and woman in the military volunteered. You are correct, they did volunteer because they felt an obligation to their country, it is just a shame that their country does not feel any obligation to them. Every citizen of the United States should be required to help when their country needs them. It should not be voluntary, but mandatory. We have a voluntary military for the purpose of ensuring that we can respond quickly, for defense purposes only, not offense. We have always criticized this action in other nations, yet here we are doing it.
      If this war is just, there should be a draft. By the very fact that you support the war, I have to assume you have already gone to your local recruiting station to enlist and have encouraged your friends and family to do the same. If you haven???t done this I must deduce that you feel no obligation to your country or the men and women that are fighting for your right to make insulting comments like you have.
      I do not support this war. I do not support the president. I do, however, support and have great admiration for our men and women in the military.

  • Posted By: emtyn1 @ 06/08/2008 9:02:09 PM

    Comment: Who cares how many it is? If it's just one, it's too many. One tour of duty should be enough. I wish we could make these old, grey-headed men each serve a tour of their own.

  • Posted By: emtyn1 @ 06/08/2008 9:00:28 PM

    Comment: ...and what in the heck will talking to them (physicians, military officials) do, soldier will still be sent to Iraq repeatedly. I just hope that our leaders who started this unnecessary war can never sleep a peaceful night again. The old gray-headed men that started this should have nightmares forever of the young men whose lives and families they're damaged.

  • Posted By: yourcountry @ 06/08/2008 8:55:37 PM

    Comment: Okay, explain this to me. How can someone support the troops that in a realistic veiwpoint volunteer to fight in Iraq, but oppose the war? After 5 years I still do not understand that logic. This is what I dislikes about the United States Citizens, we are fair weather fans, everthing is great as long as our team is winninig, but when things get tough we jump on the nearest finger pointing band wagon to place blame. Of course, Bin Laden knows this and is relying on this to draw out this war, he is not a stupid person. He knows that public will not stand for a drawn out war , for example the Veitnam War. So, for those that 'want out' fine,play into Bin Ladens game plan. Just don't blame America for another attack. oh,another thing, I do not represent the military in any fashion in this comment, these are my own views on the state of the people in this nation.

  • Posted By: hopes1980aa @ 06/08/2008 8:21:48 PM

    Comment: Well you know, It's hard to deside whether you are for the troops or not. when i say I support the troops, what i mean, is i wish that they come back home alive and see their families again. But I dont support the war that the troops are fightning. It the first year it seemd like there were 2 good reasons to go to Iraq one was to blow up those nuclear site that were supposedly containing lots of sadams nuclear weapon site, and the other was to find Bin Laden and kill him and his middle man. I think a lot troops signed up to go shoot all those mean terrorists, and may in the prosses they did, but it still didnt do much good. Bin Laden is still sitting somewhere in the cave having a laugh, seeing how America is going down the hill, seems like terrorism is doing their job without being in united states, economy is going down the hill, and there is nothing better coming in the future, except the coming of Jesus. Ofcourse for some interesting reason no major nuclear sites have been discovered. Iraqis are still blowing up each other, and killing their own people with terrorist attacs. Seems like Americans are there to babysit a country that dont care dont even care for their own. And if in the past 5 years Iraqi goverment cant protect their own, then how are they gonna do that now. With the way things are going, this war is gonna be going on for another 10-20 years. This country is doomed pretty much. All the troops that signed up, im sure everyone had a good reason to go when they sighned up, but im sure that many are sitting somewhere in a ditch and thinking to them selves,"what the heck am i fightnig for", some fell for the college money, im sure of that. and some for many other reasons, but in the end it sucks, and Im sure that majority of troops wanne go home, see their wifes, husbands, children, parents and have a happy and productive life, and not die in some far away strange country. since when did it become wrong to imagine this country living without war, and have peace, seems like its where it got to, that people almost feel guilty for saying that this war should be over and done with.

  • Posted By: twins2feed @ 06/08/2008 8:08:15 PM

    Comment: A very poor article Tony Dokoupil, almost up there with Dan Rather . You take one 20-year-old Bronx soldier, and liken him as the rest of the U.S. military. The military phychologists indicates some soldiers who will do almost anything not to go back". How many is SOME Mr. Dokoupil: five, twelve, thirty?

    Michael R. McCool
    USMC (Former)
    Topeks, Kansas

  • Posted By: twins2feed @ 06/08/2008 8:07:55 PM

    Comment: A very poor article Tony Dokoupil, almost up there with Dan Rather . You take one 20-year-old Bronx soldier, and liken him as the rest of the U.S. military. The military phychologists indicates some soldiers who will do almost anything not to go back". How many is SOME Mr. Dokoupil: five, twelve, thirty?

    Michael R. McCool
    USMC (Former)
    Topeks, Kansas

  • Posted By: dejay181 @ 06/08/2008 8:00:04 PM

    Comment: wooow newsweek! you cite three or four incidents and get some quotes from "top" psychologists about the "rising trend" of it all and then give it a convincing title to insinuate that its apparently gonna be a epidemic and zap boom bam! crazy quotes about bush and his crazy war! can i be a journalist too? please?!? please?!? what a crap article. no substance.

  • Posted By: Eugene23 @ 06/08/2008 7:50:20 PM

    Comment: The article and the comments underscore that it is not just a bad war, all wars are bad, but it's a war for which we were not prepared. Okay, we all knwo that.
    Also, I have nothing but praise and respect for our soldiers. But I don't think the Bush administration is doing all they can or should. I've got this gut feeling that they have no intention of our country leaving Iraq. I think the plan is to reduce the violence, pull out maybe half the troops, and stay. It just looks that way considering the military bases, the Green Zone compound and the lack of urgency. Why don't we set a deadine for withdrawal, if for no other reason than to put a fire under the Iraqi leaders. If they make progress, we can always move the dealine. I mean every dealine I've ever heard of has been moved. Also, with regard to Bush's lack of urgency, I think Iran and certain leaders (no names here) who are keeping the unrest alive, should be gone after. I don't care if it's diplomatically incorrect or how it looks to the rest of the world. Go after them. Our men and women are beng killed and maimed. I do agree we need to establish security in Iraq. I don't want to see innocent Iraqi's killed. The children... that's not America. But can you imagine a general like Patton or McArthur not being relentless. Would Patton have tolerated Iran arming insurgents? I think not. He would have found a way to let Iran know that borders can be crossed in both directions. Okay, enough. Someone fire back.

    As far a soldiers doing harm to themselves to keep from going back, it's hard to even draw a conslusion. You can't know what is going on in each of their minds. I'm sure it happened in Vietnam and W.W II, etc. I do know that not everyone is cut out for the type of physical and mental strain of serving in Iraq. That said, I'll refrain from futher comment because I really don't know the answer.

  • Posted By: odanny @ 06/08/2008 7:22:46 PM

    Comment: 20% of soldiers on anti-depressants, 1/3 suffer PTSD.

    A 6 year national nightmare for the troops and the 24 million people of Iraq

  • Posted By: apwerner @ 06/08/2008 7:20:56 PM

    Comment: George Bush - - Are You Listening???!!!

  • Posted By: jpooch00 @ 06/08/2008 6:41:04 PM

    Comment: As far as I'm concerned, whatever they do to get out of this ridiculous war is justifiable. Their government and their self-serving, narcissistic Commander in Chief has repeatedly lied to them and failed them in almost every conceivable way. I have nothing but respect for anyone who wants to get out and stay out of this shameful debacle. This country has to learn to keep its nose out of places that it doesn't belong. We are not the world's police.

  • Posted By: Spacer @ 06/08/2008 6:18:56 PM

    Comment: "we are winning and should stay until the job is done."

    How will we know when "we" win? Will it be when Iraq is no longer the Hell on Earth that George W. Bush created? In that case we may have to wait until Hell freezes over.