HERE'S WHAT I THINK

For what it's worth.

After reading THIS
I was compelled to respond.
while doing just that it occurred to me that I was using up a lot of AirbornDad's space for my blathering, so I decided to turn my comment into a post.
Dad if you take exception at my directing readers away from your blog, please accept my apologies.


A couple of things.

1) A lot of the soldiers read blogs. So they know that they have the support of those of us who write blogs, and those of you who comment.
By showing your support of us, and sending your well wishes for our soldiers, you support them.
My son, Spc Matthew Rider, 2-23rd inf 4th bde strykers, currently in Baghuba, reads this blog, and truly appreciates your support.
He emails me frequently, but is always wary of commenting in a public manner.
Big brother is watching, and they do reprimand soldiers for commenting publicly about their feelings regarding the war...
Unless, of course their opinion is in line with the leaders, and they give a glowing review of how things are going, and tell of how happy they are to be, "living the dream".

2)The support of those who have no one serving is low because no-one but those of us with loved ones fighting are being asked to sacrifice anything.

3) My opinion, (hate me if you want) Our soldiers aren't dieing in Iraq for our freedom. They're dieing while trying to free the Iraqi people.
If we were fighting for our freedom and security, we wouldn't have directed our attention away from Afghanistan and hunting down Ossama to settle George Bush's personal vendetta with Saddam.
Let's not forget that we still have soldiers fighting that battle who are under staffed, and under funded.
Who's supporting them?
Those of us with soldiers who aren't do to get out anytime soon will probably see them there before long.
4) If we were fighting for our freedom and security, we'd be in Pakistan rooting out al-Quaida.
al-Quaida came to Iraq to attack us.
They see the civil war in Iraq as an opportunity to kill Americans.
And they don't care how many innocent Iraqis become collateral damage.
If you really want to support the troops, send letters, or call your congressmen and let them know how you feel about the situation.
Oh, and continue commenting here, and on family of soldiers blogs.
Read some of the blogs on the sidebars of this blog, and "Onepercenters", and comment there also.
The soldiers in infantry units serving outside the wire don't have a lot of free time.
they work long hours with little personal time, but I can tell you that they do spend time on line, when they can, and they do appreciate your kind words, well wishes, and prayers.
As do we, the families.
You too are hero's.
God bless you.

Please not:
I didn't mention our president's glowing review of the war on national television today...