Tears for troops
I cannot help but share my sadness and frustration after viewing a recent photo of Hiller Reservists wiping away tears, albeit bravely, as they ponder an uncertain future in an uncertain country. The political divisions of left and right should hardly matter, but I cannot help but question a Christian president who will be known not for education, health or tax reform but for pre-emptive war. With all the U.S. firepower, we are losing the War on Terror in Iraq. With Fallujah destroyed, the U.S. military can claim only that insurgents were killed; our primary target, al-Zarqawi, escaped. The Jan. 30th deadline for a peaceful election will most likely be compromised. The U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, has treated over 20,000 troops for injuries. According to the Pentagon, 54 percent are too injured to return to their units. If that figure is correct, it would mean that the insurgents have put nearly 11,000 U.S. troops out of action. Add the 1,250-plus U.S. fatalities and that total increases to over 12,000 troops. That’s about 9 percent of our total force in Iraq, and a much higher percentage of the combat force.
This country needs to understand the difference between being patriotic and being ignorant. We are not fighting terrorists in Iraq; we are fighting an insurgency. Imagine if we were somehow occupied by Japan 63 years ago. Imagine citizens picking up shotguns to defend this enemy who suddenly controlled all sources of fuel, food, water and transportation after destroying homes, churches and schools. Would those Americans be terrorists of just defenders of their homeland?
It’s hard to win a war on terror when the terror isn’t there. Bush refuses to see that true terrorists do not claim a homeland and that invading any country will create an armed backlash within the general population. Bush’s pre-emptive wars are a good way to depopulate the U.S. and bankrupt our country. This policy is also setting a precedent for other countries that it is acceptable to attack based on mediocre intelligence.
How should we react to Russia when they use cruise missiles on their Republic of Georgia sheltering Chechen terrorists or if China were to attack North Korea? This insane Bush doctrine promises a 21st century more bloody than the last. We approach a worldwide level of tension not seen in 50 years and yet I can’t help but feel half of this country would blindly follow Bush to even nuclear war. No winners there folks.
Kerry Burd Jr.
Fairchance