[A. Pole]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say. For me, I always supported the Iraq mission to liberate the people of Iraq.

You have a short memory. The war against Iraq was an URGENT mission to protect USA and world from the IMMINENT threat from weapons of mass destruction. Same way as attack on Serbia was to stop the ongoing extermination of Albanian Muslims in Kosovo. (Kosovo is still occupied)

That Saddam Hussien was a nasty dictator was not important. Bush Sr. adminstration (including Rumsfeld) had no problem in supporting and arming him in 1980's when he waged aggressive war against Iran. US sent even nave to help him (it was when the Iranian airliner was shot down, do you remember?!).

Permanent War requires a vague and ever-changing enemy.

[Vermont Lt]

I am not sure why there is all of the hubub over this. These guys are not shirking their duty. They are simply saying when their agreed contract is up, its someone else's turn.

MOST of the guys in WWII were drafted and had no choice. The same is true of Korea and Viet Nam.

I know of a couple of guys who have lost substantial jobs--well into the six figures--because they went. Not that the companies wont find a place for them, but they've got to move or miss their opportunties. Again, they are not complaining. They are simply saying that they chose not to do this forever.

Its a volunteer army folks--this is what happens.

[68skylark]

Your reply to me is taking a somewhat confrontational tone. I don't understand it, and it seems unnecessary in a forum where we're all friends.

I think my memory is pretty good about the events leading up to the war. I followed every single scrap of news I could get my hands on every day, at this forum and everywhere else.

You are correct that the threat from WMD's was put forward as a primary reason for the liberation of Iraq -- my memory matches yours on that point. But other reasons also exist. For me personally, I supported the war out of a desire to liberate millions of people, as well as the opportunity to try to bring some democracy, feedom, tolerance and prosperity to a region that has never experienced it.

It's still unclear whether this effort is going to work -- the chace of failure has always been large. But I support this as a goal that's worthy of a great nation, and I'll be happy to play a personal role in this if I can.