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I was stunned when I read Joel Stein’s opinion piece "Warriors and Wusses". Mr. Stein is so typical of the unthinking, uncaring, uninvolved pseudo-Americans we hear from too much of late. I would be angry if I didn't find his misconceptions, misstatements and misinformation so pitiful. So, be against the war, Mr. Stein. You are putatively an American, you are entitled. Ignore the fact that 27 million people are free for the first time in their lives. Ignore that a despot who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents and the rape and torture of tens of thousands more is finally gone. Ignore that a government that was at the least accommodating to terrorists (some of which attacked this country resulting in the death of a couple thousand of your countrymen) and at the most actively supporting those terrorists with training camps, funds and weapons is now gone. Ignore that there is now, for the first time in history, a truly democratic Arab nation. I assume you feel none of these facts are of value. I assume you remain against the war. This is America, you are entitled. (of course you wouldn't be entitled had you lived in the Iraq of four years ago, but don’t let that small fact discomfort you). Failing to support the troops is not at all difficult. All you had to do was write a column. They, on the other hand, stand up to support their country, putting their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor on the line. You scoff at them and their acts and then admit that you have NEVER put yourself on the line for this country. You have been content to stand to the rear when needs were great. How pitiful. These young men and women have sacrificed greatly for their country. They not only deserve our support, they deserve our admiration and our eternal gratitude. Because they are fighting in Iraq, our enemies are expending their energy and resources there, rather than on the streets of Los Angeles, or Dayton, or Boston or a thousand other cities in the United States. I'm sure that's not of consequence to you, though if it comes, we can all be sure that you will be hiding and crying for someone to help you. And, in case you doubt my bona fides, my grandfather served in World War I, my father in the occupation troops after World War II, my three brothers and I in the military (one brother was career Army), and I served as a reserve police officer in both Los Angeles and Gardena. Make light of those back here at home who show their feelings by putting magnets and bumper stickers on their cars, so that the world can know that they honor and support our troops. I am one of those people. I have a bumper sticker that says "Power of Pride"; with an American flag. I have another that says "Proud Parent of a Soldier". I have another that says "Freedom is Not Free";. And I have another that says "In Loving Memory SGT Brian Wood KIA Tikrit, Iraq 04/16/2004". Brian was my son, killed in action defending this country, helping make a people free, and being an American in the finest way possible; in the service of his country. President Franklin Roosevelt said "He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives; in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men." My son was such a man, and I am so very proud of him. You, sir, are less.