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Not sure how much good it will do, but I sent this to the USO:

On December 19th, 2006 we at Camp Victory were treated to a USO show that included Al Franken as a performer. I remember some of his skits on the program Saturday Night Live, in which he was funny so I could understand him being hired on the basis of his comedy.

His recent work includes being a host on the Air America network, where he basically downgrades all things conservative, particularly President Bush and his administration. He has been an outspoken critic of the war on terror in general, and of this war in Iraq in particular.

As a military member I gladly defend his right to say such things on the radio and criticize our government and our leaders. It is his right and his duty to voice the differing opinions that he and his listeners share. What I take exception to is when he brings his anti-war message directly to the troops in a one-on-one situation, as he did on this night.

During the night meal in the Coalition DFAC, Al Franken and some of his colleagues were eating at a table with an Army Major I work with. After several minutes of overhearing the group discuss all of the negative aspects of the Iraq war, this Major finally spoke up and asked the group to name one positive thing they had read or listened to regarding the war. None of them could name one. During the follow on conversation, Al Franken asked the Major how he felt fighting in a war based entirely on lies and he also stated that our Commander In Chief kept changing the goals of our efforts. Finally, he asked this Major how he felt about fighting in a war which we were losing.

Luckily this exchange was with a relatively mature, senior military member who could hold his own and rebuff some of these comments. What concerns me is that if this had been a junior person on their first deployment being asked about fighting a losing cause. What effect would that have had on this person’s morale? Isn’t that the reason for the USO shows, to boost morale? I didn’t see the show and must assume it did not involve any of the above comments or ideas. But even offstage, these entertainers should be showing support and encouragement to the military men and women they visit.

Given the actions of Mr. Franken and his group, I find his selection as a member of the USO tour shows inappropriate. Again, I fully support his right to speak his mind in any avenue. But the military support function that the USO shows fulfill seems like a very unsuitable arena to express his personal views and actually undermines our efforts. I ask that you reconsider asking him to perform in the future.

Tongue-Tied
Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory, Iraq

Excellent. Thanks from one of the millions of the silent majority. We are here backing our troops, past and present.

Sorry. I missed this ping big-time this morning; glad I caught it this evening. Tongue-tied, you are an ace to write and send this letter. I respect you for that. I wish the Major would write to the USO as well.

It's really frustrating because USO has to know what Franken's "politics" are and that he doesn't check them before going on a USO tour. He gets to voice his "views" but troops are constrained from doing so? That is grossly unfair and, as you said, demoralizing to the troops who are supposed to be uplifted by these shows.

All I can say is, I hope this was his last tour for USO.

Ping to post 188... tongue-tied's letter.

Very well done TT. It may take several of you speaking up, but eventually they'll get the message. Good on ya ~ and frankly, I am sorry as heck that you have to fight that battle as well as the one on the ground there. It's not right.