[Allegra]

Some of these folks enlisted before the Iraq war. Some enlisted in National Guard, never expecting overseas duty since that's relatively rare for the Guard. Many have been recalled after leaving the military from the Reserves.

Yep...I know quite a few National Guardsmen and quite a few Reservists. And I never hear any of them complain, so they really wouldn't appreciate you anti-war types complaining for them. In fact, I can't put out on here what a lot of them say about Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Jack Murtha, etc. because JimRob has rules about language. They embrace the mission and I know some guys who switch units after being redeployed so that they can come back.

You knew what you were signing up for. And you have renewed (AFAIK) for a specific amount of time. And your obligation is, at most, a civil contract.

So? I honor it, no matter how frustrating it gets sometimes. I enjoy what I do. Being a part of this is an honor for me and the most fascinating thing I have ever experienced. And I have lived a pretty exciting life.

I was merely pointing out that your situation is different from that of many of the troops.

Never said it wasn't. Those guys who go out on patrol every day and engage the enemy in firefights have my utmost admiration and are my heroes as are all of these people here.

And I won't have them belittled by a bunch of anti-war types who don't have a clue about how things are here on the ground.

When you belittle my involvement here, it really doesn't bother me. I just consider the source. But when I see people disparaging our troops and their efforts, I'll bite their freakin' heads off.

[elhombrelibre]

You cannot shame “George W. Bush;” he’s way beyond that. His contempt for the men and women on the ground is so brazen he embraces Run Paul. He is thus a scoundrel.

[George W. Bush]

And I never hear any of them complain, so they really wouldn't appreciate you anti-war types complaining for them.

Just because you never hear them complain doesn't exactly settle it. Unlike you, I don't pretend to speak for them.

So? I honor it, no matter how frustrating it gets sometimes. I enjoy what I do. Being a part of this is an honor for me and the most fascinating thing I have ever experienced. And I have lived a pretty exciting life.

Fine and good. Our military has relied on civilian auxiliaries for decades. It's not military service but there is no doubt it's absolutely vital to our military effort overall, however anyone feels about Iraq. I know a woman who is a major contract-writer for the Air Force, has been for about 20 years.

Never said it wasn't. Those guys who go out on patrol every day and engage the enemy in firefights have my utmost admiration and are my heroes as are all of these people here.

Absolutely.

And I won't have them belittled by a bunch of anti-war types who don't have a clue about how things are here on the ground.

And just where have I belittled their service? You always seem to insinuate this but it isn't true. On our pinglist alone, we have a mom whose son is in Iraq and we have a dad whose son will deploy soon. So the RP folk here at FR aren't bashers of the military.