I can verify that. Being in Iraq most certainly "sucked". I would question the sanity of anyone (who actually saw time outside of the wire) who found the experience to be fun and pleasant.
That doesn't mean I didn't support the mission, that there weren't some good times, or that I am not proud for having served. I felt I was doing something good when I was over there. But I sure as hell didn't like it at the time.
And truth be told, there are a lot of troops that think like this young soldier. Probably not a majority, but at least enough to be noticeable. And not all of them are leftists or "cowards." A lot of them are guys who don't think much about grand diplomatic strategy or cultural shifts or subtle national interests. They just know they are away from their families and in a strange land halfway around the world. Add that to mortar attacks, IED's, sandstorms, and sniper fire and it can knock some of the enthusiasm out of a person.
Some of the opinions of this soldier may be misguided, but try to remember what he's going through. Even if he's wrong, as someone who is honorably serving our nation in a time of war, he deserves our respect.
Sorry. Upon reading some of the comments I see that the soldier has just returned home. That's what happens when you let your emotions take over.
Good post.