[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Clinton bombed innocent people in countries around the world to avert attention from political problems. He eliminated the military budget which in turn delayed progress in weapons development. Soldiers vacated their positions for many reasons leaving America in a laughable comparison to where we were prior to 1992.

1. How do today's veterans compare America's military focus to that of 40 years ago?
2. How has it changed over the last year?
3. How many of our previous administration's mistakes are/were recognized by the general public?
4. How do you feel about the manner in which the Leftists are defending Iraq's rights and how do you think the nation is reacting?
5. How did the nation, media, congress react 40 years ago?

[ODC-GIRL]

I served 21 years in the Air National Guard. I was proud to serve in the Reagan/Bush years. We had an important job, Air Defense. After winning the Cold War, the traditional military mistakes were made again, including cutting way back on the Air Defense mission.

The disgusting Clinton years made it very easy for me to decide to retire, which I did in August 2001. I was the supervisor in our unit's Command Post. I was called back to help on 9-11 and am in the process of "unretiring". We are performing our Air Defense mission again (shutting the barn door after the horses escaped).

I am once again proud to be serving my country and having an important mission, one which should never have been cut in the first place. While we who are conducting this nation's Homeland Defense don't get much notice, we are dedicated to ensuring that what happened on 9-11 never happens again. The people I work with have left their civilian jobs for over a year now. We have gone from one weekend a month to covering a 24/7 operation with 12 hours shifts. We face the very real possiblity of deploying as well. We are ready, if not eager.

How have things changed in the last year? Everything has changed for us. Things I trained for, for 21 years, we do for real on a regular basis. Many have discovered, for the first time, the true nature of our "business". We are prepared to stick it out as long as necessary.

I have been lurking on Free Republic for several weeks now and so I know that the people here appreciate what we do. We appreciate having a President who stands for something and means what he says.

[SAMWolf]

My personal opinion:

How do today's veterans compare America's military focus to that of 40 years ago?

**40 years ago the U.S was geared up for a major land war in Europe against the Warsaw Pact. Today the focus seems to be Rapid Deployment to hot spots and being a "police" force.

How has it changed over the last year?

**Based on reports and news stories, the military seems to be split between fighting a "war" in the conventional meaning of the word and using "SWAT" tactics. I've believe in some cases our military is being misused as an "police force", searching and detaining people is not the militay's primary job. It should be destroying the enemy and occupying the enemies ground not playing "police".

How many of our previous administration's mistakes are/were recognized by the general public?

**Not enough. I've found too many people have no clue about Foreign Affairs.

How do you feel about the manner in which the Leftists are defending Iraq's rights and how do you think the nation is reacting?

**The Leftists will always crawl out from under thier rocks to protest anything the Military or a Republican Administration does. I believe this time they're marginalized and that the majority of people back what the adminstration is doing. The press once again is focusing on the protestors.

How did the nation, media, congress react 40 years ago?

**I think there was a no "PC" in the media and Congress 40 years ago. We recognized our enemies and didn't waste time trying to "understand" them or "see their side". For the most part the Nation was ready to do what was necessary to defend itself.