Kirk,

>I'll just throw in my 2 cents, that those of us who serve full and part-time, choose to serve in good times and bad. Most of us think the idea of life, liberty and the pursut of happiness, while quite american, are universal and worth fighting for and helping those who cannot help themselves. I for one, would rather fight the battle rather than leave the battle for my children to fight. And I strongly disagree with those who think that we wouldn't be in Iraq in the future if we weren't there now. And I'm quite tired of those who "speak for the troops"! The troops are more than willing and able to speak for themselves.

With all due respect, I know people who have served in Iraq. Further, I know the parents, veterans, of those people. I don't claim in anyway, shape, manner or form to speak for them. What I say, however, is perfectly consistent with their views.

Quite frankly, I don't want my sons to be serving over there. If the draft were revived, I'd advise them to resist.

You say that "...we wouldn't be in Iraq in the future if we weren't there now". That's pure speculation, not fact. Here are the facts...

First, the United States backed Saddam during the Iran-Iraq war.

Second, prior to the ivasion, our terms were for him to give up or destroy the WMD or leave the country. Since he didn't have the WMD in the first place, how could he destroy them.

Third, according to official government reports, there never was any consistent or on-going contact between him an Al-Qaida.

Fourth, he presented no danger to our security.

If we hadn't invaded, then factually, terrorism worldwide, especially in Iraq, wouldn't have increased in the proportions it has. Further, our troops wouldn't be in harms way in Iraq. We'd be concentrating on taking down Al-Qaida.

Further, official governement reports indicated that he was trying to broker a deal between Iraq and the US.

To say that if we didn't invade now, our children would have to is nonsense.

>I think most of us will be happy when our election is over and no matter who wins, at least we can hopefully quit hearing about it.
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>Semper Fi

I've already voted and you should be able to tell by this text who I voted for.
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>GySgt Kelly