Many of our most seasoned and patriotic General’s have had their careers cut-short for voicing their opposition to this war, and the terrible way it has been mishandled in Iraq; Some chose to end their careers and retire in protest and in an attempt to protect more of Americas sons and daughters from dying in a country most believe we should have never invaded… It was their responsibility to protect your families, and rather than lead them into a battle we have no business fighting and they spoke-out against this President in the only way they could. They resigned in protest, hoping the rest of our country would wake-up and understand why they refused to stay in the military and have their voices stifled, that they refuse to allow Americans under their command to be placed in harms way in an immoral and illegal war. Other military officers have had their careers cut-short and ruined because they stood-up for the troops and voiced their opposition against the Iraq War, and as compensation for them performing their service honorably, and voicing their concerns and beliefs as military law dictates, they had their careers ruined and were demoted or moved from their positions of command.
Unfortunately, now we are left with yes-men like Gen. David Petraeus who failed in the past, but was elevated in command because he supported and became a part of a failed Presidency and a war that cannot be won militarily; President Bush has stated the country is safer because of the Iraq invasion, however his words are disputed by his own party, and most of the great political minds of our century. Al Qaeda wasn’t active in Iraq prior to our invasion, but now it has become a virtual training ground for those who wish to attack America - yet President Bush states “America is safer.”
The problem is, we aren’t safer, and even the CIA Director has recently stated we are in the cross-hair(s) of another major terrorist attack against the U.S. Homeland! LINK A few days later, Michael Chertoff, Director of Homeland Security, also stated we’re preparing for a nuclear attack on the US Homeland, and that was just five days ago on September the 10th! LINK This Presidency has lost most of its core support, and every week we hear of more high-profile Republican defections. Our economy is in a horrible mess, and now Alan Greenspan has released a book highly critical of the Bush administration; LINK There doesn’t seem to be an end to the Republicans who have finally conceded that this President’s fiscal and foreign policies have brought the United States to the brink of an economic collapse, our military is dangerously stretched to the limit, and America is hated and feared by many nations who once were our allies.
This protest was never intended to disrespect those who died in the service of their country, and I apologize to any family that was offended; there have been thousands of Americas sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Iraq War, and we grieve for their families loss, but also strive to awaken and educate a nation so that other lives can be saved, American, Iraqi, and the countless innocents who are merely “collateral damage” to the Warmongers in the White House and the Neo-cons that still unabashedly support a President that has shown nothing but contempt for our Congress, the Rule of Law, and the Geneva Convention. Even as I write these words, Secretary Rice is attempting to solve the Iranian Crisis through diplomatic channels, but President Bush appears to be leaning towards Darth Cheney’s cabal of chicken-hawks that favor Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities, which very well could be the precursor to World War III. LINK We used to be “a nation of laws”, but under the current administration, we resemble a “Nation of Outlaws”, feared and reviled as Imperialists and aggressors when not so long ago we were heralded as the world’s leading example of democracy and freedom!
Finally, please understand that it has almost been impossible to get the MSM to report on Anti-war demonstrations that occurred in the recent past, and even though CNN actually reported this protest on the front page of their website this morning, this afternoon it’s already off the front page, although O.J. Simpson being charged with Armed Robbery now seems to be more important than the thousands of people protesting this war and Presidency, 160 of whom were arrested and face charges for breaching a police line.
I wasn’t there except in mind and spirit, but it’s my belief that no disrespect was meant to those whom have perished in the service of their country. Instead, we believe they were dishonored by those who lied and connived the Congress and our allies into believing that Iraq possessed WMD’s and was a threat to our country and the stability of the Middle-east, yet now that we’re there, the military has admitted that Sadamn Hussein was the buffer and mortal enemy of Iran, and ultimately, the invasion of Iraq was a mistake. Whether you agree or disagree with their methods, those that protested against the War in the Nation’s Capitol this weekend were attempting to kick-start the process of bringing our troops home as quickly as possible to save America’s sons and daughters from further death and disability - and if some thought they were dishonoring their loved ones, I am sure that was never their intention. Just because you disagree with a sitting President doesn’t mean you don’t love your country or honor those that have fallen in battle - and remember, many of those who were protesting had lost members of their own families, and also had served in Iraq themselves.
William Cormier
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