As a veteran. This is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. That is to throw away all of my current logic and say, "I cannot support our troops in Iraq." This is of course near heresy. Do I not love and am thankful to "them" for keeping us free? Nope I cannot abide lie the anymore! I can no longer attempt to discern between supporting the troops and supporting our policy. How did I, a good veteran and freedom fighter, say: "No! To support the troops is to support the policy."

It was a belabored thing this reasoning that I undertook. You see I was one of those who was trashed for being a Viet Nam Veteran. Quite naturally I fell into the LIE of supporting our troops in Iraq. But really, wasn't that part of the problem in Viet Nam? The public's undying belief in their sons, off in a foreign land, doing what was right for America. We have been sold such a bill of goods again.

There is this to remember: The troops serve at the will of the Commander in Chief. They (the troops) are under his command and, under the laws of the United States, must obey His orders. That awareness leaves only the conclusion that the US Military is a tool of this President's foreign policy. As such, they carry out the mechanics of our policy in Iraq. How then can We separate "our Troops" from the presidents policy?

It can not be done!

That does not mean that our young men and women are less than honorable. But, they are really involved and a very intrinsic part of the Iraqi policy that so many of us realize is bogus. There are many under currents to this abuse of command: and these abuses hide the fact that "our troops" are the policy. They are there to bring Democracy to Iraq. To have free and open elections. The troops fight in the defense of freedom, yet we are seen as the occupiers.

I know that there are many who will be less than complimentary in their assessment of me. But isn't this similar to the refusal of Viet Nam; to admit that maybe, just maybe, our dedicated troops were dying for no reason. Supporting a failed policy is no way to honor those who serve. Nor is the refusal to acknowledge that the troops are there for The President's convenience and they are the policy.