Anyone out there a veteran who went to war for either Bush and later realized it was a worthless cause?
109316
I also went to Iraq II, and I can proudly say I did it just to take care of my boys for no one else would look out for them in the situation we were in.  I called my dad a few days before I deployed and explained to him what BS it was.  Being the highly educated ex-hippy he was, he really surprised me when he spouted off the official Bush lie about how it was for a good cause with the WMD's and all.\n\nI was both an intel analyst and later a computer guy, and I got the Top Secret emails on the SIPR computer long before 9/11 telling the generals to "prepare for desert combat", as well as prepared briefings years before about Saddam's diminishing weapons programs.  I really knew what BS it was, but when you're a soldier, you have to bite your tongue.  I couldn't claim "consciensus (sp?) objector" because I really didn't have a problem with war or violence in general for the right cause.  \n\nIt was probably one of the hardest things in the world to bite my tongue and do my duty, though I was hit by the "stop-loss" program and spent my last year as a draftee in a war I didn't believe in.  To the mindless soldiers out there that can swallow wholly what is fed to them I salute you, and to the ones with a concious that keep it hidden for a sense of duty, I salute you more...take care of your kids and come home safe.\n\nAnd let no soldier that I proudly served with believe for a single second that the war they are now fighting has ANYTHING to do with defending our constitutional rights.  Though undoubtedly you would do your duty the same if it was truly in defense of our nation, don't delude yourself into thinking this self-serving looting by our non-elected leadership has anything to do with anyone's freedom.\n\nShort answer to your question is "Yes", but it took me two years on the outside to fully understand the implications.  Would I do it again?  Absolutely, its the small victories you win on a personal level that makes all the difference...the soldier you kept from being too trigger happy, the extra blankets or food you handed out, the prisoners you took by talking to them instead of shooting.  I saw the best and worst of psychopaths, cowards, and heroes within our ranks and war brings out people's true nature very fast.  Again, people still on the front lines may hate me for rubbing raw that little doubt in the corner of their conscience, but come home safe so you can ponder it at your leisure later.
662215
At some time maybe. \n\nThe Vietnam and World War II Vets had to pay for their own, so Iraqi vets better start saving.\n\nI don't blame the Vets for Bush's war. I hope no one else does uither, though I would hope they would stop murdering people. Dear Marines, our image is bad enough, we don't need anymore military to go around killing 3 year old kids.
930543
Rove, Bush and Cheney motivated me. The trashing of Veteran Heroes over the years got to be too much. It just shows the lengths they will go to, to get elected. Like these guys were war heroes or something.Then they have the balls to talk about patriotism. I'm getting pissed again.\nCan't stomach the hypocrisy.
1158618
Yes, i wasted my vote on Bush. I think its very important to vote, we gotta keep our elected officials accountable for decisions made.
913414
Don't listen to the idiots pressing anti Bush propaganda.  If you want to honor the troops overseas speak up for them  You do remember we are fighting in Afghanistan too right?  It isn't only Iraq, remember them on Thanksgiving, while you sit with your family eating until you can't consume one more bite.  Remember them as you talk politics with family and you think you know what is right.  Remember them when you watch your children on Christmas unwrapping their presents.  What we take for granted they are defending and unselfishly pass by so we don't have to.  \n\nStand up and fight for those soldiers waiting to stand trial for doing their jobs, send your thanks to those in the hospitals with missing limbs.  If you live close to a military base contact the base locater and ask how you can help.  Thank them when you see a Veteran.  Stand up for them when others attack, after all they are willing to stand up for you and die for you.\n\nThey need your HONEST support, not some magnet on your trunk.  Speak up for them, write to them, contact your local VFW or American Legion and ask what you could do.  They volunteer to fight and die for this country so others can insult and ridicule them.  Don't turn your backs and help them out.  The holidays are here and they aren't.  \n\nIn response to a few remarks here, killing a liberal or democrat is no solution.  I have been approach by just as many democrats and republicans.  Nobody comes up and says "I'm a republican/ democrat and I support you."  I have only had a few even recognize the fact I am a vet, nevermind the VET plates or sticker on my car.  No one side is better than the other, this isn't about politics it is about what is right and what is wrong, it is about men and women fighting for what they believe not what we demand them to believe.\n\nVeteran-SGT- 4 years service, 2 in the Persian Gulf.
701216
Many before you have done just that. Just make sure you run as a republican; the libs don't much value military sevice as much as they do the ability to get out of it (ie WJC)
689443
Yes.\nI lost many friends...and almost myself...over the president's greed for OIL.\n\nOperation Liberate Iraq..... my @ss!!!!
1109044
I disagree with his war and I can't stand him. I am Democratic and proud of it! I vote straight Democrat in every election. This past May in my voting district, all the Republicans switch to a Democrat ticket. They were running out of Democrat Ballots and had to call for more. Americans are tired of seeing our military being killed for his stupid war!!
145243
I voted for Kerry in the last election.  I think if he were president now I would be able to get health insurance for my children.  I feel that he would have started taking troops out of Iraq.  Don't get me wrong I am all for our soldiers but not for this war. But thats a whole other question.
985808
I have not lost a loved one but my son is serving in Iraq. If he died in this war I would protest the White House. Camp out on his lawn until he sees me and explains why?\n\nI do not believe this war to be just or right. We invaded another country without the UN behind us and without good justification. Losing my son would never be worth it. If I lost him in protecting our borders and our country from invasion that is different. \n\nI do not sleep well. But my sons destiny was always to go into the military and so I have supported him since he was 12 and decided to get in an Air Force Aux to start his life as a soldier. He has always connected to it. It was in his blood as God intended.\nHe serves all Americans with a happy heart. He does not agree with the war but he does what if expected. If he helps one soldier saves one life in Iraq it is worth it.\n\nHe is there for a reason.  The reason was to save many many lives, his whole squaron. He spent his first 6 months there transporting military equipment in caravans across Iraq. Did he tell me the constant Dangers, no, he knew I could not handle it and would never sleep a wink. Instead he did his duty. He lead his troops across enemy territory many times, not sleeping for 36 hours at time, just to make sure they were all safe. His bravery was relentless.\nHe comes home soon and is getting a Bronze Star for his bravery. I am proud not that he went to Iraq to invade their country but that my sons role was to save many soldiers lives. As an officer he did his job. And will he go back. I am sure he will do more that one tour. But God has a plan for him a destiny that he needs to fulfill. I will not stand in his way but I will worry no matter what. I love him.
665105
I'm a 50 + year old Viet Nam Army Vet. Please take my word for this. The war in Iraq is NOT worth dieing for. I'm not against serving, but only for a good cause. Please stay home, get an education and demand better from our elected officials.\nThank you,\nSgt. Snafu
712257
J.Kerry meant it the way he said it. It was a put down for our troops serving bravely in Iraq.  Kerry is an idiot!  He does remind me of why I voted for G. Bush.
1111803
It's not terribly convenient to be a pro-war Democrat (any war). it's kind of like having Jimmy Stewart as your general, rather than a Republican John Wayne...\nThe only difference with this war in all honesty is the perception of purpose and the idea of trust.\nIn the era of Kennedy and Truman, the idea of the Commander -in-Chief being trustworthy was still impenetrable. It wasn't necessarily true that you could trust the commander, but people believed it, so it was "as good as" true. It took Nixon to shatter that belief, but it is remarkably self-repairing. there are people who, if they'd known the background to his business deals, wouldn't have trusted Bill Clinton further than they could throw him, but almost BECAUSE he'd made it to President it was taken as read that he would probably tell the truth if he could get away with it. So people backed his wars and interventions, even when they were morally dubious. then of course he turned out to have a very bizarre take on what had and had not actually happened - "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" was the nail in his political coffin. but by that time the wars had already begun.\n\nThen came Bush. Bush only got it wrong, technically, by linking the Iraq war to terrorism, and especially weapons of mass destruction...of which, to date, not one has been found. Coming on the back of the hullabaloo surrounding his election, the Bush administration tried to sell the American people a war based on specific connections to a specific terorist organisation and findable proof of threat - the WMDs. So when it turned out that Iraq had fewer links to terrorist groups than, say, the Saudi Royal Family (personal friends of the Bush family), and no WMDs, people felt justified in saying that the war had been sold to them on a false and unfair premise.\n\nBottom line, you're probably right - Bush is probably not any more cynical in his warmongering than any of the Democrats you mention - or his own father, come to that. But he's the first to be called on it quite so publicly. Interesting point about Kennedy though - would be interesting to see what would have happened to the Kennedy presidency if he'd lived, and taken responsibility for Vietnam. I think perhaps the Golden Boy would have been less positively judged in his second term if he'd had one.
1127212
No, not at all. \n\nAs early as summer of 2000, I was taking bets on when --- not if, when --- GWB would get us involved in a mid-east war (provided he secured the presidency, of course). Giving the military to George W Bush was like giving a hammer to a three year old. Suddenly everything looks like a nail.\n\nThere were so many other options available this evil man chose to ignore those other options in his rush to war. He has deliberately and dishonorably sacrificed the lives of our sons and daughters to his pride and ambition.
210640
No. My war was during Vietnam.  Hopefully fewer and fewer will. I tend to think most of the young Republicans are chicken hawks, like Vice President Cheney who had 5 deferrments from the draft.  With the support for this war dropping, and a growing number of AWOLS and desertions, I am not so sure the military is so popular these days.  It is being used for a number of ungodly things these days, as the US is changed into an Evil Empire of its own. \n\nA number of friends of mine want their kids to keep avoiding the recruiters until this administration is gone and the war over.  Not this war, not this time.\n\nI wanted to add something: I joined the Navy during the Vietnam war way before I ever could have been drafted. \nAs a kid onboard a destroyer, I found the experience to be a very rewarding and meaningful experience. \nI would do the same thing all over again. \n\nHowever I can not find my way to support this war and this gang of thugs.  The problem is there are inherrent contradicitons.  The Vietnam war was just as immoral and Nixon was almost as evil as Bush...but I did not care.  I wanted to run away and go to sea.  I got to do that.\n\nBut Bungie, Yes, why NOT bring back the draft?  I don't see any domestic sacrafices being made if we are at war as the president says.  Reinstate the draft and let the chips fly.\nThe thing I won't do is show disrespect to whomever is serving or has served - I just may not agree with them.
602485
I have 2 big signs in my yard.  They both say"We support the Troops"  In between, is a huge sign that says "2400(or the new current nbr) of Brave Americans have died because Bush and Cheney lied"\nI grew up in a military family.  my great-great grandfather(beyond that, but I am lazy) fought in the revolutionary war.  I have his Sabre.  My Grandfather fought in WW1, and was blown two hundred yds in the great Halifax explosion(look it up, I'm lazy), and then served with distinction.  My father Got the Silver Star, the Silver Star with Oak-Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and a ton of other medals.  I joined during Vietnam.  \nMy point is, that as positive as we can be about supporting the Military, it only takes a couple of jerks to Mis-use the military. These brave young women, and men, deserve better, and so do we, as a Nation.  I could go on, but why?  Those of you who agree, agree.  Those who do not, do not.  This is a personal judgement, inarguable, unlike facts, or statements -of fact which would be.  \nLive with yourself.  GW seems to.
554718
well i didn't vote for him and I don't regret not voting for him. He is a raging idiot.  I could say maybe they would say the war.