Pendragon_6
08-28-2005, 08:47 AM
Published August 28, 2005
Carol Van Drie
Dear American heroes:
I recently read Gen. John Abizaid's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I can tell you that when my soldiers ask me the question whether or not they've got support from the American people ... that worries me," Abizaid told senators.
"And they're starting to do that. And when the people that we're training, Iraqis and Afghans, start asking me whether or not we have the staying power to stick with them, that worries me, too."
He warned lawmakers that "American soldiers can't win the war without your support, and without the support of our people."
When I read this, it broke my heart.
I read something else he said and it made me angry.
"When I look back here, at what I see is happening in Washington, within the Beltway, I've never seen the lack of confidence greater."
Let me tell you something you wonderful, self-sacrificing protectors of liberty and freedom. We support every one of you military men and women. Many more of us support you than the media will allow you to hear. Most Americans support you 1,000 percent, and I don't mean with the back-handed, "We want our troops to come home from this senseless war" type of support. It's just plain and simple, we are here with our love and support in vast, vast numbers; and yes, we want you home, but we also want the mission accomplished!
In Full
Lansing State Journal (http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050828/OPINION02/508280621/1087/opinion)
Carol Van Drie
Dear American heroes:
I recently read Gen. John Abizaid's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I can tell you that when my soldiers ask me the question whether or not they've got support from the American people ... that worries me," Abizaid told senators.
"And they're starting to do that. And when the people that we're training, Iraqis and Afghans, start asking me whether or not we have the staying power to stick with them, that worries me, too."
He warned lawmakers that "American soldiers can't win the war without your support, and without the support of our people."
When I read this, it broke my heart.
I read something else he said and it made me angry.
"When I look back here, at what I see is happening in Washington, within the Beltway, I've never seen the lack of confidence greater."
Let me tell you something you wonderful, self-sacrificing protectors of liberty and freedom. We support every one of you military men and women. Many more of us support you than the media will allow you to hear. Most Americans support you 1,000 percent, and I don't mean with the back-handed, "We want our troops to come home from this senseless war" type of support. It's just plain and simple, we are here with our love and support in vast, vast numbers; and yes, we want you home, but we also want the mission accomplished!
In Full
Lansing State Journal (http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050828/OPINION02/508280621/1087/opinion)