So the House passed a measure yesterday which declared their direct opposition Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq, according to this article. It's not the real thing yet, the president is still going forward with his plan at this time, but it is the Senate's turn to vote on the measure. They are doing so today, in a test vote.
Now, I am all for the troops coming home. I hate war as much as the next person. I hate how it tears families apart and breaks hearts, as I have experience with this. But there is a quote in that article that I highly disagree with:
"The passage of this legislation will signal a change in direction in Iraq that will end the fighting and bring our troops home safely and soon." - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
I understand and agree with the phrases "change in direction" and "bring our troops home safely and soon" (although that part itself is another discussion). But what is so inherently wrong, and maybe even a little ignorant sounding, is when she said the legislation would "end the fighting". Nothing will end the fighting. Maybe she meant to say "end the fighting for our troops" or something. But the fighting won't ever stop over there! That's just not how it works! You can't pass some law and think things will be all fine and we'll just shake hands with the Iraqis and hop a boat back over the Atlantic.
My father is currently in Iraq. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel (an officer) from the Army branch, and was asked last year to return to active duty for a specific job, which he jumped excitedly at the chance. He was in Baghdad for a while, but now he is at FOB Caldwell, in Iraq, which is near the Iran border I think. He is not in the most dangerous place one could be, but he is still there. He is on a team that works closely with the Iraqis, mentoring and teaching them how to work together on the battlefield and deal with the problems in their country. This is a letter my dad wrote to me and my sisters last August, when he accepted the position:
You are probably aware by now that I am returning to active military duty. The Army has asked me to command a 50-man unit charged with advising an Iraqi Infantry Brigade in Counterinsurgency operations. I have to do this. I have to do this for you and Mom, our country, and our American soldiers. If I can assist in teaching the Iraqi Army to fight the war, I will have assisted in saving American lives. I am honored that the Army asked me to help.
It is a completely different perspective when you are a loved one of a soldier overseas. Of course I want my dad to come home, of course I want him to make it to my college graduation this year. But there is one thing I have always known and that is the soldiers always know what they are getting themselves into (unless you don't read your contract, but then why would you not do that) and I've never met one who didn't fully put their heart into it. Sure, it is a tough situation over there and yes there is death and destruction, hard to escape it. But, again, I have never met a soldier who didn't love what they do and who they do it for.
I'm not writing this as an argument to further the war. I'm writing it to say that what my father is doing in Iraq is not a pointless venture. The fact of the matter is that the fighting overseas will never end and we will always maintain a presence there, most likely, even if the majority of the troops are pulled out. But their work is not in vain, good things do happen! What my dad is doing is good! I believe in our soldiers!
Please remember, I did not write this to argue about politics or to bash anyone's particular viewpoint on the war or related legislation. My main point is just to support the troops, if nothing else. They are our family and they deserve our dedication and love more than anyone else. That is just my stand.
Thank you very much.
