I did just come home from there. And I certainly do not oppose our effort in Afghanistan, I strongly oppose the war in Iraq. I also oppose the "war on terror". You can't fight an abstract concept with a military force. We can't solve our problems by being bullies.

I was lucky, I was only injured while I was there. Some of my friends died. They died for a purpose, but is that tru to those who have died in Iraq?

Afghanistan is a legitimate war, Iraq is not., but NEVER say that an American soldier has died for nothing. Sometimes it is for a lesson; we need to learn NOT to do this again.

Thanks for putting your hide in harms way for the rest of us.

Will the war on terror ever be over?

No, as Tadpole pointed out you can't kill an ideology with a modern military. Not until you can change the hearts and minds of radical islamic extremists that life and liberty and democracy are a better way of life to living under their thumb and harsh rule you will always have those who will try to destroy what they can not control and see as a threat to their ideology. But thinning their numbers in Afghanistan will certainly let them know we will not cave and go back into time to live in bondage.

There are small advances in eastern culture that see the benefits of western culture. Dubai is turning into quite the modern day capitalist adventure with all the extreme luxury resorts going up there and businesses moving there from around the world.

I was fortunate that my short stint in the Army fell between Desert Storm and the current Iraq war so I did not have to go over there. I support our troops 100%, Iraq is a political quagmire I don't agree with being there. But I support the troops who are there because they are serving their country and what their country voted to do, even if in hindsite it was obviously the wrong thing to vote for.

I agree with you on that.

I also think it's disingenuous to say that:

a) soldiers in Iraq are fighting for our freedom - that simply is not the case. Iraqis freedom maybe but not ours.

b) if we leave they ( the terrorists) will follow us back to Britain and the US. If they wanted to do that then our presence in Iraq isn't stopping them

Not that I would take anything away from all the armed forces who put their lives on the line, I respect them all hugely

I never have and never would say that a soldier died for nothing. When we die we die serving an ideal. We die serving and protecting a dream that is our great republic. What I would question was whether or not the loss was warranted.

I sincerely consider it my honor.

Hear hear!

100% agreed.

Originally posted by tadpole256:

Well said.

We must never forget the hard work and sacrifice that our troops have given us to make this country so great. . . I just wonder why so many people choose to forget. After all, they are the people that the troops are dying for. . .

Well, i know this much, we not going to win this war or any other war for that matter, if we keep our military hog tied,hell them boys can't do anything without worrying about getting into trouble,and i hate to say it, but sometimes we treat the enemy better..Plus we need to throw some fear into the terrorist, that might help..