Very interesting piece you wrote, but none of surprises me or shocks me. This country talks a lot about supporting the troops, but doesn't do nearly enough. They want an all volunteer military, sometimes calling it a "professional military". Unfortunately, joining the military is not like becoming a police officer of firefighter, both difficult jobs and dangerous as well, but they don't compare to being a soldier in many ways. I believe it's every Americans duty to prove they are willing to take a bullet for what most of us claim to believe in. And how about the conservatives getting in line first. After all, they are the ones who have gotten us into this mess in Iraq. It's a GOOD thing that every person in this country is NOT a conservative. If that were the case, we would be at war with half the world, but wouldn't have the troops to fight!