i see your point for sure! :) yes the WMDs may not exist, but the threat they pose is very real. One thing to remember is that if we dont finish this fight via victory, we are giving an opening for syria, iraq and afghanistan to join forces. And other countries similar to them. Its a slippery slope for sure. But it is one we cant stop climbing i feel

but how do we FINISH it? how is 'victory' defined, how can we possibly make certain that other countries wont join forces and with so much military deployed elsewhere, how will we prevent those things from happening right here at home? The resources should be spent at home,,imho

now thats the easy part. even though this isn't a conventional war, victory WILL be reached by toppling Al Queda. and we are doing that. We can stop these contries banding together by taking away their central planning point. If we give them room to breathe we will give them the chance to plan another attack. we cant do that. we will have 9/11 the 2nd if we do. victory is defined by forcing them to realize that we can not and will not be beaten by force of arms.

what is the evidence that we are 'toppling' al queda?

lots! they are all hiding in holes and mountain caves, they wont show their face unless its on a net blog, they will no longer come out and fight us like they used to. their numbers are depleting. Yes both of our countries have lost lives. for sure more americans, but for everyone of us they get, we get a hundred of them. I know this from experience.

lets hope,,,, I dont know when was the last time there was 'peace' in that region or if we are the ones who will somehow change the trend,,,

From a soldier to a concerned citizen, I promise you, we are there to do just that. I do wish we could do it without fighting and killing, but the world today just doesnt permit it :(

I wish the best for everyone involved who just wants to live their life without harming others,,,

From a concerned citizen to a soldier, I promise you that there are more who support you than don't ... even if the ones who don't are more vocal. The soldiers are the ones who win freedom. Thanks for your service.

and they all know it! i enjoyed speaking with you! so here is a flower lol!

I am certain most people support our soldiers, just their leadership and orders that people sometimes oppose

In very special circumstances, Navy Seal, etc. Really, do you think that they spend that kind of money on a dispensable grunt? You're machines, a dime a dozen, war hungry, action heavy. Give them a gun and they are happy, **** all if they are going to spend money to teach them tried and tested hand to hand combat techniques.

You're disposable, sorry, but it is true. The military as a whole is disposable, one drops, a hundred others to replace him. Purple Heart, maybe a Cross or two, a letter home, someone approaching the door to inform loved ones.

I don't support my country, I don't support my military, I don't support you...for various reasons, but the main one? You all have lied to me.

I have to be careful about what i say next lol.....hmm.... Sometimes the troops ouselves wonder about certain things. We have the inside scoop so we know a thing or two that the ppl dont know. So we....how do i put this....are able to obey our orders with confidence because we see the light at the end of the tunnel. we know what has happened and what is comming next. Sorry for being so vague, im still a soldier so i have to be very careful of what i say and how i say it. DO you know what i mean tho? we make the sacrifice because we know it wont be for nothing should something happen to one of us.

fearandloathing...I will no longer dignify the silly remarks that come out of your mouth. you can thank a soldier for the air your breathing right now....if you dont support your country then leave....400 million americans disagree with you and your antics. Every human is disposable with an attitude like that, including you, but at least i will be disposed of doing something big. SO what do you do??? whatever it is, im sure i wont support it because "everyone is expendable" get real buddy....take a puff of reality.

Sounds like someone hasn't accepted reality.

And you are about 100 million off in your population figure. Military doesn't care about math I figure.

dumb remarks like... " im a ninja" yea i wont be listening to you anymore. you are ignorant and most of all misinformed.

Actually I'm quite informed, mainly because I don't follow a machine-like mindset.

I know that we tore down Iraq in 1989, then in 2003 claimed we built it up. I know that the first war in Iraq was unjust and without provocation, we fought them merely to flex the "freedom" muscle. I know that in 2001 a certain "Patriot Act" killed off these same freedoms that apparent soldiers like yourself fight to "defend." I know that in 1993 we retreated from Iraq, much in the same way we retreated from Vietnam only a more political move. I know that every single Republican president we have had since the 60's has tapped our country dry, and even before that. I know that you do not fight for my freedom, you do not fight for me, more often than not the most of you fight for a paycheck, and if it isn't the paycheck it is the false conception of nobility for what you do.

Most of all...I know that I will never see a teacher on these forums claiming all that they do for future generations as much as I see military servicemen telling me what I should think.

Teach me, don't preach to me, I don't care for it. Why should I care about you? Why should I care about this cause? What about this war is doing a Goddamn thing for me? Nothing, I'm not becoming more free because you bomb schools, or business buildings. I'm not suddenly able to speak my mind because you shoot someones son, daughter or father/mother.

Don't preach to me like I don't know ****, I know possibly more than you know about this otherwise useless conflict and pathetic tap of our freedoms.

lol. a claim of all the knowledge, but no action. My friend, you havnt been there. you believe what you read....its painfully obvious. And what does this war do for you? stops you from fighting on YOUR ground. little do you know genius that these "schools" are training camps for alqueda and taliban forces. Its sad that you live in a country you hate, surrounded by people you dont support. And for the record there tough guy....Ive forgotten more about combat, and this war than you know. I dont disrespect your opinion....everybody has one, but it just surprises me that a person with such strong opinions lacks the fortitude to do something about it. then again, why would you? we are all expendable, you hate your country and your countrymen/women. Those were the words out of your mouth. you see its ppl like you that we dont care to fight for, but we do because even though you are ignorant and misinformed.....WE dont see YOU as expendable. cuz god knows that with an attitude like that you wouldnt last half a second in our shoes. whether you would want to or not. This is war. People die in war. It sucks but its a very painful and real reality. maybe someday when you appreciate your country, and the ppl in it, you will get the hint. Benality at its finest....

And no troop i know fights for money. Im also a ticketed welder that can make $40 per hr......money you say?? oh how very obtuse....

How do you know I don't do anything?

Not that anything I've done matters because politicians are getting rich so they are more apt to ignore a calling to investigate. Yet, I still write them, and Congress too. No, I don't shoot a gun at people, or bomb them, or curse their land with a foul tongue...but what I do is far more powerful I think. I write about these false conceptions contrived by a country that was either on the brink of fear or simply created it because it worked for the moment.

Play me down, I don't give a ****. Tell me I don't know the face of war, again, I don't give a ****. Go ahead and call me a coward, your opinion? **** it.