"Why are we in this war? Anyone??"

There never was an exit strategy. Hence no exit.

I had to watch my own younger brother go to Iraq. When he came back I was very careful. I have my own feelings but I dont want it to sound like there was no point to going there. There is a point, the people do need help, but that wasnt our governments intention. Unfortunately our soldiers got caught up in the mix.

Then after he had been back a while he was invited for a 2nd tour. He did this with no hesitation. I cant imagine having to go back after being home for only a few months.

We did do some good in a way. Yet there are so many other countries that need help. But what our government is doing is very terrible.

I saw all those bumper stickers about supporting our troops. All I can think of is what evil person thought of this? Being pro war is not patriotic. Questioning our government and being critical is. No one ever, not a single person who is anti war is against our troops (any intelligent person anyways). No one ever said anything about not supporting our troops. What whoever made the stickers did was start a battle here at home. They wanted full support for what they did so they made a clear line in the sand. Either you are for us or against us. Then they went further as to insinuate being anti war was anti troops. The government knew this would force people to remain silent. Who would dare come out when you were branded a commie for saying something bad about the war, you were instantly labeled a troop hater.

Well I support our troops. I want every single one of them to come home. I dont want them to think it was a waste. They should never have been there but they tried. There were sent to do an impossible mission. No one will ever think they failed. But the sooner they come home, the sooner we can come together as a nation.

But one thing I will never stand for is someone telling me because I am against this war is that I am against the troops.

How can you be pro-life and pro-war? It isnt possible. So really think about this and do the right thing.

Some believe it is because George W Bush needed to finish what Daddy Bush started. Some feel it is because of oil and our countries thirst for it. Some even mistakenly believed it is because we needed to stop a crazy dictator from using weapons of mass destruction. Some think it is becayse we need to stop the terrorists.

Truth is we probably are at war because it makes money for Haliburton.

It was because Iraq was ready to start selling oil for currency other than dollars.  Iran is starting to do the same thing and thus we will probably have to do something about that.  If oil is sold for something other than dollars, the system we have set up since the 70s will fall apart.  It's all about keeping the American empire afloat.

Annie,

I don't pretend to know for sure. I started out thinking it was a mistake. I did not know the Lord when this all started. I also thought we were sticking our nose where it didn't belong. Now I think differently. I came to know this all loving God whom I never knew before and really never believed existed. So I asked Him one day. You do know you can hear Him right?

Well, here's what I heard. It's a season of war. It's a season of great sacrifice. It's about protecting Israel, my chosen land and people. This may raise more questions than it answers. I don't know if George Bush really understands why he did it. I just know not to question God. Did you ever read about King David? The bloodiest king ever... but God called him a man after His own heart.

It will be over sometime, there is an end in sight. It is working no matter what the media says. And it is with great sacrifice our troops are there and if you ask any of them, they want to be there, at least the ones I've talked with. They are brave and know how important it is to fight these extremist countries who want us dead. Not hurt or maimed, DEAD! We are big satan in their eyes. They have no respect for human life. It's hard to fathom but it's true. There is no negotiating with them. It's a season upon this earth that evil is rising up like never before. Think of Hitler/Mussolini and multiply by 1000. That is Islamic Jihad. They are systematically trying to take over the earth... believe it. They are cunning, patient and very clever. 1st Israel then America.

There was a time when this country would support their leaders... hey I didn't want W. either... I thought Lugar was the most qualified to lead this country at the time... but I keep supporting him in prayer and will defend him because, like it or not, he's our leader. I will do the same if, and I'm choking a little right now, Obama would win this election. I won't like it, but I'll support him, even if I disagree.

So please support our troops by praying for their success and protection. They are the best in the world!

I was a little concerned it may offend... I'm glad it did not. Sometimes God is offensive.. I guess that's what no respecter of persons means... and not to mention that protecting Israel is not high on many peoples list here these days.

God Bless,

Bob

All things come to an end and so will this war. this world is ready for a change and it's been a long time comin'. keep the faith..

I don't think I could have said it better than it's already been said...

Some believe it is because George W Bush needed to finish what Daddy Bush started. Some feel it is because of oil and our countries thirst for it. Some even mistakenly believed it is because we needed to stop a crazy dictator from using weapons of mass destruction. Some think it is becayse we need to stop the terrorists.

Truth is we probably are at war because it makes money for Haliburton.

I was always taught someone who made money off the deaths of our soldiers were called traitors.... huh, interesting.  I think you can guess my feelings on this subject.  Before someone jumps to the conclusion that I'm just another liberal let me add that my husband of 20 years spent 16 years in the Navy before getting out on a medical discharge less than a year before 9/11.  He was plagued with guilt over getting out - despite the fact that it was for heath reasons & still has to take meds daily for.  We've also both been Republicans since before we could vote - unfortunately we are now ashamed to admit that .....

I have a 'Republican's for Obama' sign in my front yard... If McCain wins you can bet we'll be in Iran too.  Now its all about oil.  Why don't we come up with other energy sources and leave the civil war to those who actually live there....

We Americans need to swap places with the Israeli's for about a year except we wouldn't last one month. I did an exchange student program when I was in high school 40 some odd years ago. I am an Americanand I choose to go but none the less it was an eye opener. They have 911 at least once a year. We were within 75 miles from the Palestine border. In that year I had the privilege of seeing the aftermath of two suicide bombers that killed eight people. 47 rockets launched at schools and churches. The host family told us that this was normal every person because of the proximity of the border had a government issued mask. The school was closed a total of 81 days during that year. Football games (soccer) was called off 3 out of the 19 matches due to bomb scares. JFK was president, when he was killed the Palestine government celebrated. On the Palestinian TV they would have anti US programs on 4 of the 10 hours of TV time. Their religious leaders would say that the only people worse than Israelis were Americans. Now we signed up for one year and you had to stay for that year or it would cost your parents $11000. to cancel out. Believe me there was times I really thought about it. Now this was in the 60's and they hated Americans that much, do you think they just started or heard that 40 years from then, there would a President Bush and they needed to get ready for him. Americans need to study there culture and the history of these type people. Oh by the way there was a man on TV that was spewing hatred and anti American slogans, I remember him wearing a German Swats sticker and it was a 29 year old Osama Bin Laden and we all know now how that turned out.

Well said Joyce.  Americans are spoiled and very few really know anything about the rest of the world.  The simple fact remains this.  Freedom is not free. 

I'm with Bob Cumiskey.  Thanks Bob for all you've done for our country.  And, Annie, it's really about supporting those that are there and having them know they are appreciated for their efforts on our behalf.  Freedom is not free.  It comes with a price. 

I suppose my quickly given answer Annie was more about why we are still there rather than why we were there at all. History will draw its own conclussions as to why we went there in the first place. I suspect though that it will have something to do with the Bush Doctrine on War.

I'm finding it hard not to comment again.... what makes any of those above believe that our soldiers are dying in Iraq for OUR FREEDOM? This is about OIL, and avenging what daddy didn't finish... plain and simple.  (Lest we forget that IRAQ didn't attack us on 9/11).  There were no weapons of mass destruction - all falsified reports (actual fact, not opinion).  Why aren't we in Afganistan actually attacking those who attacked us?  Iraq is having a civil war.  I completely support our soldiers and sailors - my husband was one before he got out on a medical discharge serving his country.... (not in the war). 

Let's talk about our government supporting the troops - providing them the same physical safety equipment they provide for Black Water, etc. Why are we not producing missle proof tanks, we have the technology and we are already spending billions?  Why are we not providing adequate healthcare when they come home? 

Maybe once in a while supporting our troops comes in the form of, well, I don't know... actually keeping them alive!  My family served and continues to serve.... Freedom does come at a price - but taking our military to the brink is not supporting them - or America's freedom....

Melissa: Respectfully, if this was about oil... why haven't we taken the oil fields, confiscated them? Who would blame us for trying to recoup some of our expenses? But we haven't. As I previously stated, this is about protecting our friend and ally Israel, the most important people and land on the face of the earth. God's chosen people. By grace we are connected with them. Has anybody taken notice, the Israeli people have survived the most horrific attacks on them throughout history, they are the only people on the face of the earth who have had their homeland taken from them and regained it twice! Does that not seem just a little too much of a coincidence? Even Richard Nixon, argueably the worst president we have ever had or at least one of them, was the man God chose to save the Israelis again... it's all a matter of record.

I thank you and respect your family's service to our country.

God Bless,

Bob

I still stand by my feelings of 6 years ago. The radical islamists are definitely now gaining real ground and territory. This is more of a threat to our biggest ally, Israel than the US. The major failure of what we did lies in those country's ability to maintain a government capable of using all the many factions of their religious groups. They have been the major disappointment.