Just or not, troops are supported

Paul James Baldwin

The Friday story reporting on the concern for the lack of support for

our soldiers, men and women, fighting a war in Iraq, requires a

response to those individuals who hold dear in their hearts their

opinions and convictions (“Not enough support”).

First of all, there is tremendous support for our troops fighting

in this invasion of Iraq, whether some find this war just or not.

Secondly, as a democracy we have a right to disagree and voice our

opinions even if these opinions may be found unpopular and

unpatriotic by some.

To Alvin “Bud” Anderson who says being a soldier is hard enough

without the criticism, and we should look at Vietnam as an example. I

have to tell you “Bud,” we lost the war in Vietnam. Yes, there were

protests against the war in Vietnam, but this is not why we lost the

war. Go read a history book about history and culture in southeast

Asia and maybe you will get a better understanding. Maybe. Then read

a book about history and culture in the Middle East and you will get

a better idea why we face such a terrific challenge there.

To Gil Ferguson, whom I admire and respect, and who complains

about former military personnel criticizing the war, I have to take

issue with your reasoning. There are a tremendous amount of people

who were formerly in the military, who are in the military and who

are in the State Department (which has been marginalized by the Bush

administration), that object to Bush’s ever-changing rationale for

this war. Bush’s various statements have included: that Saddam

Hussein had tried to kill his father; that Saddam Hussein possesses

weapons of mass destruction, that we need to bring democracy to Iraq

and liberate their people; and he constitutes part of “the axis of

evil.” OK, I won’t mention a darn thing about oil. Ferguson’s

statement that we have had very few casualties in Iraq does not make

me feel better that we lost so many courageous soldiers fighting in

Vietnam. Again, a war we lost not because of antiwar protesters.

To George Grupe, a Newport Beach resident and World War II

veteran, I say that maybe, just maybe, some of what these former

military officers say is correct. Just for these people that served

their country, like you did, to keep their mouths shut as you suggest

is to disrespect their service to our country, and to disrespect

freedom of speech. I suggest you at least respect those that fought

as hard as you did in the service of their country.

Back to Ferguson who believes that this war will wind up quickly.

Apparently, you have not been listening to President Bush or any of

the high command. You must have been listening to the liberal press

that has towed the line that this war would be over in a matter of

days, that the Iraqi soldiers would run scared and exhibit no

resistance, and the people of Iraq would cheer the arrival of

“coalition” forces. Sometimes beliefs and reality just don’t jibe.

Sorry.

* Paul James Baldwin is a Newport Beach resident.