Army Time's - "Bring Em On" Poll & Soldier's Letter

[TNOE]

For your perusal:

http://www.armytimes.com/static.php?f=view.php

From a soldier's father:


"My son is in the U.S.Army and currently stationed in Baghdad. I hear
from him every three or four days. He is like most of the young men and
women who went to fight over there inasmuch as he was proud to go and
achieve what President Bush said was necessary.
I have seen his attitude take a U-turn during the last month.

At first he was saying: "I wonder why we are not doing this or that to
help make life better for our soldiers?"

Then he started to wonder why we were not doing more to help the Iraqi
people who are suffering under terrible conditions. Not enough water or
food, no electricity most of the time, a terrible shortage of medical
supplies and medical staff, basically they are living like animals.

Then he started to worry about the safety of our troops in the area. He
says they are sitting ducks and easy targets for Iraqi people bent upon
gaining revenge for slain family members and by those who hold the U.S.
responsible for the terrible conditions they find themselves in.

Yesterday he had a different message altogether."

"Get us out of here now! There is nothing we can do to pacify the Iraqi
people except get out of their country and allow them to restore order
in whatever way THEY wish."

And, allow me to give you his remarks when he was informed of President
Bush's brash remarks saying "Bring them on." He said:

"Myself and every last man in my unit are deeply offended that our
President would make such a statement inviting us to be attacked.
President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier I have spoken to
because of his speaking those irresponsible words. Those words spread
like wild-fire among the troops.

We are here because he ordered us to be here and now for him to make
such a ridiculous statement inviting violence towards us causes us to
lose respect for him and his judgement.

We are learning that we never should have come here in the first place.
Believe me Dad, there is a completely different attitude now.

The fact that the President gave rich people a tax cut and didn't do
anything for military families is hurtful. Where there was once pride
and satisfaction in defeating an enemy there is now regret and shame.
God Bless America.

Your loving Son, Donny

[StopTheMorans]

1. very interesting, thanks

if we can start to make some inroads into the general populace's "repukes are the party of national security" mindset, it can only help us for '04, and this is a great start

[nostamj]

interesting...

What do you think about the "bring them on" challenge President Bush issued July 2 from the White House, referring to those who attack U.S. troops in Iraq?


It showed U.S. resolve and confidence in troops to finish the job in Iraq 36.51 % (1,324)
It was irresponsible and unnecessarily placed the lives of U.S. troops in even greater danger 61.72 % (2,238)
I don't know 1.77 % (64)
Total votes: 3626

btw, was the letter on the site? Guy James read it on the 7/5 show but I'm not sure I've seen a source/link yet

[TNOE]

3. No

sorry, I should have stated that - letter was from an e-mail I received.

[MindPilot]

11. any way to verify if that letter is real?

Sounds a little too good to be true. Is it actually published someplace or is it just bouncing around in email like so much other cyber-floatsam?

[karlschneider]

12. I've seen it a lot of places but nobody seems to know who 'Donny' is...

looked into Snopes but didn't find anything there........so, I dunno...

[fishnfla]

2. Ouch

the truth do hurt

[Caution]

4. The poll is great!

2 out of 3 soldiers feel the president unnecessarily placed them in harm's way. So it's not just us.

[Missy Vixen]

5. Here's a question

What can we do to assist some of these families?

C'mon, evilDU'ers, deeds speak louder than rhetoric, especially the crap coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue these days.

Is there a way to write to some of these troops? How about "care packages" from the Red Cross? The troops (and their families,) need to know that we stand behind them, and we will not countenance this becoming another Vietnam.

I'd sure squeeze a few bucks out of our budget to send some soldier some sunscreen, Chapstick, maybe a phone card or something, and a cheery note from home telling him/her that I support them, no matter what. They're not making the decisions. We want them HOME, safe and sound.

What do you all think? Would it be possible to rally numerous liberal websites to do the same?

Julie

[Karenina]

10. I dunno, Sweetie,

Body bags are the only things that seem to shake the American psyche. JOB ONE is to get the REAL NUMBERS out. I would LOVE to see a concerted effort by a Veterans' organization to get a REAL COUNT, certified by military families, of American wounded (including those who subsequently die) and KIA. They classify a lot od deaths as "accidents" to avoid paying benefits to the families. Was it Rummy or Franks that said the Iraqi death toll would NOT even be counted, much less published. And was that Rummy who in his infinite sensitivity said, "Will more people die? You bet!" Be that as it may in all its disgusting glory, the American death toll is the only thing that will galvanize those still in denial. Never mind the 4 BILLION a month to keep our servicepeople in the line of fire protecting the financial interests of the *cabal.

Russian mothers set the precedent on this. GET THE REAL HUMAN COST OUT THERE!!! THAT will turn the tide.

[lkinsale]

13. Info on care packages in this thread..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=35942&mesg_id=35942&listing_type=search

You can send them through the USO. And there are some other links to aid for families at home.

[nostamj]

6. is it safe to assume that

NONE of the troops in Iraq had the chance to vote in this poll??

would probably be a lot higher negative

[NNN0LHI]

7. You can bet that every time a detail is sent to bag a body of a soldier...

...they are saying to each other "bring them on, eh"?

Don

[damnraddem]

8. Dubya doesn't dare bring the troops back before November 2004.

He knows they'll vote against him. It's much easier to make sure the absentee ballots just don't get back in time to be counted.

[starroute]

9. More quotes from soldiers

Quotes from various different newspaper accounts, mostly with the theme, "What are we doing here? We need to get out now."

http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?id=162

[Bandit]

14. Quote from unnamed Whitehouse source "These are our People"

It was in regards to a Democratic Representative (I can't remember her name) saying the child tax credit being denied for low income people would apply to Privates in the military as well. The source said because it was put in those terms it was a losing issue for Bush* That is why they caved on the issue. Not because it was the right thing to do but because some of "Their People" would be effected. All of a sudden the military is "Their People" :puke: