[GraniteStateConservative]

My childhood best friend is in 1st AD. He was just told about the extra months (rather than getting back home this month). He's unhappy about it and so are his family. I'm sure that's common. I'm sure the guard and reserves are upset at how much they are being used when they signed up thinking they would be used less than people in the army, etc. None of this could be good for morale. Maybe the military won't be such a Bush slam dunk vote as they were in 2000. Certainly the families might be less supportive of Bush than in 2000.

[68skylark]

I'm sure the guard and reserves are upset at how much they are being used when they signed up thinking they would be used less than people in the army, etc.

Well, let's hold on a minute. I'm a guardsman. And I know quite a few others. The ones I know (including myself) are eager to get into this fight. Anyone who doesn't want to get to the battle probably shouldn't be in the armed forces. So I'm not sure what basis you have for saying "I'm sure the guard and reserves are upset at how much they are being used." You feel guardsmen are shirkers?

[SevenDaysInMay]

The rabid may well be recruiting many more jihadies from the Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims now at the shrines this week.

What are our troops supposed to do against a "peace march" (armed) of hundreds of thousands "civilians" storming our lines?

[Bombard]

Have you ever been in the military??? Yes you bitch but that is all part of being in the armed forces. My father in law was in the USN during WW 2. He left his wife and son in 1942 and did not see them again until late 1945. Extension by a month or more is a small price to pay. Besides no one held a gun to his head when your friend enlisted. I think you sell the people in the military and their families short. They will vote for the presiedent in 2004 just as they did in 2000. Kerry is seen for what he is by the people who defend this country, weak on defense. BUSH 2004!!!!!!

[lorrainer]

Maybe the military won't be such a Bush slam dunk vote as they were in 2000. Certainly the families might be less supportive of Bush than in 2000.

I think that if they had counted the 2000 military vote, this MAY become an issue by November, but I don't think so.

[Steel Wolf]

Maybe the military won't be such a Bush slam dunk vote as they were in 2000.

I wouldn't worry too much. Your statement made me think of an incident that happened here a little while back. During one of the regular mortar and rocket attacks that occur in my neck of Iraq, one happened to land somewhat nearby. (That's not to say that it landed anywhere near us, but it was somewhat closer than usual). In the course of getting up out of my chair and moving to the door I hit the corner of a rough wood desk and scratched my arm, drawing a tiny pinprick of blood. The somewhat liberal guy on my team immediatly commented 'Good job, Senator Kerry, we'll get you that fourth purple heart right away.'

The point of that story? Even military types that aren't fully enthusiastic about Bush have zero respect for Kerry. A two minute discussion about his medals is enough to torpedo any support he might possibly have. Former 'soldiers' turned medal slinging war protesters carry no credibility here.