[When do we get liberated?]

I don’t blame him for a word he said. I am sure nobody LIKES being in Iraq. But he didn’t run away to Canada or shoot himself in the foot. He remained and did his duty as he was called to do. He also never spewed any left wing “its all about oil” crap. Nobody on here wants to take sniper fire at work tommorow. Give the guy a break. He did his duty and it sounds like when he is called, he will do it again.

[death2tyrants]

“I don’t blame him for a word he said.”

I do. It was a left-wing political speech based on left-wing nonsense. America didn’t ‘impose’ democracy on Iraq, as he accuses. The Iraqis freely choose democracy, despite death threats from Al Qaeda. The elections exceeded international stadards and they elected a pro-western government.

[Camel Joe]

He may also have been misquoted. This seems to be a new tactic with the socialists, disrupt enlistment by lowering moral or misinforming the public. My Nephew drove a track during the liberation for the Marines, came home for a year and was deployed there again. Times were far rougher then and while guarding a power station from terrorists he lost a friend to mortar fire. He never said he was sorry for joining or complained about the hardships of sleeping on the floor of his track or by the side of the road. He did say it sucked being in Iraq but only because it was boring. He was also bewildered by the news shows when he returned, the danger was vastly overstated in his view as the people often brought them tea and the children would play soccer with them.

[Eagle Eye]

I’ll bet that those criticizing him haven’t been to Iraq.

[Balding_Eagle]

Good post.

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

I don’t blame him for a word he said. I am sure nobody LIKES being in Iraq. But he didn’t run away to Canada or shoot himself in the foot. He remained and did his duty as he was called to do. He also never spewed any left wing “its all about oil” crap. Nobody on here wants to take sniper fire at work tommorow. Give the guy a break. He did his duty and it sounds like when he is called, he will do it again.

Yeah, leave it to the boneheads at Free Republic. They are all "rah rah rah Support the Troops", but when a troop says something completely typical of a young soldier (Iraq sucks), they bash the poor kid to pulp.

Hey guess what, folks? EVERY MEMBER OF THE MILITARY THINKS BEING IN IRAQ SUCKS. None of them will hesitate to tell you that if you ask.

Are you prepared to bash every member of the military?

[timm22]

I am sure nobody LIKES being in Iraq. But he didn’t run away to Canada or shoot himself in the foot. He remained and did his duty as he was called to do.

I can verify that. Being in Iraq most certainly "sucked". I would question the sanity of anyone (who actually saw time outside of the wire) who found the experience to be fun and pleasant.

That doesn't mean I didn't support the mission, that there weren't some good times, or that I am not proud for having served. I felt I was doing something good when I was over there. But I sure as hell didn't like it at the time.

And truth be told, there are a lot of troops that think like this young soldier. Probably not a majority, but at least enough to be noticeable. And not all of them are leftists or "cowards." A lot of them are guys who don't think much about grand diplomatic strategy or cultural shifts or subtle national interests. They just know they are away from their families and in a strange land halfway around the world. Add that to mortar attacks, IED's, sandstorms, and sniper fire and it can knock some of the enthusiasm out of a person.

Some of the opinions of this soldier may be misguided, but try to remember what he's going through. Even if he's wrong, as someone who is honorably serving our nation in a time of war, he deserves our respect.

[Blue State Insurgent]

“After all, Iraq never attacked America” is pure leftist spew. I’m surprised that you didn’t catch it or do you spew too?