Republicans have drawn a line in the sand and they're using the bodies of U.S. soldiers to draw it.
I guess Bill Kristol doesn't want to listen to James Webb. He thinks putting The Troops in the middle of this carnage is "supporting the troops." Kristol would be wise to listen to Laura Ingrahm on this one, quoting a "right-wing Christian conservative," as well as laying out the reality of the threat Webb Democrats now pose to Kristol and his GOP (grand old party of the past).
Of course, James Webb isn't the only veteran who believes Kristol's "anti-troop" hot air is irresponsible, but also the exact opposite of supporting the troops.
First, I want to thank you for doing what you do and voicing your opinion when it may not have been popular. I am writing to you as I have come across your website in researching Iraq. My fiance is a Blackhawk pilot currently serving in Iraq. He is not a Bush supporter nor a Republican, rather a West Point grad who is serving his time until he can get out of the Army. Recently, whenever we talk the discussion always leads to death. He is convinced that the leadership there (and in D.C.) is so horrible that he is put into harms way even more than necessary, considering he is already in danger by simply being in Iraq. If the weather conditions are poor, and this is brought to the commanders attention, the soldiers are called "pussies" and told to get out there. Our government tells me to write a letter expressing my concerns to the politicians. I have received a generic response from Clinton and none from Rep Jim Walsh or from Schumer. As my fiance says, everyone supports the troops, but no one is willing to bring them home. I want to know who will listen to our concerns? Who is going to take responsibility for taking my fiance away from me for a year and putting his life in danger?
Thank You,
--Anonymous--
The above missive is by no means the only one I've gotten recently. You'll hear more on this subject on Monday during my radio show.
Kristol is USING The Troops so he can save face for Mr. Bush and the Republicans. Anything for a "victory" that evidently includes the piling up of more U.S. soldiers, which includes arms and legs and lives.
John Warner of Virginia, Gordon Smith of Oregon, and Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine are the four Republican senators (in addition to Nebraska's Chuck Hagel) currently signed on to the Democrats' anti-surge, anti-Petraeus, anti-troops, and anti-victory resolution. (I give Hagel a pass--perhaps undeserved--in my roster of ignominy, since he has been a harsh critic of the war for quite some time.) Three of the four are up for reelection in 2008--Warner, Collins, and Smith. Collins and Smith will be running in states Bush lost in 2004. Warner will be standing in a state where an antiwar Democrat won in 2006.
A Terrible Ignominy
How many Republicans will desert the troops?
"Anti-troops"?
"Anti-victory"?
Just call it what it is, Mr. Kristol. You are saying anyone against the surge is un-American. The Republican chattering chickenhawks have become so desperate to win the argument, because we long ago lost the moral authority over Iraq, they are willing to USE The Troops to get the job done, while calling people like James Webb, Joe Sestak and many other honored veterans "anti-troops."
Senate Democrats who are supporting our military, our country and the Constitution by honoring we the people have a real battle on their hands, because Kristol and the GOP chickenhawk contingent are willing to stand behind the U.S. military to get the job done. After all, what do they have to lose? Kristol and his ilk aren't the ones who will get killed. Guys like him never are.
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