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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: unclewest who wrote (77924)	10/15/2004 9:05:00 PM
From: Captain Jack	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793846

HOPING Oniel has more on the discharge thing & found this open letter to Hanoi John US soldier in Iraq responds to 1st Debate! By CAPTAIN RON HAYES LETTER TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ In response to the 1st Presidential debate! The 1st debate in the campaign for presidency of the United States raised some crucial issues that are still a cause for confusion to the American people. I decided it's time for a viewpoint from someone who is in the middle of this war and has no room for debating this issue. I have been in Iraq almost 9 months and I have seen the good and the bad of this war. Terrorists from other regions have been "pouring over the borders", but certainly not for the first time. They are making contact with other members of Al Qaeda and other terrorist supporters on the inside of Iraq. There are many tribes in the Sunni Triangle that openly invite foreign terrorists and provide refuge to those who join and help them. Tribes that are so dedicated to their cause of preventing a free Iraq, a Middle Eastern US ally, that even amid extreme impoverished living conditions, they will not respond to rewards offered for key Al Qaeda leaders. 25 million US dollars for Zarqawi should be enough to influence someone to provide information on his whereabouts, but apparently it's not. The roots of terrorism run deep with some tribes in the Sunni triangle in Iraq. Terrorism was not born when the US rolled in on March 19th, 2003! Terrorism has been networked across the globe, and Iraq has been a major hub for terrorist activity long before we arrived. The 1st debate between Bush and Kerry has highlighted a chasm between the two campaigns, more importantly, the two men regarding the question of Iraq and its role in terrorism. This is a split that is impossible to comprehend from where I stand! Of course the war in Iraq is part of the war on terror! When Senator John Kerry said "the president made a colossal error of judgment by diverting attention from the war on terrorism and the hunt for terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden", he could not be more wrong. When Senator Kerry said that "Mr. Bush was not candid with the public about his reasons for invading Iraq or the difficult fight ahead", besides exhibiting a poor memory, he showed an incredible lack of ability to see that no mission will ever go exactly as you plan it. A candidate for the US presidency ought to know that your enemy is going to have something to say about how the fight is fought. The enemy is going to do the unexpected, and plans will change. I am sorry that it's not an ideal scenario for Senator Kerry, but no war is. I am repeatedly asked what the soldiers feel about the war in Iraq. Soldiers in the US armed forces come in all shapes and sizes. and viewpoints. I don't pretend to speak for all soldiers, but I do believe that most men and women in today's military share something very close to these same beliefs. Most soldiers here believe in the mission in Iraq. They know, like I do, that the former regime in Iraq was an important component in the war on Terror. There is no doubt that terrorist cells have been allowed to operate within these borders for some time, and that Hussein's regime most likely provided financial support as well! Do the soldiers want to be here? I have not met a soldier yet that does not want to come home, who wouldn't? But they do believe in this mission. Most soldiers believe that it is imperative to keep the mission going at least until security is established in Iraq. There is no greater dishonor to the 1350 plus coalition and contractor deaths, and over 7,000 wounded men and women, than to plan a retreat before a reasonable assurance for the success of the new Iraqi government can be attained. I don't know where this concept of get in and get out was started, but sometimes wars are not accommodating to that theory. The United States has earned a poor reputation for resolve to finish the job, and it's time the proponents of that trend, like Senator Kerry, realize it and correct it by stopping their efforts to politicize our mission. Kerry's message to the troops was, "Help is on the way!" In what form Senator Kerry? You have alienated the coalition countries that we fight beside every day. You cannot articulate a plan for success, and you have no grasp that this war was even necessary. Thanks, but no thanks! "Wrong War, Wrong Place, Wrong Time?" You tell that story to the millions of impoverished, and persecuted Iraqi people who for the past generation have lived with the fear of being marched out into the desert and shot for their beliefs. You tell that story to the families of those bodies recovered from the dozens of mass graves throughout Iraq. Try to sell that load of bull to the little kids who were denied access to their water in the Marshlands of Iraq and left to starve to death. Sell it to someone else, but not me! Senator Kerry sent a message to the American people in his closing remarks that said that he will "get your kids home and get the job done and win the peace". I am a 38 year old man who joined the military 18 years ago, and I have yet to find a "kid" in Uniform from the United States. I have however found many good young men and women who are proudly serving their country. Men and Women from all over the United States have joined the military of their own free will, knowing that one day they may be asked to put their lives in harms way. Very few of these men and women want to be here, it's just a commitment that we made, and one that we intend to honor. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your moment in the spotlight Senator Kerry! I know that in the end, the bull that you have been selling to the American people will be recognized and that the voters will let you know what they think of it come November. American's need a president who will make sound decisions, and not be afraid of what the global community thinks. That man is already in office, and will remain in office for four more years! Captain Ron Hayes US Army, Iraq