Posted by
Saint Michael on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 6:48:32 PM
I can't imagine the thoughts that go through the mind of a soldier in Iraq when Congress votes to cut off funding for the war that he is willing to sacrifice his life for. I recall sitting in Bosnia and Afghanistan watching CNN and wondering why the politicians were playing games with the troops. I can't imagine how the soldiers in Iraq feel about the games the politicians are playing now.
Last weekend at the Wright County Republican convention, I had the pleasure of talking with Rep Michele Bachmann. In her speech to the delegates from Wright County, she told a story of meeting a Home Depot employee that was leaving for Iraq the following week. Her words struck me in that she emphasized the personal aspect of that soldier. She asked herself "How could I as a Congressman face a constituent going off to war and not vote for the funding of that war?".
Rep Bachmann did vote to continue funding the war and I applaud her for taking a stance in support of the troops. As a former soldier, I am grateful to have her representing me in Congress and more importantly, standing up for my fellow soldiers who are still fighting for this great country.
If Congress manages to pass the Bills to stop funding of the war, we may as well bring the troops home tomorrow. Congress is NOT supporting the troops if they cut off funding. The line between supporting troops and supporting the war will be gone. If that Bill passes, it is the equivalent to America surrendering. We will have conceded defeat and we should bring the troops home immediately because we will have lost!!! We will need the troops back here because the world will know how weak America is and we will get attacked on our home soil AGAIN. Congress has forgotten that the reason we are in this war is because we were attacked on our home soil on Sept 11. Iraq was not directly involved in the 9/11 attack but they were a State Sponsor of Terror, they paid the families of suicide bombers, they harbored and trained terrorists and they most certainly had connections to Al Qaeda, not to mention Chemical and Biological weapons.
I support the war and the troops 100% but if Congress is not willing to finish the war they voted for then the terrorists win and America should bring the troops home immediately. The constituents of America wearing a uniform, the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines need to contact our Congressmen as the people in the fight (not the 60% of the people on the couch at home who have given up) and let them know how we feel. If America is truly committed to winning the war then the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines need to stand up and say to Congress "Give me the support I need to finish this fight!!!".
I am proud of Rep Bachmann and ashamed that the Democrats (and Chuck Hagel) of Congress are giving up!