Iraq taking toll on our Soldiers
The Times Online has a rather compelling article regarding the massive decline morale of our Troops in Iraq. This is due, at least in part, to many soldiers experiencing stress and anxiety over killing insurgents. Some soldiers face court martials that won’t be heard for at least a year later. Still others were aquitted on charges but feel betrayed by the army and feel they were “hung out to dry”.
This article states that stress levels are the same, if not higher, than those experienced by soldiers during WWII.
The article goes on to say that many soldiers are reticent to discuss their problems after returning home, for fear that they will not get promotions.
Like it or not, our troops are in Iraq. They desparately need our support. We as a nation need to muster the support these men and women so immensely deserve, and desperately need. I’ve realized that political jockeying here in the States can have a profoundly negative affect on the soldiers morale and effectiveness. We, in part, are to blame. To the soldiers in Iraq, I say the following: Hold your head high. You are the modern day heroes and freedom fighters for the United States of America. We owe all we can give to you.
November 6th, 2005 at 7:03 am
It’s sorta like Mom and Dad arguing in front of the kids who’ve done nothing wrong.
There’s always dissention from a predictable percentage when troops are deployed for a variety of reasons: don’t agree with the cause, personal/family issues, signed up for the guard not thinking they’d be deployed, etc. But this goes WAY beyond that. Every soldier and support staff over there knows we are there because we were all lied to by our leaders. They’re tired, they’re stressed out, their friends are getting killed, in some cases wive’s are divorcing them, they’re getting tours extended or being resent, lives are changing forever. The worst part is now, we’re there and can’t get out. We can’t just leave now. So these weary men and women have to just keep on going like it or not.
So you’d think our troops could rely on some moral support and thanks from their country. But what do they get? Political infighting, a divided country increasingly pissed off that we’re over there, and scandals about the lies and coverups of our top administrators. How would you feel? I’d feel like shit.
For that and other reasons, my daughter and I pray for our soldiers every night.
November 7th, 2005 at 8:28 am
I dont believe that the soldiers think they were lied to for war. They MAY believe that our leaders were wrong, but lied to is the wrong word.
If anyone truly believes that George Bush knew that Iraq did not have substantail WMDs and went to war anyway is blinded by political beliefs.
The soldiers would have to be frustrated about the court martials. They do there job and the ALCU cries for their heads just to ruin George Bush.
I am not saying that the Bush Administration is perfect, far from it, but the accusations thrown around are blatantly criminal. What would George Bush gain for this very risky “lie”. It just doesnt add up.
November 7th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
Well, I think that our troops are greatly supported, and that the problem lies within the government. Thousands of people put those stickers on their care stating, “we support the troops”… other wear those rubber band things on their wrist. Other people send care packages, and write letters, and so on. Right now radio stations (my favorite one for instance, 102.1 the edge) is there giving concerts and stand up comdey to raise morale. In my opinion its the government. I am sure we can always do more, but not having the government back them up is a greater fall.
But I can understand why the government wouldn’t support our troops when they are beating on prisioners. I do not think that it is right to beat on them. Then again, they do beat on and kill our troops when they are captured, but doesn’t make it right for us to do the same. The government however, should punish the commanding officer who ordered it, rather than the people who just followed orders, because if you do not follow orders, then you also face problems.
November 7th, 2005 at 4:13 pm
I believe that our government is supporting the troops. Not all the Politicians are supporting the troops. There are some politicians that have made bashing the war and the troops that are fighting a political game for the sole purpose of advancing their own politcal careers. That is what is a shame, and really pisses me off.
November 9th, 2005 at 9:18 am
Joey, you’re exactly right. It’s the latest and greatest hot-point topic to take stance one way or another. I think there are some politicians who truly care. While others will say whatever that will help them get re-elected, additional funds, power, favor with their constituency.