Well, that got you moved to the 'defenders' section of my blogroll. I'd been meaning to once I found out you were active — but I'm lazy with the blogroll. Since I had to go remove battlezone stars from all those guys anyway, I got my butt in gear and moved you in.

I don't know, I don't understand the soldiers who are bitching about wanting to come home right now. I mean, why did they join the service? Didn't they know they could be deployed? Is someone lying to them when they join the Nat'l Guard? Leaving Iraq right now would be a terrible thing to do, it would just prove to the terror freaks that America ALWAYS runs away after some casualties are taken. You know, in WWII the men stayed until the war was over. Yes there will be casualties, there has yet to be a war without any casualties. America should have realized there would be casualties. I just don't understand soldiers like Will, who are so upset and demanding to come home. I'm not trying to be rude and am a staunch supporter of our Armed Forces; it is my understanding that when one joins the Armed Forces, your ass belongs to Uncle Sam until such time as you separate or retire. War, deployments... that's part of the deal. As you know, in Southeast Asia, a tour of duty in-country was one year. Many of my friends served multiple tours because they chose to do so with three of them spending 10 years over there. They didn't want to come back stateside. Anyway, I'm just rambling. Sorry. Thank you for your service to our Country, you are appreciated by this American. HOOAH!

Jennifer Martinez sends

Yes, the reservists know they could be deployed but they also signed up to do a job. Right now we have them over there doing nothing - not their jobs. I agree it would be a mess if we pulled out of Iraq right now but wouldn't it be better if we put someone in country that knew how to deal with the aftermath? Not all of these soldiers are trained for the peace-keeping, clean-up mission that is going on now. Of course I don't know who this would be and I am guessing Uncle Sam doesn't either otherwise he would have sent them in by now.

Plus now we are playing the game of you are coming home, no you're not, yes you are, oh wait, we are sending you north instead, ok maybe not. And thus comes the frustration. These men and women are not being crybabies, they just want some answers. If they need to question why, someone is not doing their job to keep them informed.

But while they are there, they are doing what they are told to do, even if it's not the job they signed up for. I feel they are entitled to bitch and moan to vent the frustration they feel. I still have the utmost respect for these reservists and what they have given up for us all.

Yes of course they are entitled to rant, however, it is my opinion that it was a bad idea by a few who sought out reporters and camera crews so as to vent on national TV. All soldiers bitch, they just don't do it on TV.

Actually, I don't believe any of our troops were trained for "nation building" and "peace keeping" missions.

As for being yanked around on when they're coming home; someone made a mistake. All troops should have been told up front how long their tour of duty would be. I think they're doing that now.

Jennifer Martinez sends