Mudville: You should read the "lefty" blogs more. I link to soldiers in Iraq and other MILBLOGs all the time and, in fact, have a section of my blogroll for military blogs. I encourage the left to read those blogs all the time. I think it is the best way to reinforce why this militarism is destroying the Country.

Kevin,

One thing that those on the left might want to keep in mind, what have any of you done to maintain your own freedom, let alone the freedom of the rest of the nation.

Those of us who serve the country safeguard all segments of the population, even those who we might not agree with. We also follow the orders of those who we might not agree with or even respect.

It is our service and sacrifice to the whole country that maintains all of the freedoms and rights that were won by earlier generations of Americans who put on a uniform, picked up a gun and met our country's enemies on forign battlefields that you fear to tread.

The next time you choose to bitch about the "militarism that is destroying the country", thank a veteran who did his part in keeping this country the LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME TO A FEW BRAVE SOULS that keep the rest of you safe at night.

What have you do to serve your country today?

RHSOB-

www.boomantribune.com has an Iraqi Blogger section on its blogroll and has invited Lt. C. on the site as a guest.

The majority of members opposed the war in Iraq, and are opposed to the current policies of the Bush administration.

As the site administrator, though, I encourage dialogue, and try to present the perspectives of soldiers serving abroad.

I have been having a very enjoyable debate with The Liberal Anti-War Avenger. The third part of our extended debate can be found at http://dadmanly.blogspot.com/2005/04/debate-with-liberal-avenger-part-three.html ">Debate with Liberal Avenger Part Three.

Mudville readers should stay tuned, the Avenger and I are nearing final discussions on a joint blog debate-space. Details to follow.

RHSOB:

Well, I served in the Army for 9.5 years and was in the first Gulf War. Does that meet your litmus test? Is it OK, now that I am 43, that I leave the fighting to the younguns? I am not against defending freedom (obviously, I spent the first 9.5 years of my working life doing it) what I question is what we are doing in Iraq? Can we not have an intelligent debate about that without the right going to, "What have you done to defend your Country" rhetoric?

As I posted on my Blog, 9/11 was financed by the Saudis, the majority of the terrorists were Saudis, and they were educated in Saudi Arabia. So, what do we do about it? We invade Iraq! Huh?

The points I have made all along is that it is precisely the defense of this Country I care about. While we are bogged down in a war that is meaningless, the Al Qaeda leader is still at large, not a lot has changed in Saudi Arabia, North Korea is arming itself to the teeth, and the volunteer Army is disintegrating before our very eyes.

My question is: How does this help our defense?

RHSOB:

You say, "thank a veteran who did his part in keeping this country the LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME TO A FEW BRAVE SOULS that keep the rest of you safe at night."

I accept your thank you. You are welcome.