Op ed by army officer? I always thought of officers as above the political fray, like judges. I have no objection to the substance of the LT's views, but this procedure looks portentous in a bad way. It smacks of a third world approach - where officers in uniform express and act on their political thoughts. Suppose some other officer wants to express the opposite perspective - is that kosher? If not, has this LT been led astray? Just as we cannot have the Chief of Staff of the Army getting into political and public "dust ups" with senators, we cannot properly encourage active duty LT's to go on about politics in op eds. Even if Bush and certain bloggers like such activity and encourage it, the professional appraoch for a US military officer is to stay above and outside politics. True?

"the professional appraoch for a US military officer is to stay above and outside politics"

A military officer serves the people, not a party. It does not mean that officers should not express their opinions. "Support the troops...bring them home"...is the equivalent of telling them that whatever it is they are doing...it has no value. It is no different than what Tokyo Rose was doing in WWII.

Why does the right seem so intent on defining the "true meaning" of what someone says? When I say, "support the troops, bring them home" is that what I mean? Yes, just that! I am not a traitor, I am not "tokyo rose" I am not trying to just "break the morale" of the soldiers. I am expressing an opinion and somehow I thought that is what we had the right to do in this Country.

If you continue to do this, why are you surprised when some on the right compare your GITMO to Nazi concentration camps? Both positions, the one you have espoused on your site and the Nazi concentration camp analogy are equally ludicrous.

I guess the left should just assume that what you are "really" doing by being in Iraq is setting up for the US to colonize the entire world, put it into slavery and make everyone either American or dead right?

Think of that paragraph above and how crazy it sounds. It is EXACTLY how crazy you sound when you compare those against this war to traitors etc.

Just because Bush went to war does not mean that he then gets a free ride to be stupid until the war is over.

Sorry, that is NOT America.. that is the Soviet Union, the Country you so hated (I presume).

Kevin, let me give you the perspective of a former soldier, perhaps you need that. Yes, you have a right to say "support the troops, bring them home". That is the point of free speech. And when I was a soldier deployed in combat I consoled myself with the thought that I was putting my life on the line so that you would have the right to say something like that. No matter that it was horribly destructive to my morale and to the morale of the other soldiers deployed with me.

If you can't understand that saying such things is destructive for the soldiers (and sailors, airmen and marines) deployed in harm's way then there is nothing I can say that will show you that it is. But I'm going to try. And I'm going to tell you that the military has been firmly convinced, for 35 years now, that the media and the left oppose >us

The left needs to ask itself how bringing the troops home is supporting them? If they mean by keeping them out of harms way then they should just say that.

I'd like to see the left say that to other professionals who have risky jobs: We support our policemen, keep them off the streets! We support our firemen, keep them away from burning buildings!

I think what they mean is that they don't support the war, so they don't want anyone else to either.

Well, first, I served for 10 years so I do know what it is like. Second, yes, bring the soldiers home for their sake and stop the war. So, what is the big deal? Yes, soldiers should know that the support for this war is dwindling dramatically every day.

It is clear that the reason we went there was flawed, the ties from Iraq to Al Qaeda were weak at best (our action has actually strengthened them) and the recent bombings in London show the idea of "We have taken the war to them" to be a bit short sighted as well.

So, yes, the troops should know that. If they start questioning the action all the better. They should ask their senior officers to explain this to them. Enough of that starts happenning and then the senior officers will rely to Rumsfeld that the troops are losing support for the action. Maybe (I say maybe because Rumsfeld's head is so far in the sand he may not see it) that will wake them up.

I did a little slideshow sometime back called “Coming Home.” Near the end I have these words, “Hoping you all will be coming home soon.” And this I truly and from the heart, meant. I use these words in the context of JOB WELL DONE or MISSION COMPLETE, the WARS ARE OVER. I use these words to say:
To you- The men and women of the United States Armed Forces....
Thank you for all you have done in the past… All you do today… and for all the things you will have to do in the future to keep me and my family safe. Thank you for all of the hard work you do, just to keep us free. Thank you for all the sacrifices you and your families have had to make, so you could serve this great country of ours. God bless you and yours, and most of all… I truly do hope you all will be coming home soon………
AubreyJ………………………………………

I am a Public Affairs Officer working with U.S. Central Command and I want to send this message out so that we can remember why we are still in country. Look at the good stories that are being done. Please see attached story...

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/07_05/16.htm

There are many more stories on the web site showing progression with the reconstruction efforts.

Thanks!