(no subject)

[miss_yt]

I don't know if any of you have friends or family serving in Iraq or Afghanistan: I personally do not, but I think that makes it all the more important that we make the effort to think about our soldiers.

In spite of atrocities like those of Abu Ghraib and Haditha, we should remember that most of the men and women on duty in the Middle East right now are decent, dedicated people who are trying their best to carry out their overall mission: achieve peace and stability where they are stationed, and help make the rest of us safer here at home. As a general rule, the soldiers on the ground tend to be disengaged from the political and ideological influences that - ironically - determine where they are sent and the grander strategy in which they play a part. In a democracy it is a civilian's duty to question, but it is and always has been a soldier's duty to serve.

These men and women are doing their duty, and staying alive, as best they can. Even if we are against the war and the boneheaded policies that engendered and misdirected it, we should remember not to blame the people who are actually out there fighting. They believe they are protecting their country and the Iraqi and Afghan people. They are doing their best. It is not their fault that they're being mismanaged and sent out to sacrifice in vain. We ought to have more respect for our soldiers than the people who sent them there, whether we agree with the war they're fighting or not.

I hope that the changes in Congress and the appointment of a new Secretary of Defense will make things better for our armed servicemen and women, as well as the Iraqi and Afghan people. I hope they will soon be operating on a sensible, effective strategy more worthy of their extraordinary dedication and efforts. I hope that we will see them come home soon.

Comments

[alashiya.livejournal.com]

Hear hear!