|
Plenty of reasons troops' spirits low |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Karina Wilkinson
|
|
Tuesday, 20 March 2007 20:00 |
Plenty of reasons troops' spirits low
Karina Wilkinson, Published in Home News & Tribune - Central Jersey on 03/21/07
Click here for link to published letter
At least two of the three state Assembly Democrats who didn't vote to oppose the Iraq escalation were influenced by the argument that the bill, Assembly Resolution 246, would "demoralize" the troops. From my understanding of the war and occupation, a bill opposing increasing troops by 21,500 is not the main issue affecting morale.
President Bush's plan caused 159 New Jersey National Guardsmen to have their tour extended by 125 days. That's demoralizing. A guardsman's father told me that, because of training for combat readiness, his son left in August 2005 and will return from Iraq in July 2007 — two years, if he's not extended again. That's demoralizing. New Jersey National Guardsmen learned of the extension through family, who learned about it from the press, not the Department of Defense. That's demoralizing.
After reports of substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center surfaced, the troops are now aware of the inadequacies of care for returning soldiers and that they may well not receive the treatment they deserve. That's demoralizing.
We've spent more than $400 billion, not all accounted for, with no "victory" in sight, and Bush still wants to impose a military solution on a political problem. That's demoralizing.
|
|
Last Updated on Saturday, 08 September 2007 04:38 |