Reader Comments

Editor: Having just read your article on support for the real military policy in Iraq, I continue to be surprised with how consistently I agree with your analysis of issues. I rarely do that with any writer. You are a wise man. (Or at least we are wrong together.) One suggestion: It would be helpful if you would make a habit of putting captions on your photos. Sometimes, I have no idea whom you are featuring in your photos and therefore wonder at their relevance to the article. Keep up the good work. Respectfully, Bill Sizemore

Editor: Your editorial presents a very thoughtful and revealing description of what is happening in Iraq. I have gone from a strong supporter of the President to a moderate one because he is not using his pulpit to tell the American people what progress has been and the Plan for the future. Mostly the progress, such as that you point out in the article about turning over buildings to the Iraqi’s. He needs more “fireside chats” on TV to the people and not keep our good works hidden. He cannot expect it will ever be reported by the mainstream media so it is his job to be a reporter of the good news. Jerry Davee, San Diego, CA

Editor: It's ok to forge some withdrawal ideas. But if we don't fight them there, we'll fight them here. Until they are thoroughly wiped out, there will always be war(s). David R. Wytko, Buckley, WA

Editor: Leaving Iraq will only put us back to before 9-11 mindset. That is not where we should be in this hostile environment. We really have no choice. Instead of reading Frederick Kagan's "Blueprint For Victory", you should be reading Thomas Barnett's "The Pentagon's New Map" and "Blueprint For Action". The Pentagon is sending Dr. Barnett out to articulate our new strategy but mostly to the military and corporations. The American people need to hear from him, he needs to write the speeches or give the speeches, since he is the Pentagon's strategy guy. Diane Clark, Davenport, IA.

Editor: I believe with all my heart that the president did the right thing to go into Iraq. We have and are still doing an outstanding Job. How do I know this? I am a very Proud military mom, of 5 sons. Our youngest is the one that did go to Iraq. It was not good for our troops at the very start of the war because we did not have enough equipment for the Troops. But as time has gone on it is better. War is not a movie, it is Real with Real People. Children were put into prisons, people were murdered for no reason. Saddam is a very bad human. We as Americans Must Give Our Military Our Unwavering Support and not play a political war here at home. This is not a draft war. It is a voluntary war, not a Viet Nam, like Kerry and Kennedy want to make it! Yes We Did The Right Thing. Rebecca Herwig, Waco, Texas

Editor: One point left out of your excellent article on our position on Iraq: Who will fill the void when the US redeploys? Is the UN going to send peacekeeping troops? France? Or are you suggesting that Iraq will be able to fend for themselves against the foreign insurgents that flow from Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia? Thank you, Roger Swantek

Editor: Your article about support for the war was interesting. However, you seem to miss one important point, as does the Bush administration. Who are we fighting? In my opinion the enemy is Islam, although, for various reasons, many are reluctant to name our enemy. President Bush only recently started talking about Islamic Jihadists. If it is politically incorrect to name our enemy, if the President continues stating the preposterous claim that Islam is a religion of peace, then it's not surprising that many people want to pull out of Iraq. I think we need to have a strong military presence in the Middle East for the next 50 years. We need to defeat the Islamists and free the people of that region. Remember that, 60 years after the end of WWII we still have bases and troops in Germany and Japan. I think we can beat the Islamists, but only if we are determined to save western civilization. Islam has been the enemy of all non-Islamists since it began. They don't like us, and probably never will. They can be taught to respect and fear us. Jim Weise, Rapid City SD

Editor: Conservatives should absolutely support President Bush about Iraq unless we prefer fighting in out own backyard. Ray and Marie Larsen, World War II Vets.

Editor: Your opinion on supporting the troops and Iraq policy is as good as mine or anyone else. It is merely an opinion. The next time you make a statement, like everyone else that says " The American people do not support etc." Please do not include me, my friends and a few thousand other Americans. You cannot speak for all America. It would be wrong for me to say "All Americans support the war in Iraq" That is an opinion and I cannot speak for all Americans. I do support our President. I do support the war in Iraq. I have a grandson in the military and he served a year in Iraq. I supported him and all our troops. He has just re-enlisted for three more years and is preparing to go back. He can see the amount of good we are doing over there. If I want a true opinion I will go to a military man to get it not someone in the Democrat party who is running for election. His or her opinion is biased. The Americans watching this pathetic scene in Washington are not stupid. We can see what is going on. The press do not report the news they try to make the news. Then they try to repeat the news thinking if they repeat the statement enough times we will finally get it. The people who do not get it are in Congress. The rest of us are very well, thank you. Leila Cohoon, Lake Lotawana Mo.

Editor: Should conservatives support Bush on Iraq? NO. All Americans should support Bush on Iraq !!! Even liberals will die in another 9/11 type event. They did before. It is too political for the conservatives to take the issue as their own as opposed to the nation’s. C. E. Warnes

Editor: I have always thoroughly enjoyed your editorials, and no less with the latest article "Support Military in Iraq". I am a senior at the University of Connecticut, and I have been trying to get a conservative newsletter going at the school but it is tough to keep up the funding. Sincerely, Ben Lavoie

Editor: The administration should step up efforts to rid Iraq of the insurgents, do a better job of sealing off the borders and kill as many terrorists/insurgents as possible in the next 24-36 months. The Iraq's are a noble people as evidenced by their voting turnouts and we can ill afford to leave them to the wolves now! Respectfully, James Macek

Editor: Replying to the piece by Bob Barr on the military--"And we idolize musicians, athletes and celebrities who turn hedonism into an art form.” Where do you get that "we" stuff! Herb Melendy, Norfolk, VA

Editor: In regard to Alan Caruba’s “Colder, Not Warmer,” there was a little blurb in National Geographic over a year ago that told of the findings of some scientists analyzing Antarctic ice layers. Their findings showed that the earth has been getting colder over the past 19 years. C. E. Warnes

Editor: Thank you for opportunity to send in-put on various articles from your website. In regard to Tim Carney’s article on Row and the readers comments on Judge Samuel Alito, I guess that it is too much to expect from people, in general, and those who do not ascribe to a Creator, that it is not right to choose to use abortion as a means of birth control. I reckon they haven't read Psalm 139. When any child is conceived, its blood is separate from that of its Mother. Contrary to liberal-licentious beliefs, a child is a human being not a blob or extraneous tissue! It shouldn't take 'rocket science' to know that fact! God can & does forgive the person(s) who realize what they have done and repent for it! Think of me whatever you choose. I just know that the scarring of a woman who has had an abortion lasts for a lifetime and the guilt she carries is a heavy burden. (No! I've never had an abortion but I have friends who have and it has been debilitating for them in spite of their intelligence and 'moving on' in life.) While we cannot legislate morality, (too bad on this issue) I pray that we are able to have someone on the Supreme Court who has some common sense & is God-fearing as well. Mrs. Carol Yates

Editor: We need a Mike Pence or even Tom Tancredo in 2008! George Allen or Bill Frist or others who will not stand up just will not do. Andy Hahn

Editor: I applaud your efforts at ConservativeBattleline.com. While conservatives do not have a lock on the truth, they do have a firm grasp of it. Since the Republicans are closer in philosophy to this truth I support them. However, they are no less prone to partisan politics than Democrats or others. Truth is not relative and must be defended, even when it is unpopular. I hope conservatives can stay the course. Thank you - Tom White