I enjoyed reading the stories of soldiers serving in Iraq. I was particularly amused by the apt phrase used by Paul Giddings to refer to the extension of his time of service in Iraq: "Embrace the Suck". I am reminded of another common refrain among those of us who served in Viet Nam, when we might have been saying or doing something that could meet with the disapproval of our superiors: "What are they going to do, send us to Viet Nam?"
Veterans For Peace always supports the troops, while we dispute the war policies of our government. VFP is committed to drawing attention to the true human costs of warfare, and that is why I wrote my letter to the editor on Feb. 1.
The letter to the editor on Feb. 8, claiming to "respond" to my letter, does not respond to what I said in my letter at all. Rather, the writer uses my letter as a springboard to launch into a barrage of extreme right-wing, nationalistic sentiment and propaganda. Throughout human history, the fervor of extreme nationalism has often led countries into war, and the writer is correct, in one respect, when he implies that I am no fan of such expressions.
Choosing peace over war is not defeat, particularly when "victory" will probably never be definable in the quagmire of the Iraq war. The animosity, strife and violence among various Muslim sects long preceded our invasion and occupation of Iraq, and likely will continue long after we depart. I want our troops home before any more are injured or killed.
Glenn St. Marie
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Wadena
Veterans For Peace
