I am currently taking a course in world history and am puzzled as to why so many liberals, and I would think Plato and Socrates would be considerd liberal, do not recall the teaching of these very wise men. They often times, when debating democracy and the freedom of individuals in societies, stressed the absolute need for a force to protect liberal societies. It seems the more liberal a state the more prepared its military must be. In fact, had it not been for the militarys of Greece and Rome democracy might never have come about. And it was Pato that said "Only the dead, have seen the end of war".

The liberal congress could not care less about what history has taught us and seems to welcome the message of a cowardly retreat from Iraq. It was the reputation of the Greeks and Romans that helped to maitain relativly peaceful and cultured societies, no one dared attack or take military action against them simply because the world knew the end result would be total defeat. It's also true that both these armies were contantly deployed while there citizens prospered.

It was disturbing, but not suprising, to see so many democrats attack General Petraues and insult one more time the integrity of those that protect our republic. They are critical of the Iraqi people for not wanting democracy, and yet the Iraqis had a ninety-percent turnout compared to our forty percent. They say the Iraqis are not willing to risk there lives for their country yet never mention the fact Iraqi soldiers and police officers face fire bombings and beheadings just for wearing the uniform. They mention the fact that Iranians and Syrian extremist are coming through there borders at an alarming rate and allow MILLIONS of Mexican nationals to break or laws, violate our consitution and undermine the rights of our citizens. Why doesn't Congress worry about the domestic enemy pouring through our southern border? It is sure votes for the socialist liberals that wantno citizens to vote. ( Amnesty and anchor babies)

It's so sad that the future of our country is at risk by the non-acting liberals that have done nothing since they've been in office except complain. Only through strength can peace be secured and theliberals are just proving to the Osama Bin Ladens of the world that the United States of America doesn't have the fortitude it had in times gone bad. Too many people in this country that consider themselves should study Plato and Socrates and ask themeselves just what the consequence will be when our military is not allowed to protect democracy.

I also want to say on September 11th I say a bunch of people near our goverment center holding up signs like " No blood for oil" "911 an inside job" and "bring home the troops" just a guess but I'll bet these people are far left and supporters of move-on.org. Free and liberal societies understand "Only the dead have seen the end of war" and understand it will always be a reality.

I want to share my current situation as far as being treated properly for having been deployed twice in five years and what congress has done to show it cares for those that have provided the security we've had. But first, on the last comments: As was my experience home on leave from Iraq the vast majority of people from the age of 18-30yrs hardly ever even think of what's happening in Iraq and darn sure don't ever want to sacrafice for others, remember this is the "Me' generation. And I am not putting them down for it, it's not their fault, it's our so called leaders. How can any person running for the office of President honestly say that by boycotting the largest news station in the U.S.A. they are people of integrity, they clearly fear honest questions and show little personal integrity by doing so.

As far as the second amendment right to keep and bear arms, out here in California it's almost impossible to get a firearm and all that is rquired in the state of California to lose that "right' is an accusation of domestic or workplace violence and it's gone, this is a fact. I know of many people that recieve notices to that effect. The liberal left screams about wire tapping international suspects without warrents, but not a word about losing the second amendment right through the mail based on an accusastion and nothing more, where's the ACLU or Move on.org? I brought up the Iraqis having machine guns in their homes to drive home the point, there is not a civil war in Iraq. If sectional violence means civil war then we ourselves are at civil war, gang violence does more killing in Los Angeles then we experienced in my province in Iraq.

As for the VA. I was told prior to leaving Iraq that thr VA would provide educational assistance to all 911 vets based on the amount of time they were deployed. In my case 2 1/2 years out of five. this amount would determine the amount of the assistance, I qualified for the maximume allowed. I decided to not risk my life anymore and 24yrs of service was enough, I felt that I and many like me had done has J.F.K. asked " Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". I got out of the resrves and enrolled in school that I might someday teach history and tell the truth about what happend in my little part of the war.

For the last year I recieved aid but that has now been terminated by the VA. The reason the VA ( Veterans Administration) did this was because they they recntly learned I really was a Veteran and could no longer be sent overseas to die. I asked for my pathetic Congresswoman, Louis Capps, to intervine but all they did was agree with the VA. Now this begs the question, Why is the Veterans Administration doing active Army reserve retention? I am not the most educated man on the planet, but are Veterans retired?

The sad thing is this is happening to tens of thousands of Veterans of the War and congress will do nothing. It seems the tiny minority that serve their country first get used the most. At my current school the VA education counsler isn't even a Vet, it would be nice to have someone that understands Vets. Furthermore the person that is supposed to help Vets here seems to have a very nasty attitude towards vets.

Congress is talking about "Universal Health Care" but can't even take care of it's veterans. Vets in my town have to get bussed forty miles to the nearest clinic for medicine. And when one of us has an issue with the VA eduacation department we have to contact Oklahoma. I asked for a summary of my military 401k (thrift savings plan) and they will not respond. I sent an inquiry regarding the end of my education benefits and the VA told Congresswoman Capps office I missed a signature so they will not respond. Let's forget they could call me, send fax info, or mail self addressed envelopes they just won't respond and neither will congress.

Still, I love this country and all that it represents. It is the people that call the shots that are flawed and those of us that allow them to stay in office. I will pay for my own education since Congress doesn't seem to understand that if one is deployed overseas it is not possible to attend school at home, but that is the criteria agreed upon by Congresswoman Capps. The message is typically political "We will make a multitude of promises to get in office or get what we want, just don't expect us to keep them'.

I recently had a chance to talk with one of the guys I deployed to Iraq with back in 2004-2006, His name is Franz Valencia he's not even twenty yet and he's going back to Iraq this month, not what I wanted to hear. It seems that most of the guys I went with then are redployed to either IraqAfghanistan, the philipines (Islamic etremist aplenty there) the border with Mexico or some other place that requires the presnce of soldiers.

Franz is an only child and loves being a soldier. When I talked to him recently he explained how tough active duty training is opposed to that he recieved in the National Gaurd/Resrves. I learned that some of the men in his new unit. the 101st Airborne, are going on their fourth and fifth deployments. Many of the guys he works with are getting hurt during training because it's non-stop and they are forced to wear alot of heavy armour, I've always felt that so much arnour is just a sign of a defensive might set and too much is made of it, when your numbers up, your numbers up.

He was suprised to learn how little they recieved on active duty for pay and yet tetntion for prior soldiers is at an all time high. I am very proud to have been associated with such unselfish people and hope people someday realize that by cutting and running from adversity is not what soldiers do. It sickens me to see so many of these Democrats talking about "bringing home the troops is the best thing for them" and how we can't win, or we've already lost. If we match the will of guys like Valencia and other soldiers against the will of the radicals "We can't lose. As I see it it is the will of the gutless and cowardly democrats that is causing such despair and sense of loss.

I am currently sitting in my college computor lab and wonder how many of the young students in here ever ask themelves the question J.F.K. asked "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country". So few people alive today have ever had to risk their lives for the freedom they have lived since birth and therefore can't understand the quality of those serving now to protect the future.

Since the time I left Iraq in 2006 till today I know people in harms way and worry constantly that this country will turn their back on them just so the elitist democrats/progressives can feel morally superior. The average person in this country never really stops to think about what's going over in Iraq except for the occasional sound bite on the liberal news.

Do people know that every single person in Iraq over the age of eighteen is allowed to own a machine gun and three hundred rounds? and most of them do. If there truly was a civil war in Iraq shouldn't it be a little more abvious then the occasional MUllahs clashing over tribal dispute. Do people understand the tribal concept that exists in 90% of Iraq? Do people know that all Iraqi soldiers can quite their serve on demand? Can they get any credit for what theyv'e done thus far?

As a soldier I have always understood my duty and never asked for any liberal to save me from it, and I am sure the overwhelming majority feel the same. So to those of you that think your doing men like Valencia a favor by accepting failure and kissing the fannies of muslim etremists take from one of your liberal/progressive groups and hear this "Not in our name".
There are very few people left in this country that are willing to do what must be done, let them do it. And to Franz I will just say "Good luck kid."