MAY GOD BE WITH OUR TROOPS These are trying times for us. Truly, our hearts and prayers go out to the young men and women fighting to secure our freedom, as well as fighting for the freedom of the oppressed country of Iraq. Being a former Viet Nam veteran, perhaps there are some elements of this conflict that hit closer to home than most. Mainly, the shameful insult of those thousands of people in this country who proudly protest the efforts of our men and women in the armed forces. I wonder if these spoiled brats will spit in the faces of these brave soldiers just as they did after the Viet Nam war? I say "spoiled brats" because that is exactly how they are acting. So many people in this country have been given so much too freely, such as civil rights, welfare and yes, even the freedom of speech. They forget that these freedoms, as with many freedoms that we enjoy, NEVER came freely. Freedom was never free, there has always been a price. No one, NO ONE, wants war; especially those brave men and women over in Iraq at this time. The difference between these passivist protesters and the average American is that we know that freedom is never simply "given". You either have to fight for what is yours or someone, somewhere will try to take it away. This applies for most things in life. Unfortunate, but true nonetheless. One wonders just how much consideration these protesters really gave this situation before they went out into the streets and shamed themselves as well as this country before the entire world community. Do they know who and what we are fighting? Do they not know how many hundreds of thousands of innocent (and I stress innocent) people Saddam has willfully slaughtered as well as his regime, which carries out these orders? Do they want this to really continue? Isn't that the precise platform for which they are protesting? The death of innocent lives needlessly? And if these protesters don't want innocent lives being needlessly destroyed, do they actually think Saddam will simply stop on his own if NOT forced to do so??? Furthermore, if these bleeding heart protesters also happen to be environmentalists as well, do they not remember the devastation that the Iraqi officials caused when they set all those oil fields ablaze and sent thousands of gallons of oil flowing into the seas for many miles? Do they not remember 9/11? Talk about innocent lives and needless deaths! Do they think this was simply a one time assault? That it will not happen again, if we merely ignore it like some ostrich burying it's head in the sand? Well, the American symbol is the eagle, NOT the ostrich... at least for most of us! Let's even forget all that for the moment and just deal with the supposedly main reason they protest, the killing of innocent people. Have they watched ANY of the news at all? Do they not see the amazing accuracy and determination this President and administration has undertaken in assuring ONLY specified targets are hit and NOT civilian casualties? This has been executed with such care and accuracy that even in the same city where these targets have been destroyed, the people are going about their normal daily lives! I have been in combat before and never have I seen such an operation of precision surgery performed before, nor the extreme measure of concern for innocent lives during war! I am totally impressed and I, for one applaud, our administration for a job extremely well done! We have the power to wipe out that whole country in a matter of hours. Yet, this administration has taken EVERY possible step to limit the deaths to only those who wish to destroy the rest of the world if given the chance. God knows if THEY, the terrorists, had half the power we have, this county would be one big crater by now. The point, here is that these protesters argue against the war based on needless deaths and that is exactly what the President has assured, and proven thus far, will NOT happen. So what IS their argument? I fail to see their point. If it wasn't such a sad statement, it would be ironically funny. How odd it is that most of these are the very same people, these protesters who oppose death to humans so much and so feverishly in the streets before the masses, are also the ones who fight so hard to protect their right to kill innocent babies through abortion. Just as ironic is that these same protesters put on an appearance of "love & peace". Yet, after their organized "peace" protests rallies, they are the ones who the police have to arrest for being violent. Odd, isn't it? What do they really stand for then? I am a bit confused here on that point. I am ashamed that so many of this great nation's people go out into the streets before they fully consider all the facts in this issue. I am however proud that MOST of the American population DO understand what is truly going on and taking place. I wish the media were more responsible in their broadcasts and coverage in all this. Be that as it may, my main concern is for the brave young men and women who will be coming home after this mission. What will these same protesters do at that time? Will they continue to exhibit their ignorance and misplaced "humanity" by spitting at these soldiers upon their return as they did to us after Nam? Will they repeat history and once again show ingratitude to all those who put their very lives in harms way to protect these individuals and their "rights"? This same kind of shameful ingratitude has currently been shown by the French to the USA after we literally saved that country from the Nazi's in World War II. My father was a war hero in World War II with over twenty medals awarded to him for his bravery. Among those medals was the French "Croix De Guerre". I have no doubt that if my father was still alive today, he would have boldly joined George Wilson of Easton, Pennsylvania in saying, "I don't want it. I can't honor it anymore. To me it's a joke." I am sad that my father is not still alive today but I am thankful he never had to see such a disgraceful insult from that country which he fought so hard to defend and went through much hardship for, including being a prisoner of war. I am saddened and ashamed to know that there are so many people in this country who take our freedoms so lightly and are so ungrateful for those who fight to keep them. However, I am proud, very proud of the majority who DO stand behind our fine young men and women who have gone into harm's way so that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms we have. Yes, even the freedom of speech to those who chose to view it against so many who have fought hard to keep it in place. My heart truly does go out to our brave men and women fighting there, I have personally been in that situation. I want to tell you now, that what America thinks back home DOES play heavily on your mind while over there in the trenches. My hope is that these protesters will have the decency and compassion to keep their views to themselves at least for now. That they will not make it any harder for our troops to fight the battle yet before them with a clear mind. It could be a matter of their very lives over there. They have enough on their minds right now, like staying alive! If you disagree with standing up for your freedoms, then voice your opinion after the war. That is your right but please use that right wisely and with consideration of others for once. Thank you. Sincerely, Danny Hahlbohm NOTE: Danny is a wonderful Christian Artist whose work many of us have used and are familiar with. His work may be seen here at http://www.inspired-art.com/ PTL for men like Danny. 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