There’s a battle to be fought

In response to “Don’t support the troops, don’t support the war,” I would like to say that Jack Killen’s article was offensive to anyone who has ever served or knows someone who has served in the military. The likening of today’s troops to those put on trial in Nuremburg is completely uncalled for.

What genocides have American troops committed?

I would also like to point out that although Mr. Killen may believe that the average soldier is of “low socio-economic status,” quite the opposite is true. These soldiers are men and women, some of whom come from upperclass families who dedicate their lives to protecting the liberty of everyone, including Mr. Killen, who so thoughtlessly bashes them. And last time I checked, there are very few soldiers who are “motivated by the romanticized desire to wield a gun and go kill some Arabs,” and such a statement in itself is offensive.

The soldiers serving in Iraq would love to “come home (and) care for their families.” But they can’t, because whether Mr. Killen likes it or not, there’s a battle to be fought in Iraq. May I remind Mr. Killen that these same Iraqis who our soldiers supposedly “wreak havoc” upon are the same ones who greeted our troops with cheers, grateful to be saved from a regime that forced their sons, brothers and husbands to fight at gunpoint?

And by the way, Mr. Killen, where were you when you and fellow Americans watched with terror as a handful of well-funded and well-trained terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center and killed thousands of your fellow Americans? Terrorists, I might add, who are linked directly to Iraq.

War is awful. It’s terrible, and I understand if you don’t support it. But such ridiculous and harsh statements directed toward the valiant soldiers of our nation are an atrocity. Keep in mind that while you are busy thinking of a rebuttal, those men and woman will be out on the front lines defending your right to so shamelessly demoralize them.

Bryn Clark
IU sophomore