I'm so proud II

My 70-something year old undle submitted this to the OpEd section of the New York Times...just in case you don't catch it there...

Dear Mr. President:

It must feel like the world is closing in on you from all sides. Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Korea are rising up as clear and visible threats and adversaries. Your administration is under constant fire; Rumsfeld, Cheney, scandals along with claims of mismanagement and the protest against the war from former US Military Generals and Administration Officials. There is a deafening out cry throughout the Western World against what they perceive as US aggression. A “brush fire” exists in every direction that you turn. And, you were recently described as a “Devil” during a speech in the United Nations. You are the butt of jokes by mid night comedians. I would almost feel sorry for you if it weren’t for the fact that it is self inflicted.

Although 9/11 was a defining moment in US history for the struggle against terrorism you lost site of the enemy. You had it right when you went into Pakistan for Osama Bin Laden and then it all went to hell. Now you attempt to sell the Iraq war by creating fear and the increased threat of terrorism which your own actions have indeed created. They sold Vietnam with the Domino Theory and we lost. You are selling this conflict with fallacious arguments as you have done very little to protect our homeland; our ports, our refineries, our nuclear plants, our air cargo; while spending trillions in Iraq.

I am a proud American who served his country as an officer in the United States Army. I cry now for every young person, Iraqi and American, who dies in this unnecessary war. I, along with millions of other patriotic Americans, seek to renew our pride in our country. Only our leadership can do that.

Respectfully submitted,

Joel S.
Plainfield, IL

Family, aaahhhhh!