Remember the Wicked Witch of Marin CountyÂ’s disgusting attack on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? This was one of her comments, when she was not questioning the right of the childless to hold an opinion in favor of the US action in Iraq.

So who pays the price? The American military and their families, and I just want to bring us back to that fact.

Well, Senator, why donÂ’t you listen to the opinions of those who have children in Iraq, or whose sons have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country? How about listening to one of your constituents, Debbie Argel Bastian, whose son Derek Argel was killed in Iraq?

When they talk of families of U.S. troops, it's as if they think only of Cindy Sheehan. "I have begged to go on the media and tell my story," Bastian told me. And, excusing her language: "Any time Cindy Sheehan burps or farts, she's on the news."

If anyone is interested, Bastian supports the Bush troop surge.

Or how about this constituent, Senator?

Mary Riley of Napa, whose son Gregory Smedley served in Iraq, doesn't want Boxer speaking for her or her son. She told me, "Sen. Boxer's presumption to speak for the troops and their families is fundamentally dishonest. She's undermining the war effort -- which hurts and doesn't help the troops. That's how my son and I feel."

TheyÂ’ve paid the price, and view it as worthwhile. How dare you second guess them?

But let’s be honest – Senator boxer and those opposed to the war are not REALLY interested in what the military and their families have to say about the war, whether or not they consider “the price” to be acceptable. They oppose the war – PERIOD. They will take Cindy Sheehan and the relatively small percentage of servicemen and women who share their opposition and cast them as representative of the whole, but that is just for show.

The reality is that the talk about “who pays the price” is all a smokescreen for their willingness to walk away from Iraq in disgrace and defeat. Now I’ll concede that doing so is a legitimate option if they can get the votes – and exactly what they desired and received in Vietnam.

But donÂ’t sully the sacrifices of the troops and their families to get it.

Posted by: Greg at 12:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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