Rep. John Murtha continues his campaign of advocacy for a cut-and -run strategy in Iraq.

Staying the course in Iraq is not an option or a policy. I believe we must begin discussions for an immediate re-deployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. I believe it can be accomplished in as little as six months, but it must be consistent with the safety of U.S. troops.

Democrats tell us that we cannot question his motives or proposal because he is a veteran and a war hero.

I mean if a three-decades-out-of-uniform partisan hack like Murtha must be given respect becasue of his service, shouldn't the opinions of those coming back from Iraq be worth infinitely more?

While Democrats and Republicans disagree whether American troops should be pulled immediately from Iraq, several returning soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 29th Personnel Services Detachment on Saturday agree: Continue the mission.

After stepping off the red, white and blue bus that brought them back -- soaking in their first moments with friends and family -- some of the 15 soldiers talked about their support of the war.

Yeah, you read that right -- soldiers returning from Iraq expressing support for the war. Not congresscritters like Rep. Murtha (whose three decades in Congress have earned him solid credentials as an REMF) demanding a repeat of the great skee-daddle from Saigon, and not folks who have been spoon-fed bad news by the liberally biased folks inthe mainstream media.

What do these serving heroes, fresh back from a year of active duty that included service in Iraq, have to say about the war?

Well, there is this opinion.

"I think that if we left now, it wouldn't be a good idea because there's so much left to be done," said Guard member Sarah Spicci, of Mayfield.

And there is this from a soldier who was a sceptic before his deployment.

When Spec. Jason Alexis headed overseas, he wasn't entirely sure why so many people needed to go.

The University at Albany senior from Brooklyn changed his mind once he arrived, though.

"We are really doing a lot of good," Alexis said. Soldiers are helping the country get back on its feet, he said.

And then there is this little tidbit from a soldier who is a member of a family of soldiers.

Sgt. Scott Diange was greeted by a contingent that included his father, who wore a T-shirt with photos of four generations of Diange men -- three of whom have gone to war, and one, Scott's son, who's not yet old enough to go.

He had a message for the civilians back here.

"Keep supporting us," Diange said. "It's going to go on for a long time. I think we're doing good. We should stay over there until the job's done."

Those are good words.

Did you get the message, Americans? "Keep supporting us."

Do you understand that, impatient advocates of withdrawal? "It's going to go on for a long time."

Democrats, are you listening? "I think we're doing good."

John Murtha, heed this message from a soldier fighting THIS war. "We should stay over there until the job's done."

Sgt. Scott Diange -- you have my support, and the support of all patriotic Americans. Let's work to convince the rest.

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Posted by: Greg at 03:03 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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