Letter from a young soldier in Iraq

"President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier"

07/04/03: From a soldier's father:

"My son is in the U.S.Army and currently stationed in Baghdad. I hear  from him every three or four days. He is like most of the young men  and women who went to fight over there inasmuch as he was proud to go  and achieve what President Bush said was necessary. I have seen his  attitude take a U-turn during the last month. At first he was  saying: "I wonder why we are not doing this or that to help make life  better for our soldiers?" Then he started to wonder why we were not  doing more to help the Iraqi people who are suffering under terrible  conditions. Not enough water or food, no electricity most of the  time, a terrible shortage of medical supplies and medical staff,  basically they are living like animals. Then he started to worry  about the safety of our troops in the area. He says they are sitting  ducks and easy targets for Iraqi people bent upon gaining revenge for  slain family members and by those who hold the U.S. responsible for  the terrible conditions they find themselves in. Ye sterday he had a different message altogether."

"Get us out of here now! There is nothing we can do to pacify the  Iraqi people except get out of their country and allow them to  restore order in whatever way THEY wish."

And, allow me to give you his remarks when he was informed of  President Bush's brash remarks saying "Bring them on." He said: 

"Myself and every last man in my unit are deeply offended that our  President would make such a statement inviting us to be attacked.  President Bush has lost the respect of every soldier I have spoken to  because of his speaking those irresponsible words. Those words spread  like wild-fire amoung the troops. 

We are here because he ordered us  to be here and now for him to make such a ridiculous statement inviting violence towards us causes us to lose respect for him and  his judgement. We are learning that we never should have come here in  the first place. Believe me Dad, there is a completely different  attitude now. The fact that the President gave rich people a tax cut  and didn't do anything for military families is hurtful. Where there was once pride and satisfaction in defeating an enemy there is now regret and shame. God Bless America.

Your loving Son, Donny