I wrote a diary a few weeks ago about a group of military family members and veterans who've been speaking out loudly against the Bush Administration. My husband is serving in Iraq and I feel I have an obligation to protest the Bush Administration's near-criminal mishandling of the war.
But when our protest activities were covered in the local media, my husband was told by a senior military officer back here at Ft. Lewis that my protest actions are "aiding and abetting the enemies of the United States and the U.S. military". This same commander told me personally that I was "anti-military".
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I've received feedback from my husband and other officers in his unit that they are very happy that we are looking out for their best interests by speaking out against the Bush Administration.
The soldiers want us to hold the civilian leadership accountable for their failed policies in Iraq, to keep asking tough questions and to demand that Bush tells the truth to the American people about the grave situation in Iraq.
So all of us will continue to speak out to local media, citizens, anyone who will listen as we express our deep concerns about the way our country rushed to war in Iraq and the negligent way the war is being conducted.
We are touring small towns in Oregon tomorrow with Jim Rassman (the vet whose life was saved in Vietnam by John Kerry) to voice our concerns about the war.
I know that by speaking out, we are in good company. Wesley Clark, Anthony Zinni, General Shinseki,Chuck Hagel and Richard Lugar have all joined the chorus of dissent.
Are there others? Could you all help me put together a comprehensive list of all the prominent politicians and military figures who have spoken out?
I'd like to use this list as fortification against any future criticism by my husband's commander or anyone else who says that we are helping the enemy by exercising our free speech rights.
Thanks for your help.