1: The first option for dealing with someone who disagrees with you is not force. Unless you're an idiot.

2: Isn't one of the claimed reasons for these wars to preserve freedom, including freedom of speech? If you agree, why not respect that freedom? Unless you're an idiot.

3: When was the last time the freedoms of the US was threatened by anyone other than a US President? If you can't remember and you still think foreign wars are reasonable, you're an idiot.

Juliop; We went to Panama to kill Noriega and we killed 4000 people in that small country. All because Noriega was talking about our CIA murdering people in Nicaragua. In fact we were killing respected teachers and village leaders to discourage the people and overthrow an elected government that wasn't owned by our corporate and financial systems.

We could have directed attacks on Al Qaeda and been out of Afghanistan in 6 weeks. I suppose you think Iraq did us great harm. What about Vietnam? My point is a simple one some people will try to justify anything. there is no war since the second world war that makes any sense at all. We have troops all over the world defending big money interest. We need to bring them home, give them all raises and let them defend America. We could do that and easily cut military cost by half.

Bunkerbuster and Juliop - Don't let the dhimmi get you down. Even during WWII there were Nazi sympathizers in the U.S.

What irritates me is that our guys have to be there in the first place. The locals all hate each other and killl each other at the drop of a hat. The mountainous terrain makes it hard to patrol, so we chase rats all day up and down the hills.

Some kind of radiation weapon has to be invented for trail interdiction, one that could be placed, turned on and off remotely. A heavy-duty gamma ray generator would work well, something with a half - quarter mile radius.

This whole situation is just Vietnam all over : spineless politicians getting our kids killed for control of a catsbox. Just the usual stupid ignorance of thinking "they are just like us!" .

NO, they are not. And THEY are the first to agree with me. They hate us.

And if the destination of all who come through the mountain pass was your front door?

why would they be carrying automatic weapons and grenade launchers? My son is there and they do not prey on innocent victims. Why don't you go to a Muslim state ans see for your self? You are a loser!!

Mr Orwell, you should have some respect for these soldiers that are giving up so much so that you can be on your computer to make ignorant comments. You can hate the war, but you can't hate the warrior.

Where do you get off calling these soldiers ignorant? You have no idea who they are and what exactly they do. I happen to be a wife of one of these soldiers and I can tell you what he does for the army, the American people, the Afghans, and the rest of the world is more important than what you will accomplish in a lifetime. The American soldier is not some inbred gun-toting redneck that shoots at anything that moves. I know it may be hard for someone as small-minded as you to grasp this comment but believe it or not, our soldiers do think before they act. In fact, many of their missions have receive clearance before they can even act. They are human so no, they aren't perfect but who is? Unfortunately there are times when innocent people are killed or injured but if you knew anything about what was going on over there, you would actually know that our soldiers work hand-in-hand with the Afghan locals to preserve what is left of their land that the Taliban and Al Qaeda have destroyed. So when you are sitting at home making stupid ass assumptions, remember it is the "ignorant" soldier that is fighting a war overseas for you so you don't have to fight one in your own backyard.

I agree Shanene, calling our soldiers ignorant is just as irresponsible as shooting into the air. Having served myself, I can tell you the difference in how I think now vs. ten years ago. It use to be, if I got orders to take a hill, I'd take the hill. Now, I'd want know what's on the other side of the hill. Unfortunately, our soldiers don't have that option. While there is no doubt that all of us serve with the most honorable intentions, soldiers follow orders, without question. That's something that most civilians could never understand.

Mr Orwell-- soldiers are not ignorant you ingratefull son of a bitch--I wish I knew where you were,I would give you a visit in person and let you know how very smart my son who is a career soldier is

I cant believe that people like mr. Orwell live in this FREE country and have the ball's to say something like that about our soldiers who, every day, risk there lives so you sir can bad mouth them. shame on you! Remember how this country got free! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

Mr. Orwell obviously you have not had the privelage to serve our wonderful country, your statement is outrageous and for you to call our soldiers ignorant is an insult to all those who serve!!! If it were not for soldiers past and present you would not have the freedoms that you have and take for granted. I would also be willing to say you are the biggest complainer when these freedoms are infringed upon yet you have done nothing for them!!! So sit back in your lazy-boy and be an internet tough guy and enjoy the freedoms provided to you by the very hero's that you call ignorant. I do have one question though, what would you do if live rounds were fired at you? Would you stand and fight with your brothers to the left and right of you, or would you piss your pants and run away??

Do you really think the "enemy" wouldn't know they're there and what they're doing except for the fact it's reported in the media?

The "war" is being fought for the financial gain of greedy and dis-loyal war profiteers.

All profits from military mis-adventures, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, should be taken by the government and re-distributed to the needy and poor among US.

Halaburton got their many billions and went to Dubai. I guess the are friends with the royalty. I am pretty sure the people know they are traterous pigs.

I agree!

(SIGH) Here we go again-

Hey folks, who do you think works for those nasty companies making so much money from the war? Clue: they live in America, and maybe live next to you! They actually have a job though.

Halliburton: there are two companies in the world who do what Halliburton does (large-scale infrastructure movement, constructuion, and maintenance). One is the evil Halliburton, the other is Schlumberger, a FRENCH company. It takes more than Billy Bobs Trucking to do what they do.

SO, you are saying that the U.S. should NOT pay "needy" American workers, and instead send OUR taxes to FRANCE, in this time of economic downturn (and don't get me going on that)?

But if we did that, our need would get NO money!

You know, a high school education is a good thing! Get one!

*crickets chirping* that's about what I expected too D.David :(