I mean that I do not think this war is just.  President Bush pushed this war until it happened.  I had no complaints with the war in Afghanistan, but I hold Bush responsible for the deaths caused by this war.  I respect and rever the soldiers who are fighting in my name and am sorry to see what I consider their unnecessary deaths.

I find it strange that people say I cannot support the troops and not support the President, but I do.  I am gratefull for the sacrifice the troops are making and feel responsible myself, as an American, for that sacrifice.  And because I am responsible I honor them.

Tom

It takes an act of Congress to start a war, not a Presidential whim.

The accusation at the top of this web page is disprespectful to the memory of the honored heroes who have given their lives so bravely.

Sean Ford, Walpole, MA <- I do not want my opinion listed as Anonymous, but I will not register on this web site.

The statement "started by George Bush" MUST BE REMOVED. You are using the names of honorable people to push your anti-war agenda. You don't even have the decency to give the appropriate title of President in your sentence. What the webmaster and many others don't understand is that we are at war. Afganistan and Iraq are two operations in that war just like Germany and Japan were in WWII. By your observations, WWII was then started by President Roosevelt. Korea was started by President Truman. Vietnam by President Kennedy. Oh but wait, those are all Democrat Presidents. No wonder nothing is said like that. Like in those times, this war was started by several sources but primarily two main ones, Saddam Hussain and Osama bin Laden. Put the blame where it belongs, on them. I'd also like to remind everyone that the United States Congress with the exact same information as President Bush agreed to this Operation. The UN also put in their final resolution that if Saddam Hussain did not comply, force would be permitted.

I'd also like to comment on the honor of our National Guard and Reserve. All too often, people think that they are only to be used just on United States soil. Please name me in our history when that was done. Those units mission have always been to suppliment and work around the world with the regular military services in all of our conflicts. They don't sit on the beaches and wait for an enemy to land. This is also an all volunteer military. They knew (or should have )what they were getting into. It is not right for others to now speak in their place as to what their beliefs were whether be it family or friends. I am reminded what Stephen Ambrose said about the boys of WWII. That these young men didn't ask for it but it fell upon them to rid the world of an evil and they answered the call.

As a Gulf war vet I must object to specialist henderson. Bush did start the current fiasco and should be held responsible for the deaths of our soldiers. Wake up everyone. 911 was financed by Saudi Arabia. If bush was serious about the war on terror we would be invading the country most responsible for haboring, financing and training terrorists - Saudi Arabia. Iraq was just a diversion. How you can support this chickenhawk, AWOL deserter is beyond me. If the uniform code of military justice wasn't subverted by pappy bush- junior would have gotten a well deserved bad conduct discharge.

Kevin Stanton (Capt USAF) Ret

Would someone please explain to me how Saddam started this war. If memory serves me correctly, Bush was the agressor.  If W. would have fininshed the first war, Bin Laden would now be dead or in custody.  The US would sleep safer and the bombing in Spain could have been avoided.   This is what I see...Bush started a new war before the other one was finished.  Why not find Bin Laden first?  Who was the real threat to the U.S?  Bin Laden or Saddam?  How can you blame the Democrats for this?  I believe Bin Laden is the one that started the war on terrorism.  And Bush started the war with Iraq.  Unless Bin Laden plans on voting for Kerry this fall, I don\'t think a Democrat can be blamed.

Sorry to say but there are some rather ignorant replies here.

Bush (and his government) DID start the war in Iraq.  He used the pretense of weapons of mass destruction to invade.  The UN and the rest of the world wanted to hear a final report from the UN inspectors on the ground.  Bush did not want to wait because he knew full well there were no weapons of mass destruction.  There were none, and there still is none, and there never will be as they were destroyed as Saddam, the UN, and as many others stated - including Scott Ritter the former American head of the UN weapons hunt team. 

Bush knew he would lose the UN vote at the security council.  So he simply switched to the doctrine of 'pre-emptive war'. 

The head of the UN just today stated what many have said all along - the US invasion of Iraq is in violation of the UN Charter AND international law.  Many of you have convinced yourselves otherwise.  The rest of the world is looking in at you in amazement at the shallowness to reality and history that is taking place in your nation.  Some posters here have a grasp of reality, but I am afraid to say some of you are so unwilling to come to grasps that Bush decided to engage in an illegal act of war and aggression.

So you know, I supported the war and current effort in Afghanistan as the real terrorists were actually supported and sheltered there.  As for the Iraq war, there has NEVER been a connection between Saddam and Osama.  Colin Powell himself declares that to be true.  There were no weapons of mass destruction, and Saddams pathetic forces were no danger to anyone - especially America.  Saddam was a ruthless dictator - no doubt - but don't forget, that knowledge did not stop George Bush Sr and Ronald Reagan from supporting him.  Rumsfeld even saw fit to shake hands with the man.