Letter: Retreating won’t support troops

To the Editor:

The last three Fridays, I have spent one hour down at the park supporting our troops. Do not confuse me with the anti-war group of protesters.

Most of the protesters’ signs contain slogans such as “Peace” or “Bush is a liar.” But one signs was very perplexing. It said, “Support the troops, bring them home!” I was amazed.

I would be enthralled to hear how wanting our troops to lose a war is supporting them. The only person who would agree with this sign is Jane Fonda.

This sign is contradictory. By bringing the troops home, we are giving victory to every radical Islamic extremist who has held onto their slim hope that somehow some supernatural force will help them prevail. The scary thing is, their dreams are almost a reality, via Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

You can’t tell me that throwing away five years of time, money, effort, and American lives is a support to the ones who have liberated the Iraqi people from an evil tyrant. You cannot win a war with a strategy of retreat.

You also have to ask the question: What happens when we “bring them home”? It doesn’t take a genius to tell you that one. Terrorists and insurgents will take to the streets in vehement delight of their victory. After their victory dance, they will take back their country basically uncontested.

Disagreeing with the war is absolutely OK, but when you hold up signs like “Support the troops, bring them home!” it’s beyond ridiculous. Next time you drive by the park, think twice before honking the horn.

Aaron G. Johnson

Red Wing

Aaron G. Johnson is a junior at Red Wing High School.

Tags: opinion, letter, aaron, g, johnson, iraq, war