Why is this so difficult?

People really don't listen. They don't want to listen. It drives me crazy. People can't seem to understand how one can be anti-war and pro-troops. Like the logic is wrong. They get all crazy trying to reconcile the situation. And they get so flustered you can't even explain it to them. So here goes...

I hate the war. I hate war. I won't go into why or how, I think that's abundantly clear. No one likes war. Except maybe Lockheed Martin, but that's another story.

I love humankind. Troops are people too. Responsible people (for the most part) who are doing the job they committed to do. They don't necessarily like it, or agree with it, but they know it's their duty - it's their part of the deal, and they won't reneg even at "this juncture".

Why are those two things incompatible? I support our troops, of course I do. I don't support what they're doing. I don't support the decisions that their employers have made. But I support and respect my fellow citizens on principle.

I'd rather they be home - with their husbands, their wives, their children, their parents, their lovers, their friends.

I'd rather they be home - helping America out as productive and responsible citizens.

I'd rather they be home - alive and well.

A Prayer

Don’t discount my faith, brother.
I’ve probably got more faith in the human spirit than you’ve got in your whole book.
And it’s far less conditional.

Don’t threaten my faith, sister.
I know at the end of my life I will have tried my best to be my best.
And I didn’t have to rely on anyone to teach me that.

Don’t pity my faith, father.
My strength comes from deep down inside me.
And I take full responsibility for my choices, both good and bad.

Don’t belittle my faith, mother.
My membership is to the congregation of the world.
And its house of worship is both simple and magnificent.

Please understand my faith, child.
But if you don’t agree, I won’t expect you to follow.
I just hope I’ve given you the confidence to find your own.