INTERESTING POINT OF VIEW FROM A MAN WHO HAS "BEEN THERE".
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> LETTER FROM : LTC JOE RAPYA, USA
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> "I'm Tired"
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> Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was
> forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to
> my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.
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> I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to
> return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971
> after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in
> just four months, but I'm tired:
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> I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack
> the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks
> through.
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> I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when
> the going gets tough.
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> I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support
> the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before! victory is achieved.
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> I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and
> casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their
> hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are
> having on the battlefield.
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> I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into
> a democracy over night.
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> I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the
> voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent
> Parliament.
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> I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving
> aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during theVietnam War.
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> I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen
> soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble
> cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly
> protesters is beyond shameful.
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> I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom -- Vie tnam generation, who
> have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult
> tasks through to victory.
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> I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than
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> they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.
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> I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the
> press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.
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> Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from
> history that there is no substitute for Victory.
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> Joe Repya,
> Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
> 101st Airborne