Sitting Through War (New Poem)

Before you comment on this post, please read it completely. If you want to comment without reading it, at least read the last paragraph. I don't want someone bitching at me because they didn't read everything I wrote. But still, feel free to comment. Just read this before you chose to trample my opinion. ;)

I posted a new poem at FP. It's called Sitting Through War. Basically, it's my thoughts on what a lot of people do. This is a subject very close and important to me. I know a lot of non-military families/ people who sit down and watch CNN and start bitching about the war in Iraq. They may hear a story or 2 from someone in the military, but other than that they know nothing. Yet they ignorantly throw their fits.

If you don't support the war then that is your right. You are free to have your own opinion, and I support that right. It's what my husband fights for. It's what he's willing to die for. I am merely expressing my opinion. So please, don't be offended. My problem is with people who ignorantly oppose the war.

A lot of people simply see the bombs. They yell because our troops are dying.

Did you know that this war has cost us fewer lives than any other war we've ever fought?

Did you know that our troops are training the Iraq government to take over?

Did you know that we provide not only health care to their people when they need it, but also to their animals, since their animals are their lively hood? (Which helps them maintain self sufficiency, and boosts their economy).

Did you know that most of the Iraq people WANT us there? We provide them with jobs working on our "camps" over there. We pay them in American money. It's not much compared to what we make, but it is extremely high compared to what they would otherwise make.

We are helping over there. Yes, we've lost some men and women. It's the cost of war. 9-11 happened more than 4 years ago. Every single person in the military today joined or re-enlisted after 9-11. They knew there was a war going on. They chose to join. (Unless they signed a 6 year contract 5 years ago, then they would not have the option to opt out yet. I'm saying generally).

I've noticed a lot of people who sit and complain about our troops risking their lives. Well, that's their job. They knew when they signed on the dotted line that it was a risk. No one forced them to join. I've sat here at home while my husband was in Iraq. I worried, I cried, I went on with my life. Yet I still support the war. We are giving the Iraqi's a hope, a chance at life, at a future. I know my husband will be going back to war next year.

He missed our first anniversary. He missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. He's going to miss my college graduation and my 21st birthday. Yet I continue to support the war. I support it because I know many, many men and women who place their lives on the line in Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, Afghanistan (sp?) and other countries. I support it because I've chosen to be informed about what goes on. I've done my research. I've asked questions. I've formed my own opinion.

My decision to support the war is not one I ignorantly chose. It is one I made after becoming knowledgable. I suggest you do the same. If after you become informed you do/still oppose the war, then that's your choice. I don't belittle that choice. I do, however, belittle the choice to ignorantly decide to oppose the war simply based on what you hear/ see on tv. Get informed.