After reading in the newspaper and watching on TV the demonstrations against war on Iraq, I was curious about the percentage of American citizens the demonstrators represent.
On March 1, I had the opportunity to attend a rally in support of our troops in front of the South Whidbey American Legion Post No. 141 in Langley. I decided to take an informal survey of the responses given, if any, by the people driving past. The first count I made of people giving a thumbs up or other positive signal of support as opposed to a thumbs down or other negative response resulted in 32 positive responses before a negative one. I started counting again about an hour later and reached 53 positive responses before a negative one. While by no means was this a scientific survey, it really opened my eyes to the support from home for our troops.
While many of us may have mixed emotions about the appropriateness of striking first under the existing circumstances, I recognize that the weapons of today can literally kill millions of Americans in a first strike against us. For the first time in history, we have been brutally forced to recognize that we have enemies with the desire and capability of doing just that.
I have never met a member of our military who, having been in combat, desires to see it again. I know that Secretary of State Colin Powell, the only member of the president’s inner circle of advisers who has seen combat, spoke against military action at first. He is not a yes man. He also has access to information that we do not have. With his agreement that action is now necessary, I am convinced.
Our troops need our support and appreciation for keeping us safe and free to have our differences.
Clinton
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