Duncan Campbell of The Guardian on Bush forced to defend rising US death toll:
George Bush acted at the weekend to address increasing national disquiet over the number of US servicemen being killed in Iraq. More than a quarter of American casualties in Iraq have occurred since the president declared an end to major military combat at the beginning of May. Another US soldier was killed yesterday, bringing the toll since May 1 to 56. A total of 138 American service personnel died during the war itself.
Of course, to most warbloggers, the war ended when G.W. tried to relive his old Air National Guard days by co-piloting himself to the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln to declare the war over. Wait, that's not exactly right. He was AWOL for the last 18 months of his Air National Guard time. Anyways, you know what I mean. To those of us with a little more substance to our debate, the war isn't over until all our boys and girls come back home. But don't expect acknowledgment from the "Iraqis are dancing in the streets" crowd anytime soon. They forgot about the troops the second they started dying. War wasn't fun for them anymore and well, there's always ESPN to distract the mind from the dead.
Further, they haven't got shit to say now, nor then, about VA Budget cuts (here and here), Gulf War Syndrome and the crisis in waiting that is defective chemical and biological protective gear. Screaming "Support the Troops" while turning a blind eye to such important core issues of concern is quite telling of an individual's true motives. Far too many of those warbloggers who are silent now, were extremely busy a few months ago telling those of us opposed to the war that we were anti-American, aiding and abetting the enemy or hurting the troops. Nothing could be further from the truth, I gave six years of active duty service (not to mention six years reserve time) voluntarily including time in the first Gulf War and I was against this war. Nor was I the only vet. No less an icon than Col David Hackworth questioned the Administration's decisions. I wasn't aiding and abetting a thing, nor was Col Hackworth. Nor will I forget the petty tirades of those who didn't serve yet felt compelled to question the patriotism of those opposed. Further, I have nothing but contempt for those who screamed loudest for war and yet are silent today while Americans continue to die overseas. This is what you wanted. You got your war, now be a grownup and acknowledge the casualties. This isn't your Play Station 2 Commando game. Real people are dead and they aren't coming back.
Link courtesy of Chris Swift (another Gulf War Vet) via Yahoo! Groups – All Gulf Vets.