Tom, my post merely pointed out that a consequence of extended warfare is that men are pushed past the brink and was in no way disparaging of the men. Until our country realizes this fact that, no matter how well trained, intelligent, or well-rotated soldiers might be, we are going to have to face that some of those humans are going to go over the edge and commit atrocities.

And just what good does rotating out troops have on the Iraq people? They don't get a break from the day after day killing. The longer we're there, the more bitter the population becomes and the more the perception becomes among our fighting forces that few of them can be trusted.

Tom, just how can training prepare a young man to deal with walking down a street in Baghdad through rows of civilians gazing at them with disdain, only to walk into an ambush and see a few of his best friends be blown to bits? He knows many of those civilians were aware of what was coming but none of them warned his unit. How will he perceive those "innocent" people the next time he's in a tense situation?

Some of our soldiers truly create more good will than others but for you to somehow believe that our fighting forces are superhuman and able to put procedure and order above fear, revenge, and prejudice is simply short-sided.

My contention was merely to point out the risks of protracted warfare and the failings of human nature and you never once commented on that Tom. Your post instead sounded like some sort of rah rah recruiting poster. You are the master of opportunism.

Art