Actions speak louder than words.

I just received an email from the staff of the once presidential hopeful, John Kerry. The opening line? "I just came back from the Senate floor, and I have to tell you, I'm pretty steamed." I am too, and have been since the year 2003, when we chose to enter Iraq in the first place. However, I have come to terms with the fact that we are there, which is why I support our troops by doing as much as we can for the people that are risking their lives on a daily basis. It seems that "Supporting the Troops" and the magnetic yellow ribbons that bear that saying don't signify an actual support for the troops themselves, but instead support for a specific war--the Iraq war. The specific incident that inspired this particular circulated email from Senator Kerry was an amendment that sets the maximum amount of time for a soldier to be deployed in Iraq, as well as a minimum amount of time for them to spend at home in the states. Republicans claim to support the troops and continue (for the most part) to support the President's policy in Iraq, and are blocking a vote on this amendment. If they truly support the troops, then doesn't it seem that our troops should be given fair treatment for their service to our country, and should not be exploited and required to serve an extended amount of time away from their friends and families?

Kati McCoy
ADA Legislative Intern