Well duh that they'd rather be home themselves. But here's the thing, if I were in a situation like that, gads, if any of us actually were serving ourselves, I'd jolly well want to feel that I was there for a reason, too. I can't imagine how awful it must be/has been for soldiers in a war situation where they didn't feel they were there for a good reason-- believing in what they're doing must be essential to the mental and emotional health of a lot of them. And you'd better believe, when I sent out care package stuff through anysoldier.com (putting a plug in there for it again) I didn't offer any of my opinions of the situation in Iraq. They have nothing to do with it-- they're doing their job, to the best of their abilities.
I work for an environmental organization and believe me, there are times when I think, "What's the point? This effort is for nothing" and I get really depressed. Now, add to that depression being in a situation where I might have to kill people and am in constant danger of being maimed or killed myself and I imagine that depression turns into some pretty fierce mental anguish. I think I would choose to believe I'm needed there and I'm doing the right thing. And I don't blame a one of them for it.
And the reason behind not wanting them there is not because half of America thinks our nation is a big bad monster but because we're aware that these soldiers aren't nameless, faceless units that the government tries to hide from us (notice how you don't see any footage on television of the dead coming home?)- they're sons and daughters and friends and fathers and mothers and aunts and uncles. And we don't want them maimed, or dead, and their families left to mourn them. And I think our country has an obligation not to send them into danger when they aren't urgently needed. I think that's a betrayal of what they signed up for.
Because no one is complaining about going into Afghanistan (other than the slip-shod way it's been done, but that's not the soldiers' fault, it's the men in brass'). It's Iraq. Why do you think that is?
While I'm on the soapbox, folks, take some of your winnings (or spending money) and send a care package (or at least a letter) via anysoldier.com. For about $26.00 you can send a box of cookies and things. I know how little I make, and I can find that and I'm betting a lot of you make a lot more than I do, judging from the discretionary gambling money many of you seem to have every week.
And if you're unwilling to, take a little time and write a letter, which is what most of them want more than anything anyway.
And I hope and pray in the end, it won't be for nothing. Please God, for sake of all those serving.