Letter: Stubborn Bush disregards safety of troops in Iraq

Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 4:28 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

September 25 - 26, 2004

I am a 32-year-old female who grew up an "Army brat" -- my father served 24 years in the U.S. Army. I myself served in the Army for three years before I received a medical discharge for a service-related injury. Yet when I verbalize my concern over the shocking disregard President Bush seems to have for the safety and well-being of our troops in Iraq, I am accused of being "un-American."

Iraq has become an unmitigated quagmire, of which I can see no way to extricate ourselves from for many years to come. Because of President Bush's inexperience, incompetence and irrational stubbornness, we also find ourselves fighting virtually alone. Each day the insurgents gain more control and more support and each day it seems American soldiers are dying in the most violent and bloody fashion.

Meanwhile, the real threat to America, Osama bin Laden, roams free without a glimmer of hope for his capture. The only thing that Bush seems to excel at is spinning attention away from his disastrous record, and refocusing attention on what may or may not have taken place 35 years ago when John Kerry served his country in Vietnam.

It is imperative that President Bush be replaced during the coming election. I shudder to think of the sad state our proud nation will be in four years from now if he is not.

KATE GILLENWATER