Cool. I had my LTTE published...

[reichstag911]

...in the Chicago Sun-Times at http://www.suntimes.com/output/letters/cst-edt-vox25a.html (scroll down to "Bush made them criminals.") The article that prompted it is at http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-riley21.html .

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[katinmn]

1. Good letter!

:yourock:

[bryant69]

2. Congratulations on getting your letter published

Despite my disagreement with your assessment of the culpability of American Troops in the invasion of Iraq.

Bryant
check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[reichstag911]

3. Yeah,...

...I struggle with that, too, but the fact remains that our invasion of Iraq was in violation of international law, thus making the soldiers criminals. Many have resisted going, either by deserting or seeking CO status; the rest could have, also, if they chose to uphold the oath they swore to the Constitution, not the President or his administration. I'm also aware that most go into the military because of financial considerations -- whether it be the regular forces or the National Guard -- but again, personal responsibility, one of the pervasive memes of the repugs, enters into it. Evil triumphs when good people do nothing, right?

[bryant69]

6. Yeah

But by that definition we are all to blame for Bush's policies (and we all are. Did you pay your taxes last year?). Singling out soldiers who most people (including myself) see as victims of Bush's policies is unseemly.

[reichstag911]

7. I'm hardly...

..."singling them out." I state very clearly that they are following illegal orders from criminals (i.e., "the Bush/Cheney crime family"). The fact remains, however, that their participation, their failure to resist illegal orders, makes them international criminals. It can be argued, also, that their following of what nonpartisan legal scholars would consider unconstitutional orders can be construed as breaches of their enlistment oaths.

[bryant69]

8. Two questions

Well three, but I guess I'm assuming the first and I might be wrong.

1. Are you an American Citizen?

2. Did you pay your taxes for last year or the year before?

3. Do you consider yourself culpable for what the President has used your money to do in Iraq?

[reichstag911]

9. Nope, sorry,...

...not getting pulled into "guilt by association." Yes, I'm an American citizen, but my taxes are irrelevant. As Bush's staggering deficits demonstrate, he'll just borrow the money he intends to steal through and for his corporate cronies. Not to mention which, taxpaying is essentially extortion. See what happens when you don't pay: they lock you up (threat of physical control/abuse) and confiscate (steal) your shit. Why do you think that they've effectively eliminated the "traditional" Mafia over the past 40 years or so? Competition in gambling, extortion, etc. They were simply looking to monopolize their criminal endeavors. I genuinely believe that this is the morass into which we've been dragged by the military-industrial complex about which Eisenhower so perspicaciously -- and futilely, apparently -- warned the country. Bottom line, I never swore an oath to defend the Constitution, then violated it. I am not a button man for a bunch of criminals in suits. Feel free to indulge your own culpability, on whatever level(s) you choose, but I have and feel none.

[DARE to HOPE]

4. Congratulations!

I had one a couple years ago. But I really have given up on the Sun-Times the last couple years. You give me the inspiration I need to maybe try again!

[reichstag911]

5. Generally speaking,...

...I probably get 1/4 to 1/3 of my LTTEs published by the Times. It's odd, really. While I have criticized them directly (specifically, their kleptocratic and/or foreign ownership and management -- Conrad Black, David Radler, John Cruickshank,...), in addition to the repug columnists they syndicate (Novak, Steyn, O'Reilly, O'Sullivan, Will, etc.), they're still pretty good about printing my screeds...er...letters. This one, in particular, surprised me when they didn't edit my "Bush/Cheney crime family" bit.