zugzwang,
i offer my apology to you, i must admit, that without knowing your history, i assumed that perhaps this was just the wailing of a faint hearted liberal. but, i was indeed wrong, & my speculation was one of error. i apologize, you have paid your dues, you have served your country, & i as a fellow veteran of the united states army, must stand in respect of you as you voice your opinion.
as a side note, you stated that you took your a.i.t. at ft. gordon. my son, after serving in iraq, & then at gitmo bay, cuba, is now an a.i.t. instructor at ft. gordon.
done properly, i believe that the armed forces provide tremendous assistance to the u.s. citizens, provided that the civilian leaders do not violate the law of the united states, as the current administration has so arrogantly been guilty of.
scott