Message sent

For the first time in my life, I doubt our country's wisdom in our commitment to our own nation's integrity and survival. We were bewildered and horrified by the horrendous events that have transpired in our once peaceful nation. We were shocked by 9/11. All of us remember those moments when we learned the terrible news and revenge seemed the natural recourse. America "responded" and we embarked on a mission to right a wrong. I will credit the capture of Saddam Hussein. But why remain in the Middle East attempting to get a foreign country "under control?" We sent a loud and clear message in the November elections about our stance on remaining in Iraq. Incredibly, President Bush has responded to our plea by sending more troops. Our resources are being squandered by a pathetic, self-serving government. One of those potential troops is our daughter, Kirsten Knapp, 19, who is proudly completing basic training, proudly serving the U.S. Army and proudly looking forward to serving our nation. Kirsten will be eligible for deployment this summer and that possibility naturally terrifies me. But it's particularly heart-wrenching because these missions aren't representative of our nation's choice and these actions are needlessly endangering our brave men and women. Jennifer Knapp, Magnolia - Courier Post, February 3, 2007