Armchair generals

I am stunned to read that the U.S. government is ready to facilitate "peace talks" with "provincial leaders" and the "rebels" in Afghanistan. When I was there from 2004-05, these groups were called the Taliban and al-Qaida terrorists. We are negotiating a temporary cease-fire agreement so that the politicians can feel better about a hasty retreat? If politicians want to do right by those who have served there and are serving, they should get out of the war room and let the military do what it does best.

In Afghanistan, a terrorist can fire at you, hit you, throw down his weapon and run to safety for another AK-47. If he positions his sniper nest within 500 meters of a village, you can't touch him under the rules of engagement that were dreamed up by the armchair generals in the U.S. Senate.

If we had had leaders in Washington, D.C., during World War II like we have today, we'd be speaking German today. Our enemies in the deserts of the Middle East are no match for the intelligence, guts and iron will of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines of this great nation. It is our enemies within who are our greatest threat in these dangerous days. Write a letter, make a call. Please, be the voice for those who are bound by honor to fight without complaint.

VERN DAVIDSON JR., Jackson