Re: “Symbolic Surrender and the Surge,” Opinion, Jan. 31

To the Editor:

Everywhere we go in America, we hear the fabled cry from Democrats, “We support the troops, but not the war!” I would like to pose a question to the Cornell community: How can this be? The U.S. is currently involved in a voluntary war with Iraq — this means that there was no draft and that all military personnel volunteered to serve. Would you volunteer for a deadly mission if you did not believe in the cause? Of course you would not.

The other major fact about the troops in Iraq that Democrats choose to ignore is that the military retention rate is at an all-time high. This means that the number of troops who decide to re-enlist in the military and continue tours of duty in Iraq once their contract has expired is at a record high. This demonstrates that the men and women who volunteer to fight for democracy believe in the cause and wish to stay.

So how can it be that Democrats support these troops, but not any of their ideals? I understand not supporting the war, but Democrats should not hide behind a mask of saying they support the troops. You cannot support someone when you make a mockery of their beliefs and belittle their cause.

David Minich ’08