... (1) There was no way to do it without appearing so wholly negative (to a reader wrapped up in the actual chaos) that you couldn't carry on to a useful point (for which there are many; and (2) you couldn't do it without injuring many people, most of all those Gold Star parents and wounded vets.
re: both Iraq and Astan. I've had those thoughts here at SWC to some extent; but more so in face to face with the youngsters (that's anyone under 50 ) going to or come back from.

At times, the best COA is this:

Smaller Cup of Shut.jpg

HT to Steve Blair for the link to the large version.

Regards

Mike