We would best serve our brave fighting men and women if we stopped sending them into ill-conceived wars where we naively think we can create an American-friendly democracy in a country that doesn't have the basic needs of a democracy.
Democracy needs an educated populace, freedom of religion and opinion, freedom to express and discuss any objections to the policies of those in power, and, of course, freedom of the press.
Instead of sending our brave soldiers into harm's way, we should be sending Christian missionaries. It seems like we generally ignore what Jesus said to do. Jesus said to love your enemies, return good for evil, pray for, forgive and love your neighbors.
It's far better to eliminate your enemies by making them your friends. Every day that our fighting men and women remain in Iraq and Afghanistan we create more enemies, as people lose their loved ones, their homes, their jobs and infrastructure, not to mention the inevitable civil war when we leave between those who supported us and those who fought us.
Some wars are justified but a timely departure is essential.
Kirk Hunt
Lahaina
