The conventions are over, and now is the time for you to have a conversation with America about Iraq. George W. Bush committed far too few troops to Iraq to assure “Victory”, a word used by both John McCain and Sarah Palin. Their view is delusional, but to understand the magnitude of this mistake and their errors in judgment, the following should be shared with the American public.
• On Meet the Press, Colin Powell, the successful architect of Gulf War I, stated that Bush should have sent 500,000 soldiers to Iraq.

• Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni in 1999 conducted the Desert Crossing Games. This study concluded 400,000 soldiers could still lead to a failed Iraqi state; and predicted most of the issues that have plagued our troops for the last 5 years, including the involvement of Iran and al Qaeda.

• With the “Surge” the troop strength in Iraq was only 170,000. This is well less than half the troop strength necessary to secure the borders; secure our supply lines which exposed our soldiers to IEDs; secure known munitions sites; and secure the peace for our brave men and women as well as the Iraqi people.

While there have been recent reductions in violence, primarily through deals with various tribal leaders, the “peace” is both tenuous and reversible. I am not stating that, these are the statements of our commanders on the ground. They are also well aware Iraq is not the American military model. The clerics are the real rulers; and if a cleric decides not to play ball any longer, we do not have the troop strength to make them.

As for the “Surge” drawdown, the troops are not coming home. The troops slowly being removed from Iraq are being reassigned to Afghanistan; another war Bush and McCain failed to pay enough attention to or commit enough troops to win.

This is why I cannot vote for Sen. John McCain. I would never question his heroic service as a POW in Vietnam; nor would I question his patriotism. However, I would question his motives and judgment. Speaking out is one thing, but if Bush was going to do this war and the war in Afghanistan so “wrong”; it was his obligation to take a stand against sacrificing so many soldiers to death, wounds, injury and illness. That number for both of these protracted wars is approaching, if not exceeding, 400,000 according to information provided by the government; and is growing daily.

Our brave men and women have served valiantly and done more than was ever expected; but because Bush and McCain did not send enough troops, there can be no “Victory”. It is time to save the lives of our brave men and women; including the sons of Joe Biden and Sarah Palin.

Kenneth L. (Larry) Stephens
USMC Vietnam Service 66-67