Chaos Magnet

As I just talked to some of my brothers about our efforts here in Afganistan and Iraq, I figured I'd get out of this fucking sandstorm and jump on the laptop. Most of us soldiers here who just came from Iraq to Afganistan (fucking imagine that there's two hells) we all pretty much agree on the hatred for this fat anti-American bastard Michael Moore. I thought to myself this is the kind of ungreatful bastard we fight for? So as you rip America and the American people michael moore just remember one thing, You have the freedom to do so as we exchange our blood for your right to denounce the very freedoms we provide! sleep well asshole!! we won't. Semper fi Capt. Al Cariono USMC

I'm really glad you posted, Captain, because I would like to ask you something. I don't pretend to be an expert; I've never been in the military, but I have a hell of a lot of respect for you guys, especially as my son gets ready to enlist. So please, take this in the spirit it's intended. I'm not attacking anybody, and I really want to know how you feel. (And if you read this blog, you know I have no love of Michael Moore's brand of "truth".)

I'm not "anti-American". I believe that despite our flaws, this is the best country in the world. Period.

I have not seen Fahrenhiet 9/11 so I do not know what it says, so this question isn't about the movie, what it says, or anything about what Michael Moore thinks.

I hear a lot of people who equate "anti-war" with "anti-American." But wouldn't you consider trying to get you and your brothers-in-arms home to be "supporting the troops"? I mean, you ask if he "is the kind of ungreatful bastard we fight for" but is he really "denounc[ing] the very freedoms [you] provide"?

Part of the reason you're there is no doubt because of evil people that had to be removed. I'll agree with that. But part of it also has to do with things we as a nation have done in the past that were not up to the idea of what you and I would like America to be. Less than noble things, some of which only fester because nobody knows about them. (Like, would we be so convinced of President Bush's objectivity if everybody knew about his family's involved with the Carlyle Group and the Saudi's? And how quickly to people forget that the Taliban trying to kill you right now were supported and built up (back when they were the "Mujahadeen heroes") by, well, us back in the 1980's.

Is pointing that out really anti-American, or is it even more American, because we know that America can do better, and want to see it happen?

I really want to know how you guys, in the desert where it really matters, feel about that.