"Unfortunately, it's the vocal part that makes it to our troops. Seems to me that's not very good support."

Well, you see, I was pointing out something I'm doing to support them that is more likely to reach our troops than my opposition. My opposition has been limited to letters to my representatives and posts on this board. My support is collecting messages of support and forwarding them to troops. So it seems to me my support is more likely to reach our troops than my protest.

But forget all of these letters from military men etc. After the first Gulf war, I met many vets in bars in New York City. I told them all "Thanks" but also told them that I had participated in anti-war protest. I explained that I believed the best way to support them was to convince the government to bring them home safely. In every instance (around a half dozen to a dozen conversations) the military men and I shared a drink and agreed that there was no conflict between our viewpoints. It's that open-mindedness that I respect. Anyone whining that they're off fighting and we're here protesting is so oblivious to what America represents that I feel they're a poor example of our great fighting force.