I agree that we shouldn't use our troops as police officers, but what is the alternative? We destroyed the government of Iraq, now it has to be rebuilt. That takes time and if it wasn't for our troops, the whole country would be in anarchy. I'd consider that at least as dangerous as having Saddam in power.

We all want you guys back home, but more importantly, we want the job completed first. (That's what we taxpayers are paying you for.) If its any consolation, I think most Americans don't have a problem with "excessive use of force" issues, the press and those who oppose the Commander-in-Chief are the ones who blow it way out of proportion.

As far as Rumsfeld goes, welcome to the real world soldier... I doubt you'll find a single corporation or organization where the grunts don't hate the CEO's guts, decisions, etc. I wouldn't count on your complaints getting him fired though, it never seems to work in the corporate world, it just leads to the employee getting in trouble.

My advice, learn to deal with the disappointment of having Rumsfeld in charge. You may not like him, some of your buddies may not like him, the press may not like him, but the public seems to support him and he is the boss. No amount of complaining is likely to change that.

I may be a civilian who "doesn't understand", but I grew up on military bases, I was a military brat during the tail end of the Vietnam war, we were all very aware that my father could be shipped over there, but he wasn't drafted, he volunteered. And he was going to accept whatever the decision was even if he didn't like it. There are lots of things that people do to "support our troops." From sending care packages to troops stationed overseas, to just a simple prayer for the safety of our troops. Don't snap at those who wish you the best.