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November 6, 2009

Letter: President must untie military's hands in Afghanistan

To the editor:

On this coming Veterans Day let us honor and pray for our warriors in the field and those in veterans' hospitals with horrific injuries.

These men and women heroes volunteered themselves after 9/11. In my opinion they are the second greatest generation.

In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack everyone was gung-ho. Eight years later, have we forgotten what happened on 9/11? For heaven's sake, don't abandon these brave men and women who are doing a yeoman's job defending the principles of the Constitution so that we remain a free nation.

At the Dover, Del., airfield when Barack Hussein Obama paid his respects to the warriors whose remains were being transferred, he said, "It was a sobering reminder of our soldiers' sacrifices."

If this experience was so heartfelt, why doesn't Obama untie the hands of our warriors, and let them get the job done? The president's politically correct "Rules of Engagement" are in my estimation an abominable outrage!

Among the rules: "Unless our troops in combat are absolutely certain that no civilians are present, they're denied artillery support. If any civilians appear when we meet the Taliban, our troops are to break contact — to retreat."

When on the campaign trail your president said, "We must have a National Civilian Security Force, just as well funded and as strong as our military." Heaven help us! Is this the "hope and change" we want?

Norma M. Pino

Beverly

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