Soldiers' shoes

Washington Monthly, Nov, 2007 by Charles Peters

It seems incredible to me that at least thirteen Republicans wouldn't stand with the Democrats to demand that soldiers at least be given fifteen months at home before being sent back to Iraq. Why can't they put themselves in the shoes of those soldiers?

Of course, the soldier will tell you that he's ready to go back. He wants to do his duty. But can you really doubt that in his inner soul he wants to live, and to live as a whole human being, with all his limbs, a brain that still works, and a face that isn't disfigured?

When I was thirteen, I went to military school. I was miserable. But when a friend visited me, I felt I had to put on a brave front. I told him I loved it.

Charles Peters is the founding editor of the Washington Monthly.