When I make any objection to the war in Iraq I almost always get a snarl from someone with a yellow ribbon on the back of their SUV which boasts "Support Our Troops." What does that mean?

I support our troops because I want them home, given quality medical treatment, financial support and all of the love and emotional support we can muster up to try to thank them for putting their lives on the line for us. I support them by speaking out against the war so that as many of our troops can come home as soon as possible. I support our troops by working hard to elect representatives to our government who will hopefully take action to give our vets the medical and financial support they need for life. I support our troops by thanking them every time I meet a soldier and by telling them that if s/he is brave enough to do his/her job on the front lines then I see it as my job to put pressure on lawmakers to bring an end to our involvement in this war. I made a special ops soldier cry, thank me and hug me by telling him that right before he left for his next tour.

If you are one of those people who snarl at me when I speak out do you think it is best to "Support Our Troops" by not telling them that they are being forced to fight a political war and that we have already lost? Do you think they don't know that?

Do you "Support Our Troops" by standing idly by while severely injured troops are sent back into battle, while thousands return home irrevocably damaged with no support whatsoever? Do you support our troops by sending over kevlar vests because our government saw fit to spend hundreds of billions on Halliburton contracts, yet a pittance on personal protection for our soldiers? Do you "Support Our Troops" by promoting our military recruiters to target our poor neighborhoods to mislead our minority and poor young men and women into this awful mess?

What does that yellow ribbon mean to you?

Bush, his administration and his Congresses have been obstinent, arrogant, out-of-touch, foolish, corrupt, reckless, etc.; but most noteworthy Bush was elected twice against the will of the people and he, his Congresses and his adminstration have successfully dismantled much of the fabric of our Constitution, and have acted contrary to our country's interest on a regular and consistent basis.

As a result, the Congress has put a stop to the catastrophic failure in Iraq, the President has been impeached, Rove and the rest of the staff have been imprisoned, the Republicans in Congress have learned to think for themselves and their constituents. And the voters have overwhelmingly showed their disgust. What? You say he wasn't impeached? We have sent MORE troops to Iraq (or at least kept the troops there longer since we have no more to spare). Only one guy named Scooter was convicted, and for what? The American people didn't kick all of the Bushies out of Congress in the last election?

Don't be so sure that supporting the President is a bad strategy, there is far too much apathy among informed voters and far too many voters who like the comfort of looking at the issues at a first grade reading level. "Stay the Course" is simple and easy to understand. Follow Bush and there is no need to delve into the history of foreign nations we attack on the other side of the globe, just trust the President. There is no need to look at the intricacies of complex issues. George Bush and those presidential hopefuls who follow his strategies are experts at converting the difficult issues into cute little quips and soundbites. It works.

The words on GOP bumper stickers are few and catchy. It doesn't matter if they are lies, it is easy to understand and comforting to accept. Progressive slogans don't even fit on a bumper. So don't be so sure that Sen. McCain and others like him are misguided when they ally themselves with the President. Dismissing or underestimating that strategy was a disaster in 2004. It could happen again and again.

Imus was on the air because there is a market for his brand of hatred, arrogance and divisiveness. Ironically, he was fired because he pissed-off a large group of Americans who united, spoke up, put pressure on advertisers and successfully threatened profits. Opinions are broadcast if there is a market for them. It is about dollars.

These days, hatred and bigotry feed the fears of many frustrated, angry Americans who find comfort that their emotions are shared. Unfortunately, it is mostly the extreme right who seems to need it the most, and the broadcasters fulfill that need.

I can't listen to Rush Limbaugh for more than a minute simply because I can't hear what he is trying to say over his loud anger and hatred. Personally, I can't stand the negativity, the false facts being broadcast to millions just begging to be brainwashed. But there is a market for this stuff.

I may not respect the speaker but I respect the rights of all of us to speak, yell, babble or chant whatever drabble someone wants to puke out. More legislation to protect or restrict broadcasted speech isn't necessary. We just need to respect the First Amendment, even when we don't like the side effects.

It is only when we decide to think for ourselves and stop fearing knowledge that the hate-broadcasters will no longer have a market. As long as they are profitable we must live with them. I support those who put Imus out of business (until he lands somewhere else) and I do not support Imus, but I am deeply grateful that both sides may speak without government interference.

Jennifer S.

St. Charles, MO