Their well organized and funded "phone tree" can take a few buzz words and propagate it throughout the country in an instant. The neocons have been the most cohesive, well managed political regime to hit our country.

The neocon propaganda machine can take a complex issue and whittle it down to a sound bite -- something the moderates and progressives have never mastered. This small, but elite group is powerful because what it says is true, despite clear evidence to the contrary and polls which show the majority of Americans know better.

Mr. Bush, their figurehead is the perfect example. He is in office against the will of the people. His policies have been unpopular, yet he is always able to muster up a few good old boys to applaud at his well managed appearances.

It is their propaganda machine that has convinced many Americans that this war is like a football game. It can be "won," and "victory" can be ours. I don't think even THEY know what winning or victory in Iraq means.

These are frightening people who have challenged the integrity of our government structure by taking control against the will of the people and remaining unchecked.

It is unfortunate that the neocons have kept the moderates and the progressives on the defensive and in fear of the almighty machine that they don't fight back with any teeth. The American people must put an unprecidented amount of pressure on Congress to act decisively without wincing. We must also appear in great mass to produce such numbers at the polls in each election that there leaves no room for close calls or manipulation. There must be a clear mandate from the voters and their representatives in Washington, the likes of which this country has never seen. We must take back our country.

It looks like Gonzales' hands were slapped pretty hard. So what. Will there be a vote to fire him? Will there be a public outcry for his resignation? If so, will it matter?

The highest law enforcer in the land (other than the new office of Chief "Decider") is steeped in scandal and has been caught lying through his teeth and arrogantly sticking to his story of not having a story. So what will happen now?

President Clinton lied about a personal matter and was subsequently impeached. AG Gonzales makes no attempt to hide his servitude to the Bush Administration while showing contempt for Congress. He lied to Congress about his actions by which he used his office to politicize a supposedly independent branch of government. There is no contest as to which is more aggregious. So will Gonzales get burned at the stake? Probably not, the Administration will probably try to divert our attention with gay marriage or immigration issues.

We will see.

Jennifer

St. Charles

Don't we all know that medical, financial and community support for our vets sucks and always has? Vietnam vets still struggle to fit in after being ripped from the hell of the jungle and thrown back into society expecting to pick up where they left off. How many have we lost to suicide, crime and homelessness? For years, we have heard stories about the lack of care for our vets from previous wars. Maybe the situation is too shameful to face. Maybe our priorities are really as out of whack as they appear, e.g. hundreds of billions paid to Halliburton and their bretheren while cuts are made to the VA.

It has been estimated that about 2/3s of our soldiers returning from Iraq suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We have learned from vets who served in previous wars that PTSD causes severe depression, suicide, psychosis, a complete inability to function in society and leads to many other physical ailments if not treated.

Our VA cannot properly care for a broken leg much less more serious physical injuries. Psychological damage is all but ignored. It disgusts me to see people cheerleading at the sidelines of this war as though it were a high school football game. It is not a game. Football games can be won. Wars, especially this one cannot.

I am ashamed at my government when I read about our failure to provide our vets with the care and respect they deserve. I am getting sick of watching Congress try in vain to fight the "all powerful" administration from sending severely injured troops back into battle and extending tours of duty to avoid a withdrawal or a draft before its term expires.

In fact, I am going to stop writing this right now because I am once again just preaching to the choir. We must end this war and support our troops by bringing them home and providing them with the best medical, social and psychological support our country has to offer.

After I sign off here I will write a real paper letter to my US representative and Senators. I will follow up my letters by calling my Congressmen and I will contact a veterans' organization which is working to push Congress to make substantive changes and will offer to volunteer in whatever way I can. I hereby challenge myself and all who read this to actually DO something to bring our troops home and provide them with the respect they deserve.

It is time we fight to protect those young men and women who fight for us. Take action.

The first comment says it all. That was a well-written, thorough article which moved me deeply. Tom and Chuck have an amazing story and I feel honored that they shared it with you/us. I am in awe at their bravery and respect for each other.