McGrath, Dianavan, Ebbie - as I said, I disagree strongly with a great deal of jwp's post, but I have sufficient humanity, and personal experience of the effect of war on the people who find themselves actually involved in the violence, to realise that this person's post, if genuine (and I have no way of proving or disproving that, nor for that matter have you), has a real basis in actual experience, and the views expressed in it are as valid as anyone else's.

Dianavan - your question "Who told you that?" - I'll explain. I didn't, and I don't need to, put words in your mouth, isn't it obvious from the question that you believe jwp's views as expressed in the posting are a regurgitation of some political dogma that's been fed to him/her, and not genuinely-held personal views? If you didn't think that, why ask the question? And you've made no secret of your scorn for, and distrust of, the US Administration and those you perceive as their lackeys, (something on which we do in fact agree) so why wouldn't anyone assume that your post (which consisted simply of that terse question and in which, unlike me, you made no attempt whatsoever to display the 'deep heartful sympathy' that you're now claiming to feel for this unfortunate person) was merely an attempt to either denigrate jwp because of their service in the occupying forces in Iraq, or to goad him/her into making another posting in the same vein as their first so that you could attack him/her further. If your response to jwp's post had been along the lines of "You have my sympathy for having been involved in this unjust war, and for the damage it's done to you, but I'd appreciate it if you would explain why you believe........etc. etc.", I would have had no reason to respond as I did, but an unqualified "Who told you that" reads as being loaded with anger and aggression against the questionee. If I misjudged you then I'm happy to put my hand up and apologise, but you've nailed your colours firmly to the mast in this and other threads, and in that respect perhaps you're reaping what you've sown?