Question Clinton, support troops

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Al Mollo

My friend Tony looked over his shoulder for a glimpse of the action. He went quickly back to his salad.

"Huh," he said between bites, "the president must have gotten himself another - "

Well, we won't mind what he said.

While sadly humorous, this is one of the serious problems with having a president who is distrusted by an overwhelming majority of Americans. This is most dangerous when he is responsible for investing our most precious national resource: our armed forces.

I do not trust Bill Clinton. I never did. I never will. However, we must not allow our perception of this president to be interpreted as a lack of support for our men and women in battle.

Now this is not to say that the criticisms of some are illegitimate. While it is wrong to give the world the idea of an America divided, it is unpatriotic to blindly follow the spin of a habitually dishonest leader.

It is Clinton who has planted the seeds of doubt into the minds of reasonable Americans. And at these, our most vulnerable of hours, the most grave of concerns arise.

While it is frightening to imagine a president using the military for reasons other than our best national interests, it is certainly understandable considering this administration.

There are those who say that the president is acting in an attempt to create a positive legacy in the post-impeachment chapters of history. Then, there are the ones who argue that this is merely an effort to divert attention from the administration's dangerously irresponsible actions in wake of the Chinese theft of nuclear technology.

Then, there is Tony.

While this healthy skepticism should come after, and only after, we offer our united support for our troops, it must not be dismissed. Do not forget that this is the president who saw fit to launch an attack against Iraq, curiously, each time a domestic scandal arose. This was most blatantly disgusting on the very eve of his impeachment, when only his most indoctrinated supporters could believe his motives.

By the way, what ever happened to Iraq?

In regard to the current military offensive, we certainly must not take it lightly. Like all times when American lives are within the line of fire, there are reasons for great worry. This situation, however, has the potential to become a catastrophe not seen in years; one which we as a nation must be intellectually prepared to face. It is not only to our benefit, it is our responsibility.

Often, we in the United States take for granted the blessings we experience each day. Many live here like tenants, who feel they are entitled to things that are far from guaranteed. However such liberty has been given to us only through the sacrifice and courage of those who have served before, and those who serve now.

So while Bill Clinton deserves our suspicion, our troops deserve our support.

And mostly, they deserve our prayers. And never forget, we remain the land of the free only, only, because we are the home of the brave.