Roger Young

[Address here]

10 September 2009

VIA FACSIMILE

Subject: Open Letter regarding Afghanistan

Mr. President:

You, sir, have been in office since 20 Jan 09. Your administration and the Pentagon have been reviewing our military policy in Afghanistan since that time with no coherent plan to date.

The rules of engagement have changed since Gen. McChrystal was placed in command, and the lack of air and artillery support because of this new policy to avoid so-called civilian casualties is now directly causing the loss or life to our Marines and Army personnel in Afghanistan.

If you doubt this fact, see the Miami Herald article at:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/story/1224013.html

You are the Commander-In-Chief. General McChrystal and SECDEF Gates have been dragging ass, in my opinion, to author and forward their reviews. This is completely unacceptable and irresponsible. Now Congress wishes to hold hearings. Meanwhile our troops are dying at increasing rates because of this inept, drag-ass review policy you set in motion.

This is becoming like Vietnam, where Pentagon military commanders and the Commander-In-Chief refused to take responsibility and alter the rules of engagement to protect our troops. This is absolutely shameful!

Our brave troops cannot wait more months for your administration to get off the dime! It looks like nothing but a prolonged stall tactic to appease the anti-war wing of your party. Just today Speaker Pelosi came out and stated; “I don't think there's a great deal of support for sending more troops to Afghanistan in the country or in the Congress" (Yahoo! News).

As Commander-In-Chief, YOU must make that decision and soon! If you will not authorize immediate air and artillery support when our troops are under fire, bring them home!

Roger Young – Vietnam veteran