[Hipshot]

Just fired off an email to Reid - I must admit I was much more civil than I thought I would be. Anyway, here's the text of what I wrote:

Sir:

Although I am not one of your constituents, I felt compelled to let you know how disgusted I am with your statement today to the journalists: "I believe ... that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything, as is shown by the extreme violence in Iraq this week".

I happen to have a son (my only son) currently serving with the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed in Sadr City. He's on his second deployment, having served in Sadr City back in 2005 with the 3rd Infantry Division.

It's comments like that that embolden the insurgents and make them do even more terrible acts against their own people. They know that all they have to do is rattle your (Democratic Party) cages enough that you'll cut-and-run.

My son is a third generation warrior proudly serving his country as I did during Vietnam and the first Gulf War, and his grandfather who flew 36 missions over Europe during World War 2. Until today, I was proud to be an American, but statements like that rank right up there with Jane Fonda and her treasonous activities during the Vietnam war. You, Sir, are keeping good company!

I doubt if you'll actually get to read this, but if you do, I hope it causes you to reflect on the impact it has on the morale of our troops. I wish I was articulate enough to express how I really feel.

If you and the other members of your party truly support the troops, then by God show it! Get off the dime, get them the tools they need to accomplish the mission they were assigned, then bring them home in honor. Let's not lose another one because we, as Americans, didn't have the courage to stay the course.

I'm sure Col M, TS or TR could have worded it a lot better, but this is just the warm-up! Wait till I really get going!